Media Release

After more than six years of multi-disciplinary research, the Q Fever Group ... has released the findings of its flagship research project,  Taking the Q (query) out of Q fever. The project findings fell into three broad themes; improving knowledge and management of Q fever in dairy goat herds; understanding Q fever in the environment; and structures to support Q fever management across the human, animal and environmental health sectors.

There is no better time than now. Australian agriculture is primed and ready to take on the next five years with a strong sense of purpose, determination, and excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead.

It’s  been nearly two years since  fall armyworm was  first  detected in Australia, and in that time  the  pest  has made its presence felt. With the ability to travel vast distances of up to 100 kilometres overnight, and an appetite for summer crops, the fall armyworm can devour large quantities of crops  – including ginger – in  a matter of days.  

Farmers and regional communities are bracing for yet another soaking with the Bureau of Meteorology confirming another summer of La Nina ... “People are trying to rebuild and get back on top of things, but another huge rain would just be devastating for us”: Northern Rivers farmer Neil Baker.

Rising input costs combined with fears of a foot and mouth disease incursion have weighed heavily on optimism in Australia’s farm sector in the latest quarter, according to the Rabobank Rural Confidence survey. Despite extraordinary strength in farm balance sheets and the overall health of the sector following more than two years of high rainfall and exceptional commodity prices, more farmers now believe conditions are set to worsen over the year ahead rather than improve.

Customers in regional NSW have now had access to real-time data on more than one million bus trips across the state. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway announced the milestone, ahead of the new tracking technology system being rolled out on buses in Orange and Griffith from Monday.

Phillip Island’s bold vision to become Victoria’s first fully sustainable tourist hot spot in Australia is one step closer, with plans approved for a revolutionary community energy storage system. The Phillip Island Community Energy Storage System (PICESS) will offer greater reliability in electricity supply for the Island, especially during peak holiday periods and could potentially slash power bills, with residents able to use the grid to store their power.

With construction of the Tweed’s new inclusive play space in Goorimahbah – Place of Stories underway at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, focus is now turning to the planning and delivery of Stage 2 of the park.

Sunshine Coast migrant residents are invited to apply for their chance to attend low-cost learn-to-swim classes. “Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy our wonderful lifestyle and the Migrant Learn to Swim and Beach Safe Program incorporates water safety and water confidence techniques along with basic swimming lessons”: Sunshine Coast Council Community Portfolio Councillor David Law.

The most ambitious rewilding project in Australia is achieving incredible results, with 10 locally extinct species now thriving after being reintroduced to three feral-free areas in NSW national parks ... “It’s incredible to see that in such a short period of time, we’re on track to remove at least 10 animals from the NSW extinct list – the first time this will have happened anywhere in the world”: NSW Minister for Environment James Griffin.

Bendigo’s stunning tulip displays will take centre stage in a new annual Bloom spring program that brings together 60 exciting events, experiences and attractions, including new night time activations in the city centre. A sea of 53,000 tulips will bloom from mid-September at the Conservatory Gardens, Queen Victoria Gardens, Civic Gardens and along Pall Mall.

Greater Shepparton’s popular Moooving Art collection continues to grow as Council welcomes a new member to the herd this week. Introducing Moobird, designed by talented Mooroopna artist Mandy Charquero, Moobird is inspired by the region’s very own Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton and the native birds which can be found there, and around our region.

"These new nature reserves provide an important ecological link to other reserves in the area supporting our native species. Through the upcoming release of the draft Forest Management Plan 2024-2033, the community will get the chance to have their say in caring for the health of our forests" : WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby.

Global dairy market fundamentals have shifted course in Q3 2022, from extreme tightness to visible but modest loosening. A  potential collision between supply growth and demand is  approaching, with Q4 year-on-year milk supply growth, weak Chinese import demand, and broader demand rationing in developing countries weighing on forecasts, according to the latest international dairy market report from Rabobank.

An elite stable of dedicated Post Entry Quarantine officers is ensuring some of the world’s most valuable shuttle stallions are happy, healthy – and won’t pose a biosecurity risk while on stud duties in Australia. The 55 horses – hailing from Europe, Japan, the USA and Canada, and worth a combined $450 million – have touched down in Australia for the Southern Hemisphere Thoroughbred breeding season.

Dunolly will come alive next month as the Gold Rush Festival makes its exciting return on the 22nd and 23rd of October. Events will get underway at the Dunolly Music Festival at the Dunolly Golf Club from 4pm to 10pm where Bebop-alula, Grim Fawkner, Chenai Boucher, Devils Brew and The Groove Dudes, will take to the stage.

The current timber supply shortages in Victoria brought about by vexatious legal action against VicForests is causing anguish among the people of Orbost, where 37% of its workforce faces the axe ... Forest & Wood Communities Australia went to Orbost last week to speak with what we thought would be a few families to get an idea of what they are going through ... FWCA MD, Justin Law, said the heart-breaking situation in Orbost was unnecessary.

The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA), through the Tasmanian Red Meat Industry Steering Committee (TRMISC), proudly announces the launch of the AgCard Managing Livestock for Red Meat Production certificate unit in collaboration with the Tasmanian Government and Primary Employers Tasmania (PET). This certificate is funded through the $1 million Tasmanian Government commitment to support the development of the red meat industry.

Charles Sturt academic, Dr Joanne Connolly explores what makes koalas unique and how Charles Sturt University is contributing to saving endangered populations, including research into the Narrandera koala population ... ARR.News asks some questions of Dr Connolly.

Bushfire affected environmental recovery monitoring in south-west NSW by a Charles Sturt University PhD research student has revealed a hitherto un-noted lizard species in Woomargama National Park. Mr Grant Linley in the Charles Sturt  Gulbali Institute of Agriculture, Water and Environment  said his research obtained photographic evidence of a species, the  heath goanna  (also known as  Rosenberg’s goanna), in Woomargama NP which has not been observed by scientists to occur in the park.

A timely update for the Rushworth to Murchison Rail Trail Project, with the $3 million development progressing through Campaspe Shire Council’s planning stages. Mayor Chrissy Weller said the trail project will develop 11 kilometres of the former railway track, between Rushworth and the Campaspe Shire boundary of Channel Inlet Road.