News

The NSW Government has taken a monumental step towards securing the long term future of greyhound racing in NSW, announcing $25 million in additional infrastructure funding and a new funding model that will see the regulator fully-funded by the NSW Government.

With the dry season in full swing and school holidays just around the corner, Territorians and visitors are being urged to be Crocwise when exploring the Top End. So far this year, crocodile management teams have removed more than 160 crocodiles from Top End waterways.

Australia’s leading rural charity, Rural Aid, has announced a $1 million fund to assist mouse plague affected farmers across the country. Rural Aid has today opened applications for a $1000 emergency support payment, to assist affected primary producers with recovery.

Attracting government officials, international dignitaries, visitors and community members from across Cape York and Australia, the Cooktown & Cape York Expo 2021 came to a spectacular close last night with the final performance of the Warrma and a fireworks display over the Endeavour River. The largest event in rural Queensland since the COVID-19 lockdowns, The Cooktown & Cape York Expo 2021 – which ran from 11-20 June – delivered more than 150 events, exhibitions, performances, installations, workshops, and a two-day Dynamic Business Symposium.

Nan Nicholson. The Dunoon Dam koalas are even more important than first thought. They can help other koala populations to recover robust genetics. New information has been revealed about the local population of koalas which would be impacted by the proposed 15ML dam at Dunoon.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has called on NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who leads the Nationals in Government, to reverse the NSW Government's policy of 'gifting' private power poles to farmers and rural landholders. Ms Saffin has moved a motion in Parliament condemning the policy where the corporatised Essential Energy shifts the legal and cost burden of fixing faulty private poles and overhead lines to thousands of country people across NSW.

In the long-term Mitchell Fwy could extend to the Military Rd and Indian Ocean Dr intersection in the Shire of Gingin, according to Main Roads WA ... “Main Roads recognises Military Rd as an important local link and the access it provides to the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory."

Barkly Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin has been awarded this year’s Paul Harris Fellow by the local Rotary Club. The event was also an opportunity to meet Rotary’s Area Governor, Ray Fauntleroy, who gave a presentation on some of the important projects Rotary is involved in, and his experience with Rotary’s work in Timor.

Peter Davenport. Last week the Tennant Creek Eightball Association hosted the Northern Territory Eightball Titles. This falls on Tennant once every five years and all other centres travel here to compete. It was a great week seeing some excellent games being played by the best players in the NT.

A sense of excitement has arrived along with the cold weather as Whyalla kicks off Cuttlefest 2021, a colourful celebration of all things cuttlefish. The Giant Australian Cuttlefish (sepia apama) swarm into rocky areas off the Whyalla coast during May, June, July and August to mate and reproduce, in the process creating a remarkable spectacle of cunning games, underwater lightshows and colourful kaleidoscopic displays.

The Shire of Ashburton is pleased to welcome PHI International to Onslow Airport. PHI International are leaders in high quality helicopter services and boast an advanced and varied fleet of helicopters that supports a range of international businesses across Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Ghana, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia.

[ALP] Labor welcomes the in-principle deal announced last night to progress a free-trade agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom. Trade is an important aspect of the close relationship between Australia and the UK, and we will wait to see the details of this proposed agreement.

[Government statement] A new free trade agreement with the UK will deliver more Australian jobs and business opportunities for exporters, bringing both countries closer together in a changing strategic environment. Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson have agreed on the broad outlines of an Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

[Meat & Livestock Australia] The Australian red meat industry today welcomed the announcement in London by Prime Ministers Morrison and Johnson of agreement in-principle regarding the parameters of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement. The agreement will see Australian beef and sheepmeat access to the UK liberalised over a 10 year transition period.

[NSW Farmers] Farmers in NSW will benefit from the ‘in-principle’ trade deal between Australia and one of its oldest trading partners. The proposed deal with the United Kingdom includes the introduction of Ag Visa for UK backpackers and tariff and quota free access for a range of produce grown in NSW.

[National Farmers' Federation] Australian farmers are applauding the ‘in-principle’ trade deal between Australia and the United Kingdom announced by prime ministers Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson in London overnight. The proposed deal is the first trade agreement reached by the United Kingdom following its separation from the European Union last year, and will guarantee tariff-free, quota-free access to the UK market for all agricultural products, after phase in periods of up to 15 years.

If 20 people walked through the door looking for a feed, it wouldn't faze Terrell Lohman. Margaret Davidson started the Casino Community Kitchen four years ago and is thrilled about the enthusiasm and cooking skills of the kitchen's new president ... "Making food is a way of showing affection," says Terrell.

The thrills and spills of the Tabulam Rodeo were interrupted on Saturday when a young girl fell off the bull she was riding and it trampled her. The 13-year-old received chest injuries when she fell onto the ground and was trampled at about 8pm at Tabulam Racecourse. She was able to walk out of the ring with assistance and was treated at the scene by rodeo paramedics.