Tourist hot spot to become fully renewable
Phillip Island’s bold vision to become Victoria’s first fully sustainable tourist hot spot in Australia is one step closer, with plans approved for a revolutionary community energy storage system. The Phillip Island Community Energy Storage System (PICESS) will offer greater reliability in electricity supply for the Island, especially during peak holiday periods and could potentially slash power bills, with residents able to use the grid to store their power.
Subsidising fertiliser is not smart
Some older farmers will remember the Australian superphosphate bounty of $12/tonne that was on offer between 1964 to 1974. Some might have even been at this Perth rally when farmers roughed up Gough Whitlam after he said he was pulling the plug on the bounty ... more hard policy decisions should have been made to cut tariffs and industry support right across Australia to put an end to the endless drip of governments ...
Farmers urged to join the fight against FMD: Saunders
Farmers are being encouraged to participate in the NSW Government’s largest ever pest management campaign to minimise the risk of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) spreading through feral animal populations if an incursion was to occur. Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the NSW Government’s Spring Offensive program will not only reduce the risk of FMD spreading across the country, it will also play a critical role in protecting primary producers’ top-quality food and fibre.
Concept plans ready for new youth recreation area at Tweed Heads
With construction of the Tweed’s new inclusive play space in Goorimahbah – Place of Stories underway at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, focus is now turning to the planning and delivery of Stage 2 of the park.
Seas the day for a splashing good time with Migrant Learn to Swim and Beach Safe Program
Sunshine Coast migrant residents are invited to apply for their chance to attend low-cost learn-to-swim classes. “Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy our wonderful lifestyle and the Migrant Learn to Swim and Beach Safe Program incorporates water safety and water confidence techniques along with basic swimming lessons”: Sunshine Coast Council Community Portfolio Councillor David Law.
Threatened species bouncing back in NSW rewilding sites: Griffin
The most ambitious rewilding project in Australia is achieving incredible results, with 10 locally extinct species now thriving after being reintroduced to three feral-free areas in NSW national parks ... “It’s incredible to see that in such a short period of time, we’re on track to remove at least 10 animals from the NSW extinct list – the first time this will have happened anywhere in the world”: NSW Minister for Environment James Griffin.
Bendigo in Bloom this spring
Bendigo’s stunning tulip displays will take centre stage in a new annual Bloom spring program that brings together 60 exciting events, experiences and attractions, including new night time activations in the city centre. A sea of 53,000 tulips will bloom from mid-September at the Conservatory Gardens, Queen Victoria Gardens, Civic Gardens and along Pall Mall.
Moobird soaring into the Moooving Art herd
Greater Shepparton’s popular Moooving Art collection continues to grow as Council welcomes a new member to the herd this week. Introducing Moobird, designed by talented Mooroopna artist Mandy Charquero, Moobird is inspired by the region’s very own Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton and the native birds which can be found there, and around our region.
Plans adapted for native veg and walking trails
Chris Oldfield. Developer Robert Moore has adapted his "high level plan" as a result of feedback regarding native vegetation and walking trails in the North Parklands. The adapted plans will be unveiled on September 21, in the Naracoorte Town Hall ... Mr Moore explained how times had changed for Naracoorte, which had not seen a population increase since the 1970s.
New nature reserves in South-West to protect threatened species: Whitby and Kelly
"These new nature reserves provide an important ecological link to other reserves in the area supporting our native species. Through the upcoming release of the draft Forest Management Plan 2024-2033, the community will get the chance to have their say in caring for the health of our forests" : WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby.
Rabobank Global Dairy Quarterly Q3 2022: Potential collision ahead?
Global dairy market fundamentals have shifted course in Q3 2022, from extreme tightness to visible but modest loosening. A potential collision between supply growth and demand is approaching, with Q4 year-on-year milk supply growth, weak Chinese import demand, and broader demand rationing in developing countries weighing on forecasts, according to the latest international dairy market report from Rabobank.
Ag Speak – Experts encourage FMD vigilance
Kristin Murdock. While foot and mouth disease (FMD) remains active in Indonesia, officials there say they hope to bring the outbreak under control by the end of the year thanks to a rollout of vaccinations. The country’s FMD Task Force spokesperson, Professor Wiku Adisasmito, said there had been more than 450,000 cases of FMD confirmed or suspected across 22 of the country’s 37 provinces.
Shuttle stallion elite touch down in Australia: DAFF
An elite stable of dedicated Post Entry Quarantine officers is ensuring some of the world’s most valuable shuttle stallions are happy, healthy – and won’t pose a biosecurity risk while on stud duties in Australia. The 55 horses – hailing from Europe, Japan, the USA and Canada, and worth a combined $450 million – have touched down in Australia for the Southern Hemisphere Thoroughbred breeding season.
Council reviews high business rate hike
Commercial businesses in the Barkly are up in arms about a significant Council rate hike, but Barkly Regional Council is calling for calm and is reviewing the rise. Council CEO Emma Bradbury said following the release of the 2022-23 rates notices last week, businesses in the region noticed their rates liability had increased significantly compared to last year, in some instances by more than 100 per cent.
Doomadgee company takes lead
An Aboriginal owned and operated company dedicated to representing the voice of the Doomadgee community has been established after 15 years in the making. Goonawoona Jungai Ltd, which is a community-controlled organisation, will play a role between governments and service providers in Doomadgee.
People of Orbost speak on facing an uncertain future as timber supply dwindles: FWCA
The current timber supply shortages in Victoria brought about by vexatious legal action against VicForests is causing anguish among the people of Orbost, where 37% of its workforce faces the axe ... Forest & Wood Communities Australia went to Orbost last week to speak with what we thought would be a few families to get an idea of what they are going through ... FWCA MD, Justin Law, said the heart-breaking situation in Orbost was unnecessary.
Eroding confidence
When I think of tragedy and tales of woe, it is hard not to go past history’s greats like Romeo and Juliet, but Australia as a nation is penning an even more tragic story, one sadly not confined to fiction ... With water or the environment not being big enough portfolios for the Albanese Government to separate, Tanya Plibersek has the job of forcing Southern Basin communities to swallow the pill promised to South Australia in the federal election.
River People’s Forum
A diverse range of views were heard at the River People’s Forum held in Swan Hill on September 2. What do we want our river communities and river to look like? What is the balance between regulated flows and floods and natural ones? Do we want concrete giants like the KP regulators? Nothing was out of bounds.
How much can a koala bear before it faces extinction? :Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt academic, Dr Joanne Connolly explores what makes koalas unique and how Charles Sturt University is contributing to saving endangered populations, including research into the Narrandera koala population ... ARR.News asks some questions of Dr Connolly.
CVC takes less than 24 hours to reject James Creek Residents Group request
Rodney Stevens. A request by The James Creek Residents Group for an independent Landscape Architect to research and report on a proposed controversial subdivision has been rejected by Clarence Valley Council in less than 24 hours ... “What worries us is it’s the first subdivision out here in the hinterland of what we call Yamba and it's important to do it correctly," said Lorri Brown.
Rail trail on track
A timely update for the Rushworth to Murchison Rail Trail Project, with the $3 million development progressing through Campaspe Shire Council’s planning stages. Mayor Chrissy Weller said the trail project will develop 11 kilometres of the former railway track, between Rushworth and the Campaspe Shire boundary of Channel Inlet Road.
Wave of visitors set to slide into Nambour’s vibrant new Splash Park
The Sunshine Coast’s newest community water park is set to attract even more visitors to the region’s hinterland heart - offering more than 580 square metres of healthy and active water play for people of all ages and abilities.
