Logging and watering in Guttrum
The frogs are singing and the harvesters ring in the Guttrum Forest. Reed Bed Swamp has been receiving a blessing of water across the forest floor ... Redgum saplings, salinity, midstorey and understorey condition are themes of contention between locals and government agencies ... I wonder what will happen if the Victorian Andrews Government continues with plans to end native forestry. Who will promote forest health and manage density?
Farm worker shortage packing a punch
“With the current limit for seasonal workers expected to be met by October – and a forecast shortage of up to 24,000 workers in the horticulture industry – Labor’s Agriculture Minister can’t afford to delay ... The time is now for the government to roll out rapid testing. It’s a way to keep Victorians safe. It’s a way to help reopen this state and keep us open, and that’s what Victorians need as much as anything else,” said Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Peter Walsh.
Truckies benefit from regional expansion of McGowan Government program
After four months of delivery in the metropolitan area, the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations Skill Set will now be delivered through South Regional TAFE to address the shortage of truck drivers in regional WA.
Evans fish co-op may have to shut up shop
Claire Rankin. Evans Head Fish Co-op may be forced to close temporarily because of covid, its chair Bill Litchfield said. He was “extremely concerned” about how the snap lockdown has impacted the co-op and fishing industry.
Plans to unlock former Grafton Gaol site
Under the proposal, a portion of the site will be transferred to the Grafton Ngerrie LALC to support better outcomes for the Aboriginal community, and successfully resolve an Aboriginal land claim. Another parcel of land adjacent to Grafton Base Hospital will be transferred to NSW Health ... the SE portion, which comprises significant heritage items, will be set aside for future adaptive reuse with heritage protections in place ...
Ag visa plan big on announcements, short on details
The Federal Government’s re-announcement of an agricultural workers visa has done little to provide clarity for industry on how extra workers will safely enter Queensland. Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the visa had first been announced by the Federal Government three years ago, but there were still no details available.
Commercial rocket launch permit granted for South Australia
The Morrison Government has given regulatory approval for a commercial rocket launch to take place later this year from a newly licensed launch facility in South Australia.
AgSkilled 2.0 drives training needs for ag sector this harvest
Fee-free heavy vehicle truck driver training and licencing courses are now on offer to the grains, cotton, rice, viticulture and horticultural sectors across New South Wales as part of an industry-led workforce development strategy.
Liberal National Government introduces new Agriculture Visa to address workforce supply
The Liberal National Government announces that it has delivered a vital agriculture visa to help secure the future of rural and regional Australia. The Government says that the Agricultural Worker Visa will provide a long term, reliable workforce for our critical industries while solving one of the great challenges facing regional Australia in recent history.
Ag visa moves forward
NSW Farmers has welcomed news that an Australian Agricultural Visa (Ag Visa) is set to finally become reality from 30 September 2021. The new Ag Visa will widen the recruitment opportunities of low to skilled workers from participating countries, which the Association understands will initially be open to ASEAN countries.
Missing visa piece to fit farm labour puzzle
Growcom has enthusiastically welcomed confirmation today from the Federal Government that a new Australian Agriculture visa will be in place by the end of September.
Government makes NFF’s coveted Ag Visa a reality; provides hope for this year’s harvest
In a monumental commitment, the Federal Government has delivered on the National Farmers’ Federation’s long called-for Agriculture-specific Visa (Ag Visa) to provide real long-term workforce relief to Australian farmers.
NSW puts foot on the green gas with hydrogen platform
The rollout of the State’s hydrogen hubs is set to be accelerated, with the establishment of a collaboration platform to bring together potential hydrogen producers and users.
Queensland’s first hydrogen cars hit the road
The rubber has literally hit the road in Queensland’s push to become a hydrogen superpower. Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni has taken the covers off the first hydrogen vehicles to hit Queensland roads, five Hyundai Nexos that join QFleet from Monday, with distinctive, Indigenous-inspired designer decals.
Scenic Rim Council responds to industry request for long-term strategy
Scenic Rim Regional Council is working in partnership with industry to deliver a 10-year road map and a three-year strategic plan for the Scenic Rim's agribusiness and agritourism operators.
Cycling event cancelled
Gabrielle Duykers. The tour of the Great South Coast bike race has been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, originally set to begin travelling through the Limestone Coast and Victoria later this month ... Naracoorte Lucindale Council CEO Trevor Smart said the cancellation was unfortunate news for the town. “The danger of it being called off this year is that we may not see the race again – once it goes into recess, that’s two years in a row now so the event promoter may not continue that race.”
Celebrating the role of science in our forests
The Institute of Foresters of Australia and Australian Forest Growers is celebrating the role that forest science plays in ensuring a healthy and resilient future for Australian society and the environment for National Science Week 2021. IFA/AFG CEO Jacquie Martin highlighted the benefits of forest management underpinned by data and research, paying tribute to the membership’s forest scientists.
Two thousand overseas agricultural workers arrive in NSW
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall today announced more than 2,000 overseas skilled agricultural workers have arrived in NSW in the last 12 months to help industry overcome the Covid-induced labour shortage.
Logging increases risk of severe fire: ANU research
The study, published in Ecosphere, analysed the severity of Australia's 2019-2020 bushfires by examining the amount of damage to vegetation. Co-author Professor David Lindenmayer said weather had a large effect on the fires. "However, forests also burned at very high severity when they were between 10 to 40 years old. Young forests regenerating after logging were particularly susceptible to very high severity fire," he said.
Helen on tap update
It was an emotional night at the Royal Hotel in Barham as locals bared their souls to Member for Murray Helen Dalton. The continual tit for tat between New South Wales and Victoria has been a wrecking ball on businesses, families, local economy, and the wellbeing of our residents ... “For us, financially, we have just sold our house to keep the bank at bay. If things don’t ultimately change soon, it will be very detrimental to us”: Ben Watts, Barham Holiday Park
Business investing into business – The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper – Lloyd Polkinghorne
Ali Bohn. Tired of sitting in a mission brown office of cold, exposed brick, an axe-wielding statue that comes to life at night and partially chewed carpet (due to the castors on the swivel chairs, we didn’t have a plague of rats living in the office), The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper’s Lloyd Polkinghorne made the brave decision to do a full renovation of the office a couple of months ago.
Taking the lid off global agri-supply chain bottlenecks
Georgie Aley, Agribusiness Australia. As 2021 rolls into Spring, it looks like another bumper crop for grains, pulses and horticulture. More broadly, we continue to see new challenges for the agribusiness sector, which serve to highlight the fact that in COVID times, you never know what is next.
