Transport

The rail transport initiative will see Forestry Corporation of NSW deliver around 270,000 tonnes of sawlog timber to Tumut and Tumbarumba processors over the next three years. This timber was initially set for export, however the impact of the Black Summer bushfires and local timber shortage have meant Australian timber mills have been given priority.

CANEGROWERS has welcomed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s recent public vote of confidence in the sugarcane industry’s ability to supply the feedstock for a biofuels revolution in Queensland ... “With more than 1500 domestic flights in Australia every day, the aviation industry burns through an awful lot of highly polluting jet fuel”: CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens.

Helping spot fires is the job of dreams for Parks and Wildlife Service Senior Spotter Pilot Bronwen Prinsloo. This Manjimup-based pilot loves taking to the skies to spot and report on fires, monitor prescribed burns and do her bit to help keep our communities safe.

The people who love cars are like a family, of sorts. “Once you’ve been bitten by the bug,” said Greg, “it stays with you for life.” And for Greg, Leanne, and Andrew, this love of cars has been the driving factor in them deciding to host Charlton’s very own (and very first) Show ‘N’ Shine, coming up on April 29-30.

The independent review of Inland Rail led by Dr Kerry Schott AO found major deficiencies in the governance and delivery of Inland Rail. It confirmed that Inland Rail is an important project to meet Australia’s growing freight task, improve road safety and to help decarbonise our economy. However, it also confirmed that the project is running significantly over budget and significantly behind schedule with just over 16% of the 1700km of track completed so far.

Queensland is set to soar as Australia’s SAF capital, with plans revealed for a biorefinery that will help power the nation’s aviation market with green jet fuel. Jet Zero Australia has started a feasibility study for the facility, which could produce more than 100 million litres of SAF a year for use in domestic flights, including by the Qantas Group.

South Korea’s flag carrier and largest airline, Korean Air, is taking South Australia’s premium wines to the air – now serving local drops on its flights. The deal secured by South Australia’s Department for Trade and Investment will see Dandelion Vineyards and Murdoch Hill Wines join Henschke as premium South Australia wine offerings on Korean Air flights.

Australia’s largest shared micromobility company Beam will commence shared e-scooter operations across the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, marking the city’s first shared e-scooter trial. 200 of Beam’s leading e-scooters will be introduced to the streets, available for use 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, improving transport options and connections for both leisure and commuting.

Ross McGuinness. Only three elements of Denmark’s railway exist today nearly 60 years since the closure of the line. Two are still clearly visible while the third, the historic 1897 turntable, is now mainly covered. The turntable and adjacent engine pit, sometimes referred to as the ash pit, are located on the bridge end of the station site.

Ports Minister Rita Saffioti has officially opened a new boat building facility in the Geraldton Fishing Boat Harbour. The facility will be the new home of local boat building firm Dongara Marine and will form part of a new precinct within the harbour.

Landholders can expect better treatment during the construction of Inland Rail thanks to a landmark agreement between NSW Farmers and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). Inland Rail and NSW Farmers have worked together to develop a joint information pack that acknowledges and addresses issues of concern to property owners...

Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA) has announced a long-term national partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). This major national partnership will assist with delivering better health outcomes to Australians living beyond the reach of mainstream medical services, through financial support and the provision of a fleet of Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X vehicles.

Regional Express Holdings Limited (‘Rex’) announced an after-tax loss of A$16.5 million (M) for the six months ended 31 December 2022 (1HFY23), an improvement of 55% over the prior corresponding period. This loss includes a negative impact of A$23M related to mark-to-market valuation of the Convertible Note and Warrant facility entered into with PAG in 2020.

The Aussie Invader - World Land Speed Record Challenger was transported by the Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls Inc and stopped at Kaniva on Friday for young and old to have a look ... The Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls Inc headed from Karratha to Perth in preparation for carrying the Aussie Invader - World Land Speed Record Challenger to the Australian International Airshow in Avalon, Victoria!

The newly-formed Rural Road Alliance is calling for an emergency funding package totalling nearly $5.5 billion in the upcoming Federal Budget. The alliance ... been formed in response to the critical challenges facing Australia’s rural road network in the wake of recent flooding and high rainfall.

Rex Airlines confirms that it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to lease two Boeing 737-800NG jets. The two aircraft are expected to arrive in Australia in June and July 2023.

New Aussie airline Bonza continues its launch with its first-ever direct flight from the Sunshine Coast to Mackay with customers travelling or reconnecting with loved ones this Valentine's Day.  Proving love is in the air, a local Sunshine Coast couple who share the same nicknames as Bonza’s aircraft (Shazza and Bazza) renewed their wedding vows airside at Sunshine Coast Airport.

Whilst we are seeing positive changes with international freight capacity returning to levels pre-COVID-19, productivity issues at major Australian container ports identified in the latest Productivity Commission report cost the Australian economy an estimated $605 million annually. These inefficiencies directly impact Australian farmers and if not addressed soon will be a compounding cost for all primary producers as well as exporters more broadly.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan is honoured to be part of an upcoming international delegation to north America, which is set to focus on a range of issues for the Lockyer Valley. The Council of Mayors South East Queensland delegation will put a spotlight on waste management issues and better transport connectivity ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

If a truck load of vendor-bred sheep go direct from a farm to an abattoir, should producers pay for the time, effort and cost of each animal having a $2.50 electronic identification (eID) ear tag ... Current figures suggest around $30 million will be ripped out of rural communities and their service towns by the scheme.

Toowoomba LifeFlight was the aeromedical service's busiest Queensland base in 2022, with 659 people helped. The aeromedical missions were performed by the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue and Toowoomba LifeFlignt Surat Gas Aeromedical Service (SGAS) helicopters, which are based at the Clive Berghofer LifeFlight Centre and cover a huge area of the state, from the Darling Downs and beyond.