CATEGORY

Media Release

AgZero – The Power Shift: WA Farmers

Tickets are officially on sale for The Power Shift: Transitioning Farm Communities to Renewables ... Supported by Western Power and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, AgZero 2030 is bringing together a range of quality speakers to cover all topics of the energy transition and how it impacts farms, agriculture and our communities.

Hydrogen Jobs Plan to power up in the nick of time for energy security: Koutsantonis

The electricity generator being built as part of the Hydrogen Jobs Plan is critical  to energy supply in South Australia, a new Australian Energy Market Operator report on energy reliability reveals. The State Government-owned generator being built in Whyalla must connect to the grid as soon as possible to counterbalance the impacts of early closures of privately operated gas-fired generators...

More power pain for SA as major projects delayed: Patterson

South Australians face increased risk of power blackouts over the next decade despite paying some of the highest electricity prices in the world, according to a new report. The Australian Energy Market Operator report shows increased power grid reliability risks across the country over the coming years due to delays in major energy projects such as the SA-NSW interconnector...

Urgent investment needed for electricity reliability: AEMO

AEMO has today published an update to the 2023 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) report, the 10-year reliability outlook for the National Electricity Market (NEM). The update was triggered due to material changes impacting reliability risks since the 2023 ESOO was published last August, including new commissioning dates for Project EnergyConnect, and mothballed gas and diesel generators in South Australia.

2024 Banff Mountain Film Festival

The 2024 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is a celebration of the mountain and adventure sport world.  Sharing over 2 1/2 hours of the most exhilarating short films from  explorers, runners, mountain bikers, skiers, paddlers and climbers  from around the globe.

AI-powered weather forecasting accuracy set to help local growers: Hort Innovation

Growers could soon have tailored local weather forecasts directly at their fingertips through a ground-breaking program that leverages the cutting-edge capabilities of artificial intelligence and machine learning combined with traditional weather forecasting techniques … the $1.3M initiative … is tailored to meet the specific needs of individual growers, considering their farming block, unique terrain and operational requirements.

Regulations to be enhanced to further protect iconic koalas: Linard

The Miles Government has released the findings of a review of the government’s koala habitat protection regulations. The regulations were introduced in 2020 to better protect South East Queensland’s iconic koala population and the habitat they call home ... The consultation confirmed the regulations had been effective, however some elements have not worked as intended.  

An Australian-made New Vehicle Efficiency Standard: King, Bowen

“This is a monumental milestone for Australians, with this Standard to pave the way for Australians to access and benefit from the most advanced car, SUV and ute technology offered in other countries – which are cheaper to run and better for the environment. At every step of the way, we have listened to the views of Australians on how we can deliver a Standard that works uniquely for our country, which is what we have delivered today”: Catherine King.

Dry seeding pushes on: GPA

Seeding is underway for most Australian grain producers with many in parts  of western and southern Australia reducing their canola plantings as they continue to wait for a proper season break  in the absence of any rain. The longer growing season required by canola had  many growers pinning their hopes on an April break according to Grain Producers Australia Chair Barry Large.  

Community insight helps protect against bushfire injury and loss of life

Michelago, Bredbo, Adaminaby and Jindabyne residents impacted by bushfires highlighted the importance of bushfire maps showing users their location in relation to a fire risk, while clearly communicating critical information such as direction of fire spread to ensure emergency information is easily understood and followed by communities under threat.

GrainGrowers watching Incitec sale

GrainGrowers is closely monitoring the impending sale of Incitec Pivot Fertiliser (IPF) to Indonesian government-backed fertiliser company PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (PKT) to ensure growers have access to a consistent supply of critical inputs. GrainGrowers’ Chair Rhys Turton said the sales process had been underway for some time, with members expressing concerns over access to an uninterrupted supply of products.

Australian farmers unite on new farm access code: TasFarmers

Representatives from Australia’s peak farming bodies have backed the adoption of the Farm Access Code of Conduct this week, marking a significant step forward in ensuring the respectful treatment of farmers across the nation ... "Farmer groups who met … will play a crucial role in working closely with the Australian Government and infrastructure developers to ensure widespread adoption and adherence to the Code”: Ian Sauer President of TasFarmers.

About time government reps speak up on GAB CO2 project: WQAC

The 24 councils of Western Queensland have welcomed recent public comment from state and federal representatives which add a boost to the growing call to shut down Glencore’s proposed injection of industrial waste into the Great Artesian Basin.  The Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) is encouraged by responses from Premier Steven Miles, Senator Murray Watt and earlier Minister Glenn Butcher regarding the Glencore-owned carbon capture and storage project.

Australian agriculture passes vote of no confidence in the Albanese Government: NFF

The National Farmers’ Federation’s Members Council, comprising Australia’s state and commodity agricultural organisations, has today carried three motions: 1. That the NFF no longer has confidence in the Albanese Government to act in the interests of Australian agriculture ... “Farmers, fishers and foresters feel they are being treated with contempt as this Government pursues its single-minded policy agenda": David Jochinke.

Barmah Choke trade opportunity for new irrigation year: MDBA

The Barmah Choke water trade balance to start the 2024–25 water year will deliver trade opportunity for irrigators. The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Acting Executive Director of River Management Angus Paton said approximately 56 gigalitres (GL) of water would be available to trade downstream of the Barmah Choke on 1 July 2024.  “This projected figure is 4 GL less than the 60 GL made available for the 2023–24 season…

BCCM says Fonterra sale another blow for Australian dairy farmers

Melina Morrison. "The announcement by Fonterra that it intends to sell its Australian dairy processing assets is yet another blow to dairy farmers and a reminder about the precarious nature of our food security when staples like milk are passed around like commodities. This move, if it results in greater concentration of ownership of Australian dairy assets, will impact not only farmers but also consumers at the supermarket checkout."

Strengthening Territory liquor laws: Potter

The Lawler Labor Government is cracking down on alcohol related anti-social behaviour. Last night, The Liquor Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 passed in the Northern Territory Legislative assembly. This bill increases the punishment for those who refuse to leave a licensed premises when asked from $176 to $880.

Thousands expected at Paradise Lagoons Campdraft  

Riders and spectators from around Australia will converge on the Region this weekend for the 22nd annual Paradise Lagoons Campdraft. The Paradise Lagoons Campdraft Association received $10,000 towards the event during round two of Council’s 2023/24 Community Assistance Program (CAP).  

‘Where do they go?’ Mysterious shorebirds in spotlight

Two tiny trackers are helping to uncover the secrets of the Sunshine Coast’s resident shorebirds. In a collaboration with the Queensland Wader Study Group and with the assistance of the Queensland Bird Research and Banding Group, Sunshine Coast Council recently fitted two tiny satellite trackers to Sooty Oystercatchers.

WA Labor bows to community pressure with Firearms Act changes: Love

The Nationals WA have labelled the Government’s last-minute amendment to allow select firearms to be authorised for more than one licence purpose as a win for firearms owners ... "this move is a sensible concession from WA Labor and the first sign they are acknowledging some of the concerning aspects of this legislation": Shane Love.

Investment to deliver a future made in Australia: King, McBain, Brown, Chisholm

The Albanese Government’s reforms to the  Infrastructure Investment Program, to make it more sustainable, mean we can invest in new projects around the nation. This Budget provides $16.5 billion for new and existing projects across Australia over ten years to improve productivity, liveability, and sustainability.

Securing Australia’s critical minerals, exploration and processing industries: King

The 2024-25 Budget supports the further development of Australia’s rich endowment in critical minerals, while investing in programs for downstream processing and manufacturing technologies needed to help the world lower emissions ... A Future Made in Australia needs critical minerals. The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring we can capitalise on the great opportunity provided by critical minerals and the global clean energy transition.

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