Successful conclusion of Cuttlefest 2023! Whyalla City Council
Cuttlefest has proven a success again this year, with more than 10,000 people from across the globe enjoying the natural spectacle and associated events! Themed around the return of the Cuttlefish to Spencer Gulf waters, Cuttlefest provided an abundance of opportunities and experiences from May to August.
Project Kingfish
With help from recreational anglers, long term tag-and-release programs ... have revealed a level of connectivity of kingfish between states across mainland Australia, as well as offshore sites such as LHI and NZ. However, the frequency of such long-distance movements and the whereabouts of spawning-sized kingfish ... between release and recapture remain a mystery ... Project Kingfish aims to fill these knowledge gaps.
The Buloke Times editorial: Beef industry progress on emissions
Last year, we reported on the US-inspired, non-binding "Methane Pledge", which Australia had joined at the urging of Minister Chris Bowen, who described it as "an aspirational global target for countries to reduce global emissions". New Zealand took it to the extreme of imposing what became known as a "fart tax" on farm animals that cause methane emissions.
Devastating scale of water buybacks revealed while critical questions go unanswered: NFF
The Federal Government has inadvertently revealed that damaging water buybacks will make up at least a third of water recovery under its revised Murray Darling Basin Plan, at a starting price exceeding $3 billion … “The Minister has said last week the current 1500GL cap on buybacks will be lifted': National Farmers' Federation Water Committee Chair, Malcolm Holm.
Wattle Day: Robert Onfray
Today is the first day of spring in Australia, a day we celebrate as national Wattle Day ... we use today to celebrate a wonderful species that is, with a few exceptions, unique to our landscape. But to professional foresters, a recognition of wattles only reminds us of the deleterious effects of changed land management practices after millions of hectares of actively managed state forests have been converted to reserves since the 1990s. The effects have been compounded by massive wildfires that have occurred over that time.
Take buybacks off the table – MRSG
A leading community and farming representative group in the NSW Murray is calling on the Albanese Government to "take water buybacks off the table". It comes after Water Minister Tanya Plibersek announced buybacks would be used to recover water, including an additional 450 gigalitres which was not part of original Murray-Darling Basin Plan recovery targets ... MRSG chair, Geoff Moar, described news of the buybacks as a "dagger in the heart" of rural communities, especially after constant government promises that they would only be considered if there were no negative social and economic consequences.
Farmers call for wild dog plan extension
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is urging the Victorian government to renew the highly successful Wild Dog Management Plan that has seen an enormous drop in wild dog attacks on livestock since launching in 2012.
Sailing away
There are many ways for people to escape life’s often mundane activities, some hook the van on and head to warmer climates, others traverse the globe to far flung destinations. These three couples decided to do it in style, sailing down the mighty Murray.
Golden wattle blitz on again
The Shire of Denmark will blitz Sydney golden wattle for a third consecutive year in an effort to eradicate the invasive weed in the shire. Over winter, Shire officers have mapped reported sightings of Sydney golden wattle and Tasmanian blackwood with a long-term aim to control the weeds.
Hotter, dryer summers bad news for farmers
The latest Federal Intergenerational Report suggests crop yields could be up to 4 per cent lower by 2063. Reduced yields are expected due to increased frequency and severity of extreme weather, including droughts, as well as most crops producing less in higher temperatures.
Forester Frank, science and French folly: David Jefford Ward
Although my qualifications lie in other fields, I know Frank Batini as a modest, well mannered, well qualified, and experienced forester. His recent article about his past work on water supply from Wungong Dam, near Perth, has raised concerns with me about the management of water supplies in Western Australia ... Instead of following scientific advice, they seem to have switched their beliefs to the thinking of other kinds of experts, without any qualifications in forestry, fire, or hydrology, but expertly politically aware and active.
Join the community challenge and get bushfire ready: Ellis
Communities across Tasmania are being encouraged to complete registrations for the Tasmania Fire Service’s Community Bushfire-Ready Challenge … “The Community Bushfire-Ready Challenge is a 6-week immersive online experience that kicks off on Friday, 1 September”: Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis.
Backflip on Grain Harvest Code a huge win for farmers: Pederick, Centofanti
Following several weeks of uncertainty for South Australian farmers, the CFS has announced that the Grain Harvest Code of Practice will remain unchanged for the 2023-24 harvest season. Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Adrian Pederick declared the move as “a big win for our farmers and grain producers” who can continue using the current Grass Fire Danger Index (GFDI)...
Community logging on to support timber industry
More than 2200 submissions were presented to Clarence Valley Council (CVC) Mayor Ian Tiley by General Manager of Marshall Notaras Hardwoods and Vice President of Timber NSW Donna Layton on August 28 as a formal response, rejecting a report made at a council meeting two months ago by the Biodiversity Advisory Committee (BAC) which proposes to phase out native logging on public land.
Clarence River erosion management project a success
Transport for NSW Maritime has completed the Clarence River Erosion Management Project and has succeeded in achieving several successful outcomes for a four-kilometre section of this major waterway. NSW Maritime Executive Director, Mark Hutchings, said the project’s focus was on remediating the river bank and minimising the impact of boating-related erosion while ensuring boating continues on the Clarence.
South Australian Government opposes southern ocean offshore windfarm zone: Close, Scriven
The State Government has recommended South Australia not be included in the Commonwealth’s proposed offshore wind farm zone that runs from Warrnambool in Victoria to Port MacDonnell … State Government has expressed concerns about the potential impact construction of an offshore windfarm in that area could have on South Australia’s southern fisheries and marine environment.
Seed shortage and fire puts Victorian forests at risk of collapse: Forestry Australia
Victoria’s Ash forests are on the brink of ecosystem collapse following a poor flowering season and repeated fire events, warns the State’s leading forest flowering and seeding expert. The issue highlights concerns raised by Forestry Australia, the seed collection services provided by VicForests, may be lost following the native timber sector shutdown in Victoria.
Standing up against wall
Patrick Goldsmith. Coobowie residents have raised concerns over Yorke Peninsula Council’s preliminary discussions to install a coastal protection structure along the town’s beach ... Community members questioned the need for a wall which they believe will stretch 12 metres from the front of foreshore properties onto the beach ... "We don’t agree with the one wall fits all policy which they seem to be applying": Peter Hooper.
Endangered species has risen from the ashes: FCNSW
An endangered native mouse species that nests in forests around the New South Wales Tablelands is showing strong signs of recovery post the Black Summer bushfires. The Hastings River Mouse, Pseudomys oralis, a small native rodent with brownish-grey fur and white feet, was one of NSW’s most severely impacted endangered species following the 2019-2020 fires.
Guidelines allow for coastal land uses until risk becomes unacceptable
Planning for possible future erosion and flooding risks is a hot topic in the Shire of Gingin following public information sessions in Lancelin and Seabird. The shire’s coastal hazard risk management and adaptation plan (CHRMAP) and coastal management strategy (CMS) and the WA state government’s coastal hazard risk management and adaptation planning guidelines...
Labor makes more cuts to the national soil strategy: Littleproud
The Federal Labor Government has scrapped the National Soils Advocate and cut funding to programs that previously had bipartisan support … “Labor also redirected $11.7 million from the National Soils Strategy to ‘other priorities’. They continue to make cuts instead of investing in this much-needed strategy”: David Littleproud.
Rochester flood recovery community update event
More than 120 members of the Rochester community attended Campaspe Shire Council’s flood recovery community information session held at the Rochester Shire Hall ... Campaspe Shire Mayor Cr Rob Amos opened the event which brought together major stakeholders involved in the flood recovery process ... This is the first large-scale community information session organised by Campaspe Shire Council’s new Flood Recovery Team ...
