Budget delivers big for the Cape
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui says she is thrilled that Cape York received its fair share in the 2022-23 state budget ... “In this year’s budget we are making record investments in health, education, jobs, renewables, and community services like police, fire and emergency services,” Ms Lui said.
Laura back with a bang
Cape York Peninsula’s biggest annual event, the Laura rodeo and races, roared back to life over the weekend. The tiny town of Laura, with a normal population of 200, swelled to around 3000 as thousands came from far and wide to be a part of what was once an annual event.
Skywhales: Every heart sings
The Gallery is very excited to be participating in the national tour of Patricia Piccinini’s Skywhales by hosting a Ballarat launch of these enormous floating sculptures on Saturday 9 July at sunrise. We recently announced that the venue for the launch will be Ballarat’s historic Eastern Oval.
From the Embers: Phoenix
In episodes 5 and 6 from the second season of the award winning short radio and podcast series From the Embers, we check in with two different communities on their resilience journeys. Episode 5, 'Right Fire Wrong Fire' goes to the South Coast of NSW where the mega fires of 2019/20 destroyed 1.5m hectares of Yuin Country, killing countless animals, plants, and insect species.
Making the Toowoomba region a mountain bike destination
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) will look at alternative route opportunities for mountain biking along the escarpment rather than progressing with plans to build trails in Redwood Park ... “There is a huge opportunity to grow mountain biking in our Region. We want to develop a bike trail network of up to 100kms to make our Region a destination that draws tourists from all across Australia, as well as international riders but it’s important we get the balance right" : Cr Tim McMahon.
Alice Springs Beanie Festival, 24-27 June 2022
Alice Springs Beanie Festival
Screenshot: Alice Springs Beanie Festival
Related story: The art of beanie crafting comes to Tennant Creek
Webinar replay: Meet Carbon Count – carbon farming made easy, fast and profitable
Our end–to–end carbon farming project management software is growing in capabilities and global reach! View the webinar recording.
Highschoolers learn the microbusiness market
As a part of the Humanities curriculum, Middle Year students were given the task of coming up with ideas for creating a micro business and then making it happen. On Wednesday morning the results of all their hard work was on display as they held Markets at the High School.
Castlemaine Documentary Festival
Clare Jager. This year’s Realise The Possible celebrates the connection between filmmakers, films and audiences and the lure of documentary storytelling with a diverse line-up of eight outstanding documentaries, stimulating panel discussions and parties.
Our Gary set to wave goodbye
Chris Oldfield. Naracoorte's iconic garbo Gary Carter will give his final wave from the helm of a $450,000 state-of-the art truck on June 29. Switching off his 6am alarm each day, he is possibly the district’s longest-serving and happiest garbo.
Multi-million dollar investment
Narrandera Shire Council has now paved the way for two major manufacturing industries to establish at Red Hill Industrial Estate ... “This is a landmark announcement. Today I can formally identify the Bhullar Group - who plan to establish a major steel fabrication factory and industry training facility ... Additionally, Hi-Tech Modular Homes plans to establish a purpose-built state-of-the-art manufacturing facility ... " : Mayor Kschencka.
First ever art festival on Ford for Ganmain
Ford Street in Ganmain will be transformed into a collection of art galleries over three days between June 24 to 26. The inaugural Ganmain Art Festival on Ford event has been organised by Myfanwy Collette and her stepdaughter Rosemary Ashton.
Farmers take back control with a digital first
Farmer-owned environmental goods and services broker Regen Farmers Mutual is set to launch their digital platform this week, as the first of 400 farmers on a growing waitlist take up the service. RFM’s farmer members will have access to a customised ‘digital twin’ of their farms which can be used to assess their green credentials and the environmental value of their property.
Cruise ship terminal boost for Port Lincoln
Port Lincoln will further cement itself as a premier cruise ship destination with the construction of new terminal facilities set to be complete before the commencement of the cruise ship session later this year. Located at Brennan’s Wharf, adjacent the former Sub Station being the ‘Red Shed’ and linked to the Parnkalla Trail Wharf Precinct.
Rebuilding the Woodford Folk Festival
Tickets for the iconic Woodford Folk Festival go on sale Wednesday 22 June at 12 midday ... Woodford Folk Festival is known for its diverse programme which includes music, circus, cabaret, comedy, talks, workshops, ceremonies, yoga, dance, street theatre, installations and a dedicated children’s festival. With over 2,000 performers, Woodford Folk Festival is the largest gathering of artists and musicians in Australia.
NSW councils increase rates
IPART has approved applications by eighty six NSW councils to increase their rates above the level of the annual rate peg. The modest increases were approved following an additional special variation process ... This year the rate peg was set at a minimum of 0.7%, with some further increases allowed in councils with growing populations.
High hopes for cane season as farm costs rise
The 2022 harvest is now underway for most of Queensland’s sugarcane growers who are hopeful late summer and autumn rain will push the crop above the pre season estimate to help them meet rising fuel and fertiliser bills.
Farm finances boom but costs forecast to bite : ABARES
Good rainfall and high commodity prices have driven strong farm financial performance for 2021-22. Executive Director of ABARES Dr Jared Greenville said cropping farms had reported higher than average cash incomes over the last year.
Qantas and Airbus joint investment to kickstart Australian biofuels industry
The Qantas Group and Airbus will invest up to US$200 million to accelerate the establishment of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in Australia, in a landmark agreement ... Due to the lack of a local commercial-scale SAF industry, Australia is currently exporting millions of tonnes of feedstock every year, such as canola and animal tallow to be made into SAF in other countries.
Governor gets involved in Cooktown’s big event
Queen Elizabeth’s representative for Queensland has given Cooktown and its annual Discovery Festival the royal thumbs up after visiting the Cape over the weekend. Her Excellency, the Honourable Jeannette Young and her husband Graeme Nimmo were eager participants ... Highlights of the weekend were the markets, with hundreds flowing through the stalls over the weekend, the street parade, inaugural 4x4 muster, the sunset soiree and fireworks, all capped off by the reenactment on Sunday morning.
Key food industry associations join forces to address Australia’s domestic food security issues
An alliance between food industry associations across the food supply chain, from paddock to plate, has been formed to address key issues associated with ensuring reliable and affordable access to food for all Australians during this unprecedented time of supply chain disruption ... The Alliance includes: Independent Food Distributors Australia (IFDA), The National Farmers Federation (NFF), Australian Meat Industry Council, (AMIC), Master Grocers Australia (MGA) & Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS).
