Recent fish deaths reignite management frustration
A recent fish kill in Gunbower Creek has reignited frustrations over managing the waterways ... “The fish kill in January two weeks ago, that was because of the record January rains, farmers had to drain water into the creek and the creek was stagnant because no irrigation took place,” said Jason Lunghusen.
Cattle methane
Cattle Australia has urged the federal government to rethink the role of methane in the beef industry in its decisions on how Australia will tackle climate change in the future. CA, which is the peak council for the grassed beef sector, said a single focus on absolute emissions reduction under current carbon dioxide-equivalent accounting frameworks was detrimental for the beef industry.
The nappy and incontinence aid collection service turning waste into products: Greater Shepparton City Council
Greater Shepparton City Council has entered into a contract with Kelland Environmental Technology Pty Ltd, trading as DiaperRecycle, to process and recycle collected disposable nappy and incontinence product waste from Greater Shepparton residents ... "The service is processing an estimated 1,500 kg of waste per week, diverting this waste from landfill”: Liam Moller, GSCC.
NSW Government leaving feral pigs with nowhere to hide: Moriarty
The NSW Government’s feral pig control program has culled 33,277 feral pigs in just 4 months, making it one of the largest feral pig programs in the nation’s history. Already 2,035 property owners have participated in the Government’s $13 million Feral Pig Program, working with Local Land Services to target pest populations.
Charlton storm damage revealed
Jenny Pollard. Two days after last Tuesday’s storm which created so much havoc across Victoria, it was hard not to be shocked by the damage Charlton sustained from just a few minutes of mother nature’s fury. On Thursday last week, the majority of visible wreckage from what appeared to have been a mini tornado, was the countless trees and massive tree limbs fallen on roadsides...
Six perspectives in one inspiring production capture the resilient spirit of regional Queenslanders: JUTE Theatre Company
Hitting the Queensland roads in February and March, audiences in Gympie, Townsville, Cairns, Rockhampton, and Bundaberg are destined to be uplifted and enthralled by six stories of strength and resilience in the one original and heart-warming theatre production of GRIT. Developed in 2022 after Gympie’s devastating floods ...
Invasive weed could be turned into a viable economic crop: UniSA
One of the most invasive Australian weeds is being touted as a potential economic crop, with benefits for the construction, mining and forestry industries, and potentially many First Nations communities. The prickly paddy melon weed, which costs the agricultural industry around $100 million a year in lost grain yields, cattle deaths, and control measures, could turn into an unlikely money spinner...
Utes the end of an era
This week I thought I would join the lack of EV charging stations across regional WA together with the Australian government's adoption of the strict new Euro 6d emissions standards and give you my views on what this is likely to mean politically and its potential to redefine Australia.
The rise of insecticide resistance in the redlegged earth mite: AgriFutures Australia
Insecticide resistance in redlegged earth mites (RLEM) has been closely monitored over the last 15 years ... The RLEM poses a significant threat to establishing crops and pastures across the southern growing regions of Australia.
Snap into innovation: Australia’s crocodile industry unveils RD&E plan: AgriFutures Australia
... a significant milestone for the developing Australian crocodile industry ... the launch of the Australian Crocodile Industry RD&E Plan 2024-2029 ... The recently finalised plan is designed to assist Australia’s 21 operators in capitalising on the industry’s recent growth and expansion across the country.
Storm rips through Charlton
Jenny Pollard. While last Tuesday’s wild weather wrought havoc across much of Victoria, Charlton and neighbouring towns also felt the brunt of nature’s fury when a band of storms swept across the region.
Govt deer cull: “Lives at risk”
Roaring helicopters armed with military grade thermal imaging and semi-automatic shotguns aim to destroy any deer in their path ... Sometimes people on the ground fear for their lives and the welfare of their livestock ... "Someone is going to get shot," several feared.
New ranger hub marks 20 years of progress for Muru-warinyi Ankkul Rangers
The Central Land Council celebrated the opening of the much-awaited Tennant Creek Ranger Hub at 37 Brown Street, Tennant Creek on Wednesday. The new ranger hub was unveiled by CLC Chair Matthew Palmer, Executive Member Sandra Morrison, and the Traditional Owner Ranger Advisory Committee of the Muru-war- inyi Ankkul Rangers, with a celebratory barbeque and cake.
GRDC invests $1.9m in research for climate-resilient crops
The GRDC has partnered with the Australian National University (ANU) and industry partners to invest in research to accelerate the development of climate-resilient crops … investment will focus on the development of heat tolerant wheat genetics, as well as determining what makes a wheat crop able to survive, grow and produce yields under high-temperature conditions.
Creating certainty around water usage: Worden
The Surface Water Intake – Wet Season Flows Policy ... sets clear guidance to industry about access to wet season flows, and a pathway for responsible and sustainable economic development. The policy is highly precautionary, reducing the volume of water otherwise available under existing policy from 20 per cent to less than 5 per cent of wet season flows in Top End rivers.
Water buyback framework fails
There is not much Wakool mixed farmer John Lolicato doesn’t know about water ... The recent release of the Restoring our Rivers draft framework has once again left him shaking his head ... John said this buyback is disastrous for the region environmentally, economically and socially.
Grateful goanna
This 1.5-metre goanna found itself in trouble earlier this month when it became stranded at the base of Torrumbarry Weir. Goulburn-Murray Water Senior Storage Officer, Luke Simpson, found the tired and distressed looking goanna hanging on to the bottom of the weir gate...
Lessons from Tumut and Tumbarumba salvage success shared with timber industry: FCNSW
Effective collaboration across the timber industry and learning the lessons from past fire salvage efforts have been highlighted as key factors underpinning the success of the record salvage program in the Tumut and Tumbarumba regions following the Black Summer fires in a report commissioned by Forestry Corporation of NSW.
Weir update
Mark Coulton, speaking to ABC Broken Hill on Monday, said he understood that due to Covid, a flood, etc there had been some unavoidable delays to the new Wilcannia Weir. However he is now at a loss as to why, at 5 minutes to midnight, the NSW government has changed the design of the weir.
Murray–Darling Basin Authority communique, February 2024
The Authority met with the Hon Tanya Plibersek Minister for the Environment and Water, to discuss Basin issues. The Authority noted the Minister’s announcement of 30 January 2024 launching new programs to deliver the Basin Plan in full. Members were further briefed by representatives of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Farmers urged to monitor damp haystacks for fire risks
CFA is urging farmers to ramp up their hay maintenance for the remainder of the season, following a surge in haystack fires, with CFA responding to more than 50 since November. Igniting predominantly in the western parts of the state across the Wimmera and Loddon Mallee, CFA has responded to 29 in the North West region and 12 in the West region.
Outside hay lost after rain event
About a third of the hay produced in southern Australia this season won’t be able to be sold through Feed Central’s consignment system after being left uncovered and damaged by rain. While it can still be traded from farms and the damage comes as demand for hay has fallen, Feed Central fears ongoing failure to properly store hay could have long-term impacts on the feed industry.
