News

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.

Investment in the South Australian racing industry is paying dividends with the arrival of leading South African training partnership Gary and Dean Alexander, who are relocating their operations to the training centre of excellence being developed at Murray Bridge. The multiple Group 1-winning trainers decided last year to move their base from South Africa’s premier racecourse, Turffontein in Johannesburg, to South Australia, with the development of the world-class facilities at Murray Bridge a deciding factor in the move.

A ‘warm’ COVID-19 vaccine suitable for remote and resource-limited locations lacking access to cold storage supply chains is one step closer following an international collaboration between scientists from India and Australia.

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Local Government Elections. Barkly Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin will be standing to retain the role while word about town Councillor Hal Ruger may also throw his hat in the ring. Cr Ruger has a long history with Council, with his father Paul elected as Tennant Creek Mayor in 1999.

A representative from the Singleton Horticulture Project was in Tennant this week to chat with businesses and stakeholders about the future of the almost 3,000 square kilometre horticulture lease which will be used to grow grapes and rockmelons. The multi-million dollar project at Singleton Station will be developed in four stages over an eight year period and expected to create thousands of jobs each year in the region.

Riverlinks Venues is excited to showcase the first installation of the Riverlinks Art Wall. Continuing the tradition of the SAM Drawing Wall, Riverlinks has transformed the long Eastbank foyer wall into a local mural for everyone in the community to admire and be inspired by.

New planning controls for flood-prone land will begin to come into effect from 14 July 2021 to better protect life and property in the event of extreme flooding in the Tweed.

The Morrison Government continues to support the growth of Australia’s civil space sector, with Commonwealth approval granted for a second rocket launch facility licence in South Australia. The licence, awarded to Southern Launch, will enable the company to establish a sub-orbital rocket testing facility at Whalers Way, 680km West of Adelaide. If tests are successful, the site could be used for much larger orbital rocket launches in the future.

Improved water availability has allowed Western Australia's two remaining water deficiency declarations to be revoked in the Shire of Esperance.

Packhorse Pastoral Co has forked out $30 million to acquire large-scale Roma district property Stuarts Creek and cattle, in one of the Maranoa region’s largest single grazing asset transactions, as it embarks on a five-year mission to grow the cattle and carbon fund to $1.5 billion.

Shenhua Watermark Coal has moved to sell off its Liverpool Plains landholdings with expectations of $120 million after the New South Wales government paid the company to give up its mining licence. They comprise three aggregations, Breeza, Tambar Springs and Barraba, covering a combined 16,570 hectares in the north west’s Gunnedah region.

One of the only licensed freshwater aquaculture properties in North Queensland has entered the market and is expecting offers in excess of $4 million. The 80-hectare Ausgold Aquaculture property, that sits 45km outside of Townsville, is a supplier for major fish markets, restaurants and supermarkets across the countries east coast.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF) has launched an equity raising, as the group bets on macadamias, cattle and water in central Queensland. Rural Funds Group is looking to raise $100 million, at an issue price of $2.47, through a fully underwritten 1-for-8.4 accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer.

Australia's northernmost pastoral property, Bramwell Station, has been put up for sale amid heightened demand for domestic travel and some of the best seasonal and market conditions seen in living memory. Located 240 kilometres south of the tip of Cape York, Bramwell Station spans 131,900 hectares and is the last stop before the tip of Cape York and at the start of the famous Old Telegraph Line four-wheel-drive track.