Mitigating the disproportionate bushfire vulnerability in rural communities
Over the years, Australia has experienced several large scale bushfires, with many of these fires and 90 per cent of the associated fatalities caused by faulty power lines in rural areas, according to Professor Alan Wong, Founder and CEO of IND Technology ... The early fault detection (EFD) system acts like a smoke alarm for the power network, enabling the prediction and locating of potential fires through this Australian-made innovation.
Russia running hot and cold
You have to hand it to the Russians; they are a resilient mob. I had started to write a story back in May about how drought, frost, labour, and parts shortages were about to combine and smash their next grain harvest but luckily, I didn’t, as my predictions would have been way off the mark. As it turns out, despite what all the global grain experts said at the time, about Russia facing a difficult year, it seems they are on track for another big crop.
Letters from Home: Looking back
It wasn’t my best day. Revisiting your old neighbourhood can be a bittersweet experience. It's amazing how many memories come flooding back, and how different things can seem at the same time.
Local bushfires NT branch celebrates 25 years of safeguarding the Barkly
In a night filled with nostalgia, gratitude, and camaraderie, the Tennant Creek Branch of Bushfires NT marked a significant milestone on Saturday night at the Sporties Club as they celebrated 25 years of dedicated service to the local community. Members, both past and present, as well as invited guests gathered to commemorate this remarkable achievement.
Ancient genomes reveal more than two thousand years of dingo population structure: Charles Sturt University
A leading Charles Sturt University researcher co-led a multi-discipline team investigating the origins of dingoes, when they arrived in Australia, and how they changed over nearly three thousand years. Professor of Evolution and Environmental Change Alan Cooper … analysed genomes from skeletons and mummies of dingoes found in the many caves of the giant Nullarbor Plain across southern Australia.
Far North Queensland biodiversity secured thanks to new protected areas: Plibersek, Linard
The project will support the 64,000 hectare expansion of the Crystalvale Nature Refuge, about 15km south-west of Coen, and establish the new 244,000 hectare Abingdon Downs North Nature Refuge, about 85km north-west of Georgetown ... Abingdon Downs North and Crystalvale make up the largest dedication of private protected area in the past six years.
Landowners asked to remove Sleeman River salinity barrier
Landowners whose property joins the mouth of the Sleeman River have been asked to dismantle the remnants of a disintegrating weir which has been in place for more than 30 years. The weir was built to block salt water from entering the river so landowners could exercise their riparian rights.
Kurrajong Laundry Services continues to power forward
After a sudden fire tore through the former Kurrajong Laundry Service building last month, the team at Kurrajong has remained resilient. To continue providing their services, the laundry services are currently operating across multiple locations to take care of clients’ needs more efficiently.
New Indigenous-managed land and sea areas across Australia: Plibersek, Burney
From the Western Australian deserts to the NSW rainforests, the new projects combined will protect 7.5 million hectares of land and 450,000 hectares of sea Country – bigger than the size of Tasmania. This is on top of existing IPAs which currently cover 87 million hectares of land and over five million hectares of sea Country – the majority of Australia’s national estate.
Constraints strategy not feasible but will proceed to business case
Jan Beer. The Feasibility of Relaxing Constraints in Northern Victoria Final Report has been released by Victorian Water Minister Shing. The report recommends proceeding to the next phase of the Constraints Measures Project, which will involve the development of a detailed business case. This will be the third attempt by the Victorian Government to provide a workable business case.
Murray crays released
150 Murray crayfish were released in Barham on Friday after many of the iconic species were relocated during the 2022 and early 2023 blackwater events. During the flood event, blackwater poured out of forests that had already had long periods of inundation with environmental water, contributing to poor water quality within the river system.
Project role led to full time job
Corryong firefighter, Cath Davies, will forever remember the night that the 2019-20 Black Summer fires tore through the Corryong district.
Heavily pregnant with her first child, Cath watched as Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) crews headed towards Towong to protect lives and property directly in the path of the out-of-control bushfire.
Wetlands stage nears finish
Stage one of the Corryong Wetlands project is getting closer to finalisation as local contractor Greg Hillier puts the finishing touches on the two creek crossings. “We are really happy with the survival rate of our tree and shrub plantings and working in with Corryong College who have had eight official visits to the wetlands in the last two years,” said co-president, John Murphy.
An oar-some announcement
Hugh Schuitemaker. Collaboration between Renmark Paringa Council, the State Government and a local rowing club is set to support a $1.7m infrastructure upgrade ... "The project will result in a 70m long wharf with 6m ramps down on either side to allow the Renmark Rowing Club to host large meets and become a premier destination for rowers statewide": Tim Tol.
Dalton: “Rogue operators must be held to account”
Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton has responded to The Riverine Grazier’s story last week regarding reports of a fuel spill at a district property. "The allegations are incredibly serious and must not be swept under the carpet," Mrs Dalton said. "We cannot have a situation where foreign - owned agricultural enterprises act as if Australian laws do not apply to them."
Council resolves to trade surplus water
Future surplus water will be traded by Hay Shire Council with revenue to be returned to Council’s Water fund for further water projects. A Sale (Trade) of Water policy was unanimously adopted by Council at its recent monthly meeting in a bid to generate additional revenue for the Water Fund as well as improve the efficiency of water usage.
BOM working on ongoing Grafton radar issues
The recent wet weather that has seen the eyes of Clarence Valley residents looking to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Grafton radar for approaching weather conditions has raised more questions than answers about what is going on in the atmosphere. Last week the CV Independent received reports for the second time this year that the Grafton radar was malfunctioning … weather being displayed on radar images did not correlate with the conditions on the ground.
Locals evidence to Land and Environment Court
Six local community members presented evidence to a Land and Environment Court conciliation conference between Yamba developer Clifton and Clarence Valley Council ... Mr Cousins said recent reports identified that by the year 2030, there is a chance between 50 and 80 per cent of the houses in Yamba will be uninsurable and before any development on the floodplain is allowed to proceed, developers should "get the fundamentals right".
Dozens of boats unable to take part in rally event
Christine Webster. The owners of about 30 boats found themselves moored around Renmark after a build-up of silt and low River Murray levels in two areas prevented them from travelling to Wentworth, in south-west NSW, for a popular rally. Owners of the PB Curlew, Jim and Heather Maywald, from Good Hope Landing, east of Waikerie, said it was disappointing for the boat owners ...
Buybacks to ‘damage’ local communities
Hugh Schuitemaker. Federal Government water buybacks will increase the price of temporary water for Riverland irrigators and the cost of food production, according to senior local politicians ... Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said Riverland communities and councils were “extremely concerned about what these open slather buybacks will do to their towns, businesses, and local environment.”
Devastating water buybacks on the way for Northern Victoria: Lovell
The Commonwealth government has betrayed Northern Victoria by announcing further water buybacks from irrigation districts that will drive up costs for irrigators and devastate farming communities. Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek announced on 4 July that as part of the plan to recover 450GL of water in the Murray-Darling Basin, the Government will put out an open tender to purchase 70GL of water from the southern Basin ... latest plan does not apportion additional recovery fairly between states, but merely seeks to buy the cheapest water wherever it is, which could hurt Victoria further.
Reconstruction Authority identifies 370 homes for retrofit or house raising – but where are these homes?
The NSW Reconstruction Authority announced that 370 homes have been identified as eligible for house raising or retrofit. These 370 homes are across seven council areas. IndyNR.com has asked the Authority if any of these 370 homes are in Coraki, Broadwater, Woodburn or nearby. We are waiting on an answer.
