Deloitte Access Economics Business Outlook: Now for the tricky bit
"Australia sells energy and food to the world, so the tragedy in Ukraine means that our miners and farmers have seen the spoils of war."
$160k for local radio
Gabrielle Duykers. Community radio station 5TCBFM has received a sizable cash injection to update its studio equipment and ensure broadcast continues. At its April meeting, Tatiara District Council voted to grant the station $80,000 to replace broadcast and studio equipment, and approved an additional $80,000 loan to help facilitate further infrastructure upgrades.
Gingin plans for a consolidated caravan park at Guilderton
Parts of Dewar and Edwards streets will need to be permanently closed prior to their inclusion into a consolidated caravan park reserve if the Shire of Gingin proceeds with an agenda item.
Former councillor joins race for senate seat
Tennant Creek local Kris Civitarese has thrown his hat into the ring for the Federal Election. The Country Liberal Party announced yesterday Mr Civitarese has been preselected to run for the second Senate position.
Worker shortages hitting small businesses hard
Since the beginning of the pandemic, small businesses have been amongst the hardest hit, and unfortunately, for many businesses across central Victoria, the continued effects of COVID are still being felt. Annette Larsen, owner and Chef at Harcourt Produce and General Store, told the Times, “We have been short-staffed for almost a year."
TFGA: An extension to permitted development rights provided a lifeline for UK farmers – can we do the same in Australia?
In the UK, Pitchup.com supported a successful campaign to extend permitted development rights allowing change of use of land for camping. This small change to planning rules facilitated the opening of 1,000 pop-up campsites across the country over the summer season, primarily at farms, and helped over 300,000 holidaymakers book a much-needed break in the outdoors.
Prospects for Australian wheat exports amid the Ukraine-Russia conflict
A Charles Sturt University agribusiness expert suggests Australia can anticipate an increase in wheat exports to countries affected by the Ukraine-Russia conflict and should target those importing nations’ requirements.
You can’t be what you can’t see: improvement needed to careers education in secondary schools
Careers education in Australia’s schools is grossly inadequate, according to a new report by the National Youth Commission Australia. The report cites young people's negative experiences, such as not being provided with adequate classes or information on career options or pathways post-secondary school education.
Delivered: 25 out of 2000 housing pods for people made homeless by floods
Twenty-five of these homes, also called pods, were delivered to Wollongbar Sports Fields in Ballina Shire this weekend. Many more homes are expected to be delivered to Richmond Valley, Tweed, Byron and Lismore LGAs. Suitable sites in these areas are being discussed.
Coalition expands its support for veterans’ organisation to deliver disaster relief: McKenzie and Gee
A re-elected Coalition Government will invest $38.1 million over the next three years to establish a National Veteran Volunteer Service program in partnership with Disaster Relief Australia (DRA).
Don’t forget us – Lockhart River desperate for action
Lockhart River mayor Wayne Butcher is hoping a close federal election race in Leichhardt will be the catalyst for a major upgrade to the town’s disgraceful telecommunications network ... “We are not asking for 5G like the cities, we are simply asking for a reliable 4G service ... There is a lack of understanding in the capital cities about how bad we have it here.”
Fisheries workshop a winner
A capacity-building fisheries workshop between Traditional Owners, the Torres Strait Regional Authority and Fishwell Consulting has won the People Development Award at the Queensland Seafood Industry Awards, TSRA chair Pedro Stephen said the award aligned with TSRA’s dedicated fisheries program, which aims to support a sustainable fishing industry owned and operated by Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal peoples.
Mackeral stats are fishy: Katter
Katter's Australian Party Leader Robbie Katter has backed a Cairns game fishing leader’s condemnation of the state government for siding with anti-fishing groups to slash Spanish mackerel quotas ... Cairns Professional Game Fishing Association spokesman Dan McCarthy said the survey on the management measures for the east coast Spanish mackerel fishery released by DAF was skewed towards severe restrictions and used a very different stock assessment model and method to any ever used before.
Deputy PM announces doctor training for Tennant Creek
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce flew into Tennant Creek on Wednesday morning to deliver the good news for health in the region. Tennant Creek has been listed as a targeted General Practitioner (GP) recruitment location under the Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS).
Councils urged to seek expert help
Chris Oldfield. When it comes to roads, 'a stitch in time saves nine’ and it is a lot cheaper for councils to look after them, says one of Australia’s leading road research experts, Tyrone Toole. Only in very poor countries has Mr Toole seen bitumen roads ripped up and replaced with gravel ones ... for councils to do such things in Australia, Mr Toole said it would be a sign of “desperation” and “a backwards measure”.
Report points to region’s glaring gaps
Gabrielle Duykers. Access to housing, education, mobile service, and high-quality freight infrastructure are the most significant development issues facing the region, according to a recent report. The 2022 Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report – developed in partnership with Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast (RDALC) and Infrastructure Australia – was assembled to highlight opportunities for supporting the regionalisation trend that occurred as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Battery powered electric trucks
Electric truck maker Janus has debuted the first battery-powered prime mover in Australia and has plans to set up battery swap stations up and down the eastern seaboard within months. Narrandera Shire Council's EDM Peter Dale recently attended a showcase of Janus products. Mr Dale met with representatives for Janus to discuss the merits of the company establishing facilities in Narrandera.
Rural voters urged to make rural health matter at ballot box
“We urge rural voters not to be fooled by flashy, ribbon-cutting announcements about new hospital buildings or equipment. Yes, quality health infrastructure is important – but the focus needs to be on getting more doctors and other health professionals into rural and remote towns to deliver services…both this year and in 20 years" : Dr Megan Belot, Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) President.
Labor pains
Countless reports, ‘engagement’, reviews and the rapid erosion of the river have highlighted all these failings, yet a potential prime minister appears oblivious to the geographical diversity of issues, constraints and environments across the basin. With city centric politics appearing more interested in getting elected, what hope does the health of our basin have?
Build policy on solutions, not winning votes: Speak Up
The community-based Speak Up Campaign has joined the growing list of organisations expressing concern at last week’s Labor Party announcement around implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. In particular is the issue of water buybacks, which Labor’s Shadow Water Minister Terri Butler conceded, “If we have to” was “an option that will have to be pursued.”
Mayor congratulates Wakka Wakka people on Native Title determination
“It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge the Wakka Wakka People as the traditional, and now, legally recognised native titleholders of approximately 9,393 square kilometres of land covered by this determination”: South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Brett Otto.
Water fight risks real damage: NSW Farmers
"There are real opportunities to deliver environmental outcomes to the river system without reducing production. I would call on both sides to put aside the political point scoring around who's tougher on water, and instead build upon the opportunities in the basin plan that have been hard fought but are still yet incomplete": Richard Bootle, NSW Farmers Water Taskforce Chair.
