News

The Australian Rail Track Corporation has progressed agreements with Laing O’Rourke (Freight Connect) and Acciona CPB Joint Venture (ACACPB JV) for the detailed designs and civil works construction planning for critical sections of Inland Rail in New South Wales. These companies will now seek partnerships with businesses and skilled operators that can support delivery ...

The Australian Government has announced an additional $15.1 million investment to deliver bushfire-affected softwood to underutilised timber mills, and increase supply of structural timber to the housing and construction industry. Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the government had listened to industry’s concerns to keep product moving.

Colourful Indigenous artwork will be splashed across the Batavia Coast Marina this Sunday night thanks to unique projection show “COVE” that forms part of the inaugural Shore Leave Festival.

The WA State Government is working with the Western Australian cattle industry to reduce the regulatory status of Johne's disease cattle strain (C-strain) after infection was confirmed on a cattle property in southern WA.

NSW Farmers told the Senate Inquiry into Definitions of Meat and other Animal Products that alternative proteins will be part of our future, but the word "meat" needs to be protected and that plant-based proteins should be banned from using words like "meat', "beef", "lamb" and "milk".

Region 6 of the Murray Darling Association is announcing its annual 2021 Region 6 Stakeholder Symposium, themed “Water Use Efficiency: Benefits that flow.” The Region 6 committee will host councils from across the Murray-Darling Basin and will meet with around 100 water stakeholders at the newly refurbished Bridgeport Hotel in Murray Bridge this October. Delegates will share information on water use efficiencies and discuss opportunities for the future health and prosperity of both the region and the Basin.

Weipa's solar farm will triple in size as Rio Tinto looks to reduce its reliance on diesel power generation in Cape York. The mining giant has approved a new solar farm and battery storage in a move that will more than triple the local electricity network’s solar generation capacity and help provide cleaner power to Rio Tinto’s operations.

New laws allowing voluntary assisted dying in Queensland were passed by parliament last week. Member for Cook Cynthia Lui was one of the supporters of the legislation, which was a conscience vote for Labor and LNP politicians.

Thursday Island has put on a spectacular display of Torres Strait Islander culture for the Winds of Zenadth festival ... “It may have been limited to only a two-day festival, but reached deep into our hearts as the sounds of the warup (island drum) and trum/luumoot, combined with our songs, brought joyful tears to all who attended" : Torres Shire CEO Dalassa Yorkston.

Southern Mallee District Council has adopted its first ever Environmental Action Plan (EAP), taking a proactive approach to protecting and preserving its environmental assets and long-term sustainability. The four-year plan (2021-2024) is a major step forward and demonstrates a commitment from the Council to environmental leadership amongst its rural local government peers.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson celebrated the opening of the new 140m state of the art bridge alongside Tamworth Region Mayor Col Murray ... “Manilla currently sees a cavalcade of heavy trucks going right down the main street on a daily basis. This new bridge will change that, breathing new life into the historic town of Manilla,” Mr Anderson said.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council is urging landholders to remain vigilant for Fireweed. Lockyer Valley Environment Portfolio Councillor Michael Hagan said the invasive weed has the potential to severely impact agriculture in the region if it's not removed from pastures.

“Over the coming weeks we will continue to work with coastal councils from Tweed to Bega Valley and everywhere in between to deliver the world’s largest shark management program to increase beachgoer safety,": Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro. “There is no other jurisdiction in Australia or across the globe which has done as much testing and trialling of technology and approaches to mitigate shark interactions.”

Wallabies assistant coach Dan McKellar has spoken from Townsville. The side were given an official welcome to country upon arrival in Townsville this afternoon ahead of their eToro Rugby Championship Test against Argentina on Saturday night. McKellar grew up in North Queensland and went to school in Townsville.

The domestic softwood timber industry in NSW has received a significant boost with the NSW Government directing Forestry Corporation to divert selected softwood log exports impacted by the China trade embargo, to domestic markets. Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Forestry John Barilaro said this will see at least an additional 270,000 tonnes of timber enter the domestic supply chain over the next three years.

After the bitter disappointment of not being able to have a concert last year, there was an extra level of anticipation as an audience of several hundred family and friends gathered on the north oval in preparation for an evening of performances by the students with the theme “Books Alive”.

Pam Dillon. Four schools came together to battle it out on the soft-ball field in Tennant Creek for the Annual Barkly Region Central Softball Cup ... As all teams had won a game, a countback of runs for and against had to be done to decide who was going to play in the grand final.

Chris Oldfield. After raising almost $9000 for the community, Lucindale’s Op Shop has grown out of its store, and relocated. Affectionately known as “Harrod’s of Lucindale”, several women have been working around the clock setting up the Lucy Loves Again second-hand community store in the former ANZ Bank building.