Vigilance key to preventing Asian black-spined toad incursions: Centre for Invasive Species Solutions
National preparedness to manage future incursions of Asian black-spined toads into Australia has been strengthened with today’s launch of the National Preparedness Plan: Asian Black-Spined Toad by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. Andreas Glanznig, CEO of the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, said the Plan provides a valuable roadmap for governments to prevent, plan and respond to a possible Asian black-spined toad incursion.
From the Wheatbelt to the war zone: Why Ukrainian farmland is good buying
As the price of reliable rainfall farmland in Western Australia is careering past $10,000 per hectare, and the big corporates are out there with their even bigger chequebooks, outbidding the neighbours, what options do farmers have if they want to stay in the game? Well, the answer is to follow the example of their forefathers and up stumps and find a new country with some new land that can be opened up.
New solar farm in Queensland to power 160,000 homes: Plibersek
The Albanese Government has approved a new solar farm in Queensland which will generate enough energy to power 160,000 homes. The 350 megawatt Sixteen Mile Solar Farm is located around 22km south of Chinchilla and includes the construction of 579,660 solar panels and a 120MW battery storage system. The project will connect to the existing Western Downs Substation.
Australian posties helping assess regional mobile coverage: Rowland
Part of the Government’s Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, the audit will test around 180,000 km of regional and rural roads across the country, capturing data to better determine coverage and capacity of the mobile network signals ... Australia Post will host mobile-measurement devices on delivery vans and long-haul delivery vehicles. They will cover a significant portion of the regional and rural roads to be tested through the audit.
Still no clear answer or solution on Wilcannia Weir
The Department of Planning and Environment (Water) advised some months ago that there would be an independent review of the original design of the Wilcannia weir. Several names were recommended to the department by the community to form membership of the Independent Review Panel.
Funds should be earmarked for rural councils
Two regional Victorian councils have given evidence to the Parliamentary Inquiry about the challenges faced by local governments including maintaining services from a small ratepayer base and attracting workforce. The Rural City of Wangaratta and Murrindindi Shire Council addressed the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport in Wallan last Thursday.
Lost water
Sophie Baldwin. Roger Reid thought he was doing the right thing when he made the decision to invest some big dollars into water efficiency projects on his mixed farming property in the Riverina. However, Roger has been left scratching his head and questioning his decision this season, after the Bullatale Creek was reduced to water holes and he couldn’t access water.
Groundwater reserves being examined for irrigation
Sebastian Calderon. An innovative project based in the Riverland is aiming to improve the potential use and benefits of groundwater. Last month, a small reverse-osmosis (RO) plant was installed on Century Orchards, in Loxton, with the objective of identifying different pathways to diversify water sources and relieve resource pressure on the Murray River.
Irrigators warn the Federal Government is on a power grab before the election: National Irrigators’ Council
The Federal Government is again being called out for rushing through risky and untested reforms that seek to gain more power for themselves, prior to the upcoming election. Consultation soon closes on their recent grab, to list two new areas as "endangered" under national environment law, replicating a controversial and subsequently, disallowed move by the former Labor Government in 2013.
New chief to lead energy transformation
The Member for Indi, Helen Haines, has welcomed the appointment by the Australian government of Tony Mahar to his new role as the new Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner ... "I have worked productively with Mr Mahar during his time as the CEO of the NFF on issues like sustainable agriculture facilitators, renewable energy and biosecurity levies," Dr Haines said.
Addressing Australia’s housing crisis – An urgent call for action: IAPA
Marnie Davis. The Indigenous - Aboriginal Party of Australia (IAPA) is calling for immediate government intervention relating to Australia’s escalating housing crisis. The IAPA seeks immediate intervention to protect vulnerable families, particularly First Nations peoples, single parent families, and our elders from homelessness and housing insecurity.
New Farrer candidate promises to be present in community
After being announced as the Voices of Farrer endorsed candidate Michelle Milthorpe officially launched her campaign for the federal seat. At a gathering in her home town of Jindera last Wednesday, Ms Milthorpe said she was ‘thrilled’ to announce her candidacy.
Tony, we need “You” to remain “You”
Tony Mahar is a seriously good operator, widely respected across the ag sector, but one suspects the government is hoping he’ll morph into their Lord Hee-Haw—a smooth-talking apologist who can help them roll out their 40 turbines a month, and thousands of kilometres of power lines across picturesque rural farmland by 2030 ... The government must be worried as the bush is in revolt and the government's secret polling must have them worried. Hence the roll out of the conservative version of Henry Kissinger to calm the locals.
New Energy Infrastructure Commissioner to facilitate leading practice in the reliable renewables rollout: Bowen
The Albanese Government has appointed Tony Mahar as the new Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC). Mr Mahar will draw on his extensive experience in rural and regional Australia, most recently as CEO of the National Farmers Federation, in this important role. Mr Mahar will work as an intermediary between farming and regional communities, industry and government to promote leading community engagement practices as Australia transforms its energy system ...
Pros and cons of social media switch off
Sarah Herrmann. Kadina's Charli Pearce was 10 years old when she started using social media. Now 18, she said while she somewhat regrets that decision, she also believes attempts to stop young people from using it will be fruitless.
Meeting questions VicGrid plans
Marian Haddrick. VicGrid CEO Alistair Parker met with a hundred concerned locals from Birchip and the surrounding area last Thursday at the Birchip Leisure Centre. Birchip is in the Regional Energy Zone (REZ) that is connecting supporting transmission infrastructure from Victoria’s west in Horsham to the north of the state in Red Hills.
Australian agriculture promoted at Indian showcase: DAFF
A delegation of Australian agricultural representatives was in New Delhi last week fostering deeper ties with local food processors and promoting complementary links at a showcase of India’s food processing sector. World Food India (WFI) promotes India’s booming food processing and manufacturing industries, which Australia is well placed to support with the supply of high-quality inputs.
Salisbury to Beaudesert rail planning summary report released: Mellish
The Australian and Queensland governments will be progressing further planning work to protect the future rail corridor between Salisbury and Beaudesert. The Salisbury to Beaudesert Passenger Rail study explored the long-term passenger and freight needs in the corridor and has recommended heavy rail as the best way to address forecast passenger demand.
Cattle Australia launches Land Management Commitment
Cattle Australia (CA) has launched its Land Management Commitment (LMC) strategic policy, which emphasises the primacy of agricultural land and includes definitions of deforestation and forest in the Australian context, along with four recommendations for implementation.
New machine needed to meet challenges
In its latest update, Snowy Hydro has advised that a new tunnel boring machine (TBM) will be deployed to help keep the Snowy 2.0 project on its delivery timeline. New ground testing techniques have provided a better understanding of the full extent of a complex fault zone on the route of the 17km tunnel that will connect Snowy 2.0’s upper reservoir to its underground power station.
Say NO to water buybacks
Hay Shire Council is urging residents to support a petition led by local member for Murray, Helen Dalton, which seeks to protect regional and remote communities from the potential impacts of Commonwealth Water Buybacks. The petition which needs 10,000 signatures calls on the NSW Government to ensure that no water transfers occur without a detailed and transparent report into the expected impact of any Commonwealth buybacks.
Trade deal secured with the United Arab Emirates: Farrell
Today, we are pleased to announce negotiations on the Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement have concluded. The UAE is an important partner, and Australia's largest trade and investment partner in the Middle East with two-way trade worth $9.9 billion in 2023.
