Politics

The whole landscape needs maintenance by mild fire. But academics and fire chiefs talk of asset protection zones, strategic zones and management zones with different fire regimes. They just don’t get it. Firebreaks don’t work in extreme weather. They can’t stop firestorms and long-distance ember showers. If you need to reduce accumulated fuel, you haven’t been maintaining the landscape properly.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has welcomed the timely arrival of a new state-of-the-art helicopter to boost its capacity and help frontline firefighters prepare for and defend against bushfires. The new Airbus H125 helicopter, with its customised avionics, winch, radios and other specialised operational and safety equipment, joins four similar machines operated by the NPWS air wing known as ParkAir.

The Tasmanian Government will today lodge its official funding submission with the Australian Government to initiate the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub Project at Bell Bay confirming it as one of Australia’s strategically important locations for the development of the emerging green hydrogen industry.

Peter Rutherford. The Sydney Morning Herald, the Age and other outlets published an article regarding a freedom of information (FOI) request lodged by the South East Timber Association on 28 April 2021. The initial request was for emails and letters between Professor David Lindenmayer and 17 journalists and 4 other parties ... It is flattering that the named journalists and Professor Lindenmayer are so overwhelmed by the FOI request that they have made a national news story. As every single exchange between the Professor and the journalists has been redacted, what is the point of the story?

Renewable energy and renewable timber may soon be produced side-by-side, with the passage today of legislation to enable clean energy developments such as wind energy to be established in State forest pine plantations. NSW Parliament passed amendments to the Forestry Act 2012 as part of the Energy Legislation Amendment Bill to facilitate the opportunity to establish renewable energy infrastructure in State forest pine plantations.

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Environment and Community Committee Chair Cr James O’Shea said after a difficult two years, the festive spirit was well and truly here with Council thrilled to be involved in the CBD’s Christmas celebrations, giving everyone something to enjoy this Christmas season.

Rural households across the Western Downs are being urged to dig out their decorations and build their brightest festive displays as part of this year’s ‘Christmas Where the Gumtrees Grow’ competition. Entries are now open for this year’s challenge which encourages residents in rural areas to decorate their letterboxes, property entrances and farm machinery for a chance to win some incredible prizes.

Walgett Shire Council, News, 18 November 2021

A petition with more than 700 signatures was presented to Barkly Regional Council yesterday in a bid to improve animal welfare services in town camps. Local resident Peter Cain said the initiative came after citizens became concerned that the Animal Management Services were provided in town but not local Community Living Areas (CLA).

Gabrielle Duykers. Local council will begin its annual shooting of corellas throughout the district this month in an attempt to mitigate damage caused by the species.  At its October meeting, Naracoorte Lucindale Council moved to begin its Little Corella Management Program 2021-22 which will extend to April 2022.

Over 100 artworks from Central Goldfields Art Gallery now can be viewed online on Google Arts & Culture by people around the world, due to a new partnership between Google and the Gallery. Central Goldfields Art Gallery is the latest Australian partner to join more than 2,000 cultural institutions from over 80 countries across the globe, bringing important works from regional Victoria online, for the world to explore and enjoy.

Walgett Shire Council, Media Release, 17 November 2021

Greater Shepparton City Council is excited to announce the official virtual opening of the new Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) building on Friday 19 November at 7.00pm. The virtual opening will be available online for everyone to view and will feature some very special guests and presenters.

The oyster production areas of Coffin Bay have been closed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) as a precautionary measure as part of an ongoing investigation into a recent rise in Vibrio parahaemolyticus cases.

Nicholas Rupolo. The NSW Farmers Association has grown tired of the state and federal government’s inaction on agricultural labour shortages ... The state’s grain harvest was forecast to be worth $6 billion to the state economy but harvest forecasts have been revised down as a result of worker shortages ... The inability to access labour is made worse by growing costs associated with harvesting that have proven to be a major issue.

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.

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.

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.”

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.