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Reinstatement of US beef imports into Australia: ALFA

The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) acknowledges the Australian Government’s announcement to reinstate access of beef processed from the United States of America into Australia. This follows conclusion of a science-based risk assessment process undertaken by the Australian Government since 2019 to determine whether beef processed in the USA sourced from cattle from Canada or Mexico can meet Australia’s biosecurity and food safety requirements. 

25 years of fish stocking scheme

Queensland’s inland fishing program, the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS), was introduced in 2000 and has since grown from 25 dams to 63 impoundments. To celebrate, the “SIPS 25” fishing competition will be held in the September school holidays at SIPS destinations across the State.

Council staff down tools

Towong Council workers have launched historic industrial action over what they consider an "unfair" pay offer and rising charges for residents. For the first time in the council's history, its workers have commenced are taking protected industrial action in response to a wage proposal that workers say fails both staff and the local community.

New renewables law

Legislation came into effect last week which aims to empower communities on renewable energy projects. The Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, introduces significant reforms that strengthen social licence requirements for renewable energy projects and consistent development assessment rules across the state.

Flyer found in wreckage

The body of a pilot missing after his plane crashed in the Snowy Mountains near Khancoban has been located in the debris. A rescue helicopter located the plane near Khancoban ... after it went missing on a flight from Wangaratta to Moruya with pilot 74-year-old Bega man, David Stephens, on board.

Territory mangoes, Kakadu plums, NT Barramundi – The quest for Northern Territory premium brands: Charles Darwin University

Territory Mangoes, NT beef, local barramundi and Kakadu plums are among the Northern Territory’s major exports – but once they’re on the plate, how many people ponder the origin of these products? A new PhD project at Charles Darwin University (CDU) will help the Northern Territory become synonymous with its food produce, providing much needed marketing support for food NT producers and manufacturers. 

Australian horticulture’s $1 billion annual productivity opportunity: Hort Innovation

A new report from Hort Innovation and the Centre for International Economics has today revealed that high adoption of productivity enhancing innovation would benefit the Australian industry by about $1 billion annually in additional value added, reaching $22 billion in 2040.  

Local radio – it’s all about the community

Narrandera District Community Radio Spirit FM 91.1 prides itself on prioritising community needs and strong connections ensuring listeners are well-entertained and are up-to-date and informed about district and community events. Spirit FM volunteers, for nearly 21 years, have enjoyed working hard to deliver quality uninterrupted radio listening. 91.1 is on-air 24-hours and can be streamed from anywhere in the world playing tunes from an over 80,000 song library.

How did 100 Bendigo Banks close without anyone noticing until now?

Bendigo Bank has hit the headlines for closing 10 branches shortly followed by an announcement it was getting rid of all of its regional agencies but there are another 90-odd Bendigo-branded banks that have been shut over the past five years it has managed to keep quiet. Many of these were community franchises that have been disappearing in the dozens, with both regional and metropolitan areas impacted.

Robust science opens hay industry options: AgriFutures Australia

Leading agronomic researcher and consultant, Mick Faulkner from Agrilink Agricultural Consultants (South Australia), will present groundbreaking findings at the upcoming Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) Annual Conference held on the Gold Coast from Tuesday 22 July to Thursday 24 July 24, 2025. Mick’s presentation, titled “Evaluation and positioning of dual-purpose cereals for the export hay market”...

MFS water carrier joins Olivewood Museum

Sebastian Calderon. A historic fire truck which serviced the Renmark district for two decades now has a new home at a local museum. The vehicle will share space alongside a Garford fire appliance from the early 1900's, as a key exhibit at Olivewood museum, aiming to honour the region's rich firefighting history.

Media glory for Loxton’s Ben Avery

Sebastian Calderon. A Loxton-born news presenter has been awarded one of the most important journalism accolades in Australia, for his work on the true-crime podcast 'Just Married: The Anthea Bradshaw Mystery'. 9News Adelaide's Ben Avery has been named the Journalist of the Year at the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance 2025 South Australian Media Awards.

The brains behind the baa: Advanced AI models move into the paddock

A quiet revolution is set to transform how Riverina sheep farmers manage their flocks, as advanced AI-based facial recognition technology rapidly moves from research to real-world application. This cutting-edge innovation could soon mean the end of traditional ear-tagging, offering a more efficient and humane way to identify and monitor individual animals.

Hay Police’s Ashley stars in tree change campaign

Police officer Ashley Sterchow, from Hay Police Station, stars in the most recent social media campaign of Country Change. Country Change is a project of Riverina RDA (Regional Development Australia).

Hattah Harrisons – Following in the master’s footsteps

The next generations of off-road endurance riders joined Hay's own master motorcyclist David Harrison at the iconic Hattah Desert Race recently. Over the years the Harrison family have been regular entrants in the gruelling race.

New paramedic recruits on the road as winter demand rises

The first group of new Ambulance Victoria (AV) recruits for 2025/26 are hitting the road to help meet rising winter demand. AV Chief Executive Officer Jordan Emery today welcomed 59 new graduate ambulance paramedics who are starting their careers with AV.

Celebrating local businesses an awarding sight

The Grafton Chamber of Commerce welcomed 200 guests to the Grafton District Golf Club on July 19 when they hosted the 2025 Clarence Valley Business Awards ... “You are awarded in public for what you practice in private,” Hayley Talbot said to the finalists in acknowledgement of the “many late nights and overflowing inboxes” many business owners and their teams experience on a weekly basis, describing their commitment to their professionalism as being encoded in the DNA of their businesses.

Marnpi Festival is coming to Broken Hill!

We're proud to announce Marnpi Festival, a significant First Nations-led arts and community festival co-designed by Badger Bates and Slag Heap Projects with Anthony Hayward and Nancy Bates, in partnership with The Old Vic Gallery Studio and Premier Automotive Tyres.

Brazen jewellery theft: Two men arrested, investigations continue

Two men from Hendon, a north-western suburb of Adelaide, have been taken into custody following an alleged break-in at the Macchia Jewellery store located on Ormerod Street in Naracoorte. According to South Australia Police (SAPOL), the arrests were made as part of ongoing investigations led by Limestone Coast CIB detectives.

Community-led campaign marks one year

The Limestone Coast Sustainable Futures Association recently marked its one-year anniversary with a powerful show of community strength at its AGM, reaffirming its leadership in the fight to protect prime agricultural land and groundwater from rare earth mining in the region.

New guide to help developers and landowners blend renewables with agriculture: EnergyCo

A new handbook empowering landowners and solar developers to harness the benefits of combining agriculture with solar energy is now available. A new handbook empowering landowners and solar developers to harness the benefits of combining agriculture with solar energy is now available.

Council seeks improved transparency

At its July Council Meeting, Buloke Shire Council moved a motion for Council to write to relevant Ministers and Departments to seek genuine engagement between Council, the Government and the Buloke Shire community following the recent visit of the Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio, MP, Minister for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action on June 11, 2025. The Notice of Motion expressed disappointment in the Minister for failing to inform Councillors of major legislative changes tabled just eight days later ...

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