Huge gap in State funding for roads and flood recovery
Last week’s council meeting was a big one. The last for the financial year so it included the budget. The State Government’s lack of action on flood recovery was a theme throughout the meeting. Here’s the summary of the Richmond Valley Council meeting on June 28.
Farmers share traveller tips to help keep Foot and Mouth out of Australia: Vic Farmers
Victorian farmers are encouraging international travellers to enact simple preventative measures to help keep the potentially devastating Foot and Mouth (FMD) livestock disease out of Australia. Victorian Farmers Federation President Emma Germano said that news of the disease reaching the popular holiday island of Bali in neighbouring Indonesia is very concerning for farmers.
Growers ready to lead industry down new road
Peak industry organisation CANEGROWERS is ready and willing to lead the way to a more profitable and diversified future for sugarcane outlined in a new roadmap. “This document has been two and a half years in the making. It is exciting as a cane grower to be at the starting point of a new chapter in our sugarcane industry’s story,” CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said. “We are ready to lead the transition, working with existing and new investors.”
Australian sugarcane industry to form working groups to drive bioeconomy boom
Organisations representing the Australian sugarcane industry will form a series of working groups to implement their first whole-of-industry vision and roadmap. The Sugar Plus vision released at the Developing Northern Australia Conference, positions the industry as Fuelling the Future of Food, Energy and Fabrication.
Plan unveiled for sugarcane industry to drive bioeconomy boom
“The sugarcane industry has identified an exciting and transformational future of sustainably producing sugar and bioproducts at the heart of regional communities. The roadmap outlines opportunities for a substantially larger industry. A growing bioeconomy industry will enable Australia to become increasingly self-sufficient, improving economic resilience and national security”: Anne Stünzner, CRCNA CEO.
Clarence apiarists on alert as first time Varroa mite detected
Rodney Stevens. A tiny insect never before seen in Australia has Clarence Valley apiary businesses and owners lives on hold after Varroa mites that could decimate the industry were first detected in beehives at the Port of Newcastle last week. A state wide emergency biosecurity order has been issued by the Department of Primary Industries DPI to control the movement of bees and stop the spread of Varroa mite.
Sky’s the limit as airline sets sights on the future
Cape York airline Skytrans has partnered with Stralis Aircraft to develop and trial Australia's first hydrogen electric propulsion aeroplane. The zero-emissions hydrogen electric propulsion system (HEPS) will be installed on a Beech 1900D Airliner with the trial flight to occur in North Queensland, demonstrating the technology is reliable for tough local conditions and the area's pristine ecosystems.
Workers wanted to boost food and fibre production
NSW Farmers President James Jackson says Australians looking for work should consider a career in agriculture. There were almost half a million job vacancies across the country, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which Mr Jackson said was holding back productivity.
Asparagopsis now commercially available to beef producers
Lowering methane emissions through the use of Asparagopsis seaweed as a feed supplement has become a reality, following its first commercial sale in early June, according to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and FutureFeed. The first commercial sale of Asparagopsis feed supplement in Australia by CH4 Global is a significant step forward for the industry.
Not cool – a fridge scam dumped at our doors: Bev McArthur
Unwanted fridges have been dumped at local businesses under the Victorian Government’s abysmal net-zero-inspired appliance replacement scheme ... “Can you imagine arriving at your business one morning to see multiple fridges in boxes plonked at your front door? These are fridges you haven’t ordered, don’t want and now have to get rid of. In the meantime, the company dumping them has registered the fridges and received $3,000 for each of them from the Premier, Dan Andrews" : Bev McArthur.
End-of-life plan needed for tens of thousands of wind turbine blades
A new study led by the University of South Australia indicates tens of thousands of wind turbine blades will end up in landfill by the end of the decade unless end-of-life programs are established soon. The study, led by Professor Peter Majewski, highlights the challenges of recycling wind turbine blades, which are made of either carbon fibre or glass fibre composite material, both of which are expensive to break down, with the recovered materials having minimal market value.
Festival of light coming to Kerang
The stories of Kerang’s fauna, flora and people will be celebrated during four nights of activities this July. Using digital projection technology, many of Kerang’s landmarks will be lit up by works created by residents during the Kerang’s Living World light festival, occurring on 4-5 July and 15-16 July.
Neuron’s e-scooters embraced by locals, boosting the economy and replacing car trips in Rockhampton, with riding area set to expand
Leading e-scooter operator Neuron Mobility, has announced an expansion to its riding area in Rockhampton ... Neuron’s e-scooters have been embraced by locals and tourists, racking up close to 200,000 kilometres since first launching in February 2022.
Foot and Mouth Disease – a risk for all rural areas: Mark Allison, Agribusiness Australia
The risk of an FMD outbreak in Australia has been given a probability of 9% (1%/19%). The advent of FMD in Indonesia increases the likelihood of an incursion into Australia. We should not have waited until FMD or any disease was close to bring attention to the risk of exotic diseases ... In the event of an outbreak of FMD, we would immediately lose a large number of our premium livestock markets. The longer an outbreak takes to be controlled, the longer we are shut out of premium markets.
More affordable airfares have landed for Shire of Ashburton residents
Shire of Ashburton residents can now take advantage of capped airfares travelling to and from Perth from July 1, 2022. The first scheme of its kind to be implemented in Australia, the WA State Government has committed $19.8 million to deliver the capped airfare scheme over the next three years.
Airport airside upgrades
Works on a major airside upgrade to the Whyalla Airport are nearing completion, with all but the resurfacing of the secondary runway and additional electrical work to be completed ... Mayor Clare McLaughlin said the works including the installation of the new taxi way have been constructed to allow for the landing and departure of larger aircraft.
Commonage not a dumping ground
Sheryl Lowe. The Penola Commonage has entered the Clarke Street tree removal discussion with one councillor saying the dumping of the 16 Cypress trees after felling, is not appropriate. The bank of trees has been the topic of discussion for several months with some community members in favour of keeping them ... There is some ambiguity about what the Commonage (noun community land) can be used for he said; it is clear it was to be used for community use and not unpleasant things like the spreading of waste water and burning of timber.
New kitchen for Moreton Bay
Chris Oldfield. Meals of “mashed mush” and “baby food”, people left on toilets, others often feeling cold and rooms not cleaned properly are some of the sad tales from residents and their families of Moreton Bay House ... The News has now spoken to several people - residents and their families and friends - about a raft of problems which saw the aged care facility fall into disrepute, failing 19 of 42 requirements listed under eight Commonwealth standards.
$250m plan puts a spotlight on Naracoorte
Chris Oldfield. A proposed $250 million development over 25 years at Naracoorte’s North Parklands was unveiled last week to a large crowd thirsty for information. Putting a spotlight on Naracoorte, the proposal is hailed as the biggest development plan for regional SA.
Goldfields Gothic this weekend
This weekend, as part of the Goldfields Gothic Festival of Dark Ideas, the streets will be alive with the sights and sounds of the Goth community ... It’s time to dress up (don’t forget your thermals!), go Goth and enjoy yourselves! There are plenty of events on offer ... At the Victorian Fan Language Workshop, you can learn over 20 delicate and precise gestures fit for high society!
Plaques lead the way to new tourism experience
Two new walk trails offering an eco tourism experience have been launched in Denmark in time for the winter holidays. Plaques installed at the Denmark River mouth and Lights Beach lookout feature a QR code linked to the Waterways website, and a wealth of local stories designed to enrich the visitor experience.
Art Festival on Ford a resounding success
The inaugural Art Festival on Ford held over three days from June 24-26 in Ganmain was a resounding success. Several local artists and community groups such as the Art Society and Craft Cottage exhibited their creative works in the Ganmain Hall ... Lush Creative Galleries threw open their doors with artists Linda Nolan and Jody Graham welcoming visitors to view their paintings.
