Coast to cave via ice, quakes and fault
Caves aren’t just a hole in the ground it seems. Of interest is where they are, how they formed and why they exist ... As a cave diver and geologist, Ian is the “eyes” underwater and underground for geologists as he looks at caves and their structure.
Critter crisis hotlines
It’s part of the deal for most people living in a small regional town; lots of time spent on the road between places. This means that what happens on the roads attracts a lot of attention ... And lately it seems that what happens on the road is: animals, lots of different animals.
Grass, science and farming
The Grassland Society of Southern Australia (GSSA) is looking to rebuild by engaging with a new generation of farmers and agricultural consultants. The society has connected farmers, scientists and consultants for 65 years and members gave its future a big vote of confidence at the annual conference in Bendigo on July 17-18.
Daylight saving and wild dogs up for debate: NSW Farmers Association
Wild dogs, shortening daylight saving and improving the renewable energy rollout were just some of agriculture’s hot topics up for debate as NSW Farmers returned for the final day of its 2024 Annual Conference yesterday. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said while Australia needed strong farms to feed the future, the sector was facing a wide range of challenges that delegates were keen to address...
“Cultivating clarity” – understanding ’emissions basics’ increasingly important for Australia’s farm sector: Rabobank
Understanding the "basics of emissions" is becoming increasingly important for Australia’s farmers as the sector faces growing expectations to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on farm … In a new guide produced for its farming clients ... Rabobank says as large corporations – including food and agribusiness companies – become more active in managing climate impact across their full supply chain, this is expected to have increasing market access implications for farmers.
Mixed messages on deforestation
Two conflicting reports on land clearing during the last week are likely to leave Queensland residents confused over the issue and make it difficult to decide as to what is fact, bias or just propaganda. The Queensland Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals, Scott Stewart said the latest Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) report and accompanying vegetation management analysis shows Queensland’s vegetation management laws continue to protect native ecosystems ... In the same week the Queensland Conservation Council used the same SLATS report but put forward its concerns over the report’s findings.
Whale carcass removed from Greys Beach
An operation to remove an estimated 20 tonne whale carcass from Greys Beach was successfully completed ... City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ross McKim said it was the most difficult removal the City has undertaken in more than a decade.
Alliance prepares for fire season
The Softwoods Working Group has engaged major stakeholders to develop a strategy to safeguard the softwood forestry industry in the Murray Region Hub ahead of the upcoming bushfire season. A $13M forestry funding package from the NSW government is aimed at protecting essential timber supplies in the region and will support key fire prevention, detection and response initiatives.
Australian seafood industry hooked on better management: UniSA
New research from the University of South Australia shows that the Australian seafood industry has become more resilient to food shocks – a good sign, with Australians eating more seafood now than ever before. Shocks are a sudden and dramatic loss in food production and can impact food security, as well as local industries and livelihoods.
Fisheries expert shares UK lessons on how offshore wind and fishing can co-exist: BMM
Australia’s fledgling offshore wind farm sector can learn from the successes and mistakes of the UK, says an expert with a quarter century of hands-on experience in fishing and the last dozen advising offshore oil, gas and renewables industries. John Watt, Brown and May Marine’s Senior Fisheries Expert, was invited as a keynote speaker at this month’s Offshore Windtech Summit1 in Melbourne, the Asia Pacific’s largest wind energy gathering.
Murrumbidgee Council launches investigation into fuel spill
It is believed Murrumbidgee Council has launched an investigation into the alleged fuel spill at Gundaline Station, which was revealed in an exclusive report in The Riverine Grazier. Anne Lyons, Murrumbidgee Council’s Media and Communications Officer responded to enquiries for updates, following the NSW Environmental Protection Authority stating local Councils are the regulatory agencies for such incidents, under the Act.
Powerhouse burns in 1920
John Whitehead. These photos were taken by Henry James Mercer Hobday, manager of the Bank of Victoria, who was stationed in Nhill from 1913 until 1921. Photography was his hobby so he developed and printed his photos at home in the bank.
Forestry fire specialists answer the call in Canada: Forestry Corporation of NSW
Four fire specialists from Forestry Corporation are serving as part of a New South Wales deployment of firefighters assisting authorities in Canada to tackle the country’s wildfires. A contingent of firefighters and incident management specialists have departed for Canada after AFAC, the National Council for Fire and Emergency Services received a request for assistance from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
Surviving shark attacks
Surfers are calling for improved safety at Yorke Peninsula beaches to help limit the number of shark fatalities. The push comes after Elliston Council on Eyre Peninsula installed shark bite first-aid kits at four popular beaches following several attacks last year, including two fatal ones, in the region.
Not just tall tails
Whales have been dropping into Yorke Peninsula waters in the past month seemingly unbeknown to authorities. There have been no reports to the state’s dedicated whale-watch page of the huge mammals in the YP region so far this whale season — which starts in May and goes to October — despite at least two confirmed sightings locally.
Second release set to boost the future of the Murray crayfish in South Australia: Landscape SA
An additional 80 Murray crayfish have been released into the River Murray as part of an ongoing project to re-establish this iconic species in South Australia. The crayfish were released into the river at a secret location to protect the community in its infancy.
Shark advice for Sovereign Park, north of Two Rocks
A shark advice has been issued due to a whale carcass on the beach just south of the Sovereign Park foreshore access. On July 20 Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) said the whale carcass – at WN42 Sovereign Park BEN sign – had been reported by a member of the public.
Huge, costly flaw revealed in Labor’s buybacks system leaving local growers hamstrung: Centofanti
Struggling South Australian growers could be forced to wait almost a year for compensation after selling water to the Albanese Labor Government to meet its target of 450GL for the Murray-Darling Basin. Labor has released its Restoring Our Rivers - Trading Strategy which outlines its approach to the destructive water buybacks model over the next year, claiming: “The intent of these rules is to ensure that persons or organisations with prior knowledge of market sensitive information that will be publicly announced, do not have an unfair market advantage over other water market participants”.
“Wind farm living”
Lyn Lenehan. It's hard explaining to city people why wind farms are so bad and why they destroy lives and livelihoods. There is a list of reasons, but one stands out the most – the loss of enjoyment of one's land ... What happens when the reason for living in a special place is ripped away?
NFF calls out Federal Government’s failure to protect the Great Artesian Basin
The National Farmers’ Federation has expressed profound disappointment and frustration at the Federal Government's ongoing neglect in safeguarding the Great Artesian Basin (GAB), one of Australia's most vital groundwater resources. As AgForce prepares to bring its case before the Federal Court next month, the Government has questioned the agricultural organisation's right to take legal action.
Enough is enough says Murrumbidgee Council Mayor
Councillor Ruth McRae OAM, Murrumbidgee Council Mayor. Enough is enough...things you all should know. Crippling water buybacks will see many communities, currently with their back to the wall, disappear, and the shiny trinkets offered by the Federal Government as compensation are $300 million. The Federal Government plans to buy back up to 450GL of water which, at our estimates, will cost them $8 billion. No surprises, there is an undisclosed amount in the Federal Budget to buy water ...
Buybacks begin for political plan
Buybacks have begun as the Federal Government seeks to add to the huge volumes of held environmental water ... The plan appears to have moved past the noble intention of a balanced plan with a triple bottom line. Now fuelled by political motives, the political plan risks the viability of irrigation companies, food-producing industries, and locks many young Australians out of the chance to be an irrigation farmer.
