Beetle that pushes dung with the help of 100 billion stars unlocks the key to better navigation systems: UniSA
An insect species that evolved 130 million years ago is the inspiration for a new research study to improve navigation systems in drones, robots, and orbiting satellites. The dung beetle is the first known species to use the Milky Way at night to navigate, focusing on the constellation of stars as a reference point to roll balls of dung in a straight line away from their competitors.
Culling crocs not the answer to stopping attack: Charles Darwin University
Education and community awareness, removal of problem animals and exclusion areas are significantly more effective in reducing saltwater crocodile attacks in the Northern Territory than a widespread culling program to reduce crocodile numbers, according to a new study. The study outlined why culling the reptiles to reduce density was not a cost-effective, or efficient solution, in reducing crocodile attacks.
The art of capturing stories within glass
It’s a long way from the small town of Carnarvon in WA’s Gascoyne region to the picturesque Italian city of Venice. But that’s exactly where WA glass-artist Sabrina Dowling Guidici will be heading this September. Sabrina is the only Australian to be exhibiting at this year’s prestigious Venice Glass Week where she’ll showcase a unique glasswork collection titled ‘Saltwaters’ ... inspired by seagrasses found in WA’s World Heritage Site of Shark Bay ...
Broadwater, this is what your new flood resilient school will look like
The former flood damaged Broadwater Public School is gone – demolished and only bare ground remains where playgrounds and classrooms once stood. Today, Monday, August 26, students, teachers and parents mark the start of construction on the rebuild of their village school more than two and a half years since the 2022 flood disaster.
Lovegrass control measures
What is the outcome from the motion about the invasive African Lovegrass? This was the question on notice put to the chief executive officer of the Tatiara District Council by Cr Miles Hannemann during its July council meeting. Fears of the invasive African Lovegrass fully invading the Tatiara district and potentially destroying the agriculture sector are growing … Cr Hannemann described the situation involving the spread of the lovegrass as “scary and a superspreader”.
Cunninghams Gap reconstruction project
Work is continuing on the Cunninghams Gap Reconstruction Project to restore the bushfire damaged section of the Cunningham Highway at Cunninghams Gap. The crest of the range has been a hive of activity and works are continuing to reduce the steep grade of the road at Cunninghams Gap.
Great southern lights
August has been an exceptional month for aurora-spotting and photographers have been sharing their extraordinary images online, making everyone else glance skyward with envy. With its elevated position and lack of light pollution, Mount Tarrengower has been a perfect place from which to capture these night rainbows, as Karen Cordell showed in this gorgeous photo that she took with her phone last week.
KAP presents common sense Bill towards management of crocodiles in Queensland: Knuth
State Member for Hill, Shane Knuth ... introduced the KAP’s Crocodile Control, Conservation, and Safety Bill 2024 into Parliament, taking a no-nonsense stand against the escalating crocodile threat in North Queensland. The Bill is a response to constant calls from North Queensland communities and places a premium on human life by implementing aggressive measures to mitigate the risks to human life posed by the increasing crocodile population.
$100m Indigenous Murray-Darling Basin water fund faces devaluation amid rising prices
A Murray-Darling Basin water advocacy group says $100 million in federal funding for Aboriginal water entitlements is expected to lose about 30 per cent of its value before it’s spent. The Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations group wants traditional owners to be given control over the funding to restore ancestral sites. What’s next? The federal government says it is taking "proactive measures" to make sure its water purchasing programs don't drive up water prices.
Woodside’s carbon farming plan is destroying family farms
We all know Woodside, Australia’s biggest gas producer, but many might not realise it is also one of the country’s biggest CO2 emitters ... the Australian energy sector has been all too willing to overpromise on what is achievable in reducing their CO2 footprint, as a result they are now desperately searching for solutions. This, unfortunately, is where WA farmland comes into play ... That win-win plan is to plant trees – lots of trees – on productive farmland and then lock that land up for the next 100 years so it no longer produces food or ï¬bre.
‘Changing the game’ for ag tech
Researchers from the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) are taking the idea of "try before you buy" straight to the bank to make it easier for farmers to utilise ag tech. The $3.7 million research project … investigates how to better utilise existing and emerging ag technologies to improve drought resilience for grain farmers.
We do ‘community’ well
Approximately 250 people gathered on Friday evening for the Corryong Spirit event at the Upper Murray Events Centre to support one another and those who have suffered loss and hardships since the 2019-20 bushfires. "Community is something Corryong does really well," said Caz Pitman, secretary of the Corryong Spirit.
Exhibition takes flight for local farmer
Working on the land, Moulamein farmer Nick McKindlay found farming gave him a great opportunity to explore his passion for birds. "As a farmer, I spend most of the workday outdoors, and my passion for birds has naturally woven itself into my daily activities," said Nick.
Endangered Coastal Emu eggs discovered on the North Coast: Forestry Corporation of NSW
A rare Coastal Emu nest, containing nine eggs, has been discovered by Forestry Corporation staff in a State forest on the North Coast, giving hope to the future of the endangered population. The discovery near Grafton was made by Forestry Corporation Lead Forestry Officer Kurt Holzhauser during a broad area habitat search for threatened and endangered species.
$100m for indigenous water entitlements while Riverland left… ‘Hung out to dry’?
Hugh Schuitemaker. An initiative to acquire water entitlements for indigenous communities – in order to "rectify historical and systemic inequities" – overlooks the financial struggles of Riverland grape growers, according to the region’s federal MP. The Federal Government has this week confirmed $100m in funding will be used to purchase water entitlements for indigenous communities in the Murray-Darling Basin, through the Aboriginal Entitlements Program.
Landslip victims abandoned
The Community Disaster Action Group (CDAG) has called attention to the severe human cost of the NSW government’s lack of action on assistance for people whose properties have been affected by landslips. "... There’s not even a policy 2 ½ years on, yet hundreds of landslip-affected residents are still living in damaged homes or caravans or unable to return home," CDAG co-ordinator Chels Hood Withey said.
Game on: Recovery meets gaming
Community engagement efforts in the Buloke Shire have highlighted the significant role online gaming plays in the lives of our residents, particularly among young people. Gaming is more than a pastime – it’s vital for community cohesion and recovery, as shown by the successful Level Up event at Sea Lake Neighbourhood House on Monday, with over 40 attendees, and another event set for Wycheproof on Sunday.
Farmer confusion reigns amidst green drought: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says farmers and regional communities are confused about whether they are eligible for drought assistance or where they can turn to for support as Victoria’s green drought lingers and farmers approach the critical spring growing season. VFF Vice-President Danyel Cucinotta said the confusion was adding to the burden faced by many farmers and is the driving force behind the VFF’s proposed Victorian Drought Resilience Program.
Koala queries – DPIRD, Vic Jurskis, Deborah Tabart and the Australian Koala Foundation
In view of the Australian Koala Foundation's march in Canberra planned for 1 September 2024, and its advocacy for a federal "Koala Protection Act", Australian Rural & Regional News felt it timely to ask some questions on koala matters and maybe even start up a useful, and very probably robust discussion ... ARR.News approached Dr Brad Law, Vic Jurskis and then Deborah Tabart OAM and the AKF for their response to questions ...
Calls to declare buffel grass a national weed are rash and misinformed: NFF
Calls to declare productive agricultural plant as a Weed of National Significance (WoNS) are misinformed and risk jeopardising an important livestock feed source, according to the National Farmers’ Federation. NFF Sustainable Development and Climate Change Committee Chair Mr Angus Atkinson said buffel grass was a vital resource for livestock operations and was carefully managed by producers to support grazing operations.
Predicting Australia’s exposure to exotic pests: DAFF
Australian researchers are peering into the future to prepare for tomorrow’s biggest biosecurity risks. ​The Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA) has developed forecasting models that analyse changing climates and international trade flows to determine which pests will hit Australia hardest over the coming decades.
New data shows long-term cost of extreme weather: Insurance Council of Australia
New data released by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) today shows that the impact of extreme weather on the Australian economy has more than tripled over the last three decades. Insured losses from declared insurance catastrophes have grown from 0.2 of GDP from 1995 to 2000 to 0.7 per cent for the last five years ... The new data analysis is contained in the Insurance Council of Australia’s Insurance Catastrophe Resilience Report 2023-24, released today.
