Raising dam wall issue raises ire of councillors not ‘on the same page’
Councillor Danielle Mulholland’s report on her meeting with Deputy Premier Paul Toole was followed by a stir among some councillors at the Kyogle Council meeting ... She listed the issues discussed at the meeting with Mr Toole. The most contentious one was the raising of the Toonumbar Dam wall.
Neergabby firefighter awarded an Australian fire service medal
George Grant of Neergabby has been recognised for his years of volunteer firefighting and his mentoring of other bushfire brigade volunteers with an Australian fire service medal. Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said Mr Grant joined the Gingin West Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade in 1963, clocking up 60 years of firefighting and along the way using his knowledge to mentor those around him.
Housing pods hit the ground in Eugowra: Cooke
Flood-impacted residents across the Cabonne Shire can now apply for modular homes, with the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government expanding its temporary accommodation program following last year’s successful caravan rollout. Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said modular homes are now being installed on the properties of flood-impacted residents.
JEV vaccine stash could be up for grabs as mosquito threat looms: Hurn
The SA Opposition has been advised that there could be a precious stockpile of the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) vaccine up for grabs – but will soon expire – that could be used to protect South Australians from the disease as the flood recovery in the Riverland officially begins. Chairman of the Immunisation Coalition in Australia, Dr Rod Pearce, has indicated that the New South Wales Government is in possession of a surplus of JEV vaccines, with doctors based in the state telling him “they can’t give them away”.
Access to National Parks: Bev McArthur
The Victorian Government is overseeing the slow demise of National Parks, ignoring the very rules that established their existence and importance in the state. In State Parliament, the Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, has asked the Minister for the Environment to immediately review a decision made last year to change public access rights to the Grampians National Park.
Towards World Heritage recognition for Murujuga: Whitby, Plibersek
The Australian Government has nominated Murujuga Cultural Landscape for inscription on the World Heritage List. The formal nomination was submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in late January 2023. If accepted, Murujuga would be the second site in Australia listed for World Heritage Status for First Nations cultural heritage.
Deniliquin farmer continues fight
Deniliquin farmer Anthony Roelink is continuing his fight to highlight what he believes is poor management of our river systems. He says a failure by authorities to heed the advice of local residents exacerbated the 2022 flood situation along the Murray River.
Too many mozzies? Learn from Rentokil’s Mark Kendall
The data of pest control expert, Rentokil indicates that mosquito activity is up right across Australia, increasing 216 per cent in November, compared to October recordings ... Rentokil has a database on pest activity across Australia. ARR.News asked a few questions of Mark Kendall from Rentokil Initial.
Australia’s cattle herd to reach largest size in nearly a decade
The Australian Beef industry and cattle herd are well positioned to capitalise on changing global supply dynamics in 2023. This year will be a year of transition and maturity for Australia’s cattle herd, with any increases in numbers now beyond rebuild status, with all key production metrics forecast to improve this year, according to the latest Cattle Industry projections update from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).
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.
