Business

The first shipment of iron ore from processed waste materials at Frances Creek Mine are being celebrated this week as a huge sign of strength and confidence in the Territory’s mineral industry. The Territory Labor Government approved the Mining Management Plan for the Frances Creek Mine in March 2020 enabling the processing of existing ore stockpiles at the mine. NT Bullion – the operator of the mine – has been using innovative x-ray technology from German based Steinert to screen waste rock stockpiles at the site to produce export quality iron ore.

For the first time ever, Costa, Australia’s leading fresh produce grower, have sent a shipment of their premium Lovocados to Singapore by sea freight. The order of 3200 trays left Brisbane in May and arrived in Singapore in June, and there have since been twelve more containers shipped to locations across Asia including Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.

[CANCELLED on 29 June 2021] The trucks are back. After last year’s truck show was cancelled because of covid, the North Coast Petroleum Casino Truck Show returns to the Casino CBD on Saturday, August 7 ... The team is expecting up to 300 trucks with chrome polished to perfection and some 40 categories to be won including the prestige Tiny Lollback Rig of the Show.

Geoff Helisma. Clarence Valley Council (CVC) is a step closer towards meeting its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy targets ... the '100% Renewables' report was re-engaged “to undertake a preliminary investigation into a mid-scale solar farm on a site located at the Grafton Regional Landfill & Resource Recovery Facility,” the report to the June 22 CVC meeting stated.

Weipa's future continues to be in limbo as Rio Tinto refuses to make a commitment to hand over the keys to the town ... Rio Tinto says it is open to the idea of normalisation, but refuses to make any kind of commitment ... Deputy Premier Steven Miles is also the state’s Local Government Minister and hasn’t even visited Weipa to discuss the issue ... Member for Cook Cythia Lui has also remained silent, despite hearing the concerns from the community during her last visit.

The highly anticipated 150ZK Truth Telling: Coming of the Light 150 Years (150ZK) exhibition was officially opened with great fanfare at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday night. Commemorating 150 years since Coming of the Light, the exhibition is the result of a successful collaborative curatorial project with Torres Strait Artists, Badu Arts, Erub Arts and Moa Arts. It investigates the impact of the London Missionary Society and Christianity on Torres Strait Islanders and the region’s way of life.

Humpback whales have been spotted along the spectacular Ningaloo Coast, with Western Australians encouraged to support tour operators amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With the humpback whale swim tour season starting soon, visitors to the Ningaloo Coast have the opportunity to swim with these magnificent creatures in their natural environment.

The Barossa’s landmark play destination, Barossa Adventure Station at Angaston, has been named South Australia’s Park of the Year. The Barossa Council took out the award at the Parks and Leisure Australia SA/NT 2021 Awards of Excellence, and will now vie for the national title later this year.

Queensland is one step closer to building its next passenger train fleet after shortlisting three leading train manufacturers to enter the next phase of the Rollingstock Expansion Program (REP). Train manufacturers Alstom, CAF and Downer Rail have been shortlisted to manufacture the first 20 trains of the new fleet in a purpose-built Maryborough manufacturing facility following an extensive Expression of Interest process run by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The Territory Government is creating investment opportunities for the resources sector with today’s announcement of a new acreage release for onshore petroleum exploration. Applications and submissions for an exploration permit are now invited over two areas in the southern Georgina Basin, on the Northern Territory/Queensland border.

The NSW Government will pursue establishing a Regional Job Precinct in line with the announcement of a brand new film studio at Pacific Bay Resort in Coffs Harbour, the NSW Deputy Premier, the NSW Treasurer and the Member for Coffs Harbour announced today ... “The proposal, which also includes a boutique hotel, a state-of-the-art film school, an indigenous art gallery and an Olympic and film memorabilia museum, would provide an exciting new industry for the region,” said Deputy Premier John Barilaro.

The NSW Government has taken a monumental step towards securing the long term future of greyhound racing in NSW, announcing $25 million in additional infrastructure funding and a new funding model that will see the regulator fully-funded by the NSW Government.

With the dry season in full swing and school holidays just around the corner, Territorians and visitors are being urged to be Crocwise when exploring the Top End. So far this year, crocodile management teams have removed more than 160 crocodiles from Top End waterways.

Attracting government officials, international dignitaries, visitors and community members from across Cape York and Australia, the Cooktown & Cape York Expo 2021 came to a spectacular close last night with the final performance of the Warrma and a fireworks display over the Endeavour River. The largest event in rural Queensland since the COVID-19 lockdowns, The Cooktown & Cape York Expo 2021 – which ran from 11-20 June – delivered more than 150 events, exhibitions, performances, installations, workshops, and a two-day Dynamic Business Symposium.

Peter Davenport. Last week the Tennant Creek Eightball Association hosted the Northern Territory Eightball Titles. This falls on Tennant once every five years and all other centres travel here to compete. It was a great week seeing some excellent games being played by the best players in the NT.

A sense of excitement has arrived along with the cold weather as Whyalla kicks off Cuttlefest 2021, a colourful celebration of all things cuttlefish. The Giant Australian Cuttlefish (sepia apama) swarm into rocky areas off the Whyalla coast during May, June, July and August to mate and reproduce, in the process creating a remarkable spectacle of cunning games, underwater lightshows and colourful kaleidoscopic displays.

The Shire of Ashburton is pleased to welcome PHI International to Onslow Airport. PHI International are leaders in high quality helicopter services and boast an advanced and varied fleet of helicopters that supports a range of international businesses across Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Ghana, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia.

[Agribusiness Australia] "Rather than wait for test cases to set the benchmarks, we can choose now to adopt more self-regulation and work with regulators to co-create frameworks and accountability that customers can understand and trust. This is an opportunity for Australia, as a developed, mature, food-producing and export-dependent country to differentiate from its peers and create new sustainable competitive advantage," says Mark Barber.

The 2021 Rockhampton Agricultural Show has proved to be a great success, attracting 33,000 visitors over three days last week. Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said the community has well and truly supported this year’s event. “Whilst the majority of ticket holders were from the local Rockhampton Region, it was wonderful to see outside visitors in attendance, experiencing what our community has to offer," said Mayor Williams.

[ALP] Labor welcomes the in-principle deal announced last night to progress a free-trade agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom. Trade is an important aspect of the close relationship between Australia and the UK, and we will wait to see the details of this proposed agreement.