CATEGORY

Media Release

Tougher penalties on the way for bad behaving councillors with major local government reforms finalised: John Carey

Local Government Minister John Carey has announced the final package of reforms to the Local Government Act 1995, following a review of public submissions. The reforms are based on the findings and recommendations of a number of reports and consultation undertaken over the past five years, and represent the most significant change to local government in Western Australia since the Local Government Act 1995 was introduced more than 25 years ago.

Committed growers support hardy pasture legume revolution

Identification and development of novel hard seeded pasture legumes teamed with cost reducing management practices and dedicated extension efforts are heralding a revolutionary change for growers in South Australia and Victoria’s low to medium rainfall regions.

First step to better biosecurity training: DAFF

The first training program has commenced at the new Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Biosecurity Training Centre (BTC), with 21 new students starting on 4 July. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Australia’s Director of Biosecurity, Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO, said the new training program, delivered by Charles Sturt University (CSU), will strengthen Australia’s biosecurity capability.

Aboriginal joint management of national parks to expand: NSW Gov’t

Minister for Environment James Griffin said a new model could lead to the handback of title to all NSW national parks, which cover nearly 10 per cent of NSW, over a 15 to 20 year period. “Already, more than 30 per cent of the NSW national parks estate is covered by joint management, but Aboriginal people currently hold title or native title to just over four per cent of it,” Mr Griffin said.

Workers wanted to boost food and fibre production

NSW Farmers President James Jackson says Australians looking for work should consider a career in agriculture. There were almost half a million job vacancies across the country, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which Mr Jackson said was holding back productivity.

Asparagopsis now commercially available to beef producers

Lowering methane emissions through the use of Asparagopsis seaweed as a feed supplement has become a reality, following its first commercial sale in early June, according to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and FutureFeed. The first commercial sale of Asparagopsis feed supplement in Australia by CH4 Global is a significant step forward for the industry.

Not cool – a fridge scam dumped at our doors: Bev McArthur

Unwanted fridges have been dumped at local businesses under the Victorian Government’s abysmal net-zero-inspired appliance replacement scheme ... “Can you imagine arriving at your business one morning to see multiple fridges in boxes plonked at your front door? These are fridges you haven’t ordered, don’t want and now have to get rid of. In the meantime, the company dumping them has registered the fridges and received $3,000 for each of them from the Premier, Dan Andrews" : Bev McArthur.

End-of-life plan needed for tens of thousands of wind turbine blades

A new study led by the University of South Australia indicates tens of thousands of wind turbine blades will end up in landfill by the end of the decade unless end-of-life programs are established soon. The study, led by  Professor Peter Majewski, highlights the challenges of recycling wind turbine blades, which are made of either carbon fibre or glass fibre composite material, both of which are expensive to break down, with the recovered materials having minimal market value.

Learning from Leeton: how a rural town has rolled out the welcome mat and helped refugees find their feet

The NSW country town of Leeton is about as far removed as possible from Afghanistan – geographically, culturally, politically and religiously – but it has set the gold standard for how Australia can successfully integrate refugees into local communities.

Fresh election to be called for North Ward

The Court of Disputed Returns has declared that the result of the October 2021 Serpentine Jarrahdale Council election for its North Ward to be invalid. The ruling means that from 1 July the two individuals sworn in as Councillors after the election to represent the North Ward, Mr Rob Coales and Mr Gary Singh, no longer hold their positions at the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.

Festival of light coming to Kerang

The stories of Kerang’s fauna, flora and people will be celebrated during four nights of activities this July. Using digital projection technology, many of Kerang’s landmarks will be lit up by works created by residents during the Kerang’s Living World light festival, occurring on 4-5 July and 15-16 July.

Neuron’s e-scooters embraced by locals, boosting the economy and replacing car trips in Rockhampton, with riding area set to expand

Leading e-scooter operator Neuron Mobility, has announced an expansion to its riding area in Rockhampton ... Neuron’s e-scooters have been embraced by locals and tourists, racking up close to 200,000 kilometres since first launching in February 2022.

Beetle bonanza in the Central Highlands

It might not be Paul, George, Ringo or John, but local farmers were thrilled to find another type of beetle on their Central Highlands property in March 2022, the Zygogramma bicolorata beetle. ‘It’s a very useful tool to help control parthenium, especially in a good ecological environmental system,’ said the local property owner.

Tully Show, 22-23 July 2022

We have an unbelievable line up of free entertainment at the Tully & District Show this year! The ELJAY Freestyle Entertainment show is an all-weather action-packed motorcycle and bicycle trials stunt show delivered with a comical twist.

More affordable airfares have landed for Shire of Ashburton residents

Shire of Ashburton residents can now take advantage of capped airfares travelling to and from Perth from July 1, 2022. The first scheme of its kind to be implemented in Australia, the WA State Government has committed $19.8 million to deliver the capped airfare scheme over the next three years.

Mayor invites Ukrainian Ambassador to Toowoomba

“Toowoomba is Australia’s Garden City, we are a refugee welcome zone and have an inclusive community that has helped to resettle thousands of migrants from all over the world in recent years. Our industry is built of the back of the agricultural sector, much in the same way Ukraine relies so heavily on their $13 billion farming and food processing industry" : Mayor Paul Antonio.

Extreme fire weather days in Australia have doubled, new study finds: CSIRO

Extreme fire weather days have increased in Australia by 56 per cent over the last four decades, according to new research from an international team of scientists, including CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency ... CSIRO researcher, Dr Pep Canadell, said an increase in fire weather trends translated to an increase in the number of Australian bushfires.

Go for gold and make tracks at special Sunshine Coast Olympics event  

From children to seniors, beginners to pros, everyone is invited to join the fun and #HaveaGo at a free council community event in Caloundra on July 23 – a celebration to acknowledge exactly 10 years to go until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games open. Get on your bikes at Sugar Bag Road Mountain Bike Trails from 10am-3pm for an action packed day of demos, trails, #HaveAGo sessions and rubbing shoulders with world class champions.  

Airport airside upgrades

Works on a major airside upgrade to the Whyalla Airport are nearing completion, with all but the resurfacing of the secondary runway and additional electrical work to be completed ... Mayor Clare McLaughlin said the works including the installation of the new taxi way have been constructed to allow for the landing and departure of larger aircraft.

Agribusiness collaboration in Moreton Bay

When you’re the largest producer of Australia’s strawberries, grow more than a quarter of the state’s pineapples, and are recognised globally for seafood, it’s no surprise to find Moreton Bay is already home to a fast-evolving food and agribusiness industry.

Australians open to using genetic technology to manage feral cats

A recent CSIRO study has found that Australians are more likely to support the use of gene drive technology for feral cat management if there was a perceived problem of invasive species in one’s local neighbourhood ... "Feral cats are an ideal candidate for gene drive research given that their reproductive rates are up to three litters a year, which greatly outpaces conventional measures" : Dr Owain Edwards.

Massive investment in bushfire management and climate change adaptation: NSW Gov’t

The 2022-23 NSW Budget is delivering a major boost to fire management in national parks through a $598 million investment, delivering 250 permanent jobs and critical infrastructure upgrades. The NSW Government has also committed an additional $93.7 million to deliver the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy to prepare for the impacts of climate change and capture new investment opportunities.

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