ABARES report highlights Australia’s growing production value
Australian agriculture is set to benefit this financial year, as the gross value of agricultural production is forecast to increase by 4 per cent. ​The ABARES Agricultural Commodities and Crop Reports show a significant growth in the sector, from $82.5 billion in 2023-24 to $86.2 billion in 2024-25.
Sparks from the Past, Part 15 B: Waterfront wars
Chris Murray. The loss of Qantas Catalina VH-EAX at Lord Howe Island – Sabotage or misadventure? ... Hudson Fysh – Qantas: “On the 23rd June, 1949, our Catalina and one of Trans Oceanic Airways were riding at their moorings on the lagoon when in a ‘blow’ our flying boat broke her moorings and went ashore."
Rookwood Weir water flowing to Central Queenslanders: Plibersek, Butcher
Rookwood Weir celebrated another milestone as Queensland Water Minister Glenn Butcher joined customers to celebrate water from Rookwood Weir flowing to Central Queensland irrigators. Customers for Australia’s newest major water infrastructure asset began accessing Rookwood Weir water in August 2024 … The weir is providing a significant boost to the region’s water security and will drive economic growth and job creation for generations to come.
‘Legally binding’ ANZ Suncorp deal faces first test
ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott made frequent mentions of “reputational risk” while giving evidence to the house standing committee investigating the big four banks in Canberra on Friday ... it is surprising that when asked about regional bank closures by commitee chairman Daniel Mulino he chose to withhold information about two branches in regional Australia that ANZ plans to close later this year.
Queensland’s fire ant fight grows – self-treatment becomes key as eradication zones double in size: Sundew Professional Solutions
A national pest eradication expert says the news that Queensland is more than doubling the Red Imported Fire Ant eradication zone highlights the need for residents to be equipped with site-specific self-treatment products to combat known outbreaks ... There have been several fire ant incursions since 2001, and all those outbreaks were eradicated. “That tells us eradication is possible. We have the people and the know-how to make fire ant eradication a reality”: David Priddy, Sundew CEO.
Govt’s fire ant response lambasted
Local Member for Groom Garth Hamilton has strongly condemned the federal government’s response to the spread of fire ants, which have the potential to wreak havoc on the Darling Downs. Mr Hamilton, is demanding the government urgently responds to the Senate inquiry into red imported fire ants in Australia, which was delivered in April 2024.
Biosecurity Week focusses on avian influenza: DAFF
As Australia recovers from its most significant avian disease incident in 50 years, attention has turned towards preparing for the next possible avian influenza outbreak – a more virulent strain that has caused deaths in poultry and wild birds and mammals across the globe ... Australia is the only continent currently free of the new strain, H5 HPAI. Vigilance will be key to monitoring and understanding the spread of H5 HPAI if it were to arrive on our shores.
Supermarkets to record super profits during cost-of-living crisis: NFF
The NFF Horticulture Council has today reaffirmed its call for tighter government controls on supermarket trading practices as annual profits are reported by the major listed companies. Council chair, Jolyon Burnett said the results would speak for themselves, and that not even a cost-of-living crisis had dampened the supermarket drive for profits above all else.
A national biofuels feedstock strategy to give flight to aviation’s net-zero ambitions: Canegrowers
Representatives from across Australia's agriculture and fuel supply chain have urged the Federal Government to immediately initiate a national low-carbon liquid fuel feedstock strategy to give effect to the ambitious agenda outlined in the Federal Government Aviation White Paper released this week. The industry groups include GrainGrowers, the Australian Sugar Milling Council (ASMC) and Queensland Cane Growers Organisation (CANEGROWERS).
Supporting Rex’s access to Sydney Airport: King
Today, I directed the Slot Manager at Sydney Airport to suspend the application of the ‘use it or lose it’ test on Rex’s regional NSW slot holdings for the current and upcoming scheduling season. This test stipulates that airlines must use 80 per cent of their allocated slots or risk losing them. Its suspension will protect Rex’s NSW regional slots at Sydney Airport until late March 2026.
Aviation White Paper delivers for consumers, regions and workforce: King
A new Aviation White Paper will create the framework to give passengers a better deal while ensuring the industry maintains Australia’s strong safety record. The White Paper includes 56 policies setting the direction for the industry. The centrepiece is an independent Aviation Industry Ombuds Scheme and a new Charter of Customer Rights.
SunCable receives major Commonwealth Government environmental approval for flagship project: SunCable
SunCable has achieved another major regulatory milestone, receiving approval from the Commonwealth Government for the Australian component of its flagship project, Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink) ... "SunCable will now focus its efforts on the next stage of planning to advance the project towards a Final Investment Decision targeted by 2027" ... SunCable will be investing further in communities in the Northern Territory, Singapore and Indonesia to progress the next phase.
$100m Indigenous Murray-Darling Basin water fund faces devaluation amid rising prices
A Murray-Darling Basin water advocacy group says $100 million in federal funding for Aboriginal water entitlements is expected to lose about 30 per cent of its value before it’s spent. The Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations group wants traditional owners to be given control over the funding to restore ancestral sites. What’s next? The federal government says it is taking "proactive measures" to make sure its water purchasing programs don't drive up water prices.
$100m for indigenous water entitlements while Riverland left… ‘Hung out to dry’?
Hugh Schuitemaker. An initiative to acquire water entitlements for indigenous communities – in order to "rectify historical and systemic inequities" – overlooks the financial struggles of Riverland grape growers, according to the region’s federal MP. The Federal Government has this week confirmed $100m in funding will be used to purchase water entitlements for indigenous communities in the Murray-Darling Basin, through the Aboriginal Entitlements Program.
Koala queries – DPIRD, Vic Jurskis, Deborah Tabart and the Australian Koala Foundation
In view of the Australian Koala Foundation's march in Canberra planned for 1 September 2024, and its advocacy for a federal "Koala Protection Act", Australian Rural & Regional News felt it timely to ask some questions on koala matters and maybe even start up a useful, and very probably robust discussion ... ARR.News approached Dr Brad Law, Vic Jurskis and then Deborah Tabart OAM and the AKF for their response to questions ...
Next steps in illegal logging law reform: Collins
The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to strengthen our illegal logging regime with the Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Bill 2024 currently before the Senate. This legislation will be supported by new rules to replace the current Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2012 when it expires on 1 April 2025 which are now open for comment.
Headwaters and springs of Belubula River in Central West NSW protected: Plibersek
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act (ATSIHP Act) allows the Federal Environment Minister to make a declaration protecting a significant Aboriginal heritage area where it is under threat of injury or desecration ... I have decided to make a partial declaration under section 10 of the ATSIHP Act to protect a significant Aboriginal heritage site near Blayney, in central west New South Wales, from being destroyed to build a tailings dam for a gold mine.
Predicting Australia’s exposure to exotic pests: DAFF
Australian researchers are peering into the future to prepare for tomorrow’s biggest biosecurity risks. ​The Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA) has developed forecasting models that analyse changing climates and international trade flows to determine which pests will hit Australia hardest over the coming decades.
More water and better quality promised to three villages with $2mil funding
Water supply for the villages of Urbenville, Muli Muli and Woodenbong will be increased in capacity from 600 to 700 people. The Water Supply Project to these three villages will also improve the water quality as well with State Government funding of $2million to deliver the final stages to the Urbenville Water Treatment Plant.
McFarland goes down the path of a dual society
Don Fuller. In my view Blair McFarland’s policies are short on policy suggestions – besides they need more funding for the Basics Card. It is dependence on government to provide failing solutions again! There is no mention of the essential importance of education and the need for employment to reduce the devastating impact of a welfare-based society and how these vital areas can be improved.
Meta’s claims about news on Facebook revealed as fake news: Country Press Australia
In the ï¬rst half of 2024, one-third of Australians accessed Facebook for news, a new study reveals. The ï¬nding contradicts Meta’s long-standing assertion that news content is a minor part of the Facebook experience for most Australian users ... CPA President and Warragul & Drouin Gazette publisher Andrew Schreyer said there were signiï¬cant industry challenges ahead, and forecast potential closures of up to 50 member outlets as current agreements under the News Media Bargaining Code with Meta near their expiration.
Southern Basin communities raise alarm over water recovery impact
The Commonwealth Government water buybacks scheme will disproportionately impact the southern Murray-Darling Basin, as the region still struggles to overcome the impacts of earlier water recovery programs. Water users and local government have outlined the significant risks posed by water recovery policies to the region’s agriculture, economy, and mental health, in a letter to State and federal politicians and departments.
