Macquarie wrap up Australia’s largest cotton station
Australia's largest irrigated cotton property, Cubbie Station, is back in local hands after Chinese textile giant Shandong Ruyi sold its remaining stake to co-owner Macquarie Asset Management. Cubbie Station is responsible for around 10% of the country’s cotton output and is now entirely held by the Sydney-based company.
$2.57m airport upgrade
Kirstin Nicholson. The expansion and upgrade of the Cohuna Airport has moved a step closer with the announcement of a $2.57 million grant from the federal government’s Community Development Fund. Initially announced as an election promise in 2019, the grant has now been confirmed by Anne Webster MP and former deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack at a presentation at the airport on March 18.
New Echuca-Moama river crossing opening ahead of schedule
The new $323.7 million Echuca-Moama Bridge project, the largest transport infrastructure project in northern Victoria and southern NSW, is set to open to traffic before the Easter holidays – months ahead of schedule.
Just what the doctor ordered
Emma Pritchard. Driven by her determination to restore trust, honesty and integrity in Government while advocating for climate action, stronger funding for equitable healthcare, strengthening the regional economy, and fighting for a fair future, Dr Hanabeth Luke has nominated as an independent candidate for the seat of Page at the upcoming Federal election.
CAPS is back on track
Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch believes he will be able to soon cut the ribbon to open the CAPS animal welfare facility after discussions about the centre were fast-tracked. Last week’s Cape York Weekly was the most read edition since publishing began and the front page story about the future of the $2 million facility generated plenty of discussion in the community.
Bendigo to Canberra and back by QANTAS – Mandarin Class – only $1808!
This item was mean to be Kookaburra's Post-Budget report, but given the costs and inconveniences of regional air travel in Australia, it is now a Pre-Budget complaint. Not being a government supported Mandarin - merely a lowly citizen - Kookaburra decided that no rational person could agree to pay the fares demanded by QANTAS to fly from Bendigo to Canberra.
Pressing matters: report on Australia’s regional newspapers
Committee Chair, Dr Anne Webster MP said, ‘Regional newspapers in Australia represent a large and diverse industry, which has experienced significant challenges over the past decade. With the transition to digital news and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, assessing the health of our regional newspapers is more important than ever before.’
Regional newspaper inquiry makes 12 recommendations
A report from the Inquiry into Australia’s regional newspapers released earlier today has made 12 recommendations including that the Australian Government ensure a percentage of government print advertising is placed in regional newspapers.
Sara Storer a hit
A perfect autumn evening and the setting sun’s golden haze set the scene for the Sara Storer concert in Wakool, presented by the Australian Government’s National Recovery and Resilience Agency ... 21-time Golden Guitar winner ... Backstage, Sara said it was great to be back on the road after a quiet two years.
ADF troops and the flood emergency
Brigadier Robert Lording, Commander of ‘ADF Operation Flood Assist 22’ for the NSW Northern Rivers Region said the first request for assistance came from the NSW State Emergency Services. “By Saturday February 26, the SES were aware there was going to be a flood emergency develop and they were quickly onto it, requesting ADF assistance to doorknock residents and provide other logistical aid”, said the Brigadier.
Kerry O’Brien and Cathy McGowan – the independent way
Geoff Helisma. As the federal election nears, former ABC journalist, presenter and interviewer, Kerry O’Brien, will join former member for Indi, Cathy McGowan, at the Grafton Services Club on Sunday April 3. The pair will speak about how independent candidates can help stop the “erosion of democracy” in Australia.
Australia’s Galapagos officially proclaimed and protected: Ley, Marino
Two new marine parks have been established at Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean, home to life found nowhere else on earth. Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the spectacular seascapes cover 744,000 square kilometres, an area greater in size than the Great Barrier Reef.
Carbon credit profits as primary production income – Carbon Count CEO Phil Mulvey’s view
"The latest government announcement about primary producers being able to claim their carbon credit profits as part of their primary production income looks positive indeed. What is important to understand however is that this development, whilst positive, is only benefiting those primary producers that have already started a carbon farming project and are soon ready to sell. What this development doesn't doesn't do is incentivise farmers to take up a carbon project in the first place; the key issue we need to overcome to meet our netzero2050 targets. What we need most now are governmental incentives that mitigate the financial barriers of entry for farmers and enable them to get started fast": Phil Mulvey.
NFF backs changes to recognise carbon credits as farm income
The National Farmers' Federation has praised Federal Government changes to see Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) and biodiversity credits treated as farm income ... NFF Chief Executive Tony Mahar said the change was due recognition that income related to carbon and biodiversity were part of the farm business. It is also consistent with policy analysis the NFF has progressed under the Australian Agriculture Sustainability Framework (AASF) project.
White elephant – $2 million animal centre empty
Described as a palace for the cats and dogs of Weipa, this multi-million dollar vet clinic and animal welfare centre was meant to be a game-changer for Cape York. However, it sits unfinished and unoccupied. Matt Nicholls looks at what the problem is and what the future looks like for this purpose-built facility
Join the #WaitingOnZuck news freeze and fight for the future of Australian news media
Today across Australia, over 30 media outlets will stop publishing news for 24 hours in a collective freeze to ï¬ght for the future of Australian news media. The news freeze will let the world know that small and medium news publishers are #WaitingOnZuck to pay for journalism and content that appears on the Facebook platform.
Tax changes for farmers to bolster land stewardship: Littleproud, Taylor, Sukkar
The Morrison Government will apply concessional tax treatment to primary producers that generate revenue from the sale of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) and biodiversity certificates. This will encourage carbon abatement activities and help Australia deliver on its net zero emissions target by 2050.
Sites announced for mobile network upgrades
Yanchep, Yanchep East, Gingin, Lancelin and Guilderton are all set to benefit from infrastructure upgrades to mobile network sites designed to improve mobile phone services for communities during emergencies. One hundred and forty-one infrastructure upgrades in WA will be funded as part of the second round of the Commonwealth mobile network hardening program, worth $10.9 million.
Inland Rail modelling reveals need for state-based investment
The state’s peak agriculture body says the federal government’s multi-billion-dollar freight project needs more work to fully benefit agriculture and the regions. Adrian Lyons, head of the NSW Farmers Inland Rail Taskforce, said new modelling from the CSIRO revealed cost savings were not built in for the state, and more interconnectivity was needed.
Strengthen fuel security now says VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling for urgent action from the Federal Government to strengthen Australia’s fuel security in response to global volatility and uncertainty.
Infrastructure report adds weight to NFF blueprint for regional renewal
The National Farmers’ Federation welcomes the release of Infrastructure Australia’s Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report, which aligns with the NFF blueprint for regional renewal.
‘A commodity conversation’: Mark Allison, Agribusiness Australia
Mark Allison, Chair of Agribusiness Australia, analyses the state of play for Russian-Australian trade and what the Ukrainian conflict may mean for key global commodities.
