Boosting the Wallumbilla Gas Hub
Australian governments are seeking stakeholder feedback on a consultation paper that seeks to increase liquidity and flexibility in the east coast gas market through enhancements to the Wallumbilla Gas Supply Hub and the pipeline capacity trading framework ... Stakeholder feedback on these options will inform development of a roadmap for Energy Ministers to consider in early 2022.
Council contemplates future for Emerald Ag College site
The future of the former Emerald Agricultural College site could be secured in early 2022, with Central Highlands Regional Council confirming its interest in acquiring part of the land. In a general council meeting in October, councillors voted to provide formal advice to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) about council’s desire to purchase approximately 350 hectares of the site, located on the Capricorn Highway.
No longer a rocky road when breakwater gets new path
Work has started on what will be one of the most exciting pathways in Evans Head. The pavement along the southern breakwall will have a $150,000 upgrade making it easier to walk along the breakwater with the sea on both sides.
Timber! How will the 1930s felled hoop pine be honoured in the village?
In a village known for its 1930s hoop pines, it was a sorry sight to see one of its tallest beauties felled this morning. The tree towered above the lavender canopy of the jacaranda nestled below its branches at the Bonalbo Tourist Park ... Marion moved to Bonalbo because she “fell in love with the hoop pines.”
Teachers rally amidst state-wide staff shortages
Emma Pritchard. “Teachers are instrumental in every community and the NSW Government needs to invest in them because children, especially in rural and regional areas, are bearing the brunt of the shortages and as a consequence their education is being put at risk”: NSW Teachers Federation President, Angelos Gavrielatos.
$5 million for water security research in Northern Australia
$5 million will be available between three leading Northern Australian universities for research into water security in Northern Australia. The money from the Federal Government, through the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA), is for Charles Darwin University (CDU), CQUniversity Australia (CQU) and James Cook University (JCU).
Japanese government funds green hydrogen export project from South Australia
The South Australian Government welcomes the Japanese Government awarding funding to Marubeni Corporation for a project to export green hydrogen produced in South Australia to the Indo-Pacific region. Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has selected Marubeni Corporation’s hydrogen production project in South Australia as a pilot project, as part of a program looking to cooperate with developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Waste strategy will bring circular economy to Lismore and villages
Lismore City Council has put its Draft Lismore Resource Recovery and Residual Waste Strategy 2022 to 2032 on public exhibition, coinciding with National Recycling Week that aims to improve the community’s knowledge about recycling.
Light up the Square kicks off start of festive season
The City of Kwinana is set to light up its City square with its annual Christmas celebration on 26 November in the heart of Kwinana City Centre. The community is invited to celebrate the start of the Christmas season and come down to Chisham Square from 4pm to participate in the free activities on offer.
Sleuth scientist solves mystery of the mouldy mungbean
Qld Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said a Departmental plant pathologist has found that two pathogens cause powdery mildew in mungbean, potentially unlocking new solutions for the $100m Australian industry. “Scientist Lisa Kelly has ‘bean’ on the case to unlock the mystery of the fungal disease that’s been present in Australian mungbean crops for at least 60 years,” Mr Furner said.
Green is the new gold: Mooloolaba’s new parkland takes out National horticultural award
The Mooloolaba Boardwalk and Parkland Project has been awarded for its excellence and environmental responsibility in design by the Australian Institute of Horticulture Inc (AIH). The 2021 Green Space Urban Award recognised this signature project’s commitment in preserving the iconic Norfolk Pines, which have become sentinels of the Mooloolaba foreshore.
Eyre Reptile and Wildlife Park closure
The park has provided access to a range of wildlife for both the community of Whyalla and visitors over a number of years, helping educate students and enable children to get up-close and interact with some of their favourite animals. However, the economic downturn brought about by COVID-19 and, in particular, the associated restrictions on travel have had a significant impact on the ongoing viability of the business.
NFF welcomes water market reform advisory group
The National Farmers’ Federation has welcomed the appointment of eight members to the Advisory Group on water markets in the Murray-Darling Basin. “The NFF is pleased to see the Group has a well-balanced mix of stakeholder representatives, technical experts, and especially, water users. We also support the appointment of Mr Daryl Quinlivan as principal adviser on the Advisory Group,” NFF CEO Tony Mahar said.
Farmers need comprehensive worker solutions not political point scoring
"Farmers must have a secure and reliable supply of workers to make sure they can look after animals, get the crop off trees and out of the ground as we work towards Christmas. As we see borders opening up, so to, are the retail and tourism markets. We simply must do better in the workplace arena," NFF President Fiona Simson said.
TFGA supports Tasmanian Government net zero 2030 target
Tasmania's peak farming body has produced a range of commitments it is seeking from the State Government relating to climate change. The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) has developed the commitments along with the formation of an Agricultural Sustainability Committee to oversee its response to the challenges of climate change.
Turtles on the move across Greater Shepparton
Greater Shepparton City Council has received several reports of turtles exploring local lakes and wetlands, with the rainy conditions triggering turtles to look for safe sites to lay their eggs.
Underwater drones protecting NT aquaculture industry
A high-tech underwater drone is helping protect Territory fish and marine life from harmful aquatic pests. The cutting-edge remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) takes monitoring to the next level, reducing the need for divers and providing a mobile camera capable of scanning large areas in limited time.
Don’t make decisions about us without us: NLC
The Northern Land Council (NLC) has called on the Territory Government to stop making decisions without it. NLC announced this week it supports the call by the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the Northern Territory (AMSANT) that a safe reopening of the Northern Territory must be based on a number of key principles and actions ... “This is about our lives, our people and our country. Governments have to think beyond the big cities when making important decisions about our mob out bush – don’t make decisions about us without us”: Samuel Bush-Blanasi, NLC Chairman.
Calls to ban duck shooting at Cairn Curran Reservoir
A letter co-signed by a consortium of environmental community groups has been sent to Mount Alexander Shire and Central Goldfields Shires seeking their support to have duck shooting banned in the Cairn Curran Reservoir area. Signatories say the activity is no longer appropriate for safety reasons, and the area would be better served as a sanctuary to protect threatened species.
Taxpayers funding locum doctors
Chris Oldfield. The SA Government is using taxpayer funds to pay fly-in locum doctors up to $3000 per 12-hour shift at country hospitals. And it is claimed it pays our local Naracoorte GPs as little as $285 per 24-hour shift to cover accident and emergency. Seven SA country hospitals including Millicent and Mount Gambier are now reliant on taxpayer funded fly-in locums – when they are available.
Food van up and running
The Narrandera Youth Council’s Food Trailer ‘Take A Bite Into the Future” project’ has now come to fruition ... The project will see the Youth Council providing a variety of food and drinks at community and Council events ... The design of the trailer showcases some of Narrandera’s beautiful landmarks and landscape.
TAFE closure claim denied
TAFE NSW has denied claims that it plans to sell off the Narrandera and Deniliquin campuses. The denial was in response to claims by the Member for Murray Helen Dalton that a secret briefing note ... revealed TAFE NSW wanted approval to sell off 19 TAFE campuses across regional NSW ... “We should be investing more in TAFE, not less. I sometimes wonder if this Government want to kill off all of regional NSW and force us all to move to Sydney.”
