Business

Described as a palace for the cats and dogs of Weipa, this multi-million dollar vet clinic and animal welfare centre was meant to be a game-changer for Cape York. However, it sits unfinished and unoccupied. Matt Nicholls looks at what the problem is and what the future looks like for this purpose-built facility

Mark Knowles. Emerging silica sands explorer Diatreme Resources believes it has struck gold near Cooktown after announcing significant growth to its project’s resources. Last week, the ASX-listed company said its Si2 North Project resource had recorded a significant increase of around 134 per cent to 124 million tonnes (Mt).

Today across Australia, over 30 media outlets will stop publishing news for 24 hours in a collective freeze to fight for the future of Australian news media. The news freeze will let the world know that small and medium news publishers are #WaitingOnZuck to pay for journalism and content that appears on the Facebook platform.

International Day of Forests 2022 – “Forests and sustainable production and consumption” ... “Forests are one of Australia’s greatest natural assets, and Australia has the first-class forest management skills, experience and people needed to manage our forests. However, as a nation, we must do more. We need to manage this precious resource actively and adaptively across all land tenures including National Parks, State forests and private land to achieve best outcomes now, and into the future" : Bob Gordon Forestry Australia President.

Calling all foodies and culinary experts! From July 29 to August 7, local restaurants, farms, tourism and event operators will throw open their doors as part of The Curated Plate culinary festival, and offer the best of the Sunshine Coast’s local food and beverage experiences across a 10-day period.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling for urgent action from the Federal Government to strengthen Australia’s fuel security in response to global volatility and uncertainty.

Warren Chamber Music Festival's Education Week takes place 3-7 May 2022 in Warren.    Education Week aims to create an immersive and inspiring environment, providing no less than 12 opportunities for music making and learning.

Peter Rutherford. The article published in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald on 15 March once again highlights how activist networking paints native forest harvesting as THE threat to the sustainability of NSW native forests. Like many reports advocating for the closure of the native forest industry, the article contains a mix of academic opinion, anti-native forest harvesting rhetoric from a green politician, creative accounting, words to trigger outrage, such as "woodchip exports," and opinions from an activist non-government organisation, that monetise the outrage to generate more outrage and a reporter to join the dots.

When the Maldon Historic Bakery business went up for sale last month, landlords Mark and Valentina Tansley decided to do some research into the bakery’s history. “We know that the bakery was established on this site in 1854 and that the wood-fired brick scotch oven is one of the oldest brick buildings in town,” said Valentina.

Steve Cole. The Peter Turner memorial Show and Shine will allow the Guildford Grumpies Car Club Inc. and visitors to pay their respects to their cherished former President. The Show and Shine will feature a huge range of veteran and vintage cars and motorbikes, along with an array of community stalls, live bands, displays and raffles ... at John Powell Reserve in Guildford on Sunday 27 March.

The Jolly Swagman Hotel Motel on the NSW and Queensland border is the latest regional venue to change hands. Affectionately known as ‘The Jolly’, the venue has been operated for over 20 years by local Jim Brown, who cited the buoyed market as the catalyst to sell the asset. More than $2 billion of hotels changed hands in 2021, and the market momentum has carried over into the new year.

New Agribusiness Australia analysis shows a rapidly evolving global trading environment, with profound, radical implications for grains production and markets. Major consumers of grains and oilseeds are in urgent need of supply and are being forced to compromise to maintain food security.

Mark Allison, Chair of Agribusiness Australia, analyses the state of play for Russian-Australian trade and what the Ukrainian conflict may mean for key global commodities.

Gabrielle Duykers. A unique piece of artwork showcasing the natural features of Kingston has been crowned the best mural in the nation. Commissioned by Kingston District Council in the wake of the Keilira Bushfire, ‘Wind Dance’ received the Gold Award for the Best External Mural at the 2021 Australian Street Art Awards announced last week. In a collective statement, the judges said the mural was vibrant, creative and would entice visitors to explore more of the region.

A contingent of around 30 local residents travelled by coach, sponsored by TAFE CLC at Narrandera, to the Avonlie Solar Farm at Sandigo last Thursday to be part of what is claimed to be the beginning of the largest project the town has ever seen ... Managing Director (CEO) of the company behind the project in Australia Ross Rolfe said the Iberdrola was the third largest producer of wind and solar power in the world.

Narranders High School 2021 HSC Industrial Technology and Design and Technology students Amelia Gillespie and Lauren Wickes have won accolades for their work in the Student Category Maker of the Year awards presented by Carbatec.

Kendall Jennings. The Wakool Show once again entertained locals on Saturday, March 12, an iconic rural agricultural show that has continued during the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting community spirit in an area that has suffered from drought and water restrictions.

Again, a successful northern Victorian Triple Golfanza held at Cohuna on Saturday, Barham on Sunday and Kerang on Monday, over the Labour Day long weekend. This was the 49th edition of the Triple Golfanza with plans for a big 50th anniversary next year. All the courses were in great shape and near capacity fields at each venue with 133 at Cohuna, 160 at Barham and 130 at Kerang.

Cattle farmers like Rachel Bell at Coraki need help. Having just experienced their worst flood ever, they need to rebuild and the flood recovery grants are supposed to make that rebuilding easier. Unfortunately, Rachel has found herself in the position where she doesn’t qualify for the flood recovery grants because she doesn’t fit the eligibility criteria for a farmer or as a small business owner.

Geoff Helisma. The Northern Region Planning Panel (NRPP) has deferred its decision to approve (or not) a 136 multi-dwelling proposal in Yamba, pending the development of a draft flood evacuation plan ... As well as calling for an evacuation plan, councillors Tiley and Clancy were concerned that managing stormwater during an extreme weather event, such as the recent Yamba flooding, would be more than the design could handle.

The Clarence Valley will welcome Stuart Easton, one of the worlds leading exponents of the Great Highland Bagpipe and the finest New Zealand piper of his generation, to the 117th Maclean Highland Gathering on April 15 and 16 ... He has been a prolific prizewinner throughout his homeland, Australia, France and Scotland.