French-backed group midas touch for Golden Plains
TagEnergy has signed on as an equity investor to the $3 billion Golden Plains Wind Farm project, which is set to become biggest wind farm in the country and the hemisphere. TagEnergy has signed on as an equity investor to the $3 billion Golden Plains Wind Farm project, which is set to become biggest wind farm in the country and the hemisphere. Set to be located on a 16,000-hectare site in Rokewood, 133km west of Melbourne and around 66km outside of Geelong, the project will be built over two stages and will include a 1,300MW windfarm, with 217 turbines and a 300MW big battery.
Liquidator brings Albury pub offering to thirsty market
The freehold of the five-storey heritage-listed New Albury Hotel has been offered for sale with a long-term lease to Australia’s second-largest pub operator, Australian Venue Co, is the latest border town venue to hit the market.
Big Paddock Farm
Delicious lamb straight from the source is what Big Paddock Farm is all about. Fifth generation farmer, Tom McConnell, and partner, Leona Chan, are bridging the gap between the dinner table and the paddock.
Walsh: Andrews Inc must be stopped from destroying regional media
The Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains has condemned a move by the Andrews Labor Government to suck a significant slice of revenue out of the pockets of regional newspapers. Mr Walsh said the Nationals strenuously opposed the Regulatory Legislation Amendment (Reform) Bill 2021, which means more than 400 requirements in Victoria that must be published in print media could potentially be pushed online to a central government website.
An old, run-down water tank has been reborn as an international acoustic masterpiece
A Charles Sturt engineer, a world-famous architect and a renowned composer have transformed a water tank in Cobar into a globally recognised, sound-art masterpiece putting Cobar on the global tourist map.
New zero-emission aircraft fleet to launch in WA
WA companies Aviair and HeliSpirit have partnered with global company Eve Air Mobility, part of the Embraer Group, to bring new zero-emission electric aircraft to WA within the next four years.
Brooke McClymont honoured by festival role
Emma Pritchard. Country music sensation and proud Graftonian Brooke McClymont loves coming back to her hometown. After being announced as the 2022 Grafton Jacaranda Festival’s Guest of Honour, the singer-songwriter now has an extra special reason to return to the Clarence Valley later this year. And she can’t bloody wait.
Farm Forestry Assist program supporting growth of local softwood plantation timber industry: Kelly
WA Forestry Minister Dave Kelly has launched the Farm Forestry Assist program for 2022, supporting farmers and other landowners wishing to plant pine trees on their land. Established in 2018, successful applicants receive free high-quality radiata pine seedlings from the Forest Products Commission's West Manjimup Nursery to establish 20 to 50 hectare pine plantations on their properties.
New restricted movement zones to combat European house borer
Two localities in the Shire of Gingin have been added to the list of restricted movement zones to contain the spread of European house borer, which is a serious pest of pinewood.
Lismore Italian Film Festival, 2-3 April 2022
The Lismore Friendship Festival will host the second annual Italian Film Festival at Lismore's bccEvent Cinemas on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3 2022.
Rio reshuffles positions after major resignation
Weipa will get its own general manager again after the sudden resignation of Michelle Elvy paved the way for Rio Tinto to shuffle the deckchairs on its bauxite business ... Shona Markham will take the reins at Weipa, moving from Rio Tinto’s Bell Bay Aluminium operations in Tasmania.
Time for state to play role in insurance costs – feds
The LNP is calling on the state government to do its bit for north Queensland insurance prices by dropping stamp duty on insurance policies ... “The ACCC reports that the state government raked in $65 million in 2018-19 from North Queensland alone in stamp duty, which adds between 9 and 10 per cent to premiums”: Senator Susan McDonald.
Busking comp offering young performers a chance to shine
Young artists are being encouraged to showcase their talents on one of the busiest weekends in Port Fairy for the chance to win some great prizes – including a spot on the 2023 Port Fairy Folk Festival Program.
Phillip Island Pro returns to our shores
The Phillip Island Pro was held over the weekend of 10 to 13 February at Cape Woolamai, home to some of the best beach break waves in Australia. This year’s event saw 88 Qualifying Series surfers, 33 Open competitors and eight Indigenous Invitational competitors take part.
China bans Teys
Gabrielle Duykers. Teys Naracoorte is the latest abattoir to be banned from exporting its beef to China, joining nine others across Australia. The suspension came into place on January 29, according to an official notice from China’s General Administration of Customs. A specific reason for the decision or how the meat processing plant failed to meet trade access requirements was excluded from the notice.
Cath does Coonawarra proud
Gabrielle Duykers. In the latest addition to her many accolades, Cath Kidman of Wynns Coonawarra Estate has been crowned Viticulturist of the Year at the recent 2021 Women in Wine and Spirits Awards. Ms Kidman was one of 50 finalists to win one of the 18 award categories, with recipients spanning across 12 countries and regions around the globe.
NFF applauds new Bill to reward farmers for work in promoting biodiversity
Under the framework, biodiversity, unlike traditional farm commodities which are delivered to a buyer, will need to be maintained and/or established within the farm boundaries, much like carbon sequestration in vegetation and soil. There will be an ongoing relationship between the supplier (farmer) and purchaser to manage and report the status.
Bill backs agriculture biodiversity stewardship market: Littleproud
A bill to create the legal framework for a national voluntary agriculture biodiversity stewardship market has been introduced in Parliament ... “The Bill will create a biodiversity certificate, which will be tradeable. This will mean biodiversity outcomes can be purchased, transferred, claimed, or used" : Minister Littleproud.
Gliders in court: Environment East Gippsland responds
East Gippsland in the far SE corner of Australia, has long been seen as the stronghold of many natural values including old growth and rainforests and remarkable wildlife species that evolved with and still depend on these healthy, intact habitats.
A Greater Future with Gliders: Kinglake Friends of the Forest responds
The adorable Greater Glider is in trouble. It is threatened by fire and logging and its population has crashed by over 80% this century ... VicForests – a logging company owned by the government – wants to clear much of what’s left of the Greater Glider’s habitat.
Bushfire emergency – Defending the ‘reasonably’ defensible
Patricia Gill. Osborne Road residents Denise and William Legge stayed put on Saturday believing their farm was ‘in a reasonably defensible position’. This did not stop the couple from experiencing ï¬re raging on all sides of their property that day but with the help of ï¬ve heavy-duty ï¬re brigade appliances their home and sheds were saved.
