Clean up contractors collect dead fish from Richmond River
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the Department of Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are working with local councils to respond to the fish kills in Richmond and Clarence waterways after ex-cyclone Alfred.
Biosecurity should concern everyone
At a meeting held at All Saints Anglican Church Hall in Clifton last Wednesday, attendees from across the Darling Downs heard why biosecurity is so important. The Condamine Catchment Management Association (CCMA) held a general meeting, which included guest speaker Craig Hunter, a Senior Biosecurity Officer for Biosecurity Queensland.
Duck season exemption for Cairn Curran: no response
Requests for a list of 25 Victorian waterways, including Cairn Curran Reservoir, to be named as exempt from duck hunting have gone unanswered by the State Government as hunters in camouflage gear appeared at the popular recreation site over the weekend.
BlazeAid sets up camp in Nhill
BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires, cyclones, droughts and floods. Working alongside the rural families, our volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.
Budget is vanilla ice cream for the bush: GrainGrowers
The budget delivered ... is like a single, small scoop of vanilla ice cream for the bush – predictable and lacking the flavour to truly satisfy regional Australia, industry body GrainGrowers said ... it had missed the opportunity to deliver on a range of regional investment opportunities that would strengthen grain-growing regions and bridge the gap between urban centres and the bush.
Farmers set their sights on federal election after underwhelming budget: NFF
...Federal Budget underscores just how critical the upcoming election will be to deliver the key investments needed to secure and grow Australian agriculture in an increasingly uncertain environment. National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke said this was a chance for the Federal Government to back Australian agriculture and give the economy a much-needed shot in the arm.
Culgoa turns challenge into strength: Stronger together
This tight-knit town of 86 residents is deeply committed to supporting one another, with nearly half the community recently coming together at the community hall to strengthen connections, share perspectives, and build a Community Emergency Management Plan to face challenges with confidence.
Burning off the answer to intensity
A major study after the devastating 2019/20 wildfires in Victoria and New South Wales found that prescribed burning dramatically reduced the intensity of the fires, according to a bushfire expert. Dr Tony Bartlett, a winner of the Australian Fire Service Medal (ATSM), said after 2019/20, a major study was undertaken to test the effectiveness of prescribed (fuel reduction) burning at a landscape scale in terms of reducing the severity of the wildfire in a wide range of forest ecosystems.
Regional shark mitigation project
Rachel Hagan. Community consultation on the Yorke Peninsula for the Regional Shark Mitigation Project has begun, with Surf Life Saving South Australia visiting southern YP.
Shark net removal: SLSNSW
The NSW Government changes to the Shark Management Program include the removal of shark nets on beaches from 31 March 2025. The timing of the removal of nets to avoid the peak of turtle migration has been communicated to Surf Life Saving Clubs ... SLSNSW provides drone surveillance services at 50 sites across the NSW coastline during key times of the year.
Spiders go crazy spinning webs to escape floodwaters
Along Bungawalbin-Whiporie Road, spiders escaping floodwaters took to spinning their webs higher off the ground. Photographer Jimmy Malecki took some stunning photos of the webs and of two different spiders.
Barkandji Rangers
The Barkandji Rangers are coordinated by the Barkandji Native Title Group Aboriginal Cooperation (BNTGAC). The program is a ‘career pathway for Barkandji Traditional Owners’, a stepping stone to further employment with organisations such as NSW National Parks.
Brad’s bravery recognised: Firefighters win national medals
“Without the actions of Captain Burke, the driver of truck would have perished in the fire. His actions on this day were courageous, selfless and in the finest traditions of CFA volunteer firefighting. The CFA is pleased to award Captain Burke the Chief Officer’s Commendation for Courage.”
“Wrong decision”, declares Laurie Levy: Duck season already under way
Coalition Against Duck Shooting Campaign Director, Laurie Levy, said at the weekend: “Despite the scientific reports that show native waterbirds are in serious long-term decline, Premier Jacinta Allan has extended Victoria’s duck shooting season this year, even with the serious risk of spreading bird flu that could be present on any wetland.”
Hemp defies cyclone’s big blow
An experimental crop of industrial hemp proved too strong for Cyclone Alfred when it pounded paddocks at Gatton last week. Only one week ahead of harvest, the small plot of low-THC hemp withstood winds gusting up to 125 km/h and the floods accompanying the once-in-50-year weather event.
Fox fire chaos
An uncontrolled fire sparked by lightning flared in thick scrub 20kms south of Lucindale, last week. At the time of press more than 110 firefighters had been involved in the Fox fire which had burned through more than 600 hectares of native vegetation.
NSW leads the way – first state to regulate batteries: Sharpe
The Minns Labor Government has introduced nation-leading legislation that would require suppliers to take greater responsibility for the handling and disposal of products including batteries that can cause a risk to human safety and the environment.
Politics drives Basin demise
Australia’s largest water reform project, the Murray Darling Basin Plan, appears to be joining a growing list of abject failures driven by politicians and bureaucrats who have little to no wisdom, ethics or skin in the game. Unless of course, that skin is water trading ... Despite constitutional protections, the Australian Federal Government's $13b has fuelled a 50 per cent reduction in NSW and Victorian irrigation water use since 1997-98. SA saw a 22 per cent reduction, while Qld bucked the trend increasing extraction by roughly 58 per cent.
Songlines and science journey together to Kwoorabup Park
Patricia Gill. Gnudju Menang Elder Aunty Carol Pettersen felt like a proud parent at the opening of the Genestreaming Journey Sculpture at Kwoorabup Park on March 8. She and artist and fellow project founder Ben Beeton were, at last, after eight years, endowing the sculpture to the people of Denmark.
Our lack of early emergency information
At the time of the Clarence Valley election last year, I wrote a column urgently imploring all pertinent authorities to provide ratepayers and tourists with written details on how to combat states of emergency ... only a few months after my written appeal, yet I and other local residents and visitors feel we have once again been left somewhat high and dry.
Improving flood immunity
Yamba Road will see $20 million in improvements in the next few years to improve flood immunity and redirect a potentially dangerous section of the only direct thoroughfare from the M1 motorway into town. As the Clarence River levels rose … the only artery servicing deliveries to, and disposals from, Yamba, was first cut, as it is traditionally, west of Palmers Channel at the Southbank Road intersection.
Nhill water storage tank bursts, causing property damage
Nhill's town water storage tank burst on Wednesday, March 12, at approximately 6:40 a.m. when a low-level water storage facility failed on George Street. A spokesperson for GWMWater confirmed that no injuries were reported but said a small number of nearby residential properties experienced water damage.
