Weld Australia slams Opposition’s nuclear power plan as unrealistic fantasy
According to Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia, the Opposition’s plan relies on the misguided notion that coal-fired power stations can continue operating reliabily indefinitely to bridge the energy gap. “It is a fantasy to imagine that coal-fired power stations can keep running without billions of dollars being poured into their maintenance. Many of these plants have already exceeded their design life two- or threefold,” said Crittenden.
Rising tide blockade of coal port
Chibo Mertineit ... The protestival was longer, bigger and better and there was a large contingent of Northern Rivers residents who joined, organised and facilitated ... Overall, there were 7000 people over eight days, 33 volunteer teams with over 1000 volunteers doing 4500 shifts, cooking 20,000 meals and having 130 spokespersons (delegate of your group) representing 2000 people and meeting twice a day for decision making. It was just huge, and there was such a positive and friendly atmosphere at this drug-free event.
Historic sealing projects deliver safety gains, improved reliability for outback motorists
No more precarious and lengthy travel for residents and travellers on Pooncarie Road ... “Central Darling Shire Council appreciates the funding support from the Australian and NSW governments because the road desperately needed to be sealed for road safety reasons,” said Central Darling Shire General Manager Greg Hill. “Now we can keep the road open during wet conditions, benefiting both residents and tourists.
Mason family helps make a difference for T1D
What does fifty million dollars’ worth of hope feel like? Just ask Allora’s Benjamin and James Mason who, along with parents, Hayley and Mark, recently joined a national delegate of one hundred brave Type 1 Diabetes advocates as part of JDRF’s "Kids in the House – KITH" program, to address members of parliament in Canberra.
No go for National Heritage Bid
An application to have Maldon listed on the National Heritage register has not been successful. Michele Waddington, owner of Fairbank House accommodation, completed the laborious application process and has been in discussions with heritage officers from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for over 12 months.
Use local knowledge, not misleading academic reports
The credibility of a group that has prepared a report on Murray-Darling Basin Plan progress is under question, after claims it contains numerous flaws. The Wentworth Group comprises academics who say they are “dedicated to water and land policy reform”, and have been especially vocal on issues around the Murray-Darling Basin Plan which has attracted billions of dollars in government funding ... “It is disheartening when Sydney and Canberra based academics, without local knowledge, make broad-based statements which paint a false picture": Murray Regional Strategy Group Chair Geoff Moar.
River Murray system well-prepared for summer water demands: MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has reassured communities the storages and weirs are well positioned to meet irrigation, community, and environmental needs this summer. MDBA Executive Director of River Management, Jacqui Hickey, said managing the system adaptively to respond to the changing conditions is key for ensuring the River Murray System operates smoothly during the peak demand period.
$13B spent on the Murray Darling Basin Plan but Dalton calls it “lazy politics”
Helen Dalton MP, Member for Murray, says the truth about what she describes as $13 billion of wasted taxpayer money needs to be told. The independent member is referring to a new four-year study into the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) Plan reveals mixed results. The four-year study released last involved 12 scientists from Australia’s leading universities, and drew on data from 1980 to 2023.
Karlene’s hindsight and insight invaluable at RIT AGM
Hugh Schuitemaker. Advocacy for South Australian irrigators in an upcoming Murray- Darling Basin Plan review will be crucial, according to a Riverland politician and regarded figure on water management issues. Former Chaffey MP Karlene Maywald was a guest speaker at the Renmark Irrigation Trust (RIT) annual general meeting, held last month at Hotel Renmark, with the topic being Our Murray River: Hindsight and Insights.
Energy transition: at what cost?
An independent report by a leading consultant shows that the Labor’s Party’s ‘renewables only’ energy plan will cost Australians at least $642 billion, according to the federal Opposition. “This is five times more than they have told the Australian people,” Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Ted O’Brien said.
Too expensive and too slow
Environmentalists in Gippsland maintain that nuclear energy is not a viable option for the region because it’s too expensive, its lengthy design and construction time make it too slow to replace coal, and it uses too much water. “Australia boasts abundant renewable energy resources, being the sunniest continent in the world and among the windiest, making renewable energy abundant and affordable,” Gippsland Climate Change Network said in its submission to the House of Representatives inquiry into nuclear power.
Funding for New England Rail Trail withdrawn by Federal Government
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised the Armidale Regional Council (ARC) that the $5.4m grant received to build the first stage of the New England Rail Trail has been withdrawn. NEMA is the Federal Labour Government body tasked with administering the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Program (BSBR).
Premier Roger Cook: A rare voice of pragmatism in Australian politics
Western Australia’s Premier Roger Cook is becoming one of the more intriguing figures in Australian politics. His latest intervention—opposing the Federal Government’s "Nature Positive" environmental laws—must be leaving the Green Left spluttering into their organic green tea.
Hiccups for Coles over milk from cows that burp less
Bovaer is getting a lot of attention – and not the good kind. Bovaer is a feed additive for cattle – including some used to supply milk and beef sold at Coles supermarkets. Why? Because Bovaer reduces cattle methane emissions (in burps) significantly. Bovaer is made using silicon dioxide, propylene glycol and the organic compound 3-nitroxypropanol (known as 3-NOP).
Kenbi Land Claim settlement finalised: Edgington
The Kenbi Land Claim – which has been running since 1979 – has been finalised. The Australian and Northern Territory governments have handed back the last parcels of land on the Cox Peninsula to the Kenbi Land Trust, and the Larrakia Development Corporation. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Steve Edgington: “This historic moment is a tribute to the ongoing collaboration between the Northern Territory and Australian governments, the Northern Land Council, the Larrakia people and Traditional Owners to resolve complex issues."
“Say no to towers”
Alex Morrison. The Prime Minister has begun an anti-bullying campaign. It’s welcome. He could start right at home with his own government who are allowing TCV to bully farmers in this district into accepting the power lines that come with wind turbines. Their treatment of affected landholders along VNI West power line route is a disgrace, the so-called negotiations and compensation offers are a farce.
Shop local and win big with Groom’s Gifts
This Christmas, the spotlight is on the 17,390 local businesses across the Toowoomba region, as Groom’s Gifts, spearheaded by Groom MP Garth Hamilton, returns for 2024. Groom’s Gifts supports small businesses and rewards shoppers in the lead-up to Christmas.
Solutions offered as Basin Plan fails
If the plan was to accelerate environmental degradation, wipe out family farms, increase costs, and dramatically reduce water availability, then the Murray-Darling Basin Authority would have achieved top marks ... While the Wentworth Group has been advocating for more water buybacks, which will no doubt aid the water trading industry returns, while doing very little to address the fundamental failings of the Basin Plan, local Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, has released a 13-step plan to aid in getting the current trainwreck back on the rails.
COBA welcomes ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to reshape banking landscape
“Customer-owned banks offer a powerful counterpoint to the investor-owned banking model, but it's important that regulators understand this difference when they create rules for the banking industry. We believe this dominance has led to a view of ‘investor owned’ by default in policy and decision-making, and we are hoping this review will result in a more balanced and nuanced approach to regulation”: Customer Owned Banking Association CEO Michael Lawrence.
Teenagers will always outsmart politicians – the absurdity of the Online Safety Bill
The irony is rich: this bill will likely create a generation of kids who are not just social media experts but also adept at cybersecurity and very comfortable breaking the law. Well done, Canberra, for teaching Australia’s youth skills that will take our kids deep into the dark web where everything and anything is available.
Buloke Times editorial: For Northwest and Central Victoria Rail … an absolute game changer
As communities throughout Victoria, and beyond, lament the downgrading of the Melbourne to Mildura rail line, a report has come to light at the “Buloke Times” office. It was more than two years ago (on September 21, 2022) by the not-for-profit Ouyen Inc. In common with towns including Birchip, Donald and St. Arnaud, Ouyen is located on the Melbourne-Mildura line, and the media release from there at the time was as follows, under the heading, For Northwest and Central Victoria Rail ... An Absolute Game Changer ...
Community chimes in on World Heritage bid
Sarah Herrmann. Calls for increased local consultation as part of the progressing Moonta Mines World Heritage bid were made at a community forum last week. The forum gave those interested the opportunity to quiz UK-based World Heritage consultant Barry Gamble, who had travelled to the Copper Coast for the official celebration of the tentative listing...
