Saturday, April 20, 2024

CATEGORY

Federal politics

Council to consider new limits on cat ownership

Patricia Gill. The Shire of Denmark is reviewing local laws concerning the keeping of cats with a limit of two animals older-than-six months per household being considered in an effort to curb the feral population. The Shire will also have more power to restrict the movement of cats and those that cause a nuisance ... consultation is underway on the proposed rules which the Denmark Shire Council will likely consider in September.

Growers award

Over 200 rice growers, industry representatives and stakeholders attended the Rice Growers Australia (RGA) annual conference in Yarrawonga last week ... Neville and Brooke Hollins from Woorak Ag at Burraboi were announced SunRice Grower of the Year.

Barmah-Millewa future flow options prepared for feasibility study: MDBA

Six potential options that could address the declining regulated flow through the Barmah–Millewa reach of the Murray River have been detailed in a report released by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) ... Capacity through the Barmah–Millewa reach has been reduced from 11,300 megalitres per day in the 1980s to 9,200 megalitres per day today.

Industry leaders back biosecurity measures: DAFF

Agricultural industry leaders have taken a tour behind the scenes at Sydney International Airport to scope out Australia’s biosecurity measures. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Australia's Director of Biosecurity, Andrew Metcalfe AO said the visit was a chance for industry leaders to see biosecurity protections in action.

Outback Queensland is the backbone of Australia’s energy: Littleproud

Leader of The Nationals and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has applauded Senex Energy’s decision to invest $1 billion into its Atlas Roma North natural gas developments in the Surat Basin and raise its natural gas production. Mr Littleproud said the decision by one of the industry leaders in natural gas to invest more in the Maranoa region highlights the crucial role outback Queensland plays in powering Australia and making energy more affordable across the nation.

Salt caverns and minerals across Australia unlock our nation’s hydrogen industry: King

“Geoscience Australia has uncovered potential for the development of multiple caverns underground in salt deposits across the Canning Basin in Western Australia, the Adavale Basin in Queensland and the offshore Polda Basin in South Australia ... Chalice Mining, through their Julimar project, have uncovered a massive supply of palladium, platinum, nickel, copper, cobalt, and gold ... ": Minister King.

Community to lead pilot program

Doomadgee will lead a state-first “Closing the Gap” pilot to identify how best to roll-out priority programs like health, housing, and early childhood in First Nations communities in Queensland. Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council mayor Jason Ned said his community looked forward to taking a lead role in government service reform.

Building Better Regions funding

“All of these projects, not only in the Riverina and Central West, but, indeed, right throughout regional Australia were recommended for funding. It’s just that the Australian National Audit Office believes that some projects scored higher in the Department’s estimations for funding. But no-one knows their own local area and their local people’s wants, needs and expectations better than a local MP. Departmental officials are not elected and the decision-making has to remain with the Minister and Ministerial Council" : Michael McCormack, Member for Riverina.

Inaugural National Biosecurity Strategy released: Watt

Minister Watt said the National Biosecurity Strategy would provide clear direction to ensure our system remains fit to meet the challenges of the next decade and beyond ... “This strategy has been under development for more than a year and I’m really pleased that a new spirit of cooperation between Federal, State and Territory Agriculture Ministers has seen the strategy finalised and released so soon after the change of government, " Minister Watt said.

Northern Australia back on Federal agenda: McDonald

The Federal Government has relented under fierce criticism and agreed to back a motion moved by Senator Susan McDonald to reinstate a parliamentary body to oversee issues and development in Northern Australia.

2022–23 Murray River outlook dominated by managing wet conditions: MDBA

Full water storages coupled with a 50% chance of another La Niña in 2022–23 are driving management strategies in the River Murray System for the year ahead, according to the MDBA's 2022–23 Annual Operating Outlook ... Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Executive Director of River Management, Andrew Reynolds, said the Annual Operating Outlook explains how the river would be run based on a range of potential climatic and rainfall scenarios.  

Legislation to protect forestry workers passed: Tierney

The Sustainable Forests Timber Amendment (Timber Harvesting Safety Zones) Bill 2022, brings stronger penalties to deter dangerous protest activities that puts the safety of both forestry workers and people who illegally enter dangerous work sites at risk. The new legislation introduces offences and updates existing penalties to deter dangerous protest activities in Timber Harvesting Safety Zones and prevent harm.

Voices for the Bush amplified in Alice Springs this week

Australian Water Association (AWA) and Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) are excited to present the first-ever Voices for the Bush Conference at the Alice Springs Convention Centre this week on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 August. The conference will bring together over 200 water professionals from across Australia to the country’s heart. Together they will resolve the challenges faced by regional, rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

A plan to make the most of $17 billion investment for Barkly

The Barkly Regional Deal is seeking public comment on the 2030 Barkly Economic Growth Strategy which outlines key projects, programs and proposals anticipated for the region to build a diverse economy and improve social outcomes, culture, and quality of life for Barkly residents. The Strategy has been developed by working groups of Barkly business leaders, Aboriginal business enterprises, industry groups and community stakeholders.

New coin celebrates one of Australia’s greatest engineering feats

In the lead up to the 150th Anniversary of the first telegraph being sent from Australia, the Royal Australian Mint has released a unique $1 coin that depicts the Overland Telegraph Line running through the centre of Australia, from Port Augusta to Darwin.

Local industry concerns

Sheryl Lowe. Nick McBride MP, Member for MacKillop, hosted a visit by the Shadow Minister for Regional South Australia and Primary Industries, the Hon Nicola Centofanti MLC, in Naracoorte this week, to discuss the impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Mr McBride and Ms Centofanti toured the Naracoorte Livestock Exchange (saleyards) which has been operating on the corner of Wimmera Highway and Carters Road since 1973 ... “If FMD was found in the region, the impact would be enormous,”: Nick McBride, Member for MacKillop

Call for policy overhaul – prescribed burns

Patricia Gill. The Denmark Shire Council is calling on the State Government to overhaul its prescribed burning practices and policy in line with current science and community sentiment. The council moved a notice of motion from Councillor Jan Lewis to appeal to Parliamentarians for a review of the prescribed burning policy and practices.

Council talks stormwater funding

The Narrandera Shire Council has agreed to increase its 2022-23 borrowing bid to the Office of Local Government and NSW Treasury from $2 million to $3 million to enable it to undertake stormwater infrastructure works in urban Narrandera. The works are aimed at solving severe flooding that occurred in the town earlier this year.

Licensing, legalities and loonies

Water politics in Australia’s $13 billion political plan to save the Murray-Darling Basin is rapidly deteriorating as political drivers rip apart what remains of meaningful engagement, sustainable water industries and communities reliant on a balanced plan. Despite all the promises and shiny beads, sadly, politics and bureaucracy show little interest in change.

Hard truths from WESA should prompt rethink on 450GL: NFF

Australia’s peak farm body says the release of the Second Water for the Environment Special Account (WESA) Report should prompt a major rethink of the Australian Government’s policy of recovering an additional 450GL under the Murray Darling Basin Plan. National Farmers’ Federation President Fiona Simson said the findings provide Water Minister Tanya Plibersek the opportunity to reset the Government’s approach, and to focus on achievable pathways to realise environmental outcomes.

More land secured for Coomera koalas: Qld Gov

Another 400 hectares has been secured to protect koalas in the Coomera Connector corridor. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Greenridge property at Pimpama, within the Gold Coast's Koala Priority Area, is one of the largest private, and suitable, land holdings close to stage one and future stages ... “The additional 400 hectares is next to the PRCA, creating almost 900 hectares to protect the local koala population and improve their home range and connectivity well into the future.”: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk

FMD is far more important than festivals

This opinion piece is all about the failure of our Ag Minister to understand the importance of elevating biosecurity to the top of DPIRD’s list of things to do ... With the arrival of Foot and Mouth Disease in Indonesia, DPIRD needs to be up to the task of stopping it at our borders or wiping it out within the 3-4 months that a recent CSIRO report claims is possible for localised outbreaks.

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