Full throttle on Choke
The Barmah Millewa Choke is in the MDBA’s sights as the pesky sand slug slithered its way out of the pages of gold mining history, to now find itself lodged fairly and squarely in the road of supplying the mounting downstream demands for the precious water stored in Hume and Dartmouth. According to the MDBA, this particular sand slug must not be confused with the Cobram beach sand slug.
ABC’s Basin Plan reporting slammed
An advocacy group has slammed what it calls “inaccurate and harmful” reporting of an issue that is crucial to rural communities and the national prosperity. Speak Up Campaign chair, Shelley Scoullar, said rural Australians are ‘fed up’ with unacceptable media standards and the lack of effort to ensure crucial issues are reported accurately and with balance. Mrs Scoullar said the latest example was from the ABC’s national environment and science reporter, Michael Slezak, and his reporting of Australia’s State of the Environment document, in which he used selective information that presented a false picture of Murray-Darling Basin Plan progress in broadcasts and online, including ABC National News.
World class skatepark to open at Yamba
Rodney Stevens. "It now not only has such a diverse range of new obstacles, ramps, stairs, rails, flats, and lots of fun, creativity-inspired skateable elements, but also boasts a super advanced and fast three-metre-deep clover-style bowl to rival any skate park on the east coast of Australia": Clarence Valley Council Manager Open Spaces and Facilities Peter Birch.
Treasurer raises foreign investment fees
The federal government will add $455 million to its coffers after Treasurer Jim Chalmers moved swiftly to double foreign investment application fees. Labor’s election promise will become reality from this Friday. Foreign purchasers buying a residential property worth $1 million will be slugged an application fee of $13,200, up from $6,600. The same will apply to foreign buyers acquiring agricultural assets worth $2 million, and commercial assets worth $50 million ... “Australia welcomes foreign investment that is in Australia’s interests,” Chalmers said.
Locking up land is not the answer, NFF said
With Australian biodiversity under significant threat, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is urging the federal government to look to investment and collaboration with farmers. The call from the NFF comes after the recent release of the State of the Environment Report which revealed biodiversity across the country is experiencing a massive decline and currently remains under threat of further deterioration.
Patients running out of patience as they wait for a doctor
Ally Scholl is looking for a general practitioner for her family but hasn’t been able to get any appointments yet. Laura Anderson Parker said she finally found a decent GP but then “they are gone again. And repeat”. Sheryl Nielsen said it took weeks to get in to see a doctor.
Grafton sewage plant decision ‘on the nose’
Geoff Helisma. Councillors have unanimously supported a Notice of Motion (NOM) to “review [the] former council's decision, to construct a new sewage treatment plant (STP) on the existing north Grafton STP site” ... “Recent flooding of STPs in Lismore, Ballina and Byron Bay local government areas is a timely wakeup call that placing STPs in flood zoned areas should be avoided”: Cr Karen Toms's NOM.
Lives are at risk: Butcher
Samuel Davis. Planned upgrades to "notoriously unreliable" telecommunications services have been cautiously welcomed by Cape York leaders. The Torres Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance was briefed by Telstra on upcoming major works earlier this month, including a plan to introduce a 4G network in Lockhart River starting next year. But mayor Wayne Butcher said lives will remain at risk until mobile phone reception improves in the area.
Set sail to paradise
Samuel Davis. A bold new plan to ferry tourists from Cooktown to the tropical paradise of Lizard Island has been revealed by the Cook Shire mayor. Around 90 kilometres adrift from Cooktown, Lizard Island has returned to its former glory almost a decade on from the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Ita.
Swing into Spring this September at the Laidley Spring Festival
After taking a Covid-forced hiatus for the past two years, the Laidley Spring Festival is back for 2022, with a raft of new and exciting events set to make their Festival debut. The theme for the 2022 Laidley Spring Festival is ‘Swing into Spring’ and Lockyer Valley Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said Council, and the community, were excited to welcome the event back come September.
Biosecurity zones around Coffs Harbour after new Varroa mite detection: Saunders
A new detection of varroa mite has been confirmed near Nana Glen north-west of Coffs Harbour, leading to another set of biosecurity zones. The infested hives were located at a property that sits outside of the existing zones and brings the total number of infested premises (IPs) to 43.
Transformational Cohuna Waterfront Project completed
Residents and visitors are benefiting from the transformational Cohuna Waterfront Project, with the last section of this important project recently completed. Gannawarra Shire Council oversaw $3.4 million worth of works across a two-year period, focusing on Apex Park, Garden Park and King George Street.
FMD timebomb ticking but Labor’s nowhere to be seen: Nicola Centofanti
The SA Opposition is calling for additional biosecurity officers to be stationed at Adelaide Airport as fears grow over foot and mouth disease (FMD) potentially getting into South Australia which would have devastating consequences for the economy, jobs and cost of living. An urgent biosecurity staffing boost would allow for the luggage of every traveller from Indonesia to be individually inspected, creating an extra ring of protection for SA’s livestock industry while Labor governments sluggishly roll out disinfectant mats.
Eastern Bristlebird’s long road to recovery
A delicate overnight operation recently saw 17 Eastern Bristlebirds successfully translocated from Booderee National Park and Jervis Bay National Park in south-eastern New South Wales to the most southern tip of Australia’s mainland - Wilson’s Promontory National Park in Victoria. The Eastern Bristlebird’s population stronghold in New South Wales was used as a launchpad for establishing Victoria’s second population at Wilsons Promontory.
SA’s largest ticketed regional sporting event returns
The Repco Supercars championship returns to The Bend (July 29 – 31) with event organisers promising the biggest weekend of racing and entertainment yet in the OTR Supersprint’s five-year history. The jam-packed, three-day event is South Australia’s largest ticketed regional sporting event with all ticket holders getting paddock access to enjoy the once in a lifetime experience.
Housing demand creates planning challenges
The current lack of affordable and diverse housing for buyers and renters is a crisis which is confronting all levels of government. A move to regional areas, limited government investment in social housing, a boom in short terms rentals, Covid-19, the recent floods and inflation have put great pressures on the property market.
The table’s set for arts dinner discussion
What the heck is 'placemaking anyway'? - that's the hot topic on the table when Scenic Rim Regional Council hosts its third Arts Dinner of 2022 on Tuesday 2 August. Set against the backdrop of the Life in Focus exhibition, which includes the Scenic Rim Story Marker Trails project, the dinner explores the concept of how public art connects people with places, builds community pride and reflects the space in which it resides.
Genetic Noah’s ark solution to saving farming future: Robert Borsak, SFF
Whilst hoping for the best, leader of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party Robert Borsak MLC calls on the Government to plan for the worst in preparing for the imminent threat of Foot and Mouth Disease. “We are all hoping for the best in shielding our nation from the infection of Foot and Mouth Disease, but our governments need to plan for the worst by implementing a range of measures to protect the valuable bloodlines of our livestock industry,”: Robert Borsak.
New stronger biosecurity powers at international airports: Watt
The Commonwealth Government has established Biosecurity Response Zones at international airports, another strong measure in response to the Indonesian outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) ... “These zones strengthen and widen the powers of biosecurity officers to direct passengers to use foot mats and other biosecurity control measures such as the cleaning of shoes ... I also announced the deployment of sanitisation foot mats at all international airports as an additional layer of protection for returning travellers from Indonesia" : Minister Watt.
National tag system no silver bullet for FMD: NSW Farmers
Members of the state’s peak agricultural body have voted to support the development of a national electronic tagging system ... NSW Farmers Biosecurity Chair Ian McColl said while electronic tagging could be helpful, it would not be a silver bullet for the threat posed by FMD.
Australia’s forest scientists call for active and adaptive forest management in wake of RFA review: Forestry Australia
Following the release, the Victorian Regional Forest Agreements (RFA) - Major Event Review of the 2019- 2020 bushfires, the peak national organisation representing over 1,000 forest scientists and professionals have called for active and adaptive forest management to be implemented as a matter of urgency. President of Forestry Australia, Bob Gordon said the organisation has been calling on all governments to prioritise and invest in a year-round active and adaptive management approach to forest management, regardless of tenure.
Welcome changes will help reverse environmental degradation
“The Mulloon Institute heartily welcomes the Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek’s calls for structural reform and new environmental legislation,” said Mr Gary Nairn AO, Chairman of the Mulloon Institute and former Federal Liberal MP. The Institute restores degraded landscapes across Australia for improved agricultural productivity, enhanced environmental outcomes, improved biodiversity including habitat for threatened species, and greater community resilience to drought, bushfire and flood.
