Media Release

Victorians should be alert – and probably alarmed – at a deal that has been kept quiet by the State Government that will give indigenous groups in Western Victoria a huge say over water, roads and biosecurity ... The land mass covered by the agreement is nearly 36,000 sq km and involves ten local councils: Ararat, Horsham, Buloke, Hindmarsh, Pyrenees, Northern Grampians, Southern Grampians, Yarriambiak, Mildura and West Wimmera ... “There is so much to be worried about in relation to this ‘unprecedented’ agreement:” Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur.

Forestry Australia has released a series of two-page Position Statements to better inform members and the community of its position on a range of issues. Designed to be short, sharp and easily understood, the first five in a series of position papers covers the areas of Ecologically Sustainable Forestry Management, Forest Fire Management, Forest Fire Recovery and Restoration, Sustainable Forest Harvesting and Forest Research, Development and Dissemination ... President of Forestry Australia, Dr Michelle Freeman said the organisation is seeking greater recognition by policy makers, media and the wider community of balanced science-based positions on important forest policy and forest management issues.

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the National Statement on Climate Change and Agriculture, signed off by agriculture ministers at their meeting in Perth on 13 July 2023. Farmers have expressed concerns however over the proposed implementation of new poultry standards, and a lack of tangible progress on other issues placing pressure on the sector. 

Agriculture ministers from all states and territories have now endorsed the new Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry ... The standards are the culmination of an extensive stakeholder and public consultation process and underpinned by contemporary animal welfare science.

Bonza has shared an open letter to customers communicating changes it will be making in order to “earn the respect of Aussie travellers”. The letter, shared on the airline’s social media channels, outlines changes to its route map and schedule that are designed to set the airline up for long-term success and reduce the likelihood of cancellations.

The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has released a new toolkit to provide information and practical guidance for landholders considering hosting a renewable energy project on their property. ... “There is much for a landholder to consider before entering into an agreement. It is also important for landholders to understand that they can say no to hosting a wind or solar farm development...": QFF CEO Jo Sheppard.

For the next four days, Cairns will move to a vibrant, artistic, and cultural beat celebrating the rich traditions, creativity, and contemporary talent of Queensland’s First Nations peoples at the 14th annual, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), 13 to 16 July 2023 ... Also taking a cue from this year’s curatorial theme is CIAF’s new-look, two-day Symposium that will be held on Friday 14 July and Saturday 15 July at Bulmba-ja Arts Centre...

The Queensland Government has released a public discussion paper on the statutory review of the Rural and Regional Adjustment Act 1994 ... This includes natural disaster assistance and Rural Economic Development Grants, as well as other schemes such as the Household Waste Payment Scheme and the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Scheme.

A record number of young cattle handlers from around Australia and New Zealand converged on Parkes for a packed program of learning new skills, competing and forming lifelong friendships at the Herefords Australia National Youth Expo ... the expo drew a record 143 young handlers aged from five to 25 from NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and a team from New Zealand Herefords.

AirPhysio is an Australian Made and Owned Medical Device manufacturer based in the Northern Rivers of NSW ... AirPhysio has expanded from 5 countries in January 2021 to 106 countries in the past 2 years, they decided to enter the Middle East through Arab Health in January 2022, bringing home l75 leads from over 25 countries..

Minister Plibersek has written to Murray-Darling Basin Authority Chair, Angus Huston, requesting an honest assessment of whether the plan can be delivered by the mid-2024 deadline. “The bulk of the impact of the Murray Darling Basin Plan has been borne by our communities across northern Victoria. We welcome the Ministers call to delay the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan, so our communities can be heard and listened to”, Murray River Group of Councils Chair, Cr Rob Amos said.

Work has begun on one of the largest water infrastructure projects in New South Wales, with the Parkes-Peak Hill Water Supply Project designed to put the region in a stronger position to manage water in a drier climate. The $61.7 million project will deliver a suite of water infrastructure upgrades to safeguard water supply and boost drought resilience, funded in partnership between the Australian Government, the NSW Government and Parkes Shire Council.

Moody's Investors Service has upgraded Western Australia's credit rating to AAA, with a 'stable' outlook ... The upgrade means Western Australia is now the only State or Territory with a AAA credit rating from both major international ratings agencies, and one of a very small number of jurisdictions globally with such a rating.

Data released by Tweed Shire Council shows more than 70,500 people have used the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) since its opening four months ago, smashing prior expectations. The figures released were calculated using data retrieved from counters strategically placed along the 24 km length of the Tweed section of the NRRT, which runs from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek.

Climate change is having an impact on Australian agriculture, with farmers having to contend with higher temperatures and lower winter rainfall ... The latest ABARES figures show climate adjusted productivity in Australia’s broadacre industries grew by 0.6 per cent per year on average between 1988–89 and 2021–22.

This year, Australia’s sheep flock and its breeding ewe numbers reached their highest levels since 2007 at 78.75 million and 46.14 million head respectively, according to the latest Sheep Projections update from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) ... Carcase weights in 2023 will remain 7% above the 10-year average.

Tony Mahar. Australian negotiators must continue to hold the line to ensure a fair and commercially meaningful deal with the EU. This was always going to be a tough negotiation. Fair access to the EU market is something the farm sector has sought for decades.

Here’s a great chance to tap into inspiring tips from Sunshine Coast design experts and learn how to make your home comfortable all year round. Sunshine Coast Council has developed a free educational design booklet, online course and smart phone compass to help you better understand our local sub-tropical climate and how the sun in winter and summer influences the liveability of our homes.

Nexus Airlines will take its inaugural flight on Monday 10 July when it departs Geraldton Airport at 10.20am to commence the first commercial flights on the expanded Inter Regional Flight Network ... With bases in Geraldton and Broome, Nexus Airlines is Western Australia’s newest truly regional airline, offering residents, local businesses, and visitors increased travel opportunities with reliable, affordable, and consistent air services between the Mid-West, Pilbara, and Kimberley.

Australia’s first raw sugar shipment to the United Kingdom under the new Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) was loaded in Townsville on 10 July 2023, opening an important new market for the Queensland sugar industry. Under the new agreement, which came into place on 31 May 2023, tariff-free raw sugar exports to the UK have resumed for the first time in 50 years...

It’s getting harder and harder to find large animal veterinarians, farmers say, amid calls for increased training and targeted skilled migration. Shane Kilby, a cattle producer from Dubbo, will take the issue to the NSW Farmers Annual Conference next week.