Labor walking away from River Murray election commitments already: Centofanti
The Labor Party has already begun walking away from its pre-election commitment to deliver the Murray Darling Basin Plan in full and on time in hypocritical revelations from the new Federal Water Minister ... Fast forward a few weeks to the first sitting week of Federal Parliament and Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek is already saying she is open to delaying the 2024 deadline which would break an election promise.
Northern Australia committee scrapped by ALP
Cape York leaders are reserving judgement on a federal government decision to axe the Northern Australia committee which guided growth and community development across the region for almost a decade. Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald, said the Labor government had “abandoned” the economically diverse region at a critical time.
Certainty for the environment, farmers and water users: Anderson, Griffin
There is more certainty for farmers and the environment after the NSW Government’s licensing and measurement reform became law in Water Sharing Plans for the Border Rivers and Gwydir Valleys. Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson and Minister for Environment James Griffin have approved changes to the Border Rivers, Gwydir and Macquarie Water Sharing Plans.
Moyne Shire festivals deliver positive economic benefits
More than $5 million was pumped into the local economy in the first half of the year thanks to two local festivals, economic data shows. The Port Fairy Folk Festival and Long Weekend Street Fair, held in March, and the Koroit Irish Festival, held in late April, resulted in a $5,118,949 increase in spending across the Moyne Shire. Spending associated with The Port Fairy Folk Festival and the Port Fairy Street Fair totaled $3.58M, up 40 per cent from the previous year when the festival was postponed due to Covid.
Third ageing wooden bridge replaced, seven to go
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg has opened the new Tucki Creek Bridge at Tucki Tucki which was replaced due to safety issues. Our specialist Bridge Crew replaced the ageing wooden bridge with a new 12.1m x 4.8m single span concrete structure. This new structure founded on concrete driven piles has been designed and constructed to achieve a 100-year design life while improving its flood immunity and safety for local farmers and truck drivers.
Commonwealth Government ignores Basin Plan facts and history: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has raised concerns that the Commonwealth Government is rewriting history in an attempt to buyback and deliver water to South Australia under the Murray Darling Basin Plan. VFF Water Council Chair Andrew Leahy said the response from Water Minister Tanya Plibersek to South Australian MP Rebekha Sharkie’s question in Parliament this week ignored the history behind the 450 GL up-water target.
Release of the East Arnhem Regional Economic Growth Plan
A significant aspect of Closing the Gap in East Arnhem Land is the creation of new industry, jobs and business on country. Announced over the Garma Weekend, the Territory Labor Government has released the East Arnhem Regional Economic Growth Plan – a collaborative 10 year plan which sets ambitious goals for economic and jobs growth across the 33,000 square kilometres of the region.
Expert committee endorses Queensland’s crocodile management program: Scanlon
The Crocodile Management Independent Expert Evaluation Committee – chaired by Queensland’s Chief Scientist, Professor Hugh Possingham – made 22 recommendations for improving estuarine crocodile management in Queensland ... The department has accepted each of the committee’s recommendations, with several recommendations already being implemented.
Government’s gift to irrigators will kill the Darling River: The Greens
The NSW Environment Minister has just approved Water Sharing Plans that will enable floodplain harvesting licences to be handed out in the Northern Basin. Cate Faehrmann, NSW Greens MP and water spokesperson, says this is a gift for big irrigators in the northern basin and will spell the end of a healthy Darling-Baaka River and Menindee Lakes.
Red CentreNATS 2022 program enters top gear
The Ultimate Festival of Wheels, Red CentreNATS returns to the stunning heart of Australia in September, and this year’s program takes things up another notch with the inclusion of a Thursday evening qualifying program at Alice Springs Inland Dragway (ASID). The additional evening is to cater for the ever-growing program, and will see ASID open for qualifying for both Round 1 of the 2022/2023 Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship and Top Doorslammer Australia. This means the fastest cars on earth will be heading to the Red Centre.
Progressing with the Murray Basin Rail Project
Local producers are benefiting from the completion of early works on the Ouyen to Murrayville line, as part of the Murray Basin Rail Project. Works included the removal of heat and speed restrictions along the 109-kilometre Ouyen to Murrayville Line – to boost safety and improve reliability ... "It's great to see early works complete on the Ouyen to Murrayville line – which will improve safety, capacity and reliability of services and better connect local producers to our major ports.”: Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan
‘From adversity to opportunity’, Mainstreet Australia conference, 4 August 2022
In recent years, main streets and town centres have faced many challenges to their survival. First, shopping centres, then online and finally, COVID. Now they’re faced with worker shortages and price increases. However, in comparison to metro main streets, regional precincts have done it even tougher with a smaller population to call on for support and drops in tourism. It is for this reason Mainstreet Australia are bringing their one-day conference, normally held in Melbourne, to regional Victoria also – and you can attend!
Water prices forecast to remain low for third consecutive year: ABARES
Water allocation prices in the southern Murray–Darling Basin are likely to remain low for a third consecutive year, according to the latest ABARES Water Market Outlook. ABARES Executive Director, Dr Jared Greenville said based on the current climate outlook from the Bureau of Meteorology, ABARES considered the wet scenario to be the most likely, with prices expected to fall to $58 per ML.
Joint study in the Pilbara assesses future of ammonia bunkering: Saffioti
Pilbara Ports Authority and Yara have signed a collaboration agreement for a feasibility study into ammonia bunkering in the Pilbara ... an important step on the path towards a net zero shipping industry and will assess potential demand, feasibility, infrastructure requirements, safety considerations and the establishment of ammonia bunkering guidelines.
WAFarmers Livestock Council policy update – EID tags for sheep and goats
WAFarmers Livestock Council advises members of an update in policy on the implementation of EID tags for sheep and goats. The council has a standing policy to support EID tags for traceability in sheep and goats based on government funding to assist in the implementation of a national database to manage a national standardised process.
Rural Aid secures drinking water for students after Valkyrie State School ran dry
A small central Queensland state school now has a secure drinking water supply, after six years of dry taps and plastic bottles. Australia’s most trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, has facilitated the installation of a SOURCE Hydropanel array at Valkyrie State School and believes that this technology could help facilitate drinking water security for other struggling schools.
Queensland govt selling super Longreach campus site
The Queensland government is moving to sell the former Queensland Agriculture Training Colleges (QATC) property at Longreach, which has trained agricultural leaders for more than 50 years. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the 17, 511ha site would go to market later this year.
Aboriginal Rangers ready to get to work on-country
Narrandera Local Land Services (LLS) has appointed four new trainees and a team supervisor as part of the New South Wales Government's Aboriginal Ranger Program. The $5.95 million program has recruited 22 new Aboriginal staff, including 16 trainee rangers - four each at Narrandera, Tamworth, Coonabarabran and Deniliquin ... “Our aim is to get the trainees exposure and training to all the work and learning aspects with LLS": Graham Kelly.
Power station reboot
Glencore is preparing to revive the Mica Creek Power Station after Stanwell handed back the keys to the dormant facility. North West Weekly can reveal the state government body struck a deal with the mining giant last month. However, Stanwell says it has simply returned a Mount Isa Mines asset back to Glencore.
NLC to plant 47 London plane trees
Chris Oldfield. Existing trees and vegetation will be bulldozed and an avenue of 47 London Plane Trees planted along the footpath of Stewart Tce – from Park Tce to Playford Dve. The decision comes despite fears that it could ruin $1 million worth of hockey turf.
Old Library vacant for six years
Chris Oldfield. After six years of being idle, and at least $40,000 budgeted for “design work”, Naracoorte’s old library building remains vacant. What to do with it, and what the designs are for, will be discussed behind closed doors in a workshop by Naracoorte Lucindale Council.
Regulator sets sights on irrigators
The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has released its regulatory priorities for FY 2022-23 and has set its sights on the irrigated agriculture industry in the Murray, Murrumbidgee and the Far North Coast ... “Our regulatory priorities identify and target problem activities, areas and industries that may have high levels of non-compliance with water laws or the potential to cause harm to the environment or surrounding community”: NRAR’s Director of Regulatory Initiatives Ian Bernard.
