Media Release

Victorian regional communities are being delt the brunt of brutal job and skills losses since the timber supply issues stemming from a Supreme Court order in November 2022 locking up Victoria’s native forests causing mills to close down. It was announced in 2019 by the State Government that the native timber industry would be phased out by 2030 and since then activists have been relentless in attempting to speed up the process by taking out court injunctions stopping timber harvesting operations leading to short supply.

Forestry Corporation ecologists have spent the week walking through Bondo State Forest near Tumut calling ‘hey frog’ – The most effective survey technique for detecting the critically endangered Northern Corroboree Frog. Amazingly, yelling 'Hey Frog' elicits a response from the frogs, which call out in response.

Grain Producers Australia’s new survey results show growers faced multiple, significant challenges with producing a near record crop in 2022-23 – especially input costs and extreme weather events. Whilst some analysts forecast the Australian crop size at a huge 71 million tonnes, valued at about $28 billion, Australian grain producers also planted the most expensive crop on record.

Like many country shows, The Robertson Show experienced flood and COVID cancellations over the past few years. But, the Show is finally back – bigger and better than ever for two FULL days of fun and entertainment.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has fined 14 furniture importers over $186,000 last week because they didn’t act to minimise the risk of importing illegally harvested timber. Head of Compliance and Enforcement at the department, Peter Timson said Australia has strict requirements for importing timber and it is essential to hold importers to account.

The South West Timber Hub 2023 Carbon & Framing Conference on 7 March 2023 is essential for farmers and the agricultural industry to understand the impact carbon will have on their business. Speakers (including Trevor Whittington, CEO WAFarmers) will discuss the global picture and how international factors will impact your farm, what is driving the change and potential solutions that make sense in reducing your carbon footprint

Isuzu UTE Australia (IUA) has announced a long-term national partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). This major national partnership will assist with delivering better health outcomes to Australians living beyond the reach of mainstream medical services, through financial support and the provision of a fleet of Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X vehicles.

Regional Express Holdings Limited (‘Rex’) announced an after-tax loss of A$16.5 million (M) for the six months ended 31 December 2022 (1HFY23), an improvement of 55% over the prior corresponding period. This loss includes a negative impact of A$23M related to mark-to-market valuation of the Convertible Note and Warrant facility entered into with PAG in 2020.

Space companies from the United Kingdom have landed in Adelaide on a mission to explore why more global companies are investing in South Australia’s cutting-edge space sector ... The contingent follows recent announcements that global companies Airbus, SSTL and Equatorial Launch Australia will all establish bases in South Australia.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the 437,394 hectare site between Tibooburra and Bourke will become the third largest national park in NSW and a major new tourism drawcard for the region. “This is the largest ever single parcel of land to be acquired for the national park estate in NSW,” Mr Perrottet said.

NSW Farmers Energy Transition Working Group chair Reg Kidd said the Government had to explain why it was allowing Transgrid to build more overhead power lines when there was compelling evidence they increased the risk of bushfires.

Mildura Rural City Council has bestowed one of its highest honours upon a locally-born and trained performing artist who is now one of the most sought after classical singers on the international stage. Councillor Stefano de Pieri announced Siobhan Stagg as Mildura’s latest Key to the City recipient in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon after her latest appearance with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

A crowd of 94 people attended a public information session at the Natte Yallock Recreation Reserve on Wednesday 22 February to learn more about the Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Rural Water Supply Project. The proposed pipeline is designed to provide a fit for purpose sustainable rural water supply across almost 354,000 hectares spanning parts of the Central Goldfields, Northern Grampians and Pyrenees Shires.

From plant structure and correct terminology to learning about the features of leaves, bark, fruit and flowers; a three-day plant identification course hosted by Cape York NRM provided new insights into the flora on Cape York Peninsula ... The main tool used was the Australian Tropical Rainforests Plants key (8th ed),  developed at the Australian Tropical Herbarium by CSIRO.

Families from across the Snowy Monaro will benefit from enhanced maternity facilities with the Minister for Regional Health and Women Bronnie Taylor and Member for Monaro Nichole Overall joining local health workers to officially open the new Maternity Department at Cooma Hospital ... “The new maternity unit boasts high-quality, modern facilities in well-equipped rooms, filled with natural light. One of the two new birthing rooms includes a new birthing bath which will provide women with more choice during the delivery of their baby”: Mrs Taylor.

Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) has secured $179,211 in new federal funding to assist in a three-part Koala conservation project at Curramore and Mount Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuaries in Queensland ... Tim White, AWC Chief Operations Officer, welcomed the grant, saying it will help improve habitat, data and knowledge on Koala populations at both sanctuaries.

Another 3,157 hectares of high quality koala habitat has been secured for the State’s national park estate ... Minister for Environment James Griffin said seven more properties spanning from near Tenterfield in the north, to near Cooma in the south have been protected in perpetuity ... Since 2019, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has secured more than 600,000 hectares for addition to the national park estate.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has declared the fifth Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) in the Illawarra ... The Illawarra REZ runs down the coastline from Wollongong to Shellharbour and around to Dapto capturing existing infrastructure such as Port Kembla, Dapto Substation and the Tallawarra Power Station.

Healthy Loddon Campaspe has partnered with Grow It Local to encourage and educate residents across the region about healthy eating, cooking and growing local food. To celebrate the partnership, Grow It Local, Healthy Loddon Campaspe and Central Goldfields Shire Council have launched the Autumn 2023 edition of the Grow It Local Seed Service – a patch-to-plate adventure that makes free heirloom seeds and instructional content available to local residents.