Need for declared catchment highlighted
John Xanthis. Wilson Inlet opened on September 25 at 0.88 AHD in relatively ideal conditions with a north-easterly breeze, a declining swell, a good variation spring tidal range and a high pressure system ... water levels were low and late this year due to a dry winter with little river flow.
How South32 is worshipping false gods
... it’s disturbing to read in a recently released EPA document that South32 propose to follow Woodside's example and ‘sterilise’ over 4,000 hectares of freehold land—good farmland—as a means of appeasing the environmental gods ... This is the same mad formula Woodside is following: take freehold cleared farmland and ease their guilt by planting trees that will never be harvested, with the land lost to agricultural production, including tree farming, forever.
New Energy Infrastructure Commissioner to facilitate leading practice in the reliable renewables rollout: Bowen
The Albanese Government has appointed Tony Mahar as the new Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC). Mr Mahar will draw on his extensive experience in rural and regional Australia, most recently as CEO of the National Farmers Federation, in this important role. Mr Mahar will work as an intermediary between farming and regional communities, industry and government to promote leading community engagement practices as Australia transforms its energy system ...
Meeting questions VicGrid plans
Marian Haddrick. VicGrid CEO Alistair Parker met with a hundred concerned locals from Birchip and the surrounding area last Thursday at the Birchip Leisure Centre. Birchip is in the Regional Energy Zone (REZ) that is connecting supporting transmission infrastructure from Victoria’s west in Horsham to the north of the state in Red Hills.
Methane emissions increase by 20 per cent in 20 years: CSIRO
The Global Methane Budget 2024 ... highlights methane emissions from human activities have increased by 20 per cent in the past two decades. Methane is one of three core greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. It lasts in the atmosphere for just a few decades, which is shorter when compared to its counterparts, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.
Woodside’s carbon farming plan is destroying family farms
We all know Woodside, Australia’s biggest gas producer, but many might not realise it is also one of the country’s biggest CO2 emitters ... the Australian energy sector has been all too willing to overpromise on what is achievable in reducing their CO2 footprint, as a result they are now desperately searching for solutions. This, unfortunately, is where WA farmland comes into play ... That win-win plan is to plant trees – lots of trees – on productive farmland and then lock that land up for the next 100 years so it no longer produces food or fibre.
New data shows long-term cost of extreme weather: Insurance Council of Australia
New data released by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) today shows that the impact of extreme weather on the Australian economy has more than tripled over the last three decades. Insured losses from declared insurance catastrophes have grown from 0.2 of GDP from 1995 to 2000 to 0.7 per cent for the last five years ... The new data analysis is contained in the Insurance Council of Australia’s Insurance Catastrophe Resilience Report 2023-24, released today.
Cattle industry – drought prompts rethink
Patricia Gill. Drought has prompted a rethink in the Denmark cattle industry after farmers have been forced to shoot animals because of a lack of feed and rock-bottom cattle prices. Farmers, including Steve Birkbeck at the Raintree Farm, have faced their driest season from spring through to autumn, with longer-established farmers saying this season has been the driest since 1982.
The emerging forces shaping Australia’s rural industries: AgriFutures Australia
In the coming decade, Australia’s rural industries will be shaped by significant forces that have the potential to disrupt how we produce, market and consume agricultural goods ... Navigating a Future of Cross-Sectoral Forces reports that now, more than ever, rural industries must prepare to adapt and thrive in the face of an uncertain future...
Creating a national Green Iron industry: Magnetite Mines
Australia must act now if it is to seize the opportunity to play a significant role in decarbonising domestic and global steel production and utilise the nation’s significant international comparative advantage to create a competitive Green Iron industry, Magnetite Mines has asserted in the company’s submission to the Australian Government’s Green Metals Consultation Paper.
“Cultivating clarity” – understanding ’emissions basics’ increasingly important for Australia’s farm sector: Rabobank
Understanding the "basics of emissions" is becoming increasingly important for Australia’s farmers as the sector faces growing expectations to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on farm … In a new guide produced for its farming clients ... Rabobank says as large corporations – including food and agribusiness companies – become more active in managing climate impact across their full supply chain, this is expected to have increasing market access implications for farmers.
Climate Council suggests farmers unfairly treated
"Farmers are bearing the brunt of climate change through extreme weather while also facing the financial burden of implementing livestock feed changes to curb cow burps," Coal and Gas Campaigner at Queensland Conservation Council, Ben Pennings said. "In stark contrast, coal companies are allowed to guess their methane emissions and rake in unprecedented profits while neglecting easily implementable mitigation practices such as proper equipment maintenance and operational improvements," he said.
Baby it’s cold outside, and inside
The recent frosty mornings in our area might inspire us to cosy up inside by a fire or with a loved one, but university studies have found that Australians have colder houses than people in similar climates around the world. Experts from RMIT commented last week about the phenomenon in which Australians have lower standards for warmth in their homes, leading to health risks.
Water and environment research unveiled at Basin science symposium: MDBA
Progress of research that will benefit the Basin and its communities for years to come has been shared at the third annual symposium of the Murray–Darling Water and Environment Research Program (MD-WERP). Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Chief Executive Andrew McConville said 35 projects developing Basin-wide knowledge have been completed or are progressing via the 5-year $20 million Australian Government funded MD-WERP.
Carbon deals catch delta feel
Last week, local farmers, investors and Western Murray Land Improvement Group (WMLIG) celebrated the next step in their Murray Inland Delta Landscape Impact Project. With the financial world falling over themselves to get a piece of the carbon trading arena, an ambitious project has been initiated to ensure that meaningful, tangible environmental benefits can be achieved while delivering financial benefits to landholders.
Parliamentary committee public hearing resurrected
Just three weeks after public hearings about Lower Clarence developments before the Portfolio No 7 committee of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Planning system and the impacts of Climate Change on the Environment and Communities were scrapped, they have been resurrected, delighting community groups ... But last Friday afternoon, Yamba CAN Inc. was informed by the committee that a hearing concerning Lower Clarence developments will be held next week.
Major funding to help reduce ag emissions
At the Sustainable Agriculture Summit held in Toowoomba last Thursday, the Federal Government announced details of $63.8 million allocated in the 2024-25 Budget. The funding will go towards supporting the reduction of emissions in the agriculture industry and contribute to the whole-of-economy transition to net zero.
Outrage after public hearings scrapped
Public hearings before the committee of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Planning system and the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities will not be conducted on the NSW mid and north coasts from Port Macquarie to the Tweed ... The Northern Rivers area, and particularly the Clarence Valley has the highest flood risk hazard of all, as outlined in the NSW State Disaster Mitigation Plan 2024 – 2026. Surely this triggers the necessity for the committee to provide hearings in the mid-north and north coast regions of NSW, Yamba CAN Inc members said.
Federal budget a missed opportunity: GrainGrowers
The federal budget is another missed opportunity to increase regional support through targeted agricultural investments directed at boosting the long-term profitability of grain farming communities. GrainGrowers Chair Rhys Turton said while the budget delivers some positive initiatives, rural industry was looking for a “cost of production” budget to address some of the underlying pressures now being felt across the rural sector.
TASC brings its unique approach to carbon farming to Australia
TASC Carbon Australia Pty Ltd is looking to collaborate with landowners to facilitate access to carbon project registration opportunities. TASC allows farmers to be the project proponent (if they choose) and pays for all project costs (depending on financial viability). Australian Rural & Regional News found out more from Marc Bezuidenhout from TASC.
Is Robbs coming back to rob WA farmers?
Robbs coming back to rob you, that’s Robbs jetty for those who weren’t born long enough ago to recall the smell of rotting hides at Cockburn. Those born even longer ago will recall the endless strife of the WA state-run meatworks that were a bastion of union bastardry. Why are they coming back? Well, the Federal government has committed Australia to borrowing billions of dollars off countries that are not handicapping themselves with mad Green left anti-fossil fuel regulations (think China and the Middle East) to invest in the Future Made in Australia program.
Reports of a catastrophe in the jarrah forest have been greatly exaggerated (after Mark Twain): Frank Batini
Frank Batini. I have observed patterns of foliage scorch, some tree deaths and then recovery in the northern jarrah forest for 22 years. These can be readily explained in terms of soil depth, water-holding capacity, winter rainfall and summer drought ... My hypothesis is that this forest has repeatedly shown resilience to drought ... This is the “good news”, as opposed to the alarmism of other commentators.
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