Climate Council suggests farmers unfairly treated
"Farmers are bearing the brunt of climate change through extreme weather while also facing the financial burden of implementing livestock feed changes to curb cow burps," Coal and Gas Campaigner at Queensland Conservation Council, Ben Pennings said. "In stark contrast, coal companies are allowed to guess their methane emissions and rake in unprecedented profits while neglecting easily implementable mitigation practices such as proper equipment maintenance and operational improvements," he said.
Growing enthusiasm for emu products, says Lockhart producer
Lockhart Shire’s Marrocka Emus has been collaborating with other emus farms and Charles Sturt University to develop new emu oils with huge health benefits to humans as well as the further development of the farms as agritourism experience for visiting groups. Marrocka Emu farm was first purchased as a vacant block of land in 1991 by its current owners Ian and Marilyn Marston. Â
Western Riverina drought resilience planning workshop invite
Murrumbidgee Council is inviting you to contribute your insights, experiences and ideas to how we can improve our region’s drought preparedness into the future. Preparation of a Western Riverina Regional Drought Resilience Plan (RDRP) has recently commenced.
Community information sessions for Rochester Flood Study review
Campaspe Shire Council is inviting community members from Rochester and surrounding areas to attend a series of information sessions as a comprehensive review of the Rochester Flood Study is launched. Following the significant flooding events in 2011, 2022, and most recently in 2024, this updated study aims to reassess and enhance flood mitigation strategies to better protect the community.
Father and son appointed to Commonwealth First Nations water ownership program
The Albanese Government has launched a water ownership program for First Nations peoples in the Murray-Darling Basin, delivering on an election commitment. Jamie and Ian Woods from Hay have been appointed to the interim governance body has been set up so that water entitlements can be purchased, before a permanent body is established. Both men are of the Nari Nari nation.
Rates to rise 4.7 per cent, water charges increase
Clarence Valley ratepayers will be slugged 4.7 per cent more for residential rates and an extra 6 per cent for water access and consumption after a split 6 to 3 vote by Clarence Valley Councillors when they endorsed the 2024-2025 Fees and Charges.
Duck hunting hassles
Natalie Krebs. Australians have a dedicated overlanding and camping culture. They cook a leisurely breakfast and then simply wade out into the marsh a few hundred yards to pass-shoot ducks. These lowkey setups make it easy for casual hunters to have a good time, and convenient for activists to interfere.
Where is Bob when you need him?
Remember Live Aid back in 1985? You know the big concert organised by Bob Geldof to help the millions starving in Ethiopia 1983-85 in a famine that cost a million lives? Â Well, the music artists might have moved on but there is still plenty of hunger in Africa ... It seems the Europeans have replaced imperial colonialism with green colonialism, something that is cheered on by the new elites of the Western left.
2024 Archibald Prize helps climate crusaders to ‘save’ coral and koalas: Vic Jurskis
Laura Jones’ prize-winning portrait of Winton is helping to promote a documentary film supposedly aimed to save koalas from extinction ... The multimillion-dollar, multinational koala industry is part of the problem, not the solution. Well-meaning people are unwittingly donating money to increase koalas’ suffering. Sensible fire management could restore healthy and safe landscapes with naturally low densities of healthy koalas ...
Weedkilling Gunbower Creek drone trial: Stage one complete
A trial using a drone to tackle invasive weeds clogging Gunbower Creek is looking promising. A $100,000 Victorian Government investment allowed North Central CMA and Goulburn Murray Water to trial drone spraying technology alongside conventional boat based spraying to tackle the highly invasive pale yellow water lily in a section of the creek over summer.
Local family wins rotary’s best wildlife art prize!
Local magpie family, known as Hilary, Martin and Princess have come first in the wildlife section of the Camberwell Rotary Art Show. Captured in gouache (watercolour) on paper, local artist Robyn Riley has propelled the trio to stardom.
Baby it’s cold outside, and inside
The recent frosty mornings in our area might inspire us to cosy up inside by a fire or with a loved one, but university studies have found that Australians have colder houses than people in similar climates around the world. Experts from RMIT commented last week about the phenomenon in which Australians have lower standards for warmth in their homes, leading to health risks.
Ninox Robotics to count koalas with new ultra-compact hi-res infrared camera Â
Australian drone operator Ninox Robotics has boosted its capability for capturing aerial intelligence to be used for conservation efforts with the acquisition of the Sierra-Olympia Vayu HD longwave infrared (LWIR) camera. Ninox Robotics will put this high resolution compact camera to the test for the first time this month in the second phase of its koala spotting program ... ARR.News asked Daniel Vogelnest of Ninox Robotics more about drone monitoring of koalas.
The elephant in the room has antlers
With deer numbers currently at a record high, there is a growing threat to people’s lives, according to Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley."Twice in recent weeks, cars have been written off after hitting deer on the roads around Wodonga," he said." ... "This is now a deer plague that threatens people’s lives," he said.
Reflecting badly
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s annual River Reflections Conference was held last week in Albury. The two-day conference was framed as a chance to look at the art of the possible when tackling complex problems and using the wisdom of the collective to shape a way forward together. Wisdom and the Basin Plan have been mutually exclusive terms to date. Would River Reflections 2024 be a chance to turn the page?
Delivering First Nations water ownership in the Basin: Plibersek
The Albanese Labor Government has ... launched a world-leading water ownership program for First Nations peoples in the Murray-Darling Basin, delivering on an election commitment. Under the Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program, the government has made $100 million available to buy water in the Basin, with First Nations representatives to determine how that money is spent.
Gentle giants holiday in Queensland: Healy
The whale watching season in Queensland is now officially open with 40,000 gentle giants holidaying on Queensland’s coastline from June to November. Queensland’s east coast, also known as the humpback highway, is expected to attract more than 127,000 domestic visitors. Queensland has a high association as a destination with world-class nature and wildlife experiences...
Toddler attacked by kangaroo in South Grafton
Within seconds, it was over. But for Connie, it was a frightening moment in time which felt like eternity. The South Grafton mother recalls watching her two-year-old daughter Georgia and her partner Daniel playing with remote-control cars together in the backyard ... a juvenile male eastern grey kangaroo raced up to the little girl and kicked her over before turning around and striking at her again while she lay on the ground.
An extra-oar-dinary Saturday row
Alexandra Bull. A foggy and chilly Saturday morning did not dampen the spirits of all 201 rowers rowing in the annual Renmark Rowing Club Wharf to Woolshed Long Row. With 44 crews on the water, slightly challenging conditions marked the start of the 36km row ... Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson also jumped into the Renmark Rowing Club eight for the last 10km
Man sentenced after pleading guilty to causing a bushfire
A Territory man who pleaded guilty in the NT Supreme Court to illegally starting a fire at Djukbinj National Park 2 years ago has today received a 6-month suspended sentence. Djukbinj National Park is a wetland of national significance ... “The resulting wildfire burned for 11 days, burning a total of 166 square kilometres, including 2300 hectares of pasture on an adjoining pastoral station ..."
Water and environment research unveiled at Basin science symposium: MDBA
Progress of research that will benefit the Basin and its communities for years to come has been shared at the third annual symposium of the Murray–Darling Water and Environment Research Program (MD-WERP). Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Chief Executive Andrew McConville said 35 projects developing Basin-wide knowledge have been completed or are progressing via the 5-year $20 million Australian Government funded MD-WERP.
New tech tested to support kangaroo management: AgriFutures Australia
PhD student Evan Curtis has reached a turning point in research investigating the use of drones, simulation studies and artificial intelligence (AI) to sustainably manage the kangaroo industry in NSW. Evan, a student at the University of Sydney, is mid-way through his project, Â Determining optimal management strategies for four large macropods in NSW ...
