Caution creeps into Australian farm sector as rising production costs and impacts of war take gloss off high prices
Results of the quarter two Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, reveal optimism about high agricultural commodity prices and the prospect of a third consecutive bumper grains harvest has been reined in by the increasing cost of vital farm inputs such as fertiliser, fuel, freight and machinery and broader inflationary pressures in the Australian economy.
Upgrade works complete on three freight lines
Freight operators and farmers will benefit from the completion of upgrade works on three freight lines in north-west Victoria. Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne said the works have been carried out on the Mildura, Sea Lake and Manangatang lines to improve the condition of the track and reduce the risk of infrastructure faults which can delay grain loading.
Visitor numbers jump as Araluen Arts Centre bounces back from pandemic
In true outback spirit, an iconic Alice Springs arts hub has bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a huge jump in visitor numbers and an impressive calendar of events.
Housing works ready to rollout in Beswick and Gapuwiyak
A Katherine company has been selected to build 20 new homes on a new subdivision at Beswick ... around the corner to the remote community of Gapuwiyak, an $18.2 million investment will yield 28 new homes ... The northeast Arnhem Land community has helped to plan the new homes, and will be involved in all aspects of construction.
Another classic Weipa weekend
Weipa has once again put on a show to enhance its reputation as the events capital of Cape York. The Weipa Fishing Classic had all the Fs - family, fun, fireworks and, of course, fishing.
Pharmacy manufacturing unit delivers lifesaving treatment
A lifesaving $6.75 million laboratory at Townsville Hospital is manufacturing medications for North Queensland patients. Minister for Health and Ambulance Service Yvette D'Ath visited the pharmacy manufacturing unit, which allows lifesaving care to be delivered closer to home. ‘‘The laboratory produces about 5000 medications a year for patients requiring bone marrow transplants, oncology treatment, clinical trials, autoimmune conditions and intensive care,’’ Minister D’Ath.
Annual film festival redefines femininity
Celebrating inspirational women of the adventure world, Adventure Reels returns to Margaret River with their annual sell out event, the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour 2022. Showcasing a unique selection of films produced by independent filmmakers from around the globe, the two and a half hour program offers something for all ages and genders.
Commonwealth sanctions against Moreton Bay House
Chris Oldfield. The Commonwealth Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has imposed sanctions on Naracoorte’s Moreton Bay House stating “there is an immediate and severe risk to the safety, health or wellbeing” of residents. Following an audit, Moreton Bay House failed 19 of 42 requirements listed under the Commonwealth’s eight industry standards for aged care and safety.
Families farewell Apsley pub
Gabrielle Duykers. Eight years after first banding together to save the town pub, 12 Apsley farming families will be handing over The Border Inn Hotel to new energetic owners next month. The hotel, built in 1850, served as a social hub for residents in western Victoria and south east SA for more than 170 years before shutting its doors indefinitely in 2011.
Provider fails 19 requirements for Moreton Bay residents
Chris Oldfield. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission found 19 failures as its reasons to impose a “sanction or notice to agree” against the provider of care for Moreton Bay House.
Maldonites are Maldon’s biggest asset
Mark Blythe. This Sunday will see another Maldon Swap Meet held at the Maldon Racecourse Reserve; the resurgence of events post COVID speaks volumes for the resilience and dedication of Maldon’s army of organisers and volunteers. A lot of rural and regional towns are very busy trying to pick up the pieces of their event industries after the wilderness years of COVID, but Maldon has managed to keep all of their events ticking over during the last two years, in one form or another, even if they were just on life support.
Lockhart butcher’s sausages off to State comp
A butcher’s shop in Lockhart has earned the proud accolade of making the best sausages in the Riverina and it has an award to prove it. Lockhart Gourmet Meats has made a clean sweep in the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) Sausage King, Best Butcher's Burger and Smallgoods competition ... Lockhart Gourmet Meats owner Jared Walker praised his butcher Russell Gleeson for creating the winning recipes.
Byron Bay wildlife sanctuary
A new and exciting chapter has begun for the iconic Macadamia Castle located in the Byron Bay Hinterland, with the recent purchase by not-for-profit organisation Wildlife Recovery Australia (WRA). WRA is a joint venture between Odonata Foundation and Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital. WRA has been working for some months on the smooth transition from the locally known and loved Macadamia Castle to The Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
NASA go for launch in Northern Territory
A series of NASA rockets will be launched into space from the Northern Territory later this month, with the Australian Government signing off on a history making moment for the local space sector. Three scientific suborbital sounding rockets will be launched between 26 June and 12 July 2022 from the Arnhem Space Centre, which is owned and run by Equatorial Launch Australia.
Record exports conceal ‘cost of farming’ crunch: NFF
The latest Government figures show agricultural exports reaching a record $64.9 billion in 2022-23, but National Farmers’ Federation President Fiona Simson says these positive numbers conceal the "cost of farming" crunch impacting farmers and consumers.
REX-IT from Grafton
Emma Pritchard. Regional Express (REX) has announced the withdrawal of services from several regional centres, including Grafton, with flights to cease from June 30 ... Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan and Clarence Valley Council (CVC) Mayor Ian Tiley have called on the Labor Government to extend the RANS program which has enabled REX to continue operating within the local area.
Four galaxies just got closer with observatory funding
The observatory at Mallanganee Lookout will be built out of metal and concrete and will be semi-enclosed, providing the perfect vantage to the views across the Richmond Ranges to the Border Ranges and Wollumbin during the day and the stars overhead at night ... will be positioned on the precise latitude where the centre of the Milky Way crosses directly overhead every day.
Comment: Cape needs Loop road
Off-road adventuring has been the backbone of the Cape York tourism industry for decades, yet has somehow survived with the bare minimum amount of support. It has been people power that has kept the 4WD market ticking over – often individuals who have cleared tracks or built makeshift bridges through remote parts of the Peninsula. However, there is a real fear among locals that we could lose the adventure tourism market.
Harvest trail videos
Watch the latest series of videos developed by NT Farmers Association to secure a domestic harvest workforce.
Cairns Group Farm Leaders call for urgent action on WTO ag trade reform
The international coalition of farm organisations, Cairns Group Farm Leaders, has highlighted the need for urgent agricultural trade reform to meet global challenges of food security, climate change and hunger ahead of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial conference and a Cairns Group WTO meeting.
Quilpie Shire’s spectacular Baldy Top lookout turns purple to honour the Queen’s jubilee
On the night of Thursday June 2, Quilpie Shire lit the way for Outback Queensland by staging special Platinum Jubilee celebrations for HRH Queen Elizabeth II at the spectacular Baldy Top lookout. The red earth of the renowned tourist destination turned purple as special purple coloured lights and fireworks were lit, along with several huge bonfires. More than 250 locals and tourists alike gathered to pay respect to the Queen for her Jubilee.
Porcupine Village strikes gold with $1.7 million investment
Porcupine Village has received a $1.7 million investment through the Regional Tourism Investment Fund to assist with restoration works and new accommodation, creating more than 100 jobs and attracting more visitors to the region ... The restoration, which will include the school, blacksmith and lolly shop, will provide a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the village as it was generations ago and learn about how gold shaped Maldon and Victoria’s heritage.
