News

The NSW Government has today released its Future of Gas Statement, outlining plans for the gas industry in NSW, while ruling out gas production under the majority of Petroleum Exploration Licences (zombie PELs), with the exception of those which support the future of the Narrabri Gas Project.

One echidna. One night. Locked in a bottle shop. What could possibly go wrong?

The developers of the proposed highway service station at New Italy have said the design of the project is “deliberately understated”. Memphis Strategic town planner Wayne Gersbach said the single-storey and ‘shed-like’ design will be constructed of raw, uncoloured concrete with a Colorbond roof and cladding to complement, and not overawe the nearby New Italy Museum buildings.

Rappville felt the love on the weekend, dog trial organiser Janelle McLennan said. Despite Covid restrictions causing cancellations from Queensland, there were 200 entries and 40 competitors at the NW Working Cattle Dog Trial. Competitors came from across the state to the Resilience NSW Rappville Rebounds dog trial, the first in Rappville since the 2019 fires.

Geoff Helisma. Birrigan Gargle Local Aboriginal Land Council say the Birrigan Iluka Beach’ subdivision is another step towards achieving the land council’s ‘vision’, “to empower our members to become socially and economically self-sufficient through improved health, housing, education programs and employment opportunities”.

Emma Pritchard. Since the Lawrence Museum was forced to close in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Museum VP Roz Jones said the facility has undergone a significant restoration and transformation ... Several new attractions to the museum's impressive collection include a historical, agricultural and social tribute to early life in Lawrence, two 100-year-old wagons previously used by the dedicated brigades at Grafton Fire Station, a carpenter’s workshop displaying tools of the trade throughout the last century, and an arrangement of beautiful locally made clothing from several eras.

Emma Pritchard. Clarence River Jockey Club Executive Officer Michael Beattie has declared the 2021 July Racing Carnival “surpassed expectations in just about every aspect.” ... More than 7000 people attended the carnival with the largest crowds heading trackside to watch the Grafton District Services Club Ramornie Handicap and Maclean Hotel Grafton Cup on July 7 and 8 respectively.

nurture.farm – a digital platform for growers, farming communities and food systems, is scaling and expanding its global reach as a part of the OpenAgâ„¢ network. The OpenAgâ„¢ network was conceived by UPL Ltd, a world leader in sustainable agriculture.

Rockhampton Regional Council and Livingstone Shire Council have welcomed the State Government’s support for Central Queensland to become a bigger hub for the Defence Industry. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced last week that lease arrangements had been secured at Shoalwater Bay which would allow for 14,000 Singapore Armed Forces personnel to train between there and Townsville.

Farmbot, a leading provider of remote monitoring solutions for Australian agriculture, has launched its next generation satellite monitor which enables two-way communication between farm infrastructure and farmers via satellite connectivity.

The barramundi is Australia's most recognisable estuarine sportsfish, with many recreational fishers travelling to northern Western Australia to try to catch one. Local recreational fishing and indigenous communities have long pressed for the restocking of barramundi into their natural range within Lake Kununurra, and eight years ago their dream became a reality when the first fingerlings were released.

The streets of Alice Springs will be transformed into an alfresco art gallery when the Alice Springs Street Art Festival (ASSAF) takes place from 23 July to 8 August 2021. The festival will see four of Australia’s top street artists Kaff-eine (Vic), Gus Eagleton (Qld), Brontë Naylor (Qld) and Miss Polly (Darwin) team up with local creatives Tamara Cornthwaite, Karine Tremblay, Mark Circus and Kim Donald to paint six new murals across the CBD.

“Defence intends to utilise RAAF Base Scherger during Exercise Talisman Sabre 21 as the facility provides an important opportunity for the practice of rapid airbase activation and subsequent flying operations from the Royal Australian Air Force’s northern austere bare base and strategic outpost,” a Defence spokesperson told Cape York Weekly.

A staff shortage in Bamaga has led to criticism of a policy change that snubbed NPA from employing overseas workers. Companies in Weipa, Cooktown and Thursday Island can employ Australian-based overseas workers in hospitality jobs, but businesses in Bamaga cannot ... “There is now a very small and limited pool of skilled labour, especially in the hospitality industry where chefs and food and beverage professionals are as scarce as hen’s teeth," says Chris Foord, Bamaga Enterprises GM.

Leading Seaman Breanna Jacobs-Rochford was a long way from home when she recently attended the 150th Coming of the Light festival on Erub Island. She joined the Navy in 2016 from Giabal and Jarowair Country in the Toowoomba region to follow in the footsteps of family members and to travel the world and experience different countries and their cultures. Currently posted to the Navy Indigenous Development Program, Leading Seaman Jacobs-Rochford provides cultural support and guidance to other staff members and recruits.

Multiple State Champions have been crowned in clean and powerful surf at Flat Rocks, south of Geraldton, with the 2021 Woolworths WA Junior Surf Titles presented by SunSmart concluding in an exciting and memorable fashion.

Harrisia Cactus, an invasive cactus species, has been confirmed by the Queensland Herbarium as being present in the Glan Devon district of Nanango. Council’s Pest Management contractors made the discovery during routine weed surveillance on a property recently.

Farmers, councils, industry groups and outback locals are invited to have their say on proposed changes to the use and management of Queensland’s vital stock routes, to ensure they are well maintained into the future.