Widespread water protest planned: NSW Farmers Association
Basin communities, farmers and businesses will join forces for the nation’s largest ever protest next week against the Albanese Government’s controversial water bill. The coordinated action led by Deniliquin, Griffith and Leeton councils, along with key farming groups such as NSW Farmers and businesses, will see towns across multiple states host demonstrations on Tuesday, November 21, sharing the message that a rewrite of the Murray Darling Basin Plan will cost thousands of jobs and slash almost $1bn worth of food and fibre from farms.
Farmers push back
We all know that the federal Labor government has set itself the impossible task of reducing carbon emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, plus setting itself a target of achieving 82 per cent renewables across the power grid ... Hence the recent announcement by federal anti-agriculture Minister, Murray Watt, offering up the livestock sector as one industry which could be made into an unwilling sacrificial lamb to the climate change gods by imposing rather than hoping for emissions cuts.
A&E shutdown
Michelle Daw. Ardrossan Community Hospital has temporarily shut its accident and emergency service and acute care in response to ongoing financial losses and workforce challenges ... Increased costs include governance and compliance, employment of agency staff to fill staff shortages, and on-call retainer payments for doctors. The hospital’s income has been impacted by a decrease in the number of people with private health insurance and workforce shortages.
Letter to the Editor – Bushfire management should focus on fuel reduction: McArthur
In my adjournment matter, I encouraged the Minister for Emergency Services to delve more deeply into Dr Tolhurst’s life’s work and consider his recommendation that bushfire management should have a greater focus on fuel load reduction. Dr Tolhurst repeatedly pointed out the folly in prioritising expensive and difficult suppression of fire, instead of fuel load management ... He powerfully argued against an influential Climate Council factsheet, which had concluded “no amount of hazard reduction will protect human lives, animals and properties from catastrophic fires” – pointing out that analysing the extent of burned areas, rather than the severity of the fire, is misleading.
Big water bombers still on the ground
Big water bombers still cannot be used in Alice Springs which is again surrounded by wildfires ... Preparations for the use of large fire bombers … are locked in a Catch 22 situation: The NT is part of a national system for the use of such aircraft but “they are ineffective given the location”: Tony Fuller, of Bushfires NT.
Tough times
“What a difference a year makes,” said Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross, reflecting on his first 12 months as a civic leader. Tough economic conditions are gouging deep into the lives of many – a direct contrast to that leading up to last year’s November 10 SA local government elections.
Opposition denied police station visit
Member for Barkly Steve Edgington has slammed the NT Labor Government after he and his boss were denied access to the Tennant Creek Police Station ... they were told they were denied access because the new Police Minister, Minister for Police Brent Potter, wanted to visit first.
Lessons from Tasmania’s timber industry
The ‘precautionary principle’ is not included in the code of Tasmanian Forest Practices Code, where a more pragmatic approach manages any threatened species, according to a senior Tasmanian forestry expert ... Dr Peter Volker said the system had been in place for more than 30 years and had stood the test of time. “We have been able to harvest, reforest and protect threatened species in a sustainable manner.”
Queensland beef sizzles in Shanghai: Palaszczuk
The best of Queensland beef has been showcased in Shanghai at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world’s largest import trade fair. Choice cuts were prepared for canapes, sirloin beef rolls and mini wagyu burgers by world class chefs for close to 80 guests...
MRSG explains ‘a better way’ to Senate Basin Plan hearing
“There are alternative investment options that deliver far greater and more sustainable environmental outcomes than the original architects of the Basin Plan’s approach of ‘just add water’. Sadly, politics doesn’t allow common sense to prevail. MRSG has also identified a range of project options that could achieve environmental outcomes while at the same time protecting staple food production, jobs, rural communities, economic activity and export earnings”: Louise Burge, Murray Regional Strategy Group.
In the line of fire
Recent changes to the proposed corridor for the 500kv Victorian New South Wales interconnector have placed additional stress on some of the region’s families as they now find themselves in the firing line ... The Bennett’s property sits between the majestic floodplain jewels, the Edward River and Billabong Creek, but now, the altered VNI West puts their generations of tranquillity in jeopardy.
Closure marred by vast contradictions
The Victorian government’s regulation of timber harvesting, which has led to the impending closure of Gippsland’s native forest industry in January, directly contradicts the joint national-state approach to ensure biodiversity alongside a timber industry over the previous 30 years, analysis shows ... When setting up the National Forest Policy Statement in the 1990s, the JANIS working group – conservation scientists and planners from all states and the CSIRO – drew up the criteria to form a CAR (comprehensive, adequate and representative) reserve system.
Tasmanian premium food and beverage on show in China: Rockliff
This week, 14 premium Tasmanian food and beverage producers will be showcased at the annual China International Import Expo in Shanghai. China is the largest import market in the world and remains Tasmania’s top export destination, valued at $1.35 billion per year.
Petition for fair deal – Prawners offered $133 a share
An online petition has been launched calling for a fair deal for Clarence River prawn trawler operators after the government offered a paltry $133 per share to buy back their trawling entitlements, leaving them without a business and a small payback for their life’s work.
Labor back in bed with the Greens to kill off salmon industry and hundreds of Tasmanian jobs: Rockliff
The Tasmanian Government received a letter from Federal Labor Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, relating to potential action taken against salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour ... Premier Rockliff said any decision to halt operations by Tanya Plibersek would put 350+ jobs at risk in communities right across Tasmania.
Biocontrol puts weeds on the back foot: DAFF
Renewed focus on weed biocontrol through a collaborative initiative is set to deliver benefits to land managers and the environment in the fight against weeds. The initial phase of implementing the National Weed Biocontrol Pipeline Strategy includes the drafting of a national priority list of candidate weeds for biological control.
Katters call out Queensland on bushfire culpability: Katter
“At the same time we have seen these shocking declines in volunteer numbers, without any genuine attempt to stem the flow, Labor governments have embarked on a land lock-up spree that has seen National Park size in Queensland increase from around 6.6 million ha in 2002 to more than 7 million ha in 2022 ... Then we have the Prime Minister running around the country saying he will protect 30 per cent of lands, meanwhile what is currently under lock and key are poorly-managed, ecological wastelands that raise the nation’s bushfire risk": Traeger MP Robbie Katter.
Southern purple-spotted gudgeon reintroduced into the River Torrens/Karrawirra Pari today: Close
The critically endangered southern purple-spotted gudgeon will be reintroduced to River Torrens / Karrawirra Pari ... The gudgeons have been a missing part of the river system for over a century, and are being reintroduced to the Breakout Creek / Purruna Pari section, which has progressively been restored from an artificial channel to a more natural waterway.
Yeah, nah – council has no incinerator plans but state leaves the gate open
The council has taken the step of publicly declaring it has received no proposals for an energy from waste facility, called an EfW or incinerator, in Casino. The statement from Richmond Valley Council comes in response to what it calls “widespread misinformation”.
School’s out
Will Hunter. Yorke Peninsula parents and students are waiting to learn if school will go ahead on Thursday, November 9, after the Australian Education Union decided to proceed with a planned strike that day ... Australian Education Union branch president Andrew Gohl said the executive could not accept the latest offer put forward by the government.
Wugularr marks new remote housing milestone: Uibo
This month, the Territory Government has completed a major housing build and handover in the community of Wugularr (Beswick) – handing over a total of 28 homes. The $2.2 billion Remote Housing Investment Package, jointly funded by the Northern Territory and Commonwealth Governments, has so far delivered 1208 new homes and upgraded close to 1700 homes since September 2016.
Emerging Aboriginal leaders present to Cabinet: Uibo, Paech
Eighteen Aboriginal leaders from across the Territory addressed the highest level of Government at a special Cabinet meeting ... The Aboriginal leaders, eight women and ten men, offered advice and guidance on policies, projects and initiatives that impact on Aboriginal Territorians and remote communities.
