Big bang theories rife as mystery puzzles locals
Cape York may have been the latest location of a meteor air burst, a phenomenon that lit up the sky and caused an airborne aftershock that rattled buildings across the Peninsula. Residents in Weipa, on Cape York cattle stations and on the east coast at Portland Roads have all reported seeing the sky light up in a turquoise-like colour at 5.50am on Friday.
Is this the future of Cape station?
With Queensland adding a new national park to its collection with the purchase of The Lakes, a former grazing property north of Hughenden, there are thoughts that Bramwell Station in Cape York could be the next in line. Last year, Bramwell Station was thought to have been sold to the state government for around $11.5 million, but the deal fell over at the eleventh hour as both parties did due diligence on the sale.
Floods hit Queensland clubs
Last month, the Queensland weather lashed across the State and flooded two of our clubs, Tansey Bowls Club and Maryborough Services Memorial Bowls Club. Tansey Bowls Club was hit the worst, with about a metre of water inside the clubhouse. Tansey’s President Rainer Marschall said they had to remove the wall linings so that the walls could dry out properly.
Queensland sheep and wool producers urged to remain vigilant for flystrike as La Niña conditions continue
With a large percentage of Queensland experiencing summer rains and continuing La Niña conditions, Queensland sheep and wool producers are being urged to remain vigilant for conditions favouring flystrike.
The benefits of ecological burning webinar, 8 March 2022
Ecological planned burning is a land management tool applied to promote positive benefits for a local environment. These benefits include stimulating dormant seed banks in the soil profile, reducing the vigour or eliminating weeds, nutrient cycling and the removal of biomass - all of which promote biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Invasive species are taking hold in some parts of the region
Rockhampton Regional Council is being inundated with reports of Prickly Acacia and Parthenium spreading in the region, and they are calling on the community to assist. Planning and Regulation Councillor Grant Mathers said officers have been working closely with landholders and community stakeholders to establish the extent of the areas of concern, and to treat areas on a priority basis.
Major property purchase to become Queensland’s newest national park
A massive, stunningly beautiful former grazing property will soon belong to Queenslanders as the state’s newest national park. “The Lakes”, north of Hughenden, will increase Queensland’s protected area estate by 35,300 hectares, with the Palaszczuk Government now finalising the multi-million-dollar purchase.
No NLC rubble roadside spraying before fire season
Chris Oldfield. There was no roadside spraying of gravel roads in the Naracoorte Lucindale Council district last Spring, according to operations manager Karl Manarangi. As the current fire season sparked, only the roadsides of council's sealed roads were sprayed ... “So, out there, in the district, we are actually waiting with bated breath for the roadside spraying to be done - with the 4ft thistles and that sort of thing" : Cr Cameron Grundy.
World’s toughest trail running series to reach new heights in NSW Snowies
The NSW Government has partnered with Ironman Australia to bring the prestigious Ultra Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB) World Series to Mt Kosciuszko in December this year.
Thanking our unsung heroes
Tennant Creek IGA has thanked its freight drivers for trekking more than 1,000 km extra to supply food to the region after the recent floods blocked roads into the Territory ... “Francis travelled 3,500 km to get here and there were other trucks going another 500 km to get to Alice Springs" : IRAM CEO John Kop.
Castlemaine family loses everything
Kelly and Dustin’s rental property in Castlemaine became unliveable after the floods last Friday ... Many other locals and businesses in Castlemaine experienced loss and damage due to the severe weather front last Friday and local council has been working closely with affected residents and local emergency service team to assist.
Shelbourne silos
Last Saturday a large crowd gathered at the Shelbourne silos for the unveiling of a series of plaques, celebrating the history of the Shelbourne Railway Station. The plaques are part of Nuggetty Landcare Groups historical projects, including producing calendars and conducting railway walks from Nuggetty to the silos.
Massive storms unprecedented – deluge prompts council rethink
Narrandera Shire Council Mayor Neville Kschenka was left "frustrated and heartbroken" as he witnessed the damage Narrandera sustained during the weekend storms. On the edge of Narrandera as the storm broke, Cr Kschenka reached the centre of town as the weather event gathered momentum with lashing rain and strong gusts of wind.
Bumper crops after long harvest
Many farmers in the Narrandera area agreed with NSW Farmers Grains Committee chairperson Justin Everitt that this year's harvest had resulted in a ''bumper'' year. Mr Everitt said the "end result" had been positive despite the challenges farmers had faced with worker shortages, high prices for supplies, a mouse plague and wet weather.
Government awards major project status to WA urea fertiliser project: Taylor
Strike Energy Limited has been granted Major Project Status for Project Haber, its $3 billion urea manufacturing facility in the Narngulu Industrial Area, near Geraldton, Western Australia. The project will produce up to 1.4 million tonnes per annum of urea from clean hydrogen and natural gas.
Let’s float
Ali Bohn. The river was decorated with an array of wildlife and household replicas last Wednesday as the annual (and now iconic) Lilo Race took place for Australia Day. Flamingos, swans, lounge chairs, traditional lilos, and even thongs floated down the mighty Murray River; quite a sight to see from the banks on a stunning January morning.
Group opposes quarry DA with submission from 40 members delivered to council
Bentley came to the Richmond Valley Council office in Casino on February 1. Holding their placards, the Bentley Our Sustainable Future group came on the final day of submissions for the development application of Bentley Quarry.
Wiradjuri sisters shared love of landscape forms art exhibition
The Wiradjuri Sisters exhibition is an exciting collection of works in acrylics, collage and printmaking by Indigenous artists Naomi Grant and Krishna Heffernan. The show is a combination of the creative passion of sisters who live on opposite sides of the country.
2022 Clarence Valley Citizen of the Year: Barbara Linley
Barbara Linley has always been passionate about animals ... Barbara was concerned about the dwindling numbers of coastal emus, with less than 50 of the critically endangered species thought to roam local bushland.
Research uncovers the sound of water along the Murrumbidgee
Geographical location is no barrier in experiencing the sounds of the Murrumbidgee wetlands, thanks to Charles Sturt University researchers ... To celebrate World Wetlands Day on Wednesday 2 February, researchers are presenting the public with the opportunity to eavesdrop on the sounds of the Murrumbidgee wetlands.
Investors show confidence in Patriot Hydrogen following an oversubscribed capital raise
After an oversubscribed capital raise, Australia’s leading-edge envirotech company, Patriot Hydrogen, is working full steam towards installing the first-ever Patriot unit in mid-2022 at Kimberley Clean Energy’s Kilto Station project near Broome, Western Australia. The modular hydrogen production unit will form part of Kimberley Clean Energy’s fossil fuel substitution strategy, with plans to add a hydrogen system in the next stage.
Forum builds effective fire management knowledge
More investment in aerial incendiary fire management, greater communication and collaboration between landholder groups and neighbours, and more information about opportunities in the Carbon industry were among some of the key call-outs from the 2021 Fire Forum held in Cairns in December. Organised by Cape York Natural Resource Management, the Forum brought more than 130 people together from Cape York, the Tablelands, Brisbane and Darwin.
