Media Release

The 2020-21 brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) season is wrapping up and Australia’s measures have again remained strong against this serious pest ... BMSB is a serious threat for Australia’s agriculture industries and environment, because of the damage it can do to vegetable crops and fruit and ornamental trees.

DNA testing Australian honey can reveal where it was produced and its main floral sources, according to research published today by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and partners at the University of Melbourne and Curtin University. The $100 million Australian honey industry exports 4,500 tonnes of honey every year, and could benefit from the findings, which could be used for a honey certification program to confirm the floral composition and provenance of commercial honey.

Favourable seasonal conditions for the first half of 2021 coupled with a positive outlook will result in a faster national flock rebuild, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) 2021 sheep industry projections half year update.

The Territory is becoming a big player in Australia’s screen and film industry, with the announcement of another large production Barrumbi Kids to be filmed in Beswick and the production expecting to inject $2.8m into the economy.

The Teebar Show, Rodeo and Campdraft is set to come back this weekend bigger and better than ever before. With campdraft and rodeo, ute muster, hall program, kids activities and movie night, live music and various stalls, there is sure to be entertainment for the whole family.

Solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind continue to be the cheapest sources of new electricity generation capacity in Australia, even when the integration costs of renewables are included, according to the final 2020-21 GenCost Report.

As a cold front moves across NSW, bringing with it rain and below average temperatures, Local Land Services is urging livestock producers to prepare for the conditions.

Forestry Corporation had targeted its plantation forests for harvesting over the last 12 months to help keep up with strong demands in the building industry, setting the scene for the record 2021 planting season, said Roading and Plantations Manager, Craig Busby ... The IPCC recognises that sustainably managed production forests that maintain carbon in growing trees while producing an annual yield of timber deliver a large, sustained climate change mitigation benefit.

Environment Minister, Matt Kean has today announced the second largest land acquisition for national parks in the last 10 years with the purchase of the neighbouring Langidoon and Metford stations, 65km east of Broken Hill. The plan for the two properties, totaling 60,468 hectares, is to create a new outback reserve conserving significant biodiversity and Aboriginal heritage in the region ... The purchase follows on from the recent creation of another outback reserve - Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park which was the largest purchase of private land for the national parks estate.

Doonan Creek Environment Reserve in Peregian Springs is now the largest reserve in Sunshine Coast Council’s conservation estate thanks to the acquisition of an additional property. The latest purchase adds 94 hectares to the existing reserve and brings it to an impressive 474 hectares in total.

Somerset Regional Council is using new materials in its resurfacing works of some sections of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. Somerset Mayor Graeme Lehmann said council was using a new plasticised binder in its resurfacing project ... “It feels distinctly different from the old surface."

Central Goldfields Shire Council is reminding all households using an open fireplace or wood heater to ensure care is taken to prevent producing excessive amounts of smoke, which can have a negative impact on your neighbours and the environment.

This year's theme for World Environmental Day 2021 is "Ecosystem Restoration" in line with commencement of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Knox Park is a hosting venue on June 6 from 10am- 3pm.

Earthworks and preliminary works have commenced for the Marapikurrinya Park pop-ups project, delivered in partnership by the Town and BHP. The project is part of the reinvigoration of the West End district, which includes the current greening works. Trade from the pop-ups will boost economic activity, support local job creation and foster skills development.

A combination of global and localised factors is creating a “very tight” global beef cattle market – with strong demand and record high prices in many regions throughout the world – and this is coinciding with a fundamental shift in international market dynamics, Rabobank says in a newly-released report.

The Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Australian Business Council Dubai are delighted to jointly host this two-part webinar series with Dubai FDI - Healthcare on 16 June, Food & Agribusiness in September.