News

Research conducted by the Centre for Organic Research & Education (CORE) has developed recycled content technologies that can turn cities and farmlands into Sponges that can adapt to more frequent flooding and drought events to reduce the risk they present to our communities ... May 1st to 7th marks International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) in Australia.

Richard Malawkin managed to take some stunning photos of the F/A-18F Super Hornet flying over Kyogle on April 25. The jet was fast yet Richard captured an image. Here’s how he did it ...

Norco dairy farmers are to receive an immediate price increase of five cents a litre to support them in farm production after the floods. Norco Co-operative’s 281 members will receive the extra five cents a litre paid as a co-operative premium above the normal milk prices, taking the average price to 84c a litre.

Geoff Helisma. At yesterday’s Clarence Valley Council (CVC) meeting, councillors are likely to have allocated $1 million of  Category D  funding under the  Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements ... Staff advised councillors that the $700k allocated towards updating its flood plain documentation is “intended to ensure CVC has robust business plans and costings for future funding opportunities”.

Emma Pritchard ... Following the Anzac Address, which was read by Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis, wreaths were respectfully laid at the base of the cenotaph and alongside a plaque commemorating the many animals who also served in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

Geoff Helisma. The North Coast LLS’s invasive pests, team leader operations, Dean Chamberlain, said he had not received any recent reports about feral pig sightings in and around Iluka ... “We know from past experience that these pigs are usually moving in and out of the national park, so we work in coordination with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Clarence Valley Council. However, nothing happens if no one tells us; otherwise, we are just sitting in the dark – we need to know so we can take some action.”

GRDC Agronomy Solutions Director Sean Mason ... says the use of pre-season soil testing results from within paddock zones together with test strips can fine-tune fertiliser recommendations and ensure growers are getting the most bang for their fertiliser buck.

The NSW Government is introducing new Farm Forestry Codes of Practice that will ensure long-term sustainability for the industry and provide robust environmental protections across the NSW private forestry estate. The new Codes, which come into effect on Monday, 2 May 2022, are the result of a rigorous review of Farm Forestry in NSW as well as advice from the Natural Resource Commission.

Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Jonno Duniam said the Farm Forestry: Growing Together strategy recognises the opportunities presented by farm forestry for both farmers and Australia’s forest industries. "We're seeing an increasing demand for timber products, as well as the development of new carbon markets that reward farmers for planting trees,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.

“National parks should not be purchased unless there are funds to fully fence and maintain the park. They are the worst neighbours one could wish for with little to no weed control, no fences, nobody living on the property, little fire-fighting capability, and a propensity to shoot cattle" : Sally Witherspoon, Cape York cattle farmer.

Dave Donald. While anti-fishing groups have long been opposed to recreational fishing, to claim they have colluded in a major way to “slash Spanish mackerel quotas” is a fabrication. Seeking to lay the blame for the depletion of Spanish mackerel stocks solely on Labor is another furphy as exceptionally poor fisheries management under BOTH major parties essentially created the current situation.

"Australia sells energy and food to the world, so the tragedy in Ukraine means that our miners and farmers have seen the spoils of war."

Gabrielle Duykers. Community radio station 5TCBFM has received a sizable cash injection to update its studio equipment and ensure broadcast continues. At its April meeting, Tatiara District Council voted to grant the station $80,000 to replace broadcast and studio equipment, and approved an additional $80,000 loan to help facilitate further infrastructure upgrades.  

Parts of Dewar and Edwards streets will need to be permanently closed prior to their inclusion into a consolidated caravan park reserve if the Shire of Gingin proceeds with an agenda item.

Tennant Creek local Kris Civitarese has thrown his hat into the ring for the Federal Election. The Country Liberal Party announced yesterday Mr Civitarese has been preselected to run for the second Senate position.

Kate Foran. If you’ve stepped inside Barkly Vet Practice the last few weeks and found the clinic chillier than normal, we’ve been accommodating our visiting Scottish vet, Bill McCance! ... It’s a rare insight into your own region, looking through the eyes of a visitor from afar.

Despite the constant drizzle of rain, the Maldon Easter Parade was a smashing hit. Large crowds huddled under historic awnings watching the colourful entrants as they braved the wet weather to cheers from onlookers.