Wetlands provides a home for busy bees
Apart from the Corryong Wetlands being a place to go, enjoy, relax and soak in the surroundings it is also envisaged that as the project develops the area will become a useful place for both young and old to learn about our natural environment ... Twenty-five ‘Bee Hotels’ and ‘Bee B&Bs’ had been prepared for the day and after Karen’s talk the group adjourned to the Corryong Wetlands site where a number of them were placed in trees awaiting their new guests.
Minister briefed on local environmental concerns
Environment and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby attended a series of meetings in Denmark last month. With Warren Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie, Mr Whitby visited local peat swamps, met with Green Skills Inc., and with several stakeholders to discuss the latest forest management plan.
Water restrictions set to continue in Clarence Valley
Clarence Valley Council (CVC) General Manager Laura Black has revealed she is unsure how long Level 4 (Severe) water restrictions introduced last week for the whole Clarence Valley water supply system due to a prolonged dirty water event following recent rainfall in the Nymboida River will remain in place but said council should have “a better idea later this week.” The restrictions were issued by council on January 30 to avoid the need to call a Boil Water Alert.
Flood observers sought: Gannawarra Shire Council
Residents who would like to provide local knowledge and support planning for future flood events are encouraged to consider becoming a volunteer flood observer. Gannawarra Shire Council, Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) and the North Central Catchment Management Authority are seeking new flood observers, especially from residents in the Pyramid and Wandella Creek areas.
Watch the trailer for Tinnie Heroes right here
Here’s the trailer for the short film Tinnie Heroes. The film will be officially launched in Woodburn on March 1.
$5 million to improve Northern Rivers drainage systems: Watt, Toole, Saunders
“This program will provide an injection of funds to improve priority drainage channels, reducing the immediate risks to agricultural assets and surrounding communities in future flood events. The funding will focus on the cleaning and treatment of sediment in drains to assist in the movement of water through these river systems": Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt.
Gunnedah Shire Council awarded funding for Blackjack Creek flood mitigation study: Anderson
A revised study identifying the risk of flooding on a 2.5-kilometre section between South Street and McCalls Road in Gunnedah has been commissioned with $60,000 in funding from the NSW Government’s 2022/23 NSW Floodplain Management Program ... The new study comes after significant changes were made to the area including the construction of a Blackjack Creek Riparian Corridor and the construction of the second Gunnedah overpass.
Two buildings and machinery lost in Neergabby bushfire
Two buildings – a transportable home and a shed containing machinery – have been lost in the Neergabby bushfire, which the Department of Fire and Emergency Services downgraded to an advice this afternoon ... “It burnt over 500ha in the first six hours, with a total area burnt of 995ha": Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) incident controller Shaun Champ.
Do cows cause climate change?: FFGSC
Food and Fibre Great South Coast and our valued partners have collaborated to bring together specialists to the region for a night of discussion ... It’s vital we have the best information informing our decisions.
Valkyrie the Eagle on a flight path to receive a new enclosure
Valkyrie the Wedgetail Eagle at the Rockhampton Zoo will be receiving a belated Christmas present with a brand-new enclosure being constructed ... “The new enclosure will be built opposite the Kangaroos at the Zoo which will get Valkyrie down with her Australian buddies in the bottom section": Parks, Sport and Public Space Councillor Cherie Rutherford.
Is it a bird? Drones focus on waterbird count in the Murray–Darling Basin: MDBA
The innovative use of drone technology combined with coding software is helping to improve the accuracy of waterbird monitoring across the Murray–Darling Basin ... "Collecting accurate data about waterbird numbers is vital to building our scientific knowledge and assessing the impacts of the Basin Plan": MDBA’s General Manager of Applied Science, Dr Matthew Coleman.
Review – Wandering with Intent
Wandering with Intent is a collection of non-fiction essays that explores Kim’s thoughts, experiences and observations about what happens at the point of intersection between non-Indigenous Australia and strong traditional Aboriginal culture ... With Kim’s finely-tuned observations and rich descriptions of people, places and topics you really do feel as if you’re accompanying her on a journey.
Ali Curung records 540mL in 24 hours
An Ali Curung resident couldn’t believe his eyes when he checked the rain gauge at Council on Thursday morning. Michael Stanley-Hunt knew the downpour Wednesday night was heavy, was evident by the flooding in and around the community, but the rain gauge measured a staggering 540mL.
Stripy lizard holds up $2m safety project
A striped legless lizard “possibly” seen near the Riddoch Highway 17 years ago is holding up a $2million intersection realignment aimed at making it safer for people who use it. The area has been deemed “a significant environmental site”. But there appears to be no photos of the lizard to prove its existence at the site.
The bees are back
If you think you’ve had a rough couple of years, spare a thought for beekeeper and honey producer Lindsay Callaway of Warral Maldon. Hard on the heels of the Covid lockdowns came the discovery in NSW of the varroa mite in June last year.
Porcupine Village update
The Times spoke to Porcupine Village owner Frank Hutchinson this week about the recent shutdown of works at the site. From the start of this project, Frank and the management team were taking advice from a Town Planning consultant with over 30 years’ experience ... Frank is now working with a Melbourne-based group of town planners who have a great deal of experience in dealing with complex planning issues.
A final word – Water inequality and District Council of Coober Pedy financial sustainability: Tim Jackson
"Since late 2019 Coober Pedy water consumers have been calling on successive State Governments to introduce SA Water pricing in Coober Pedy. This would result in prices being reduced by two thirds. Unfortunately, no State Government commitment has been secured. In that time Coober Pedy consumers have paid $5 million more for their water than if they lived in Adelaide. This is scurrilous": Tim Jackson, Administrator, District Council of Coober Pedy.
Brigade’s proud service record is recognised
More than 20 members of the Tintaldra Fire Brigade were recently presented with Long Service Medals by CFA Commander, Trevor Ebbels, totalling an amazing 650 years of service in total. The longest serving current member is Phillip Coysh who has been involved with the brigade for 50 years with Laurie Forrest chalking up 45 years.
Local heroes celebrated
Inspirational community contributions celebrated. Well known Narrandera Shire resident Rex Evans was rewarded for his generous and ongoing contribution to Narrandera shire communities over many years with the 2023 Citizen of the Year Award ... "our town wouldn’t be what is without volunteers": Senior Citizen of the Year, Beverly Hughes.
Cambooya’s Blue Tree turning heads
The sight of two trees painted blue located on the eastern side of the New England Highway just north of the United Etonvale petrol station has caught the attention of motorists with a keen eye ... Painting the trees blue is not a random act but rather something that has been happening all over Australia as part of the Blue Tree Project.
Project Kingfish
Members of the Project Kingfish research team visited Lord Howe Island (LHI) in December. Project Kingfish is a research program funded by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust that aims to enable collaboration between scientists and expert anglers to improve understanding of the East Australia yellowtail kingfish stock.
Action needed on land conflict: NSW Farmers
Farmer blockades of mining trucks will escalate unless real action is taken to resolve land and water use conflict, NSW Farmers warns. On Saturday police were called to a state forest near Gunnedah after more than 60 farmers blockaded Santos trucks amid a dispute over potential water extraction and fracking. Local communities feared the Sub-Artesian Basin and aquifers could be forever polluted if coal seam gas projects went ahead, and saw no option but to take action after the NSW Government renewed a petroleum exploration licence in the area.
