NSW Hydrogen Strategy to drive investment, create jobs and power prosperity
NSW is set to attract more than $80 billion of investment, drive deep decarbonisation and establish itself as an energy and economic superpower with the launch of the NSW Hydrogen Strategy ... Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said hydrogen was a huge opportunity for regional NSW. “We know that regional economies are diversifying, and the NSW government’s Hydrogen Strategy is bringing that to life,” Mr Toole said.
Mackay biorefinery pilot plant ready for take-off
Mercurius has finalised commissioning and is about to commence operations at their pilot plant that will use their patented REACH(TM) technology to produce valuable renewable chemicals, diesel and jet fuel from sugarcane waste. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Mackay, which is in the heart of sugarcane country, was the perfect place for this trial to take place.
Unexpected research outcomes for koalas and native forest harvesting
Timber NSW welcomes research conducted over three years released by the Natural Resource Commissioner and NSW Chief Scientist, Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte who states that, “koala density was higher than anticipated in the surveyed forests and was not reduced by selective harvesting.” “This very significant finding totally vindicates the skilful ability of the forest managers to care for the land under their responsibility and protect koalas,” said Timber NSW CEO Maree McCaskill.
Nutritional quality of habitat key to koala numbers in state forests
Research released into koala response to forestry has found that the nutritional quality of trees is critical for koala survival and selective harvesting did not have an adverse impact upon koala numbers on surveyed NSW north coast state forests ... These findings have emerged from a three-year research program independently overseen by the NSW Natural Resources Commission.
Skateboarding towards a bright future
Emma Pritchard. Keen to offer Clarence Valley youths an opportunity to participate in a fun-filled outdoor activity, and make a contribution to his community, Sonny Ingledew established Yamba Skate School 18 months ago, and the locally based business continues to experience a strong surge in popularity.
Publicly-owned generator joins Gladstone hydrogen consortium
Publicly-owned renewable energy generator CleanCo has signed an agreement to join Sumitomo Corporation and its partners on the development of a hydrogen industry in Gladstone.
Powering up new jobs in our forestry transition: Vic Govt
Victoria Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas has announced that Spiegel Energy in partnership with Radial Timber and the Yarram Community Energy Group have received $2 million from the Victorian Government through its Forestry Plan to establish a renewable energy park at the Radial Timber mill. The energy park is expected to create five full-time roles and turn Radial Timber into a fully closed loop site. It will turn waste from the mill’s operations into energy and heat, creating new revenue streams with excess energy running into the local electricity grid.
Clifton GAB bore and new treatment plant to be up and running early 2022
Design and construction of Clifton’s new reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment plant is well underway with the purchase of equipment, building water storage tanks and connection pipes.
Sustainability gong for Auswaste
The passion to grow and expand their recycling business has earned Cooktown locals Kenny and Steffi Reid a Queensland-wide award nomination for sustainability. Their company Auswaste began operating in the Containers for Change scheme in Cooktown back in 2019 and has now become a vital cog in providing access to recycling right across the Cape.
Tune in to the Cleve Harvest Music Fest, 30 October 2021
Cleve Harvest Music Fest is the newest live music festival on the South Australian calendar, situated in the thriving Eyre Peninsula, agricultural town of Cleve.
Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement
Australia and Singapore are developing a Green Economy Agreement (GEA) to further accelerate both countries’ transition towards a green and sustainable future, and help to create good jobs and lower carbon emissions. The GEA will look at practical initiatives to promote and facilitate trade and investment, including lowering the regulatory burden on businesses. It aims to remove non-tariff barriers to trade in environmental goods and services and to accelerate the uptake of low emissions green technology.
State invited to co-invest in SA tourism with Tumby Bay jetty refurbishment
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has been presented with a ground-breaking opportunity for the State to work with the District Council of Tumby Bay on significantly refurbishing the Tumby Bay Jetty to benefit cruise ship tourism on Eyre Peninsula, as well as tourism and the community at large.
Beekeeping allowed to continue in Queensland national parks for now
The Queensland Government has approved the preparation of legislative amendments to grant a 20-year extension to allow beekeeping to continue in national parks until 2044 ... The decision will formally extend beekeeping permits for a further 20 years in certain national parks that were created as part of the SEQ Forest Agreement in 1999.
Training more doctors in the bush to benefit more rural communities
A program that provides young doctors with the experience of training in a rural general practice or Aboriginal Medical Services and provides more medical care to regional, rural and remote communities is being extended by the Federal Coalition Government. Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie said extending the Rural Junior Doctor Training Innovation Fund (RJDTIF) for another year will mean 60 fulltime-equivalent rurally based interns and postgraduate doctors can undertake training in country practices.
Prizemoney boost for SA provincial cups
Two of South Australia’s provincial cup meetings will be boosted by a significant prizemoney increase for their feature races. Racing SA has today announced both the Gawler Cup and Strathalbyn Cup will benefit from substantial prizemoney lifts, effective immediately. The increase will bring them into line with both the Murray Bridge and Balaklava Cups.
Strategy to increase angling participation in Tasmania
Tasmania’s lakes and waterways are enjoyed by thousands of recreational anglers and their families and friends and the Tasmanian Government wants to encourage more Tasmanians to take up angling. The Government has released its Strategy to Increase Participation in Tasmania's Inland Recreational Fishery 2021-28 on national Gone Fishing Day.
New era for Kimberley beef processing welcomed
The McGowan Government has welcomed the announcement of a new co-operative of northern pastoralists to own and operate northern Western Australia's only abattoir. The Kimberley Meat Co-operative (KMC) will acquire the beef processing facility 100km east of Broome, operating the facility on a contract based with its members and processing at least 40,000 head of cattle per year.
Fears about future of town’s only gym
News that Tennant Creek’s only gym is set to close at the end of the year has local fitness and wellbeing fans up in arms. Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation’s Sports and Recreation Centre announced it will shut its doors permanently on 24 December ... “Anyinginyi has been at the heart of sport and recreation in Tennant Creek for most of its 37-year history”: CEO Barb Shaw.
Birtinya-based business wins at Qld export awards
From their headquarters at Birtinya, Kilcoy Global Foods manages the production, distribution, and export of eight million cartons of premium beef annually to more than 35 global markets. KGF is also a major supplier to Australian supermarkets, food wholesalers, fine dining establishments and family restaurants including McDonalds.
BHP opens iron ore mine of the future
Premier Mark McGowan congratulated BHP on the official opening of its South Flank iron ore mine. The mine adds to BHP's existing mine operations in the Pilbara to create one of the largest operating iron ore hubs in the world, expected to produce 145 million tonnes of iron ore each year.
Naracoorte – a regional headquarters for rare earths
Chris Oldfield. Australian Rare Earths Limited (AREL) has established a regional headquarters in Naracoorte as part of its plan to develop a rare earths operation in the area ... The next phase of exploration at Koppamurra is set to commence in October and will consist of further exploration activities, “to expand upon the previous shallow drilling program and will progress to include various studies and technical work, to help determine a development concept”.
Wanderribby grazing property sells
The McKenna family behind Midfield Meat Group has acquired the Wanderribby feedlot and grazing and farming property in South Australia, four years after the vendors initially put the asset to the market with hopes of as much as $10 million. South Australia’s third-largest feedlot, the 2,311-hectare Wanderribby has been used as a custom feedyard, feeding for three main clients, including at times Coles and Woolworths supermarket contracts, and the yard utilised in the past as a live export depot.
