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.
Felled trees just the start of changes on Yanchep Beach Rd
DevelopmentWA, the agency responsible for felling trees on Yanchep Beach Rd two weeks ago, says most of the trees remain and new ones will be planted once an access upgrade in the area is completed. In the days following the cutting down of the trees, including some tuart trees, Yanchep News Online was contacted by a number of residents who were shocked at the loss of the mature trees.
Landslide victory in mayoral race
Emily McInerney. Broken Hill City Council Mayor Tom Kennedy has been voted in for his second term, with a staggering 70 per cent vote. Mayor Kennedy said he was proud of the response he received from the community at the September local government elections. Of the 13,000 registered voters, Mayor Kennedy received 7,419 votes.
A prospect of independent power
GWMWater has recently provided an update on a study entitled “Donald Community Power Plant Study” investigating the feasibility of a community power plant and potential microgrid infrastructure to supply the residents of Donald with locally harvested and stored green energy. This is not the first time the concept has been investigated for the town.
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.
Cohuna Carp Catch is back
The North Central Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA) Native Fish Recovery Program is hosting the popular event on Gunbower Creek at the Gateway Information Centre end of Garden Park on Sunday, October 27. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be heaps of prizes based on the size and number of carp caught, as well as water bug activities, colouring tents, turtle and native fish displays, and a free lunch.
“Perfect Trifecta” for river fish
While punters look to find the best bets on racecourses across the state, the perfect trifecta could be within the banks of three northern Victorian waterways. Water for the environment will flow down the Loddon River, Serpentine Creek, and Pyramid Creek during October, to provide local native fish with a party of their own. Environmental water releases from Laanecoorie Reservoir will begin in early October, targeting flows of 400 megalitres a day.
Youth Fest 2024 comes to an end with action-packed skate park fun
Greater Shepparton Youth Fest 2024 wrapped up ... with a day full of action at the Shepparton Skate Park, marking the successful conclusion of a month-long celebration dedicated to youth. The day included a learn-to-skate workshop and an exciting BMX, Skate, and Scoot competition, judged by international expert Renton Millar.
City celebrates ‘Owl Friendly City’ status
To celebrate Greater Geraldton becoming an “Owl Friendly City” a free viewing of Boyd Wykes’ ‘Night Calling’ will be on show, which documents how the movement began. The short film explains the story on how it all started including the negative impacts that Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides have on local wildlife and tips on how to be Owl Friendly.
Grounded: A new exhibition celebrating Bundjalung cultural knowledge and creative wellbeing
Lismore City Council through Lismore Regional Gallery and the Quadrangle are proud to present a new First Nations-led creative wellbeing program launching with multi-sensory exhibition ‘Grounded’ this October … an innovative exhibition featuring the works of Widjabul-Wiabul/Yaegl sound and performance artist Mitch King and socially engaged artist and filmmaker Karenza Ebejer.
Declan’s Law ready to be introduced to Parliament next week: Finocchiaro
The CLP Government will deliver on its promise to introduce Declan’s Law in the first sittings of Parliament, commencing next Tuesday. Under Declan’s Law, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said there would be a presumption against bail for youth and adult serious violent offenders, regardless of whether a weapon is involved.
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.
More action needed to combat avian influenza risk: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says more needs to be done now to prepare Victorian farmers for the potential arrival of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, which has the ability to devastate Victoria’s poultry industry and native wildlife … additional urgent action to bolster biosecurity measures to protect the state's poultry farmers and broader agricultural sector is required and everyone has a role to play.
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.
Will wild dogs take the bait? Aerial baiting trial will use DOGGONE
Aerial baiting is one of the tactics used to reduce wild dog populations. This time though, instead of using fresh meat to bait the dogs, a bait called DOGGONE will be trialled. The Eyes on the Rim project will monitor wild dogs and their impact on endangered species.
Clarence and Richmond Valley businesses suffering in ongoing energy dispute: Williamson
Nationals MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson is urging the Minns Labor Government to step in and resolve the ongoing industrial dispute between the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and the state’s major energy companies, which is heavily impacting local businesses across the Clarence and Richmond Valleys. Months of strike action by the ETU has delayed thousands of projects, including critical infrastructure such as housing and roadworks, while driving some businesses to the brink of bankruptcy.
Mortlake Energy Hub to power South West Victoria: D’Ambrosio
Renewable energy developer BrightNight now has the green light to begin construction on the $700 million Mortlake Energy Hub in the state’s southwest. The project will combine a 360-megawatt solar energy facility with a 300-megawatt battery energy storage system capable of powering 140,000 homes and cutting emissions by 41.4 million tonnes annually.
Len Fox painting award
A large crowd gathered at the Castlemaine Art Museum last Friday night when Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards announced the winner of the Len Fox painting award. This is an acquisitive prize that is awarded every two years to commemorate the life and work of E. Phillips Fox ... The 2024 Len Fox award winner is Nellie Napa Coulthard for her painting titled Tjuntala Ngurangka - Country with Wattle, which celebrates the beauty of the artist’s country.
Landholders the priority for VNI West route update: TCV
Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) is prioritising contact with landholders in communications about the planned route for the new transmission line. TCV has narrowed the draft corridor for VNI West to a preferred easement of 70 metres along most of the route, subject to the Environment Effects Statement (EES) ... Landholder Liaisons will seek to meet in person to listen to concerns, answer questions on topics such as compensation, and discuss the next steps.
Board receives no complaints
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board says it has not received any feedback that low-flying helicopters have impacted spring lambing or calving. The board also says it has not received any complaints its letters to farmers from its lawyer are threatening.
