Keeping regional Queenslanders connected in emergencies: Rowland, Watt
Communities across South East Queensland and the Fraser Coast will benefit from more resilient and reliable telecommunications, with the completion of a new $4.4 million project to keep the NBN running during natural disasters ... An innovative and environmentally friendly technology, Hybrid Power Cubes power NBN fixed wireless towers using a combination of solar panels, a battery, and a compact diesel generator, ensuring uninterrupted power supply to fixed wireless towers when it is needed most.
$13 million to tackle feral pig problem: Minns, Moriarty
The NSW Government is ramping up efforts to tackle rising feral pig populations across the state, providing an $8 million boost to help fund a new coordinated control program ... The one-year program will bring the NSW Government spend on control of feral pig populations to $13 million in the 2023-24 financial year.
Uncertainty remains for Queensland caged egg producers: QFF
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and Queensland United Egg Producers (QUEP) are carefully considering the ministerial endorsement of a national update to the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry (S&G) following a joint meeting of the federal and all state agriculture ministers in Perth last week ... As part of the update to the S&G, conventional cage egg production will be phased out, with each state left to decide the timeframe for this transition.
Chief Minister unveils new look for Nyinkka Nyunyu
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles unveiled concept designs for the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre’s $10 million transformation in Tennant Creek yesterday. The investment is part of the Territory Labor Government’s Arts Trail initiative, which aims to make the Northern Territory a world-class tourist and cultural destination.
Buloke Times editorial: Veterinarians again
In April, the “Times” wrote about the plight of veterinarians (“vets”), of whom there are too few in rural areas. It appears that one of the major reasons for their not showing willingness to work in “the bush” is the treatment that governments offer them, in comparison with their willingness in other medical professions.
Bad medicine for regional Australia
Trent Twomey. Sixty-day dispensing may sound good, but dig a little deeper and it’s rural and regional Australia that will pay ... “You don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone.” It may as well be the theme song for 60-day dispensing, where pharmacists will be required to dispense two months’ worth of medicine for the price of one month.
Aboriginal agreements could change how local governments operate: Bev McArthur
Victorians should be alert – and probably alarmed – at a deal that has been kept quiet by the State Government that will give indigenous groups in Western Victoria a huge say over water, roads and biosecurity ... The land mass covered by the agreement is nearly 36,000 sq km and involves ten local councils: Ararat, Horsham, Buloke, Hindmarsh, Pyrenees, Northern Grampians, Southern Grampians, Yarriambiak, Mildura and West Wimmera ... “There is so much to be worried about in relation to this ‘unprecedented’ agreement:” Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur.
Forestry Australia produces advocacy positions to inform sector
Forestry Australia has released a series of two-page Position Statements to better inform members and the community of its position on a range of issues. Designed to be short, sharp and easily understood, the first five in a series of position papers covers the areas of Ecologically Sustainable Forestry Management, Forest Fire Management, Forest Fire Recovery and Restoration, Sustainable Forest Harvesting and Forest Research, Development and Dissemination ... President of Forestry Australia, Dr Michelle Freeman said the organisation is seeking greater recognition by policy makers, media and the wider community of balanced science-based positions on important forest policy and forest management issues.
A great show of unity
Today is a celebration of what is great about living in Tennant Creek - the golden heart that never stops beating. When news broke the annual Tennant Creek Show wouldn’t go ahead, five weeks out from the big day, Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin came to the rescue along with Chief Minister Natasha Fyles.
Statement by Nick McBride – Member for MacKillop
I have come to the conclusion that it is no longer tenable for me to remain in the Liberal party. I have been a proud member of this party for more than 30 years, so this has been an extremely difficult decision for me. I believe my constituents and electorate will be better served by me working as the Independent Member for MacKillop.
Response to McBride defection
A trade school and further education facility in Naracoorte are opportunities which Nick McBride could work towards achieving as an Independent Member for MacKillop. Such a facility would include training for aged care and allied health as well as other vocations. The suggestions came from Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross in the wake of Mr McBride’s resignation from the SA Liberal Party.
Decision upheld
The future of Victoria's forests has been captured by political ideology and complex legalities rather than being determined by science and professional expertise, according to Forestry Australia ... "The problem is, there has been no universally accepted definition or clarity regarding how key components of the [precautionary] principle should be interpreted or applied in practice," Forestry Australia said.
NFF responds to Agriculture Ministers’ meeting
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the National Statement on Climate Change and Agriculture, signed off by agriculture ministers at their meeting in Perth on 13 July 2023. Farmers have expressed concerns however over the proposed implementation of new poultry standards, and a lack of tangible progress on other issues placing pressure on the sector.
States and territories sign up for new national poultry standards: DAFF
Agriculture ministers from all states and territories have now endorsed the new Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry ... The standards are the culmination of an extensive stakeholder and public consultation process and underpinned by contemporary animal welfare science.
New renewable energy landholder toolkit available to support Queensland landholder: QFF
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has released a new toolkit to provide information and practical guidance for landholders considering hosting a renewable energy project on their property. ... “There is much for a landholder to consider before entering into an agreement. It is also important for landholders to understand that they can say no to hosting a wind or solar farm development...": QFF CEO Jo Sheppard.
Great Sandy Marine Park zoning changes to protect marine wildlife, great lifestyle: Linard
In Hervey Bay to announce the outcomes of the zoning plan review, Environment Minister Leanne Linard said the final zoning plan will increase the proportion of marine national park (green) zones within the GSMP from 3.9 per cent to 12.8 per cent, contributing to a total of 28.6 per cent of the marine park being in highly-protected (green and yellow) zones to conserve the park’s biodiversity.
Urgent Care Clinic deadline missed
An Urgent Care Clinic in Toowoomba, promised to be up and running by 1 July 2023, is yet to be finished ... The Federal Labor Government had promised the Toowoomba UCC, as well as 50 others around the country, would be up and running by the deadline ... So far, only eleven UCCs have opened, nine in Victoria and two in Western Australia.
The true cost of heritage
Try finding out what the true cost is of undertaking an Aboriginal Heritage survey in Western Australia and you will be confronted by a conspiracy of silence ... with no examples of the amount it has cost explorers, councils and main roads to get heritage clearances so that farmers can have a realistic idea of what their LACHS are likely to charge them, I’m limited to telling you my latest journey down the mad rabbit hole of aboriginal cultural heritage.
New bridge is good to go
The Towong Bridge will soon be open to traffic after being closed for more than a year. Residents and landowners on both sides of the Murray River will be bouyed by news that the new Towong Bridge will be officially opened next week after being closed for more than a year.
Upstream pain begins
Sophie Baldwin. They often say things change with time but when it comes to water and the basin plan, it doesn’t seem to make much difference, especially for the Upper Goulburn River Catchment Association (UGRCA). The UGRCA has been concerned about the impacts of flooding on their properties and their towns ever since the MDBA floated their Constraints Management Strategy ... Landowner John Baynes's property is now so sodden, he has lost twenty-four 300-year-old river red gums, which have fallen over in his paddocks.
Covid vaxx discrimination Bill deadline extended
The reporting time for the Covid-19 Vaccination Status (Prevention of Discrimination) Bill 2022 and the Fair Work Amendment (Prohibiting Covid-19 Vaccine Discrimination) Bill 2023 has been extended to August 25, 2023. On February 9, 2023, the Senate referred to the committee with the bill’s intention to prohibit the commonwealth, states and territories and other government and non-government entities from discriminating on the basis of whether a person has had a Covid-19 vaccination in the provision of goods, services and facilities and also in employment, education, accommodation and sport, and amend the Fair Work Act 2009 by adding Covid-19 vaccination status as an attribute protected from discrimination.
Controversial skywalk now taking shape
Narrandera's Lake Talbot skywalk is now taking shape, with vehicle and pedestrian access within the Lake Talbot swimming pool carpark and stairway to the boat ramp closed in both directions last week to allow further works on the project. The design features a fully accessible walkway that extends some 13 metres out over and above the waters of Lake Talbot...
