Query on wheat prices
This newspaper [The Buloke Times], in the past, has queried the government’s decision to take away the single desk for export from the Australian Wheat Board, an organisation which evened out the returns to growers, and was generally respected by the industry. Now there are claims that the good seasonal conditions have not been reflected in the returns to growers in recent years, and some companies with a larger share of the export trade have acted in “monopolistic” ways.
The Voice not an issue in the big bush
The Voice is not on the agenda of two of the three local governments in the Central Australian bush, and it is understood that this is also the case with the MacDonnell Regional Council ... Adrian Dixon, President of the Central Desert Regional Council, said the Voice had not been spoken about in the council and there had been no consultation about the Voice ... And Barkly Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin says: “We don’t need a Voice, we want an Ear first.”
Community rally as agency to close
Community members across Murray River and Gannawarra local government areas continue to express their dismay at the Bendigo Bank’s decision to close the Barham, Cohuna and Pyramid Hill agencies. The bank claims the closures, along with 13 others, are due to the number and value of over-the-counter transactions falling as more customers choose to do their banking online ... This week, a meeting was held between Bendigo Bank executives, Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh and a representative of the Gannawarra Shire Council.
Honey exporters to benefit from digital reforms: DAFF
Australian honey exporters will benefit from new digital reforms that streamline the export certification process to Great Britain and the EU. On 30 March 2023, certification for honey and apiculture exports for human consumption became available via NEXDOC for Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and the European Union.
Southern Murray–Darling Basin water prices forecast to remain lower than average for fourth consecutive year: ABARES
Water allocation prices in the southern Murray–Darling Basin are likely to remain low for a fourth consecutive year, according to the latest ABARES Water Market Outlook ... ABARES considers the average scenario to be the most likely, with prices expected to increase to $80 per ML across the southern basin in 2023–24, up from $29 per ML in 2022 23.
Housing crisis
The federal, state, and local governments have a role to play in curbing the housing crisis in Naracoorte and its surrounding towns. That’s the word from Shadow Minister for Regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti, who revealed a state migration strategy was being developed to tackle the housing crisis in the regional towns. Ms Centofanti told The News that the strategy would be made public once it was ready.
Step forward to resolve barley dispute with China: Wong, Farrell, Watt
The Australian Government has reached an agreement with China that creates a pathway towards resolving the dispute over Australian barley. Since 2020, China’s 80.5 per cent duties on Australian barley have effectively blocked exports to that market ... Following recent constructive dialogue at all levels, we welcome China’s agreement to undertake an expedited review of the duties over a three-month period, which may extend to a fourth if required.
Getting Inland Rail back on track: King, Gallagher
The independent review of Inland Rail led by Dr Kerry Schott AO found major deficiencies in the governance and delivery of Inland Rail. It confirmed that Inland Rail is an important project to meet Australia’s growing freight task, improve road safety and to help decarbonise our economy. However, it also confirmed that the project is running significantly over budget and significantly behind schedule with just over 16% of the 1700km of track completed so far.
Government urged to pilot bold new plan to deliver urgent final water flows to Murray-Darling Basin, without the need for buybacks: Waterfind
An Australian-first program designed to restore critical environmental water flows to the Murray-Darling Basin, while meeting the ongoing needs of local irrigators and growers, has been proposed as an “immediate, affordable and genuine” solution to the nation’s Basin Plan – avoiding the need for short-term, unpopular water buybacks as announced by the Federal Government.
Keep an eye out for changed conditions downstream of Hume Dam this Easter: MDBA
Murray River campers and river users looking forward to spending time on the Murray downstream of Hume Dam this Easter are reminded to be aware of potentially changed river conditions as a result of the recent floods. MDBA Executive Director of River Management, Andrew Reynolds said depending on which part of the river you visit, riverbanks may have changed and hidden snags and other debris may be more prevalent.
The 12 Apostles precedent is state-sanctioned theft: Bev McArthur
The Victorian Minister for Regional Development has completely avoided answering a question in the Victorian Parliament regarding the forced takeover of private land near the 12 Apostles ... “Why are you removing another safeguard of the private property rights which define civilised society?” Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur asked.
Housing supply worsens as demand increases: HIA
“The Government is set to fall well short of their goal of building one million homes over five years according to report from their peak housing advisory body (NHFIC),” stated Tim Reardon, HIA’s Chief Economist. The National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) released their ‘State of the Nation Housing 2022-23’ report, which highlights that the under supply of housing is set to worsen as demand continues to out paces supply.
SA Parliamentary review likely
A petition led by Naracoorte’s Lachlan Haynes calling for radiotherapy services in the South East is likely to trigger an SA Parliamentary review ... A single petition with over 10,000 signatures must be referred to the Legislative Review Committee for investigation.
Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council communique, 31 March 2023
The Authority discussed the ongoing consequences of recent floods through the Basin, in particular the tragic fish deaths this month in the Barka-Darling River at Menindee. They expressed their deep concern about the impact on local communities and the river environment and commended the coordinated efforts of water management agencies and the NSW Police to address community concerns, to ensure potable water supply and to effectively remove a great many dead fish from the river.
Housing crisis to get worse
The state and federal governments are indirectly influencing the housing shortage in Naracoorte and surrounding townships, claims a local real estate agent. Cameron Grundy of SAL Real Estate says for decades, the state government has retreated from the traditional housing trust model of building and selling properties, which has contributed to the housing crisis of today.
Strangle hold
A recent report on the Water Supply and Demand in the Southern Murray-Darling Basin released by the Victorian Government conveys the catastrophic convergence of events that are unfolding under a plan to “restore the balance” and “save the Murray.” The report brings into focus the extent to which water scarcity will increase in the future as existing and new permanent horticulture plantings explode below the natural constraints of the river system and fight for dam storage.
Break the cycle on crime boasting
A petition has been launched following the announcement of the Breaking Online Notoriety Bill being introduced into Parliament this week. The Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton is asking residents to show their support for the Bill by signing the petition, which calls on all parliamentarians to back the Bill.
2900 quarantine turkey poults nearly ready to fly the coop: DAFF
Australia’s state-of-the-art avian quarantine facility is filling the role of midwife to nearly 3000 turkey poults in Victoria. The team at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Mickleham together with industry experts have nurtured 2900 turkey eggs from Canada during their minimum 13-week quarantine period.
Safeguard mechanism needs to be safe for agriculture: NFF
As changes to the Safeguard Mechanism enter the home stretch in Parliament, farmers are warning that the impacts of a turbocharged offsets market need to be considered. National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Chief Executive Officer Tony Mahar said while agriculture was excluded from safeguard mechanism requirements, the 215 emitters it captures will be hungry for offsets from farmland.
Historic native title for Eastern Maar: Williams
Eastern Maar peoples in Victoria’s south-west have gained formal recognition of their land rights in the first Victorian native title determination in a decade, with support from the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Treaty and First People Gabrielle Williams joined the Eastern Maar Country at a hearing on Country at Logans Beach to hear the Federal Court’s consent determination - which will formally recognise the groups native title rights.
Send a notice to Australia Post: Littleproud
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud is calling on locals to deliver their own notice to Australia Post, by sending a loud and clear message to continue services in the area ... It comes after Australia Post removed much-loved red street post boxes from Maranoa communities in Weengallon, Guluguba, Macalister, with two boxes moved to metropolitan areas.
Statement on UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement: NFF
We welcome the ratification of Australia’s trade deal with the United Kingdom by the UK Parliament. This deal improves access to an important market for Aussie farmers. It will also give UK consumers the option of sustainable, high quality Australian produce on supermarket shelves to complement their existing home-grown options.
