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.
Australian wine pivots from China
China’s anti-dumping duties have seriously disrupted Australia’s wine trade, the latest research report from ABARES has found. The report, Australian wine in China: Impact of China’s anti-dumping duties, investigates the short- to medium-term consequences of China’s punitive anti-dumping measures on Australian wine exports.
Local jobs awarded as Project Sea Dragon commences construction in the Territory
Two local contracts have been awarded to Territory businesses as construction begins for Seafarms’ Project Sea Dragon ... Project Sea Dragon is a $1.87 billion aquaculture project, which will ultimately see the development of up to 10,000 hectares of ponds for black tiger prawns production facilities.
Sign up for Artisan Agriculture Business Mentor Program
Whether you’re a producer who is looking for support in marketing your product or service, increasing sales, or just seeking greater motivation and confidence, apply now to join Hepburn Shire Council’s free Artisan Agriculture Business Mentor Program.
Development of the modern air battery
With today's technological advances and some insightful design, Leaper Innovate Green Energies have developed and patented the LiGE Air Battery. A zero-emissions CAES system that can be hooked up to the electricity grid or to renewable energy sources to provide clean energy as well as clean water.
Queensland gas drives manufacturing jobs
Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said Queensland gas producer Senex Energy has sealed a deal to supply up to 11 petajoules of natural gas to Aussie manufacturer Adbri – in line with the domestic gas policy the State Government put in place in 2017.
Entsch is blown away by Cape York communities
Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said he was blown away by the progress of a number of Cape York communities during last week’s trip across the Peninsula ... He said he was particularly impressed with the work being done by the Lockhart River and Mapoon councils. “I was very, very encouraged to see what they are doing.” ... While in Weipa, Mr Entsch said he had a positive sit down with Rio Tinto to discuss normalisation.
