Media Release

Farmers rely on good weather to grow crops and sustain livestock, so when the Bureau of Meteorology issues an El Niño warning, it’s a bitter pill to swallow given that so many farmers and rural communities across Australia are still reeling from recent floods. Now, researchers at the UniSA are hoping to connect with farmers who have been affected by the 2022-23 floods to better understand their first-hand experiences and how they would like to be supported to regain optimal wellbeing.

Market fairness, environment laws and the state of rural roads have topped the list of concerns in the first National Farmer Priorities Survey ... The survey of more than 1,600 farmers also confirmed falling confidence within the sector, and revealed reservations about the approach of the Albanese Government.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg has welcomed the return of volunteer organisation, BlazeAid, to assist local farmers with clearing and rebuilding fences ... Following the 2019 North Coast bushfires, BlazeAid set up operations near Casino to help local farmers get their paddocks re-fenced.

Australia’s sheep, cattle and goat markets are being impacted by very high production numbers, compounded by already large volumes of meat in congested supply chains, according to agricultural analysts at Rabobank. For the sheep sector particularly, there is effectively a "mountain of supply at the moment" following two "extremely good seasons"...

The $2m project being carried out in Grandchester and Flinders Peak will include activities like planting koala-friendly trees, removing weeds that prevent koalas moving between existing koala habitat and are a fire risk, reducing livestock grazing on habitat to facilitate natural regeneration, and protecting existing koala habitat through fire management. The project will be delivered by Healthy Land and Water, and will support landholders to better protect koalas on their land.  

Stronger powers to allow NT Police to stop and search individuals for knives and other dangerous weapons are now in operation in the Northern Territory. Earlier this year, the Territory Labor Government strengthened the Police Legislation Further Amendment Bill 2023 to allow our Police to use hand-held scanners to detect concealed weapons.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has welcomed a one year extension to the Wild Dog Management Plan after calling for its renewal in recent weeks ... “It just made sense to extend the highly successful Wild Dog Management Plan”: VFF Livestock Group Vice-President and Tallangatta farmer Peter Star.

Known as the biggest gathering of teamsters in the nation, the 2023 Good Old Days Festival drew 6000 visitors for the unique working heritage display of blade shearing, chaff cutting, harvesting, ploughing, log snigging, log obstacle course, shoeing, blacksmithing, butter churning, Furphy rebarrelling, working yard dogs, whip cracking, dog jumping, billy boiling and the Australia Light Horse display.

Cost-effective feeding strategies to support hive health and productivity could strengthen industry resilience. Supplementary feeding of bees could make Australian beekeepers more resilient to extreme climatic events, such as fire, drought or floods ... “The need for pollination services is also increasing at a fast rate, making supplementary feeding a more important management tool than ever before”: Dr Madlen Kratz, NSWDPI.

The Mildura region could soon boast its first community battery following the launch of an innovative regional project. The Regional Greenhouse Alliance Neighbourhood Battery Investigation Project aims to develop investment-ready business cases for single community batteries at 18 locations across regional Victoria, including Mildura.

In an impressive feat, Roper Gulf Regional Council has successfully lead a ground breaking feral pig management and removal program in the communities of Numbulwar and Ngukurr last month. This initiative underscores the solid commitment to the health and well-being of all residents, particularly in addressing the significant health risks associated with feral pigs, including the threat of Japanese encephalitis.

Senior Director of River Management Joe Davis said the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) had instructed WaterNSW to hold releases from Weir 32 at the current rate of 1,000 megalitres per day while the effects of the forecast rainfall on system flows could be determined.  “Managing river flows and storages in the Basin is complex and requires us to work adaptively to account for changing demands and conditions,” Mr Davis said.

The Alice Springs Quilting Club Exhibition is an annual exhibition held in Witchetty's at Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs | Mparntwe. The exhibition showcases the club members remarkable creations of the year and gathers quilters and enthusiasts together to share camaraderie and innovations in quilting concepts and techniques.

Vibrant artworks featuring some of the Scenic Rim's celebrated wildlife are set to transform an alleyway and block wall in Beaudesert’s town centre into colourful public spaces.

With a move to animal manures as natural soil conditioners, the increased demand for reliable manure spreaders was in the spotlight at the 2023 Henty Machinery Field Days. The E-Series Manure Spreader was launched to the Australian market at the field days by Canadian manufacturer JBS Equipment and Australian importer Atlas Ag on September 20.

Two 50-year time capsules buried beneath Murwillumbah library are now available for public viewing before they are retrieved in the coming weeks. The capsules were buried in 1973 at the start of the construction of the Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre, which includes the library.

The  Ballina Contemporary Art Market (BCAM)  is a free, one-day, fun-filled arts and cultural event taking place on Saturday 14 October ... come and meet the Australovenatordinosaur, baby Muttaburra dinosaurs, and help the deep-sea diver discover treasure!

Rex said the airline is forced to make further reductions to its regional network as the major carriers, particularly the Qantas Group, continued their relentless pillaging of Rex’s pilot group. The reductions, effective from 30 October, all involve the regional routes serviced by Rex’s fleet of Saab 340 turboprop aircraft.

A new program designed to tackle regional skills shortages in the housing and planning sectors is being established through a State and Local government partnership ... the Grow Your Own program is a joint initiative between the Malinauskas Government and Local Government Association – focused on training local talent and providing pathways to grow regional councils’ planning workforce.