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Collaboration required to reduce arson attacks

“In the Cape, unplanned fire is a very complicated business. We have huge amounts of biomass material unlike many other regions and we have a tight window to control burns before they reach critical habitat and threatened species": Sally Gray, Piccaninny Plains Wildlife Sanctuary.

TSRA gives up control of Native Title in the Strait

Traditional Owners and Prescribed Body Corporates will take control in delivering all Native Title services in the Torres Strait from July 1 when Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council (GBK) is recognised as the Native Title service provider. The Torres Strait Regional Authority will cease being the Native Title Representative Body and stop providing Native Title services on June 30. Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt said it was the right time to transfer Native Title services.

Have your say on domestic organics regulation

Public consultation is now open on Australia’s domestic organic regulatory framework, including how to support industry growth and build consumer confidence ... “This is a growing part of the agriculture sector and we are keen to seek a wide range of views": DAWE

Tarrengower Prison rehabilitates 500th greyhound

Tarrengower Prison is celebrating the rehabilitation of its 500th foster greyhound, ‘Boston’, who was trained through the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP), which is designed to give four-legged companions and prisoners a new lease on life.

‘Return our stolen trailer – no questions asked’: Tiny house charity makes plea

A tiny house charity has had one of  its disaster relief trailers stolen. The Container of Dreams charity builds homes for bushfire impacted people and runs workshops on turning containers into homes.

Farmers team up with cops to combat oyster theft

The state’s peak agricultural body has partnered with the NSW Police Force to tackle a major problem for oyster growers. Black market oysters – stolen from farmers and sold without food safety controls – are the target of the NSW Police Force, Rural Crime Prevention Team.

Bittersweet win for koalas: Friends of the Koala

Friends of the Koala  welcomes  the federal government’s decision to up list koalas in Queensland, New South Wales  and the Australian Capital Territory from ‘vulnerable’  to ‘endangered’.  

Increased protection for koalas: Ley

The Morrison Government is boosting the level of protection for Koalas under National Environmental law, and will this week seek agreement from Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory on the National Recovery plan ... “The impact of prolonged drought, followed by the black summer bushfires, and the cumulative impacts of disease, urbanisation and habitat loss over the past twenty years have led to the advice." : Minister Ley.

NFF applauds new Bill to reward farmers for work in promoting biodiversity

Under the framework, biodiversity, unlike traditional farm commodities which are delivered to a buyer, will need to be maintained and/or established within the farm boundaries, much like carbon sequestration in vegetation and soil. There will be an ongoing relationship between the supplier (farmer) and purchaser to manage and report the status.

Bill backs agriculture biodiversity stewardship market: Littleproud

A bill to create the legal framework for a national voluntary agriculture biodiversity stewardship market has been introduced in Parliament ... “The Bill will create a biodiversity certificate, which will be tradeable. This will mean biodiversity outcomes can be purchased, transferred, claimed, or used" : Minister Littleproud.

Gliders in court: Environment East Gippsland responds

East Gippsland in the far SE corner of Australia, has long been seen as the stronghold of many natural values including old growth and rainforests and remarkable wildlife species that evolved with and still depend on these healthy, intact habitats.

A Greater Future with Gliders: Kinglake Friends of the Forest responds

The adorable Greater Glider is in trouble. It is threatened by fire and logging and its population has crashed by over 80% this century ... VicForests – a logging company owned by the government – wants to clear much of what’s left of the Greater Glider’s habitat.

Grafton brothers fight off intruders

Emma Pritchard. The men, aged 84 and 87, were asleep inside a Hoof Street residence when an unknown person attempted to gain entry to the premises by removing a flyscreen and climbing through a bedroom window shortly after 4am ... “There have been a lot of thefts and break-ins across Grafton recently," said a nearby resident.

Unwelcome neighbours ruling the roost

Emma Pritchard. As Irene Armstrong gazes up into the leafy canopies of the trees outside her home, she estimates the population of the newest residents, who first appeared at the end of January, has grown to more than 40000 ... Their constant shrieking, feeding, habitat destruction, offensive odour and waste products are driving locals batty ... In NSW, flying foxes are protected ... The grey headed flying fox is also listed as vulnerable ...

Group opposes quarry DA with submission from 40 members delivered to council

Bentley came to the Richmond Valley Council office in Casino on February 1. Holding their placards, the Bentley Our Sustainable Future group came on the final day of submissions for the development application of Bentley Quarry.

New fines introduced at electric charging stations

New penalties will be in place in the coming weeks for non-electric vehicle owners who illegally park in an electric vehicle (EV) charging bay in Queensland. Transport and Main Roads Minister (Qld) Mark Bailey said the issue had been a pain point for the rapidly increasing number of Queensland EV drivers.

Desire to arm the ATO

Chris Jordan AO is the Commissioner of Taxation. He was previously Chair of KPMG and partner in Charge of the New South Wales Tax and Legal Division of KPMG. Commissioner Jordan has expressed a desire for ATO officers to carry guns.

Timber Act lawfare loophole must be closed: Forest and Wood Communities Australia

Forest & Wood Communities Australia is calling on the Andrews Government to close the loophole in the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004 (Vic) which has enabled activist vigilantes to devastate the livelihoods of regional Victorians. FWCA answers some further questions from ARR.News.

Lockyer Valley to welcome Bruce and Denise Morcombe as 2022 Australia Day Ambassadors

The Lockyer Valley will welcome child safety advocates Bruce Morcombe OAM and Denise Morcombe OAM to the region as the 2022 Australia Day Ambassadors. Co-founders of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, the couple are committed to making communities a safer place for children.

Naracoorte’s meth “doctor”

More than 50 dealers of methamphetamine are currently active in the Naracoorte area, with one allegedly moving $14,000 worth per week, it has been claimed. In recent weeks, The News has been approached by several concerned residents claiming consumption of the illicit drug is growing in the local area. One such source, who spoke to The News on the condition of anonymity, claimed more than 50 active methamphetamine dealers were operating in Naracoorte, with peddlers also selling the product in Lucindale, Bordertown, Keith, and Mount Gambier.

FPH regulation tabled

Just two days after the NSW Upper House enquiry into floodplain harvesting, NSW Water Minister, Melinda Pavey, tabled another attempt in parliament to pass floodplain harvesting regulation. The bold move by the NSW National Party was taken despite the ink being barely dry on the consultation that sought to address the end of system flow target for the Darling Baaka, licensing to the legislated legal limit, and to maintain volumes and entitlements within existing SDLs.

Victorian Ombudsman finds border exemption scheme “unjust”

The border closure imposed by Victorian and New South Wales State Governments in response to COVID-19 not only had huge financial impacts but a great human cost.   The Victorian Ombudsman has found the narrow exercise of discretion under the border exemption scheme resulted in unjust outcomes, and recommended the Government publicly acknowledge the distress caused to affected people.

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