New analysis shows Basin water buybacks sending Victoria backwards: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s (MDBA) own analysis shows further water buybacks are unlikely to deliver significant improvements in environmental objectives across the Basin and zero improvements in any Victorian river systems including the Victorian Murray.
Council prepares to launch 10-year plan, reflecting economic transition
"Hay sits at the intersection of significant geographic, economic and climatic transitions – a position that brings challenges and opportunities." Those were the words of Hay Mayor, Carol Oataway when she spoke about Council's 10-year plan as the final draft of Shaping Hay's Future - a 10 Year Economic Transition Roadmap was presented to Council at its March meeting.
We made a prank call, pretty much everything that could go wrong did…..
Your country news with Fiona L Fox from ARR.news, Growers Report with Rob Proud from IGHC, WA Lawn Bowls results with Bowls WA president Doug Kelly, your farming weather with Jessica Lingard from the BOM, and a prank call because we don't really have a guest.....
Unusual capture at Balls Pyramid
Gary Sexton. Pinetree guests, Sam and Will, from country Victoria recently had a day out on Island Charter vessel Belle Chase. Skipper, Flinders Young, promised them a nice day out fishing for Wahoo and Kingfish around Balls Pyramid - but you can imagine their surprise when a giant Pacific Sailfish exploded onto the lures being trolled behind the boat.
Irrigators face tighter rules as NSW lifts Menindee threshold for floodplain harvesting
Irrigators in the northern basin will face tighter conditions for floodplain harvesting under new rules introduced by the NSW Government, which has raised the threshold at which water access is permitted. Under the previous framework, irrigators could capture water from floodplains once the Menindee Lakes system held 195 gigalitres. That trigger has now been lifted to 250 gigalitres, meaning harvesting cannot proceed until the lakes are more substantially filled.
Blanket clearance for buffel weed after import
The controversial buffel grass permits announced by Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne last week apply only to its importation from outside the NT. Once here, the use, propagation, selling and transport of the declared weed has blanket clearance on pastoral lease land, nearly half of the NT, as the Minister is due to approve.
Climate change gums up the works
Leading scientists have issued a dire warning that the widespread death of a key eucalypt species in Australian ecosystems could be imminent, due to global heating. Scientists from eminent institutions recently gathered at the Snow Gum Summit in Jindabyne to discuss combating the loss of an iconic tree of the Australian Alps, the Snow Gum.
Agforce leader talks on food security
The General President of AgForce, Shane McCarthy has highlighted the issues creating big problems for primary producers as a result of current unrest at an international level ... "One big lesson we've learned from this latest chain of events is that fuel plus fertiliser equals food," Mr McCarthy said. "It's surprising how quickly our food security can be put at risk without even one of those crucial ingredients.
Nats listen to water users as pressure rises
The Nationals team met with Murray-Darling water users in Narrandera on Sunday, speaking about increasing pressures from water buybacks, fuel costs and energy costs. Key stakeholders, businesses and members of the public met with key Nationals members to have their water issues heard at a roundtable meeting.
Bank closure a serious setback to bushfire recovery
Murrindindi Shire Council has expressed deep concern about the decision to close the Community Bank Kinglake branch, warning it risks undermining bushfire recovery and will leave the community without a critical local service. The branch will close on Friday 5 June 2026, forcing residents to travel around 25 kilometres to access the nearest full-service bank in Hurstbridge.
From lockdown hobby to gallery walls
For Nhill’s Ryder Byrnes, a passing moment of boredom during Covid lockdowns opened the door to an entirely new world - one measured not in kilometres, but in light years. Ryder, 46, lives in Nhill and has developed a strong passion for astrophotography, capturing everything from deep space objects to sweeping Milky Way scenes.
I am not a Harvard graduate – One Nation candidate David Farley
Kimberly Grabham and Tertia Butcher. One Nation's candidate for Farrer, David Farley, firmly denied he falsely claimed to have a degree from prestigious Harvard University. In response to a question from The Riverine Grazier during his visit to Hay last week, Mr Farley said he attended Harvard University three times to deliver a course, not as a student.
New drones work wonders for shark sightings
Austinn Lane. A large bronze whaler shark was spotted at the recent Berry Bay Surf Jam on southern Yorke Peninsula, thanks to drone technology. South Australian Shark Watch founding director, Anton Covino took drones to the event to test their potential for monitoring shark activity.
An Australian approach to AI – Expectations for data centres that deliver for Australians: Ayres, Bowen, Charlton
Global investment in data centres is accelerating – and Australia is well-placed to lead – but this must happen on terms that benefit the community and deliver for the national interest. The Albanese Government’s National AI Plan, released in December 2025, sets out our ambition: to harness the benefits of AI while ensuring all Australian’s shares the benefits.
Every voice counts – MDBA urges locals to shape the future of our rivers: MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is urging everyday people across the Basin to speak up as public consultation for the Basin Plan Review reaches its halfway mark.
Buffel grass plan ‘a farce’
After decades of government inaction, this is the tragic admission this week about Central Australia’s greatest environmental catastrophe: “Despite the very high risk rating of buffel grass it is considered that [it] cannot be feasibly eradicated from the NT at this time due to its widespread distribution and biological persistence.
CLP delivers finalised Buffel Grass Weed Management Plan: Burgoyne
The Finocchiaro CLP Government has finalised the Northern Territory Buffel Grass Weed Management Plan 2026-36, which provides certainty for pastoralists and outlines a strategic path forward to manage its impact on the environment into the future ... “Buffel grass creates significant challenges relating to fire and environmental management and is also an important feed source for pastoralists and their cattle,” said Mr Burgoyne.
Simplified crabbing rules proposed for West Coast bioregion
Public consultation is now open on proposed changes to blue swimmer crab rules in the West Coast bioregion to make the rules easier to understand and to provide better fishing experiences for recreational fishers. The proposed changes would bring in one set of bag and boat limit rules in the West Coast bioregion, which runs from Black Point east of Augusta to the Zuytdorp Cliffs north of Kalbarri.
Baby baboons at the Darling Downs Zoo!
The Darling Downs Zoo has welcomed four new baby baboons into its family in what is the country's first successful breeding program for the primate. The babies, ranging between 11 and 3 weeks old are still clinging tightly to mums.
No plans to privatise national parks
Minister for the Central Coast, Member for Wyong David Harris has hit back at suggestions made by the State Liberal Party's Shadow Minister Jacqui Munro that there is something sinister about plans to allow some campgrounds in national parks to be set aside for private operators to manage.
Snow gum dieback
Dr Brookhouse and the Snow Gum Summiteers (Snow gum dieback raises fears for largest river system) should look at the history and basic ecology of chronic eucalypt decline or so-called dieback ... Pests, parasites and diseases are symptoms and contributors, not causes of chronic eucalypt decline ... Chronic decline of eucalypts is not a consequence of climate change.
