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Registrations are now open for the 2021 National Biosecurity Forum being held virtually on 10-11 November. Head of Biosecurity, Andrew Tongue said this year’s forum would focus on the future, including the national biosecurity strategy, shared responsibility and partnerships and preparedness.

The future of the Cape Flattery mine north of Hope Vale appears to be bright as silica miner Diatreme Resources eyes expansion near its Galalar Silica Project. The company is currently undertaking low-impact auger drilling at two target sites. These targets make up two of the five northern exploration targets which cover a total area of 50 square kilometres. Diatreme CEO Neil McIntyre said the exploration targets had significant potential.

Sunburn and blisters were the order of the day for the dedicated walkers who braved the scorching heat at this year’s Conquer the Corrugations. Around 180 people walked the 42km between Archer River and the Coen biosecurity centre over Saturday and Sunday.

Tweed Shire Council has been recognised as one of three top leaders in global river management at the prestigious 21st Thiess International Riverprize  for its work on the Tweed River ... Council has been working with a broad range of partners for more than 30 years on projects to increase the health of the Tweed River, following a series of devastating fish kills in the late 1980s.

Australian agricultural land prices are set to continue to climb for at least the next five years – with the sharpest growth to 2023 – Rabobank says in its newly-released annual Agricultural Land Price Outlook.

The Southern Queensland Inland and New South Wales Border Regional Water Alliance (SQINB-RWA) has committed to advancing negotiations around planning for the area’s long-term water security ... “Cooperation between the three levels of government will be a key feature of finding solutions and identifying new water sources": Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio.

Hooking a barra in the Territory is about to make some lucky fishos a lot richer as Season 7 of Million Dollar Fish has officially opened.

The McGowan Labor Government has welcomed Rio Tinto's commitment to use local suppliers to build iron ore railcars for its Pilbara mining operations. Rio Tinto's announcement includes a commitment to the initial purchase of 50 iron ore railcars, followed by an ongoing commitment of 10 ore cars a year for at least the following five years.

The Australian Government has amended the Migration Regulations to create the Australian Agriculture Worker Visa (Ag Visa) to provide for a vital agriculture visa to help secure the future of rural and regional Australia ... “The Ag Visa will be the biggest structural change to agricultural workforce in our nation’s history. The visa will also be available to the fisheries, forestry and agricultural processing sectors and will target seasonal workers, skilled and semiskilled workers“: Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud.

The former franchisee of the local post office and her husband have been accused of stealing more than $400,000 from Australia Post between March 2019 and May 2021.

Catherine Grimley. The annual National Police Remembrance Day on 29 September honours all officers in Australasia and the South West Pacific Region, who were either killed in the line of duty or died whilst serving. It not only allows officers to remember the fallen, but families and the community to show their support and respect for officers who perform their duties to protect the community at large, a sometimes thankless task.

In September, strong winds often drive tens of thousands of blue sea creatures ashore, and the beaches are littered with their dead bodies. The surface of the open ocean supports large populations of these organisms that live their lives afloat, sometimes forming huge rafts kilometres long, carried by the currents and blown along by the wind.

LHI Board. Residents and visitors are advised that a leopard seal has been observed on the southern end of Middle Beach since Sunday and is likely to stay in the area for several days to rest and recover ... The seal has cookie cutter shark bite wounds, which are showing signs of healing, and the seal will be monitored over the coming days.

Explore 11 virtual exhibitions by local artist and art organisations, also take a look at the 64 artist profiles in their Arts Directory.

A collection of portraits by some of Wellington Shire’s budding young artists is now on display in the Young Archie 2021 exhibition at Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale.

The McGowan Government continues to support the expansion of the State's wine industry, backing the local development of three new wine varieties from the Mediterranean - two receiving a medal at a recent Western Australian wine show ... Prosecco, a sparkling white grape variety, and Nero d'Avola, a mid-body red variety, were sourced from Italy while the Mencia variety originates from Spain.