More marina berths as boat sales boom
Rodney Stevens. Booming boat sales and above 90 per cent occupancy has Yamba Marina looking to expand its berths from 95 to 145, enhancing the Clarence River’s reputation as a premier boating destination. Yamba Marina owners Peter Sutton and Kay Cottee said they are looking towards their biggest expansion since they took over the marina.
Grave concerns over Inland Rail
A small South East Queensland council holds grave concerns over the future of their community as Inland Rail proceeds full steam ahead with plans to rip through the heart of their towns ... “We have been raising our concerns since this project was first announced and continue to advocate for our community in our ongoing objection to the unreasonable impacts of Inland Rail": Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan.
Striving for zero welfare incidents: ALRTA
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) has acknowledged the recent tabling in the Australian Senate of animal welfare incident reports occurring at export abattoirs in 2020 and 2021. Chair of the ALRTA National Driver and Animal Welfare Committee, Graeme Hoare, said that the association welcomes the very high compliance rate but will continue working to eliminate welfare incidents entirely.
Statement on Adblue supply measures: NFF
Moves to secure AdBlue supplies past the end of this year will come as a relief to farmers ... While the AdBlue market in Australia is currently stable, we’ve seen fear sweep through Europe this week as the energy crisis cripples supply and raises concerns of a looming shortage.
Million journey milestone for tracking technology on regional buses: Farraway
Customers in regional NSW have now had access to real-time data on more than one million bus trips across the state. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway announced the milestone, ahead of the new tracking technology system being rolled out on buses in Orange and Griffith from Monday.
Shuttle stallion elite touch down in Australia: DAFF
An elite stable of dedicated Post Entry Quarantine officers is ensuring some of the world’s most valuable shuttle stallions are happy, healthy – and won’t pose a biosecurity risk while on stud duties in Australia. The 55 horses – hailing from Europe, Japan, the USA and Canada, and worth a combined $450 million – have touched down in Australia for the Southern Hemisphere Thoroughbred breeding season.
Government asked for practical help in energy transition: NSW Farmers
The state’s peak farming group says there is a clear opportunity for the federal government to help businesses transition to cleaner vehicles. NSW Farmers Business, Economics and Trade Committee chair John Lowe said targeted extension of the instant asset write off could be used to encourage farmers and other rural business owners to purchase more modern, energy efficient equipment.
REX’S 7th Boeing 737 arrives
Rex has taken delivery of another Boeing 737-800NG, further bolstering the airline's jet fleet deployed on its domestic network. The aircraft, registered VH-MFM, arrived in Brisbane ... from Montpellier in France, adorned in the distinctive Rex livery.
Sea Swift to put up prices by 14.5% from September
Samuel Davis. Cape York and Torres Strait residents will fork out more for essential services after northern Australia’s largest shipping company announced it was increasing the cost to ship freight to remote communities. Sea Swift has announced a 14.5 per cent hike for cargo shipments, starting next month.
Riverina Express starts journeys
Riverina Express ran through the Narrandera area at the weekend. The Express is a full time tourist train to service the Riverina-Murray area. It is regarded as superstar in passenger train evolution, offering speed, comfort and air-conditioning.
Rex’s profit guidance following sterling start to new FY
Rex has announced record high passenger numbers and revenue across both its domestic and regional networks in the first month of the Financial Year 2023 (FY2023). On the domestic front, July’s pre-audited base passenger revenue was at $13.6m, almost double that of the monthly average of the prior three months at $6.87m.
Progressing with the Murray Basin Rail Project
Local producers are benefiting from the completion of early works on the Ouyen to Murrayville line, as part of the Murray Basin Rail Project. Works included the removal of heat and speed restrictions along the 109-kilometre Ouyen to Murrayville Line – to boost safety and improve reliability ... "It's great to see early works complete on the Ouyen to Murrayville line – which will improve safety, capacity and reliability of services and better connect local producers to our major ports.”: Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan
Joint study in the Pilbara assesses future of ammonia bunkering: Saffioti
Pilbara Ports Authority and Yara have signed a collaboration agreement for a feasibility study into ammonia bunkering in the Pilbara ... an important step on the path towards a net zero shipping industry and will assess potential demand, feasibility, infrastructure requirements, safety considerations and the establishment of ammonia bunkering guidelines.
Celebrating 100 years on the railway
The Retired Railway Employees Association celebrated 100 years last week, with a visit to Maldon on the Victorian Goldfields Railway ... The group meets monthly and has regular social outings, but this year it was considered appropriate to celebrate the past 100 years by travelling on a steam train.
Set sail to paradise
Samuel Davis. A bold new plan to ferry tourists from Cooktown to the tropical paradise of Lizard Island has been revealed by the Cook Shire mayor. Around 90 kilometres adrift from Cooktown, Lizard Island has returned to its former glory almost a decade on from the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Ita.
New Sea Swift boss to continue focus on first-class delivery and regional community development
Sea Swift is delighted to announce that Dwayne Freeman has been appointed as the new CEO of Northern Australia’s largest shipping company ... “Over the coming months I’m looking forward to getting to know the Sea Swift team, our customers, and building high-quality relationships with all levels of government, industry, and the community.” Mr Freeman ... will be primarily based in the company's Cairns office.
Rail’s historic return to growing Bendigo communities: Allan
The first train arrived at Huntly Station on Saturday morning after a 68-year absence, while trains returned to Raywood on Sunday morning for the first time in more than 40 years.
International container freight costs to soften for Australia’s ag sector, but no return to pre-pandemic lows on the horizon: Rabobank
Australia’s agricultural sector can expect to contend with elevated ocean container shipping costs and ongoing supply disruptions for at least another year before a ‘normalisation’ of the global ocean freight system, according to new research from Rabobank.
International flights re-commence into Hobart in boost for tourism and Tasmania’s economy
"The return of direct international passenger flights is a very exciting milestone for Tasmania in a much needed boost for our tourism operators recovering from the impacts of Covid 19": Michael Ferguson.
Opposition slams national airline for failing its regional customers
Shadow Transport Minister, Shane Love, has called on Australia’s major airline to apologise to their WA customers after flights were cancelled across the state ... "this airline, which is borne of regional communities and the tyranny of distance, has shown little concern for the impact its mismanagement had on the regional families and businesses who rely on air travel to function,” he said.
Sky’s the limit as airline sets sights on the future
Cape York airline Skytrans has partnered with Stralis Aircraft to develop and trial Australia's first hydrogen electric propulsion aeroplane. The zero-emissions hydrogen electric propulsion system (HEPS) will be installed on a Beech 1900D Airliner with the trial flight to occur in North Queensland, demonstrating the technology is reliable for tough local conditions and the area's pristine ecosystems.
Neuron’s e-scooters embraced by locals, boosting the economy and replacing car trips in Rockhampton, with riding area set to expand
Leading e-scooter operator Neuron Mobility, has announced an expansion to its riding area in Rockhampton ... Neuron’s e-scooters have been embraced by locals and tourists, racking up close to 200,000 kilometres since first launching in February 2022.
