NSW

NSW Farmers has welcomed news that an Australian Agricultural Visa (Ag Visa) is set to finally become reality from 30 September 2021.   The new Ag Visa will widen the recruitment opportunities of low to skilled workers from participating countries, which the Association understands will initially be open to ASEAN countries.  

Ten confirmed sightings of deer in the Tweed and 2 in the Kyogle region have been recorded since the Northern Rivers Feral Deer Alert program was launched in May.

NSW Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall has announced that anglers around the state could get back to reeling in some of our finest native sportfish when the Australian Bass and Estuary Perch season opens on Wednesday, 1 September 2021.

The rollout of the State’s hydrogen hubs is set to be accelerated, with the establishment of a collaboration platform to bring together potential hydrogen producers and users.

Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall today announced more than 2,000 overseas skilled agricultural workers have arrived in NSW in the last 12 months to help industry overcome the Covid-induced labour shortage.

It was an emotional night at the Royal Hotel in Barham as locals bared their souls to Member for Murray Helen Dalton. The continual tit for tat between New South Wales and Victoria has been a wrecking ball on businesses, families, local economy, and the wellbeing of our residents ... “For us, financially, we have just sold our house to keep the bank at bay. If things don’t ultimately change soon, it will be very detrimental to us”: Ben Watts, Barham Holiday Park

The first of three environmental water deliveries planned for areas within Koondrook-Perricoota Forest F21-22 commenced on August 7. This year marks the seventh consecutive year of managed deliveries to the Pollack, as of August 13 ... The first watering has already made a positive impact on the site with new shoots and leaves appearing.

Ali Bohn. Tired of sitting in a mission brown office of cold, exposed brick, an axe-wielding statue that comes to life at night and partially chewed carpet (due to the castors on the swivel chairs, we didn’t have a plague of rats living in the office), The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper’s Lloyd Polkinghorne made the brave decision to do a full renovation of the office a couple of months ago.

Emma Pritchard. Momentum Collective, Social Futures and students from Grafton TAFE hosted an art installation at Market Square in Grafton on August 5 to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness in the local community. As they gathered alongside one another in a show of strength and unity, they proudly held up their signs and engaged with members of the public who walked by.

Byron Shire Council has voted to support the “Clarence Valley Council community in seeking a moratorium on future mining and mining exploration in the Clarence Valley catchment”. Six of seven councillors at BSC’s August 5 meeting (planning) supported mayor Michael Lyon’s notice of motion, which also “advocates [BSC’s support of CVC] to Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean”.

Morgan Cibilic grew up surfing at Angourie before moving to Merewether in Newcastle. In 2019, he seemingly came from nowhere to qualify for the World Surf League’s 2020 Men’s Championship Tour. Covid put the brakes on the 2020 season, however, the 2021 season’s world title qualifying competitions were completed in Mexico last week, where Cibilic finished equal ninth, and he had amassed 25,270 points and a fifth-place rating and a shot at the world title.

Two years ago on Father’s Day, an accident at sea changed the lives of six men from Evans Head. Utah Chilcott was 18 at the time and said he had “never been so close to seeing someone die”. The men’s efforts on that day are being acknowledged by a bravery citation from the Governor-General scheduled for today.

Rappville ice cream and a special tablecloth are part of a recovery project in response to the 2019 bushfires. Leading the Creative Recovery Project are artists Charlotte Haywood and Lyndall Phelps who have spent time in Rappville this year working with the community as part of the Arts Northern Rivers initiative.

Claire Rankin. Fishing for essential reasons such as food and exercise was permitted during the covid lockdown ... Although fishing was allowed, not a tight line or a bent rod was to be seen on the north or south wall at Evans Head or along the main beach. A lone surfer was spotted, along with dog walkers, bicycle riders and toddler tamers.

Warnings about the potential onset of a mouse plague come springtime have further justified the advocacy work of NSW Farmers in securing a $150 million state government support package.

A double to the Neil Godbolt stable spearheaded the charge and highlighted the advantage for trainers on their home circuit at the Port Macquarie race meeting on Friday.

Local Land Services is advising landholders  August is the perfect time to get in and clean up on-farm ahead of an expected  busy Spring. Cleaning up will help reduce the potential impact of pests, by reducing their possible breeding and nesting locations, as well as reduce the risks for livestock to chemical residues from items such as old batteries.  

This week, the Federal Government excused itself from its obligation to reduce our carbon emissions which lead to extreme weather situations. Of course, many other farmers across the nation (as well as householders) have installed solar panels.   With our abundant natural resources of sunshine, wind and water, we’ve taken a leaf out of nature’s book and for example, last year, installed solar panels for both sheep properties so that we have an independent supply of power for all our needs.