Cape Jaffa Marina closure
Following severe storms at the end of August 2024 which saw seven metre swells hit the coastline, significant sand ingress compromised safe navigation of vessels to and from the Cape Jaffa Marina. As a result, the commercial fishing fleet unfortunately had to transport to Robe to commence their annual fishing season.
October – Safe Work Month
Preventing injuries, accidents, bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct while at work will be a focus this month - National Safe Work Month ... Although some people have died while working in their own businesses, helping to keep employees safe in the workplace is behind recent reforms to work health and safety laws. SA Industrial Relations Minister Kyam Maher announced the “significant reforms” ...
Breaking the cycle
An award-winning local policeman says the district needs to come together to “break the cycle” of domestic violence that exists in our community. Naracoorte’s Senior Constable, Chris Mailley, who works in supporting domestic and family violence victims, says, “just one incident is too many”.
‘Super tax’ to jeopardise family farms: NFF
Following the passage of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions and Other Measures) Bill 2023 through the House of Representatives, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is once again warning Parliamentarians of the Bill’s consequences on thousands of family farms and small businesses.
United Airlines enters enforceable undertaking for biosecurity breach: DAFF
An international airline has entered an enforceable undertaking with the Australian Government after it failed to declare two dogs’ arrival to the country, breaching Australian biosecurity measures. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, which has regulatory powers for Australia’s biosecurity as part of the Biosecurity Act 2015, found United Airlines had breached its reporting requirements twice...
Queensland state election looming
With nominations for the 2024 Queensland Election closing at noon yesterday, candidates have begun hitting the campaign trail in the Condamine electorate. Barring any last minute nominations, the candidates are: Pat Weir (LNP), Ben Whibley-Faulkner (Labor), Ellisa Parker (Greens), Alan Hughes (Family First Party).
Strong opposition to Misinformation Bill
Over 14,000 Groom residents have joined their Member of Parliament Garth Hamilton in voicing their opposition to Federal Labor’s proposed misinformation laws. When the Government released its first Misinformation Bill last year, more than 20,000 people put in submissions and comments opposing it and it was subsequently withdrawn ... Labor has once again shown a lack of respect for Australians’ fundamental right to free speech.
Furious farmers boycott water webinar
Farmers on the Murrumbidgee River claim they have been kept in the dark about a NSW Government plan to acquire flow easements along the riverfront to accommodate environmental water releases ... The scheme would allow the government to negotiate with landholders to acquire flow easements and, if no agreement can be reached, the water minister can decide to proceed with compulsory acquisition of the flow corridors "on just terms".
Tourism gets a fresh charge
The Snowy Valleys region is set to become an even better destination for electric vehicle (EV) owners with the installation of ten public EV charging stations. Snowy Hydro is supporting Snowy Valleys Council (SVC) to install and maintain the new charging stations which will be strategically located in Khancoban, Adelong, Talbingo, Tumbarumba and Tumut.
Farmers concerned about constraints process
Murray region landholders have increasing fears of government forcibly acquiring their land, and these have been exacerbated by a recently released draft discussion paper, followed by a series of meetings. The NSW Government is suggesting it may use compulsory acquisition of land to claim easements, which will allow higher flow levels of environmental water to be delivered to South Australia under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Need for declared catchment highlighted
John Xanthis. Wilson Inlet opened on September 25 at 0.88 AHD in relatively ideal conditions with a north-easterly breeze, a declining swell, a good variation spring tidal range and a high pressure system ... water levels were low and late this year due to a dry winter with little river flow.
CFA open for all
Andrew Mole. There is a certain can-do attitude when it comes to Koondrook and getting things done – and the town’s CFA volunteers are a prime example. On Sunday, the local brigade held a very casual, very enthusiastic and very well received open day to unofficially officially unveil its new annex.
Elected councillors declared – No changes following recount for Hay and Edward River
There have been no changes following a recount in Hay and Edward River Councils last Friday. An unsuccessful candidate in both Hay and Deniliquin requested the recount due to very tight margins … The official councillors for the next four years for Hay are Martyn Quinn, Will Miller, Carol Oataway, Lionel Garner, Darren Tapper, Geoff Chapman, Paul Porter and John Perry.
Tender time
Senior Riverland politicians have urged local irrigators to avoid signing up for the Federal Government’s latest expression of interest for water buybacks. The Federal Government last week opened the Restoring Our Rivers 2024: Expression of Interest 2 (Large Portfolios of Water Southern Connected Basin), allowing for water buybacks from Riverland communities.
Community work together to roll out Food Systems Roadmap
Following the adoption of the Central Goldfields Food Systems Roadmap in September, the Central Goldfields Food Network will reconvene to lead its implementation.
New program to ease pressure on GPs
Joanna Tucker. The South Australian Government has announced a significant expansion of pharmacists’ scope of practice, aiming to alleviate pressure on GPs and hospital emergency departments by allowing pharmacists to manage a wider range of health conditions. Under the new program, South Australians will be able to visit local pharmacies for common ailments ... in addition to already available services like medication for urinary tract infections and oral contraceptive pill resupply.
NSW Fisheries Officers action over safety concerns
NSW Fisheries Officers have taken industrial action and are refusing to inspect commercial trawlers at night over safety concerns after several alleged violent incidents where they have been shot at, threatened with knives … The Public Service Association PSA which represents NSW Fisheries Officers said they are avoiding certain areas and individuals at the very time fears have emerged that crooks, poachers and organised criminals … have taken over the state’s rivers, oceans and estuaries and are now plundering valuable species like abalone and rock lobster.
Proposed desiccation ban jeopardises pulse crop viability: GPA
Thousands of grain producers will be put under unnecessary pressure to rethink sustainable farming practices that benefit the environment if proposed changes to the use of two key herbicides are approved. This is according to Grain Producers Australia Southern Region Director Mark Schilling, who is just one of thousands of grain producers who rely on timed applications of paraquat and diquat in their programs to ensure a strong harvest result.
Billion-dollar loss from Victoria’s business events: McArthur
Victoria's once-thriving business events sector is in crisis, with recent data from Tourism Research Australia showing a dramatic drop in market share from 36 per cent in 2014 to just 21 per cent in 2024. Victoria was once the leader in business events, far ahead of New South Wales (27 per cent) and Queensland (15 per cent) in 2014.
New ultra heavy tankers for North West CFA fleets: Symes
The vehicles are part of a fleet of 29 ultra heavy tankers rolling out across regional Victoria ... The new tankers will provide a valuable boost to the capability of the brigades ahead of the upcoming fire season. Valued at $440,000 each, the ultra heavy tankers have a 10,000-litre water tank, improving the ability to fight fires in rural areas with open grasslands…
New solar farm in New South Wales to power 191,000 homes: Plibersek
The 450 megawatt Goulburn River Solar Farm is located 28km south-west of Merriwa and includes the construction of 1 million solar panels, a battery storage system and local road upgrades. The project is located between the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and the Hunter-Central Coast REZ, and will have direct access to the existing electricity transmission network.
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.
