Union call to scrap Ag Visa ‘shortsighted’: NSW Farmers
The state’s peak agricultural body has criticised union calls to scrap the Ag Visa, saying it will only lead to further disruption in food supply chains. The Australian Workers Union waded into the political chaos this week claiming the Ag Visa had failed to attract workers to farms, ignoring the impact of COVID on international travel.
Cairns MIST facility shaping the future of energy in Queensland
Cairns is now home to one of the most sophisticated energy R&D hubs in Australia with the arrival of Ergon Energy’s Microgrid and Isolated Systems Test (MIST) Facility.
Metallica raises cash for project
Metallica Minerals has raised more than $3 million to continue funding its silica sand project at Cape Flattery. The placement was completed with support from new institutional investor Deutsche Balaton Group – which purchased shares to the value of $2 million – as well as Metallica’s largest pre-placement shareholders Ilwella and Dostal Group.
$86 million on offer to grow Australia’s plantation estate in Cowper: Conaghan
“This is the largest direct investment of any Australian Government in plantation establishment for more than 30 years. We want to partner with NSW to grow this renewable, sustainable industry so that it can continue to create jobs in Cowper and deliver quality, Australian-made products to markets": Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan
Have your say on domestic organics regulation
Public consultation is now open on Australia’s domestic organic regulatory framework, including how to support industry growth and build consumer confidence ... “This is a growing part of the agriculture sector and we are keen to seek a wide range of views": DAWE
Rockhampton Airport gives a ‘Bonza’ welcome to the new airline
Rockhampton Regional Council has recently announced an historic partnership with Australian low cost carrier Bonza Airline and has welcomed Bonza’s Chief Commercial Officer to the region to celebrate the milestone ... “The benefits of Bonza offering budget flights to currently unserviced routes, is going to benefit many sectors of our community”: Mayor Tony Williams.
Cuttlefish Craig up for a national award
An unusual sculpture that pays homage to Whyalla’s giant cuttlefish has been named as one of the best public art experiences in the nation. The ‘Accessible Cuttlefish Throne’ at the Whyalla jetty has been shortlisted for the 2021 Australian Street Art Awards’ Best Landmark Sculpture gong.
TEYS – the canary in the coalmine
Sheryl Lowe. "What followed ‘saddened” me, Member for MacKillop Nick McBride MP said on 5THE FM radio. “I realise there is a lot of fear around covid but Teys employees were refused service at businesses in Naracoorte and there was even a threat of the Woolworths Fuel outlet closing so staff wouldn’t have to serve them. The media continued to connect the outbreak to Teys but, Teys was the ‘canary in the coal mine,’ if you like. They detected covid in Naracoorte but were not responsible for bringing it to Naracoorte. It was already there.”
Barkly Plumbing takes out Territory-wide business award
Barkly Plumbing Services has taken out a major award in the Chamber of Commerce NT’s Territory wide Business Excellence and Customer Service Awards. The family-owned business took out the Best Business in the Small to Medium category.
Normie Rowe returns
SteamPacket. It’s a golden voice. A high tenor. And it comes with the rich overtones of a life lived hard and full. Normie Rowe is booked to play at the Maldon Golf Club, Saturday 12 March. Tickets on sale now.
Lifeguard shortage to impact final weeks of outdoor pool season
“Unfortunately there’s a lack of available trained lifeguards in the region, which is also reflected in the wider aquatic and recreation industry at the moment": Karen Evennett, Mount Alexander Shire Council.
Return-to-office suit sale recovery set to support wool sector in 2022 – Rabobank
Demand and prices for fine and mid-micron wool are forecast to pick up as workers return to offices around the world, according to a report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank ... Rabobank agricultural analyst Dennis Voznesenski said while consumer confidence is waning in the world’s two largest markets for wool, the US and China, there are positive factors that will push prices higher.
New Barellan PO owners excited to provide services
Sean Cunningham. Barellan Post Office, which is also the town’s financial centre, is under new ownership. The new owners Fiona Kibble and Cameron Rouse believe that investing in the post office has been the "best decision" they've made in a long time.
Border athlete leads triathlon from go to whoa
The 2022 Ganmain Open Sprint Triathlon saw 111 individual competitors line up to kick start the Riverina Tri Series ... Albury’s Jesse Featonby, in his green and gold Australia tri suit, was impressive from start to finish. He led the field from the starting gun and set a cracking early pace.
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.
