Media Release

It was never a tightly held secret and it’s even less so now with Woolgoolga Main Beach named the best on Mainland Australia. The coveted accolade for the stunning location on NSW’s Coffs Coast is revealed in the just-released Best Australian Beaches 2025. 

The decision by the Australian Government to include the Victorian Goldfields on Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List after 35 years of advocacy, creates significant tourism, economic development and community benefits for a large part of regional Victoria covering 15 Local Council areas and their Visitor Economy Partnership regions.

Nine fire specialists from Forestry Corporation have deployed to Victorian firefronts as part of an interstate NSW firefighting contingency ... “Our firefighters are highly skilled and experienced in Australian bushland firefighting and are always ready to lend a hand in regional NSW or further afield": Rebel Talbert, FCNSW’s Senior Manager Fire and Natural Hazards.

Australian farmers are set to tackle emissions from the ground up, with a free guide to develop and implement sustainable practices on farms. The Towards Net Zero Agriculture Pathfinder (Pathfinder), a joint initiative by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and CSIRO, is a practical guide to help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining productivity and competitiveness.

The opening statement by National Farmers’ Federation General Manager of Economics and Trade, Chris Young to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, holding a public hearing on the United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (UAE CEPA).

The report of the Select Committee on Matters Relating to the Timber Industry in the Limestone Coast and Other Regions of South Australia has been tabled in Parliament, after 5 years of evidence over two parliamentary sessions ... The committee published 17 recommendations covering aspects of the industry from transparency, infrastructure investment through to industry productivity innovations and the importance of water security.

The Page Research Centre, in collaboration with Adept Economics, has released a comprehensive new report shedding light on the severe economic and social consequences of regulatory inefficiencies in Australia.

The Albanese Labor Government has announced the locations of 10 new Regional University Study Hubs across the country, bringing university closer to students living in the regions ... ARR.News found out more about the hubs, including their internet access and who is expected to be be running the new hubs.

Eight students from Victorian dairy regions, commencing their first year of tertiary study in 2025, have been honoured with scholarships from the Gardiner Foundation. After receiving a record number of applicants, Gardiner Foundation have awarded an extra scholarship this year.

A new CQUniversity (CQU) led research project is addressing a fast-spreading pathogen that’s ruffling feathers across the Australian poultry industry. Enterococcus cecorum (EC) is a contagious microorganism that causes severe health issues in birds.

The Crisafulli Government has delivered a key election commitment with all wind farm developments becoming impact assessable from Monday, 3 February. The new planning pathway for regulating wind farms is the first step to requiring all renewable projects be impact assessable and subject to the same rigorous approval process as other major development projects.

...two new artificial reefs will be installed in the Great Sandy Marine Park in a $2.5 million project to benefit recreational boaties, fishers, snorkellers, scuba divers, kayakers. The first location, south of Bundaberg, offshore between Elliott Heads and Woodgate Beach, will provide an alternative area for recreational fishing...

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) will host a national meeting in Adelaide on 19 February 2025 for grain industry participants to share knowledge on managing soil acidity in cropping systems.

A tough new product has been launched in the fight against the potentially nationwide spread of the invasive Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA), while one expert warns that care should be taken to minimise the risk to other species and the environment from all fire ant treatments.

The National Farmers’ Federation’s flagship gap-year program AgCAREERSTART has begun for another year, with dozens of young people kicking off their agricultural careers this week. AgCAREERSTART connects farmers with 17-25 year olds who are looking to work on Australian farms.  

Kersten Gentle, CEO, FTMA. The debate on the “right” materials to use when building homes in bushfire-prone areas often sparks fierce opinions and misguided claims. While some advocate for alternative materials, timber framing remains a viable, safe, reliable and effective option when designed and built in accordance with modern practices.

In 2025, economic conditions, geopolitics, and supply availability will significantly influence global animal protein markets, according to RaboResearch’s Global Animal Protein Outlook. While demand remains vulnerable to macroeconomic fluctuations and policy changes, seafood is poised to surpass poultry...

“This hybrid configuration redefines operational flexibility. Our system enables simultaneous export of solar power to the grid and independent operation of the battery for energy export or storage. By optimising existing grid infrastructure, we are enabling renewable energy to be dispatched when needed, delivering cost-effective power to South Australia" : Owen Sela, Head of Vena Energy in Australia.

Changed eating patterns due to the rising use of anti-obesity drugs, a shift towards in-home alcohol consumption and increasing demand for dairy products tailored to older consumers are among some of the top global trends in food and agri set to be felt in Australia in the next five years, according to a new series of podcasts from Rabobank.