Toowoomba Region’s economy third largest in regional Qld
The Toowoomba Region’s economy has weathered the twin challenges of a prolonged drought and the more recent effects of the Coronavirus pandemic to emerge as the third largest regional economy in Queensland, based on a range of economic indicators drawn from industry and government data.
2021 Regional Telecommunications Review invites your input
The Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee has released its Issues Paper and initial schedule of public meetings for the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review.
Queensland crocs make bold comeback in state
Crocodile populations in Queensland continue to recover after the reptiles were almost hunted to extinction before being protected in the 1970s, a new state government survey shows ... “The population recovery has been relatively slow and highly variable across the ranges of species since the unregulated hunting of estuarine crocodiles for their skins was banned,” says Dr Matt Brien.
CinefestOZ film festival, 25-29 August 2021
Experience CinefestOZ, Australia’s premier destination film festival, set against the stunning backdrop of Western Australia’s iconic South West region. Margaret River HEART will host a range of screenings as part of the 2021 festival - the CinefestOZ Short Film Awards as well as being home to Russell Ord's Rough Seas photography exhibition.
Construction powers ahead on Jabiru Project
Clearing works are now complete as part of construction on Jabiru’s new power station. The project is part of the Territory Labor Government’s $135.5 million dollar commitment to the Future of Jabiru and Kakadu ... Construction works are now underway, with the diesel generators scheduled to come online by the end of 2021 and the solar farm in early 2022.
Rabobank’s agri commodity markets research – July 2021: frozen beans, baked beans
Softs stole the show in July, as frost hit the heart of the Brazilian arabica coffee belt and also impacted sugar. The worst frost in 27 years led to ICE Arabica jumping by 27% and Robusta by 12% so far in July (coffee trees are very susceptible to frost damage), while sugar jumped 4.7%.
Greenlife industry launches Careers Hub to attract new talent
Greenlife Industry Australia has unveiled its new Careers Hub, an online platform which aims to attract the next generation of talent to the nursery industry. The Greenlife Industry Careers Hub offers a portal to a series of resources relating to careers, education and professional development, to support the attraction, development and retention of workers in the greenlife industry.
Business holdups – expansions, potential jobs lost
Chris Oldfield. Millions of dollars of development and jobs are being held up by Naracoorte Lucindale Council, according to several of the district's leading businesses. Alternatively, traditional businesses are being charged up to hundreds of thousands of dollars to expand with council demands for costly stormwater and drainage reports – and works. Most believe the council is deliberately holding up long-term businesses, particularly those servicing agriculture, the rural community and outlying districts. And they believe council is giving preferential treatment to some developments, even using ratepayers’ funds in court action.
Forestry leader backs call for border commissioner
Eliza Berlage. The head of the local forestry industry group has added his voice to calls for the South Australian government to establish a dedicated cross-border commissioner. Forestry was missed in the initial list of essential work provided by SA Health, with clariï¬cation only received at 11am on the ï¬rst day of lockdown that it was included as primary industry. Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub chair Ian McDonnell said a commissioner could have ensured more preparedness in these situations, rather than the “scramble” that occurred.
World War II vehicle show to hit the Barkly
Douglas Draeger. In 2021 Spirits are high for those who made it across the borders in to the Northern Territory. More than 140 genuine World War II vehicles and over 15 post war support vehicles would normally be making their way to Alice Springs from all over Australia for the official start of Back to the Track on 1 August.
IFA/AFG welcomes paper reviewing the role of timber harvesting in the Black Summer bushfires
A new paper reviewing the science behind claims that forest management and timber harvesting worsened the 2019/20 bushfires has been welcomed by the professional association representing some 1,000 scientific and professional forest land managers in Australia.
Lower currency continues to buoy Australian agriculture
A lower-than-expected Australian dollar combined with good seasonal conditions continue to buoy the outlook for Australian agriculture, according to NAB’s July Rural Commodities Wrap.
AXA IM plants first investment in forestry
Global investment giant AXA IM has acquired around 24,000-hectares of Australian woodland, as well as an associated forestry management business, Green Triangle Forest Products (GTFP) estate, marking one of the largest investments into Australian forestry in more than a decade.
Higher taxes dilute wine exports
Data from Wine Australia showed total exports fell to $2.56 billion over the 2021 financial year. Exports to China plummeted 45% to $606 million. Beijing’s introduction of anti-dumping tariffs and duties in November ... Outside of China, Australian wine exports actually increased by 12% by value to $1.96 billion, and 6% by volume, to 643 million litres.
Commbank beefs up sustainability loans for agricultural sector
Queensland beef producer Stockyard Group has entered into a sustainability-linked loan (SLL) with Commonwealth Bank, in what is an Australian first for the agriculture industry. The three-year loan has been described by Commonwealth as a landmark transaction, with Stockyard engaging in sustainability measures than will include reducing emissions and a greater emphasis on animal welfare and on people’s well-being.
Business investing into business
Ali Bohn. Each week we are profiling local business owners who have made the decision to invest back into their business during a time when making any such financial decisions may seem very risky. With investments big or small, from undertaking a major renovation to adding a fresh coat of paint, these business owners are doing their bit to improve their productivity, services and availability so that our towns will continue to be the place locals love to call home and for tourists to refer to as their second home.
Work begins with local contractors on medicinal cannabis facility near Collie
Site works have begun on a medicinal cannabis facility delivering job opportunities for local trade contractors. Cannaponics Limited is building a new commercial cultivation, extraction, processing and distribution facility to compete in the rapidly growing medicinal cannabis industry.
Agricultural exemption secured for Queensland hard border
Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Western NSW Adam Marshall has today announced a newly-created exemption to allow farmers and agribusiness workers to move freely across the NSW-Queensland border under current COVID restrictions.
Tiny homes, big dreams
In a tall shed at Fairy Hill, Andy Pleasance and Anette Hammat have big dreams as they build their first tiny house on wheels. “It’s all about wanting to help people live lighter and providing a house without a million-dollar mortgage,” Anette said.
Bellingen council back’s CVC’s anti mining stance
Geoff Helisma. Bellingen Shire Council is the second council to support Clarence Valley Council’s anti-mining stance ... "So, this is asking that we don’t mine areas of high rainfall where there is a chance that it will have lasting effects on the environment and our economic opportunity. We do protect those things that are so valued in our community, so I have no qualms about putting this motion up to support what the Clarence Valley councillors have put” : Bellingen mayor, Dominic King.
2nd Lismore Italian Film Festival, 7-8 August 2021 – rescheduled to 2022
The Lismore Italian Film Festival at Lismore's bccEvent Cinemas scheduled for Saturday, August 7 and Sunday, August 8 2021 has been postponed.
Many small WA businesses miss out on lockdown grants
About half the number of small metropolitan businesses the McGowan Government said would be eligible for assistance due to the Anzac weekend lockdown have missed out on financial assistance ... In a statement on July 19 the government said more than 15,400 businesses in Perth and Peel and 2300 businesses in regional WA could be eligible for support for the lockdown between June 29 and July 2 and the associated restriction period from July 3 to July 6. But Dr Thomas said the government’s small business Covid compensation eligibility criteria were too restrictive and not consistent.
