Wild dogs terrorising Gwydir Shire farmers stopped in their tracks
Two elusive wild dogs, which had been terrorising farming operations north of Coolatai for the last 12 months, have now been successfully controlled, Minister for Agriculture and Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has announced ... “Over the last year, this wicked pair of wild dogs wreaked havoc on local landholders, including one farmer who lost around 200 sheep,” Mr Marshall said."
Meet Lukkanu – the star of the Barkly!
An unbelievable discovery unfolded in the Barkly on Tuesday after one of the most endangered species in Australia - the Bilby - was found near Bootu Creek Mine. Tennant Creek's Barkly Vet Practice was contacted by a woman from the mine who came across a mother Bilby’s body, and held onto it until Central Land Council Rangers came to pick it up. In the mother’s pouch was a baby.
Another day, another Greens stunt: Tas Gov
Predictable calls by radical environmentalists, such as the Bob Brown Foundation (BBF), to shut down Tasmania’s sustainable native forestry overlook the fact that sustainable forestry management plays an important part in the solution to climate change. Tasmania’s forestry sector has been globally recognised as being one of the best managed and most environmentally and sustainable forest estates in the world.
Megafires: Vic Jurskis replies to Prof Bradstock
Dear Editor, Ross Bradstock’s response failed to address “the recommended fire frequency thresholds” aka ‘Bradstock Intervals’, which featured in his NRC media release and my commentary on it. Those ‘recommended’ intervals are severely restricting the mild burning which is essential to maintain healthy and safe landscapes ... Furthermore, three aspects of the Emeritus Professor’s response elucidate my argument that megafires are a purely political crisis ...
Science not slogans needed on methane
NSW Farmers President James Jackson says a “key” climate promise from Glasgow is more about slogans than science. Mr Jackson welcomed Australia’s decision not to sign up for a 30 per cent reduction in methane emissions, which would have had disastrous consequences for agriculture without delivering any positive action on climate change.
Alnus trees aid Rwanda in climate change fight
A new study has found that Alnus trees in agroforestry systems significantly contribute to capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Researchers discovered that the fast-growing Alnus tree, common in most Rwandan households, capture substantial amounts of carbon in aboveground biomass—live or dead matter from trees—with amounts varying depending on the age and elevation of the tree.
Stokes sells Flinders Ranges after 114 years
Parts of a tightly held grazing country in the Flinders Ranges have been sold for the first time in 114 years.
The meat in the methane debate
In the lead-up to the G20 meeting in Rome and the COP 26 Summit in Glasgow, and after some necessarily tough negotiations with their Liberal Party Coalition partner, the National Party obtained some concessions it says are designed to prevent the 'heavy lifting' of emissions reductions being placed unduly on rural and regional Australia.
Group blasts bridge decision
Narrandera Landcare has blasted Narrandera Shire Council for axing the lattice railway bridge project which attracted widespread community support. The proposal to convert the State-listed heritage bridge to a pedestrian bridge for cyclists and walkers ... was the subject of a DA ... The Council worked with Narrandera Landcare over six years to develop the project and then, in a surprise about turn, rejected the DA on a 5-2 majority vote.
Gunbower watering
Geoff Wakeman is not against the principles of environmental watering. He does, however, have a huge problem with the way it is being used in the Gunbower Forest/National Park, particularly around Cohuna ... As a geologist, his interest was piqued when he came across some commentary surrounding the Barmah Choke, which prompted him to take a closer look at what was happening out in the Gunbower Forest. It was then he became alarmed.
FutureFeed: Asparagopsis update
As the only IP holder globally for Asparagopsis, Australian innovation start-up, FutureFeed, is the founding authority on the natural seaweed that helps fight climate change and produce more food with fewer resources. Built from strong scientific foundations based on proven results, FutureFeed exists to support the growing use of Asparagopsis as a natural ingredient for livestock to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Unmissable coral tree is a red weed destroying waterways and native plants
The fire engine red of the coral tree is unmissable at the moment. They are everywhere and are particularly virulent outside Lismore on the Bruxner Highway and along the Richmond River at Coraki and Woodburn. The scarlet flower reflects its bloom into the still river waters and if it wasn’t such an invasive weed, it would be a pretty sight.
Power: Neighbours see red over greener energy
The proposal for a battery at McKees Hill has neighbour against neighbour. This week 20 residents met on the rise of Auckram Rd outside the new site proposed for the Lismore Battery Energy Storage System (Lismore BESS) to discuss what action they would take to oppose the project.
Australia’s first CCS hub to be operational by 2024
The Morrison Government welcomes the final investment decision taken by joint venture partners Santos and Beach Energy to establish Australia’s first carbon capture and storage (CCS) hub at Moomba, South Australia. The $220 million Moomba CCS hub is the first project of its kind to be registered under the Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).
As the world moves on methane, Morrison’s misinformation and farm fear mongering holds Australia back: The Greens
Continuing to run a protection racket for coal and gas projects and their methane emissions, Scott Morrison, Barnaby Joyce and Labor have collaborated to frame methane emission reduction as an attack on agriculture, despite the numbers indicating we could meet the 30% reduction by acting on coal and gas emissions by 2030 and without touching a single cow. Further, the final wording of the pledge does not even require each country to cut by 30%: The Greens
Locals rate NL Council’s Blackford fire response
Gabrielle Duykers. Residents affected by the Blackford fire have described local council as “missing in action” during the recovery efforts following the tragic event. In January this year, the Blackford fire burnt through more than 14,000 hectares of land throughout Lucindale and Avenue Range. On September 23, 2021, Naracoorte Lucindale Council emailed a survey to residents and landowners affected by the fire to gain feedback on its recovery actions and approach.
Megafires: Prof Ross Bradstock responds
The bulk of this commentary has little to do with the content of the Report to the NSW Natural Resources Commission. The report addresses the consequences of the 2019/20 fires for the objectives and outcomes of the Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals (i.e. forest health, threatened species conservation, water quality and aquatic biodiversity). The 2019/20 fires have rendered forests, in relation to these objectives and outcomes, in a highly vulnerable state because of their magnitude and severity. This vulnerability will be ongoing and challenging to deal with because the efficacy of all facets of fire management (e.g. preparation, prevention, suppression) will be adversely affected by climate change.
Sustainable practices commonplace on farms: survey
The majority of farmers surveyed in an ABARES study are using sustainable land management practices to improve the natural resource base and drought resilience. ABARES’s acting Executive Director Jared Greenville said the findings of the Natural Resource Management and Drought Resilience – survey of farm practices demonstrates the agriculture sector’s commitment to sustainable land management.
Fire bug runs riot
More than 100,000 acres of pastoral land in Cape York has been lit up by a fire bug on the Peninsula Developmental Road ... “The cost is astronomical. Not only do the domestic herd of cattle now need to be fed, but we’ve lost carbon credits and been pulled away from our regular work looking after the environment. There's also a massive psychological cost when it comes to fighting fires": Sally Gray, Piccaninny Plains.
New report reinforces farmers are the best land managers
In 2018, the NSW Government introduced the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code as part of the wider NSW Land Management and Biodiversity reform framework. Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said the inaugural NSW Land Management Report 2018-2020 showed how farmers had used the Code to increase agricultural production, while restoring valuable native vegetation.
Successful Sunwater trial returns rebates to irrigators
More than $3.13 million will be returned to growers in regional Queensland as part of a Sunwater trial related to water delivery services. Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said the rebates have already begun being provided to irrigators following the first 12 months of a three-year electricity cost passâ€through trial - developed in conjunction with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation.
Slow down, koalas are about
Lismore City Council will install temporary signage to reduce the number of koalas being hit by vehicles at six identified koala-strike hot spots around Lismore. “Since the beginning of this year 33 koalas were killed on roads in the Lismore Local Government Area – this is 33 too many,” said Council’s Environmental Strategies Officer Angie Brace.
