After the rain: Shire of Broome commences program to combat mosquito-borne diseases
While the heavy rains that lashed the Shire of Broome last week from ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie caused relatively minor damage in Broome, they have presented an increased risk of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases in town and surrounding communities. The Shire has commenced a pest management program ...
Protect yourself from Murray Valley encephalitis virus
Mildura Rural City Council’s routine mosquito monitoring program has detected Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus in our municipality ... This detection of the virus in Mildura and northern Victoria, marks the first detection in Victoria in more than a decade.
Drone lasers to pinpoint bushfire threats: Cooke
State-of-the-art colourised laser technology has been added to Fire and Rescue NSW’s (FRNSW) fleet of drones, giving firefighters the ability to more accurately identify bushfire threats. Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors will help firefighters to better manage fuel loads by mapping bushland density.
Funding for prescribed burns goes up in smoke as CFS warns of dangerous conditions: Pederick, Speirs
The CFS has warned of hot and windy conditions in coming days as it’s revealed the Malinauskas Labor Government has slashed a million dollars from the crucial prescribed burn budget, putting South Australians at greater risk during bushfire season ... "Funding for bushfire prevention to keep South Australians safe is not where you cut corners because you’re gambling with lives and this is an appalling decision by Peter Malinauskas": Leader of the Opposition David Speirs
Hailstorm damage in Maldon
The Castlemaine SES were called out on Monday 2 January in response to calls for help after a freak hail storm swept through Maldon and surrounds ... The largest of the hail stones were the size of a billiard ball, while others had been measured at 4cm in diameter.
Upgrade works at Leslie Dam complete
Part of the Queensland Government's $19 million Southern Downs Drought Resilience program included upgrade works to the intake pump station at Leslie Dam. Water Minister Glenn Butcher said the upgrade work includes replacement of three 55-year-old pumps, pipework and the electrical switchboard.
Tornadic storm
Kirstin Nicholson. “It was horrific!” That’s how Jodie Hay described the storm that went through the family’s farm on the evening of January 2. It was a brief 15 minutes that wreaked havoc on their property and properties across the district, causing damage to crops, homes, vehicles and buildings.
Call for more fire power
Patricia Gill. Local bushfire management committees will respond to the State Government’s thumbs down to a review of broad-scale burning as a prime method of bushfire prevention. The Shire of Denmark will call on the Bushfire Advisory Committee and the Local Emergency Management Committee to comment on Emergency Services Minister Dawson’s letter of last September ... It follows the Shire writing to Premier Mark McGowan in August asking for a review of the prescribed burning policy and practices to ensure both were effective in protecting lives, property and the environment.
Gone to blazes – BlazeAid to pack up and leave
With a heavy heart, BlazeAid camp coordinator Cindy Lusted announced the group would be packing up and leaving Rappville and the Richmond Valley by January 20 ... “From what I’ve heard, everyone who has had BlazeAid help said their stress has subsided because their fencing has been fixed”: Rappville Commercial Hotel publican Lisa Stewart. “It is imperative BlazeAid stay.”
Adelaide to host premier grains forum: GRDC
South Australian grain growers and agronomists are set to gain advance access to the latest research findings, meet experts and network at SA’s premier grains research forum next month. The 2023 GRDC Grains Research Update – Adelaide will be held on February 7 and 8, with more than 400 people expected to attend. Keynote presentations will also be livestreamed.
Labor’s soil deception: Littleproud
In a cruel blow to Australian farmers, the Federal Labor Government has confirmed it has axed the $54 million pilot Soil Monitoring Incentives Program (SMIP) because of flooding ... "Labor’s decision to end the SMIP is disgraceful and it reflects their contempt for our farmers and the $85 billion agriculture industry": Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud.
Woodhen survey
Suzie Christensen, LHIB. The woodhen survey has seen another increase in woodhen number with more than 1,000 woodhens counted. This is a record number of woodhens for the Island, surpassing the 778 individuals counted last March.
Review – Why Do Birds Do That?
Whether you are an avid bird watcher or simply a casual admirer I highly recommend adding this to your bookshelf for ready reference. Trust me, you’ll need it - as some people may not believe you when you tell them about some of the avian oddities described.
What’s in a name?
Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s now famous poem ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ embodies the seaman’s superstition ... somewhat bizarrely, whilst researching the story of the Lord Howe Sylph through various newspaper reports in the 1850s, 60s and 70s, I was somewhat (superstitiously?) struck by the proportionately high number of Sylphs that sailed into deeply troubled waters in those decades.
Tonga Hunga volcanic eruption, 12 months on
In Australia in 2022 we saw pink sunsets. The evening of 14 December 2022 was one such occasion. Those who follow the heavens might see this as a sign of an auspicious new year present for us all ... The question is what impact Tonga Hunga might have on earth’s weather or climate?
Kingston to open its arms to flood impacted visitors
The Kingston District Council has issued a warm welcome to flood impacted visitors and others looking for coastal accommodation during the upcoming school holidays through an extension of its low-cost RV Park. The Park, which will offer up to six (6) nights for just $60 until at least mid-February 2023, is set to use land adjacent the existing area and adjoining Maria Creek, to make way for anticipated visitors who may have otherwise holidayed along the flooding Murray River.
Firefighting choppers arrived
In preparation for summer fires, two firefighting helicopters arrived in Bendigo this week. The helicopters will be used throughout the bushfire season by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) to respond to fires across Central Victoria.
Bruce – back where he belongs
The rescue of Bruce the macaw has been in the news recently after his escape and rescue by the CFA. The Times paid a visit to the Maldon Takeaway where he resides during the week to see how Bruce was coping after his misadventure, and all seems to be well.
Cutting-edge tech takes off at PEQ: DAFF
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is rolling out sophisticated new technology to detect and identify exotic plant viruses and viroids at its Post Entry Quarantine Facility (PEQ) at Mickleham, Victoria. Australia’s Chief Plant Protection Officer Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith said the department was using High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) to improve the efficiency of PEQ testing in imported plants.
Beach safety concerns prompt ramp closure
Patricia Gill. The boat ramp at Ocean Beach will be closed on Friday, December 23 due to storm damage until the end of January when the closure will be reviewed. The Shire of Denmark says safety is the reason for the closure.
Kialla recognised at national awards
Greenmount-based business Kialla Pure Foods has been awarded the Brand of the Year award at the 2022 Australian Organic Industry Awards ... Kialla’s flour mill is one of the last remaining in Australia which operates in the farmland where the grains are grown. “We’re proudly based in the heart of the Darling Downs, surrounded by the rich black alluvial soils that run through this region”: Quentin Kennedy.
Christmas beetles and koalas – part of the whole big picture
Vic Jurskis. The principles of monitoring animal numbers are no different for koalas or beetles. Monitoring should not be an end. But the first step should always be to look at historical information. They are irruptive animals which sometimes occur in plagues. Koalas and Christmas beetles have both gone through booms and busts in the same places at the same times for the same reasons ... ARR.News asked some further questions of Vic.
