CATEGORY

Media Release

Wrong route for Planning Minister on Inland Rail

NSW Farmers and the Country Women’s Association of NSW (CWA of NSW) are alarmed by a proposal that would stifle community consultation on the Inland Rail project. It comes as the NSW Minister for Planning the Hon Rob Stokes MP has issued an order declaring the construction of the Inland Rail in NSW as a critical state significant infrastructure project.

Productivity and profits underpin sustained confidence in Australia’s farm sector

Australian farmers are forecasting another productive and profitable year ahead, with rural sentiment still at historically-high levels thanks to “perfect” summer conditions in much of the nation’s east and exceptionally strong commodity prices.

Standard digital camera and artificial intelligence to monitor soil moisture for affordable smart irrigation

Researchers at The University of South Australia have developed a cost-effective new technique to monitor soil moisture using a standard digital camera and machine learning technology.

Taiwan to push pineapples into Australia

Consumers are being warned of inferior fruit due to arrive for the first time from Taiwan. Growcom, the peak industry body representing the Australian pineapple industry, has today voiced concerns about reports that six tonnes of fresh pineapple are to be imported into Australia from Taiwan in May.

Mice numbers continue to explode – winter crop at risk

NSW Farmers is seeking urgent action from the NSW Government to support farmers and rural communities in combatting an escalating mice plague. Farmers in many parts of regional NSW are reporting a drastic increase in mice populations, which are decimating crops, destroying stored hay and invading silos, sheds and homes.

Project quantifies kid loss

For the first time, researchers have established a baseline understanding of the prevalence, cause and cost of kid loss in the Australian goatmeat industry through a project funded by MLA.

Seedling donations support koala feed tree community planting program

Forestry Corporation of NSW delivered the first load of 25,000 koala food tree seedlings recently to support north coast koala care groups’ efforts to build koala habitat. The organisation delivered 10,000 seedlings to a new Lismore nursery facility managed by Friends of the Koala to support their, and Bangalow Koalas’, planting programs.

Dingo management update

MidCoast Council is again asking the community to refrain from approaching or feeding Dingoes in the Tea Gardens / Hawks Nest area following the need for lethal control of a sub-adult pack this week. The three males and two females had been involved in at least five incidents involving people and domestic pets over the last month, all increasing in ferocity ... "We are all really disappointed that it has come to this," said Council's Senior Ecologist, Mat Bell.

Rabobank Dairy Quarterly – demand to take the driver’s seat in 2021

Demand will take the driver’s seat in 2021, as global dairy markets look towards a “palpable return to familiar consumer patterns” by mid-year, the latest Rabobank global Dairy Quarterly report has found.

Government’s extension of international freight assistance a lifeline to farmers

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has applauded the Federal Government’s announcement on the extension of the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) to 30 September 2021.

Game-changer for smoke taint risk

Last year’s world-first discovery that smoke dose is directly linked to the level of smoke taint in wine was an ‘absolute gamechanger,’ according to Professor Ian Porter. ‘We discovered that provided the burn is not right next to the vineyard, it actually takes a lot more smoke to cause smoke taint than we originally thought’, Professor Porter from La Trobe University said.

2021 Polytrack Provincial Championships, March 27th

Wyong Race Club is proud to host one of the qualifiers for the Polytrack Provincial Championship Series at Wyong Race Club on Saturday, March 27.

Wartime gun restored to former glory

After nearly 20 years of waiting, a rare World War II artefact has finally been restored to its former glory and unveiled to the public. The 40mm Bofur gun – one of only 11 produced during the wartime year of 1942 – has been part of the Whyalla Maritime Museum collection since the early 1990s, desperately awaiting restoration due to age-related deterioration.

Council wraps up upgrade of War Memorial surrounds

When it was built in 1924, the Rockhampton War Memorial was the largest and most expensive war memorial to be built in Queensland, outside of Brisbane. The plants surrounding the spire are symmetrically apart at precisely 30 °– this allows the daylight shadow cast by the spire to cross the encircling palms like the hour hand of a clock from sunrise to sunset

The Scenic Rim is growing – you can help plan for the future

Mayor Greg Christensen said a survey will open next Wednesday 17 March and encouraged the Scenic Rim community to have their say on Council's first-ever region-wide growth management strategy.

The future of funerals in the spotlight

The future of funerals is in the spotlight following community feedback showing increased interest in more eco-friendly burial options. Sunshine Coast Council is investigating natural burial sites within existing cemeteries.

Celebrate National Playgroup Week!

Mount Alexander Shire Council is celebrating National Playgroup Week (24-30 March) by hosting a pop up playgroup in Victory Park on Friday 26 March. Families with children aged 0-5 years are invited to come along and see what playgroup is all about. They can also try a craft activity, listen to a story, learn a new song and connect with other families.

Under 5’s Easter Fair spreading the joy of reading with help from princesses, bunnies and lemon drops

The Cunnamulla Library’s First 5 Forever program is unfolding out the library doors, for the first Under 5’s Easter Fair event on Thursday 8 April. First 5 Forever is a statewide program that provides strong early literacy foundations for all Queensland children aged 0-5 years.

Shire successfully prosecutes owner following vicious dog attack

The successful prosecution in the Derby Courthouse on 10 March 2021 of a vicious dog attack is a timely reminder for all dog owners of their responsibilities towards their dogs. The Shire of Derby/West Kimberley brought about a prosecution of a local dog owner whose dogs attacked a holiday maker in February 2020. At the time, the attack left the woman in hospital overnight, unable to work for about three weeks, with long term scarring and a fear of dogs. The Court imposed a fine and court costs of over $5000.

Council pawsitive about Animal Management Strategy

Community education, vet partnerships, and pet registrations are just some of the key items outlined in Council’s newly adopted Animal Management Strategy. The strategy was officially endorsed by Council this week and will now set the direction for animal management in the Rockhampton Region until 2023.

Big surf & big performances highlight the opening Woolworths WA Junior Surf Titles in Margaret River

The surf gods delivered with Main Break showing it can handle a wide variety of conditions, with 2-3 feet waves on Saturday building to 6-10 feet yesterday. The conditions brought out the best from WA's new generation of surfing superstars who relished the opportunity to surf in arguably some of the biggest surf ever seen at a junior surfing event in the country.

Latest Mount Morgan water restrictions

Level 6 Water Restrictions will be implemented in Mount Morgan from Monday 15 March, following the news that the No. 7 Dam has fallen to below 10% capacity. However, the water conservation by Mount Morgan residents means watering of private gardens can continue ... Cr Rutherford: “Residents have worked so hard to keep plants and veggie patches alive despite the hot dry weather, and to say watering would no longer be possible would have been very tough."

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