Community urged to speak up on phone services
Independent Member for Indi, Helen Haines, is encouraging individuals and community groups to take part in a federal government review examining the existing and future telecommunication needs of regional communities.
How feasible is nuclear power for Australia?
Nuclear remains a topical and contentious issue for Australia, with Labor firmly opposed to this form of energy while the Coalition wants to build nuclear power stations on the sites of existing coal fire stations. Alan Finkel, former Chief Scientist of Australia believes it is worth removing the legislated ban on nuclear power. “Nuclear power is a credible source of abundant zero-emissions electricity, but it would take 20 years to commence operations from a standing start in Australia,” Dr Finkel said.
NSW Koala Strategy – Extinguish native forestry
The government’s own research on the north coast has confirmed that forestry does not affect koala numbers ... New data from field surveys of 1000 sites, trumpeted by the incoming Environment Minister and commenced a year ago, will not be released in time to stimulate or inform public submissions on the Koala Strategy ... The result is preordained.
WA farmers looking to the sky and Canberra
... the water reserves in WA farmers' dams are now running dangerously low and farmers are being forced to quit stock at rates that are competitive with the price of a bullet ... What's the trade got to do with the weather? For our farmers, the link is so obvious they remain dumbfounded that the Government has not joined the dots.
What’s Watt got to say now?
Minister Watt, it's time to face up to the reality and accept the consequences of the government’s policy to ban live exports ... Your policies have contributed to driving away buyers and the boats that are essential for alleviating the pressure on the sheep market ... The fact that the live export report you commissioned remains concealed speaks volumes about the economic motivations behind the political decision. The report reportedly confirms what every farmer knows, that the local processing industry cannot replicate the competitive dynamics provided by exporters in the market.
GrainGrowers calls for immediate action on biosecurity protection levy
Industry body GrainGrowers has called on the Federal Government to take immediate action to resolve a range of outstanding issues related to the introduction of the Biosecurity Protection Levy. In its submission to the Senate inquiry examining the issue, GrainGrowers detailed its position, calling for the government to address the following matters in relation to the creation of the biosecurity protection levy...
Scrap the biosecurity bill: NSW Farmers Association
NSW Farmers has fronted a Senate Inquiry to call for the proposed biosecurity tax on farmers to be scrapped, with farmers already paying their fair share of biosecurity dues. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said despite a last-minute redesign, farm leaders remained opposed to the biosecurity levy bill and would continue to urge parliamentarians to vote against the levy’s introduction over the coming weeks.
In-depth discussions with TCV specialists: Communities “drop-in”
More than 120 landholders and community members “dropped in” to Transmission Company Victoria’s (TCV) community information sessions last week for one-on-one discussions on all aspects of the VNI West project. Held in Kerang, Charlton and Stawell, the informal five-hour sessions were a direct response to community feedback...
Atherton Tablelands community triumphs against international big business: Knuth
State Member for Hill Shane Knuth welcomed the news that South Korean-owned Ark Energy has withdrawn its proposal to add another wind farm near the small tablelands community of Ravenshoe. Mr Knuth said the company had embarked on an intense campaign last year, including renaming the project from Chalumbin to Wooroora Station Windfarm and reducing the project from 200 to 86, then to 42 turbines.
Build it and they will come – World class equestrian centre opens
Fourteen million dollars later, Casino has a world class equestrian centre with an undercover arena and shaded seating for 2500 people to watch events at the Casino Showground. At the official opening ... the speeches took place on the arena floor as horses and riders wound their way around the huge space.
NIAA opens doors to its new office location
The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) has established its new home in the former Westpac Bank building in Tennant Creek ... The agency works in partnership with First Nations communities to enable their self-determination and aspirations, ensuring they have a say in the decisions that affect them.
Labor Govt has failed Barkly youth: Edgo
The Member for Barkly has called out Labor for its dereliction to support regional young people at risk after he highlighted the shocking cases of two Tennant Creek children who he says was failed by the NT Government. Mr Edgington, also the Shadow Attorney-General, says the children had a history of neglect and abuse and were allowed to escalate into violent offenders despite 67 child welfare notifications.
Biosecurity tax still fails fairness and equity tests: GPA
Under the Federal Government’s new Biosecurity Tax, Australian grain producers are being forced to pay 10 times more than the existing biosecurity levies that they already contribute towards emergency responses and other proactive initiatives, investments and partnerships. These levies are established by growers themselves and hypothecated for specific purposes.
Fire ant inquiry shows Labor failing and too slow to act: Littleproud
“The frightening thing is that if fire ants get up above the Great Dividing Range, it could potentially get into the Murray Darling Basin and that could effectively see the fire ants go right down to Adelaide. It would impact the whole country and have devastating consequences. Labor now needs to urgently respond to the inquiry and eradication must continue to be the focus”: David Littleproud.
Try telling this to people in Pittsworth and Clifton…
The new Group Chief Executive Officer for the NAB has made contact with the bank’s customers explaining how the bank is continuing to support its customers. Andrew Irvine has been appointed NAB Group Chief Executive Officer, replacing Ross McEwan ... "During more than 20 years in banking I’ve learned that delivering the best experience for customers should be at the heart of why we come to work each day," Mr Irvine said.
Another NAB branch bites the dust
Local readers who may have been used to ducking across to Pittsworth to use the services of NAB will have to change their ways from today (Thursday). The Pittsworth branch of NAB has closed permanently. The closure comes despite a strongly supported petition organised by the Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton as well as a personal letter from Mr Hamilton to the CEO of the Bank.
It’s dam important – Cressbrook Dam an utmost priority
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald and Deputy Mayor Cr Rebecca Vonhoff last week stepped up the call for external funding for the $270 million Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project ... Without grant funding, Council’s submission to the State Government said the full cost of the dam wall upgrade will be transferred to ratepayers through increased water charges.
MIL vote outcome
The proposed resolutions to remove the two current MIL non-member directors, Trisha Gorman and Robert Burbury, from the Murray Irrigation Board failed to garner the necessary votes last week ... The infighting at the board level has seen division spill over into the community, with the company, certain directors and influential farmers taking a leaf out of the MDBA book and hosting closed-door meetings for invite-only attendees.
APVMA review a welcome opportunity: GrainGrowers
The government’s response to the Matthews Review into the governance of the AVPMA is a welcome opportunity to ensure the regulator can operate in the best interests of Australian agriculture. GrainGrowers CEO, Shona Gawel said the report was an important step in maintaining our strong, independent, evidence-based regulatory system.
Environment and business to benefit from Nature Positive Plan: Plibersek
Key updates are: Australia’s first national independent Environment Protection Agency with strong new powers and penalties to better protect nature. More accountability and transparency with a new body called Environment Information Australia ... Faster environmental approval decisions on projects ...
Flood-affected land to be regenerated, turned into koala habitat: LVRC
Hundreds of native seedlings are set to be planted on flood-affected land, helping to bolster native habitat and reduce future flood damage. The project area, adjacent to and including Lions Park, Lower Tenthill, consists of two recently acquired lots which were bought back under the Voluntary Home Buy-Back (VHBB) program.
Water leaders convene at summit on future challenges for the Basin: MDBA
More than 100 senior leaders will meet under one roof today for a 2-day summit hosted by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to collaborate, listen and share the diverse points of view on current and future management of the Basin ... the summit continues the conversation with First Nations people, industry, environmental, science and community leaders collaborating on the future of the Basin.
All categories
About ARR.NewsACTAFLAgingAgricultureAquaculture & fishingARR.News eventArtsAthleticsBankingBasketballBeefBiodiversityBook ReviewBowlsBuilding & ConstructionBusinessCarbonCharityClimateCommunicationsConflictCottonCouncilCraftCricketCyclingDairyDamsDanceDroughte-commerceEducation & trainingEmploymentEnergyEngineeringEquestrianEventExhibitionFamilyFarmingFederal politicsFeedFertiliserFestivalFilmFireFishingFloodFloraFoodFood & BeveragesForestryGardeningGoatsGolfGrainsHealthHealthHistory & heritageHorticultureHospitalityIndigenousIndustry reportsInfrastructureInland waterwaysInternationalInternationalInterviewLand & environmentLaw & orderLetters & responsesLifeLiteratureManufacturingMarineMediaMedia ReleaseMeet the publishersMilitaryMilitary historyMiningMotorsportMurray RiverMusicNew ReleaseNewsNewsletters - SportNSWNTOpinionOut nowOut now - Archive - April 2021Out now - Archive - April 2022Out now - Archive - April 2023Out now - Archive - April 2024Out now - Archive - August 2020Out now - Archive - August 2021Out now - Archive - August 2022Out now - Archive - August 2023Out now - Archive - December 2020Out now - Archive - December 2021Out now - Archive - December 2022Out now - Archive - December 2023Out now - Archive - February 2021Out now - Archive - February 2022Out now - Archive - February 2023Out now - Archive - February 2024Out now - Archive - January 2021Out now - Archive - January 2022Out now - Archive - January 2023Out now - Archive - January 2024Out now - Archive - July 2021Out now - Archive - July 2022Out now - Archive - July 2023Out now - Archive - June 2021Out now - Archive - June 2022Out now - Archive - June 2023Out now - Archive - March 2021Out now - Archive - March 2022Out now - Archive - March 2023Out now - Archive - March 2024Out now - Archive - May 2021Out now - Archive - May 2022Out now - Archive - May 2023Out now - Archive - November 2020Out now - Archive - November 2021Out now - Archive - November 2022Out now - Archive - November 2023Out now - Archive - October 2020Out now - Archive - October 2021Out now - Archive - October 2022Out now - Archive - October 2023Out now - Archive - September 2020Out now - Archive - September 2021Out now - Archive - September 2022Out now - Archive - September 2023PaintingPerformancePetsPhotographyPicnic RacesPlaguepoetryPoliticsPopulationPoultry and eggsPowerProfilePropertyQldRacingRailReligionResearchRetailRoadsRowingRugby LeagueRugby UnionRunningSASailingSaleSculptureSheepShowsSoccerSoilSportState politicsSteelSugarSupply chainSurfingSwimmingTalkiesTasTechnologyTennisTheatreTimberTourismTradeTransportTravelTriathlonUncategorisedVicVolunteeringWAWaterWeatherWebinarWildlifeWineWoolYouth
