State backs bridge rebuilding bonanza
Geoff Helisma. The NSW Government has granted $30.8 million in funding to Clarence Valley Council (CVC) to replace 31 timber bridges in the Clarence Valley. The council was successful with 31 of 32 applications to the Fixing Country Bridges (FCB) program. Staff wrote in the report to yesterday’s March 30 CVC meeting that it was “an unprecedented amount of funding for timber bridge replacements in the Clarence Valley over the next two years”.
A message to MP Pitt from Dr Peter Barker, OAM, Cohuna
"You are surrounded by the passionate custodians of the southern Murray Darling Basin. I deal with these ladies, gentleman, and their kids on a daily basis and when they are sad or vulnerable, I hear the stories. So, what is it that is driving some to want to sell the farm as a best counselled option after weeks of therapy as opposed to the suicide planned when the wife brings her husband in the night at the point of desperation. I’m going to talk about some of the straws that are breaking backs and what follows is extracted from many conversations I have had with troubled farmers when they see a problem with no solution, they can influence ..."
Strategy would make path to $300B by 2030 less steep
John Lloyd, Agribusiness Australia. This is not a critique of the National Farmers Federation’s laudable $100 billion aspiration. Agribusiness Australia’s own ambition is built on continuity with the NFF platform, and also to ensure it becomes reality. But it’s just a matter of seeing trend against target.
Wrong route for Planning Minister on Inland Rail
NSW Farmers and the Country Women’s Association of NSW (CWA of NSW) are alarmed by a proposal that would stifle community consultation on the Inland Rail project. It comes as the NSW Minister for Planning the Hon Rob Stokes MP has issued an order declaring the construction of the Inland Rail in NSW as a critical state significant infrastructure project.
Marise Payne encourages Clarence Valley women to aim high and be brave
Emma Pritchard. Grafton welcomed a special visitor ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8 when Senator the Honourable Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women spent a few hours meeting local women in business, school students and community members at a gathering at the Grafton District Services Club last week. Describing herself as very proud and privileged to have the opportunity of meeting so many Clarence Valley women, Senator Payne spoke of her ongoing career as a woman in politics and her passion for engaging with other women and encouraging them to pursue their ambitions.
Worker plan food for thought, no panacea
The NFF say today’s release of the much-anticipated National Agriculture Workforce Strategy comes as farmers seek immediate and longer-term answers to crippling worker shortages. NFF CEO Tony Mahar said the strategy unfortunately did not provide a silver bullet but outlined wide-ranging practical measures that if implemented, could increase agriculture's labour pool for the future.
ALRTA has called on farmers to obtain class 3 livestock permit pre-approvals before transport is arranged
“In the past, land-owners needed vehicle registration details to apply for a pre-approved class 3 livestock permit. They usually don’t know vehicle registration details before engaging a carrier so it was always the carrier’s job to obtain the permit. It can take up to 28 days to obtain a permit that could only be used by one carrier on one job. We don’t have time to wait and it is pointless gathering dozens of single use permits,” Mr Beer said.
Certainty flows from basin plan reform
NSW Farmers welcomes steps from Federal Water Minister Keith Pitt to end the Water Efficiency Program and the recovery of consumptive water from on-farm sources. The Federal Government committed to move away from on-farm water recovery in the Murray Darling Basin Plan (MDBP) in September 2020. Minister Pitt’s announcement to end the Water Efficiency Program formalises this commitment.
Water Minister Keith Pitt meets with Northern Victorian mayors
Hon Keith Pitt MP joined local member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster and Senator Hon Bridget McKenzie, in Mildura today to talk water with the Murray River Group of Councils. Mayors of the six member councils welcomed the opportunity to directly raise their concerns about the impacts of the Basin Plan on the region on behalf of northern Victorian communities.
Hogan: airport still commercially viable
Geoff Helisma. Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan says he believes that the Clarence Valley Regional and Lismore airports are “still commercially viable”. The Independent emailed an enquiry to Mr Hogan’s office, asking for comment about Rex withdrawing from its Grafton and Lismore routes.
The Rexit affair
Geoff Helisma. Clarence Valley Council is hoping that Page MP Kevin Hogan can help fill the hole left by Rex regional airline’s announcement that it will cease operating its Sydney to Grafton and Lismore routes as of Friday March 26.
Kookaburra Calling- is it time for the ASX of water?
In a lively panel session held at the ABARES Outlook 2021 virtual conference, entitled 'Improving water market outcomes in the southern Murray-Darling Basin', Mick Keogh, the Deputy Chairman of the ACCC responsible for small business and agriculture, and lead author of a report on the water market recently handed to the Federal Treasurer, alluded to the idea of establishing a water market in Australia akin to the regulatory environment of the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).
ABARES Outlook 2021 – Littleproud spruiks government’s ag credentials
The ABARES Outlook 2021 Conference, the annual conference held by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Economics, being held virtually for the first time this year, is taking place between March 2nd and 4th.
Western Sydney infrastructure gets $7 billion, regional Australia not a high priority
National Farmers' Federation. Today, Infrastructure Australia released its 2021 Infrastructure Priority List, and regional Australia is once again the poor cousin. Of the identified ‘High Priority Projects’, not a single one is in a regional area – with only Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane rating a mention.
Monarto Zoo Safari Roars Ahead
Today’s sod turning at regional South Australia’s Monarto Zoo officially marks the start of construction on a new state-of-the-art Safari Gateway Visitors Centre. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the $16.7 million project would provide enormous economic benefits to Monarto and neighbouring regions.
Our poor will be hit hard
The impending cut to Jobseeker isn’t only about the hardship those on $40 a day will endure. More than a million dollars a week will be pulled out of our local economy if Jobseeker returns to pre-covid levels.
653,600 jobs at risk from net zero emissions target: IPA Report
Coal miners, farmers, and steel and iron workers hold the majority of the 653,600 jobs which could be destroyed by the adoption of a net zero emissions target in Australia, according to new research released by free market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs.
Warnervale Airport – Lift Off!
Emergency services, the Central Coast Aero Club and other users will be able to fly more freely now that the NSW Upper House has voted overnight to repeal the Warnervale Airport (Restrictions) Act 1996.
Showing support for the Grafton Show
Emma Pritchard. After the unfortunate cancellation of the 2020 Grafton Show, only weeks prior to the event, Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan visited the iconic T. J. Ford Pavilion at the showground last week and announced a grant of just under $18,000 through the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days Program to reimburse costs for the cancellation of the popular attraction last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Investment in trade, workers & climate headline NFF’s budget asks
Farmers have provided a detailed list of what Government can do to propel the sector’s contribution to Australia’s COVID-19 economic recovery and to support its continued prosperous future. Headlining the NFF’s 2021-2022 pre-budget submission is a call for government to invest in the development of a long-term agriculture trade strategy. "Recent disruptions will cost the industry $36.9 billion this decade," CEO Tony Mahar said.
On-farm water recovery continues despite Minister’s promises
The Victorian Farmers Federation is calling for the Commonwealth Minister for Water Resources to keep his word and stop on-farm water acquisition to meet the 450GL up-water target in addition to the Murray Darling Basin Plan. VFF Water Council Chair Richard Anderson said he was disappointed the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture and Water is continuing to pursue on-farm water recovery despite the Federal Water Minister Keith Pitt’s promise not to do so.
Let’s rename Clarence Way the Pothole Way
Classification is crucial when it comes to funding roads. Clarence Way is classified as a regional road and not a rural road. This affects state funding. Kyogle mayor Danielle Mulholland said it put Clarence Way in the same pool as roads in Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie and this meant tougher competition for funds.
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