The WA Nationals need to muscle up, not give up
The recent talk in the media of the plan by the WA National Party to trade the leadership of the Opposition for a guaranteed third winnable seat in the upper house was a sign of a political party that was in deep trouble ... If the Nat’s want to survive, they need to take some big policy risks and be more than Robin Hood and Father Christmas wandering around with the Royalty for Regions chequebook that requires the Liberal Treasurer to cash them.
Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail Project: feasibility study launch
It was a chilly start to the day at Joyces Creek last Thursday morning as a group comprising Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards, Ripon MP Martha Haylett, members of the Rail Trail group and representatives of both Mount Alexander and Central Goldfields shire councils met. The still water and shady trees, with the rail bridge towering overhead, lent a special atmosphere to the launch.
Country concerns ignored in power tower push: NSW Farmers
NSW Farmers has accused the state government of ignoring the concerns of regional communities, with the Premier reportedly vowing to build enormous overhead powerlines across the state. Media reports on Thursday revealed the Premier told a Business Sydney event that overhead powerlines were the only option...
Devastating scale of water buybacks revealed while critical questions go unanswered: NFF
The Federal Government has inadvertently revealed that damaging water buybacks will make up at least a third of water recovery under its revised Murray Darling Basin Plan, at a starting price exceeding $3 billion … “The Minister has said last week the current 1500GL cap on buybacks will be lifted': National Farmers' Federation Water Committee Chair, Malcolm Holm.
Take buybacks off the table – MRSG
A leading community and farming representative group in the NSW Murray is calling on the Albanese Government to "take water buybacks off the table". It comes after Water Minister Tanya Plibersek announced buybacks would be used to recover water, including an additional 450 gigalitres which was not part of original Murray-Darling Basin Plan recovery targets ... MRSG chair, Geoff Moar, described news of the buybacks as a "dagger in the heart" of rural communities, especially after constant government promises that they would only be considered if there were no negative social and economic consequences.
Farmers call for wild dog plan extension
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is urging the Victorian government to renew the highly successful Wild Dog Management Plan that has seen an enormous drop in wild dog attacks on livestock since launching in 2012.
Hotter, dryer summers bad news for farmers
The latest Federal Intergenerational Report suggests crop yields could be up to 4 per cent lower by 2063. Reduced yields are expected due to increased frequency and severity of extreme weather, including droughts, as well as most crops producing less in higher temperatures.
Forester Frank, science and French folly: David Jefford Ward
Although my qualifications lie in other fields, I know Frank Batini as a modest, well mannered, well qualified, and experienced forester. His recent article about his past work on water supply from Wungong Dam, near Perth, has raised concerns with me about the management of water supplies in Western Australia ... Instead of following scientific advice, they seem to have switched their beliefs to the thinking of other kinds of experts, without any qualifications in forestry, fire, or hydrology, but expertly politically aware and active.
Join the community challenge and get bushfire ready: Ellis
Communities across Tasmania are being encouraged to complete registrations for the Tasmania Fire Service’s Community Bushfire-Ready Challenge … “The Community Bushfire-Ready Challenge is a 6-week immersive online experience that kicks off on Friday, 1 September”: Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis.
Backflip on Grain Harvest Code a huge win for farmers: Pederick, Centofanti
Following several weeks of uncertainty for South Australian farmers, the CFS has announced that the Grain Harvest Code of Practice will remain unchanged for the 2023-24 harvest season. Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Adrian Pederick declared the move as “a big win for our farmers and grain producers” who can continue using the current Grass Fire Danger Index (GFDI)...
Solutions to country vet shortage: NSW Farmers
The state’s peak farm group has laid out a plan for government to resolve an acute shortage of large animal veterinarians in country NSW. NSW Farmers has given evidence to the Inquiry into the Veterinary Workforce Shortage … putting forward three solutions being used internationally.
Community logging on to support timber industry
More than 2200 submissions were presented to Clarence Valley Council (CVC) Mayor Ian Tiley by General Manager of Marshall Notaras Hardwoods and Vice President of Timber NSW Donna Layton on August 28 as a formal response, rejecting a report made at a council meeting two months ago by the Biodiversity Advisory Committee (BAC) which proposes to phase out native logging on public land.
Clarence River erosion management project a success
Transport for NSW Maritime has completed the Clarence River Erosion Management Project and has succeeded in achieving several successful outcomes for a four-kilometre section of this major waterway. NSW Maritime Executive Director, Mark Hutchings, said the project’s focus was on remediating the river bank and minimising the impact of boating-related erosion while ensuring boating continues on the Clarence.
South Australian Government opposes southern ocean offshore windfarm zone: Close, Scriven
The State Government has recommended South Australia not be included in the Commonwealth’s proposed offshore wind farm zone that runs from Warrnambool in Victoria to Port MacDonnell … State Government has expressed concerns about the potential impact construction of an offshore windfarm in that area could have on South Australia’s southern fisheries and marine environment.
Seed shortage and fire puts Victorian forests at risk of collapse: Forestry Australia
Victoria’s Ash forests are on the brink of ecosystem collapse following a poor flowering season and repeated fire events, warns the State’s leading forest flowering and seeding expert. The issue highlights concerns raised by Forestry Australia, the seed collection services provided by VicForests, may be lost following the native timber sector shutdown in Victoria.
Sawlogs for firewood – Minister Jarvis responds
“Following this historic decision to end native forest logging, the Cook Labor Government committed to an $80 million Native Forest Transition Plan that included industry restructure payments of over $22 million made to 24 individual businesses – including sawmills. For contracted customers who did not receive an Industry Restructure payment, the Forest Products Commission continues to meet all contractual obligations to deliver both firewood and sawlogs up until the end of this year; or until a deed of agreement to receive an Industry Restructure Payment is executed": Jackie Jarvis.
Supercharging Barcaldine’s clean energy future: Miles
Work towards establishing a renewable energy industrial precinct in Barcaldine is powering ahead, with discussions under way with several interested companies ... Acting Premier Steven Miles met with leading economist, Professor Ross Garnaut to discuss the BREZ ahead of today’s Economic Thought Leadership Forum on decarbonising supply chains and growing new industries in Queensland.
Green transmission is “just a fairytale”
Once upon a time, not that long ago, in places not that far away, the Australian Energy Market Operator, AEMO, thought it could devise a “renewable” energy and transmission scheme to outsmart the locals ... Locals along the lines have fought against the plans ...
Guidelines allow for coastal land uses until risk becomes unacceptable
Planning for possible future erosion and flooding risks is a hot topic in the Shire of Gingin following public information sessions in Lancelin and Seabird. The shire’s coastal hazard risk management and adaptation plan (CHRMAP) and coastal management strategy (CMS) and the WA state government’s coastal hazard risk management and adaptation planning guidelines...
Trouble in paradise with goldminer and landholders in dispute
For more than 40 years they have run the Clarence River Wilderness Lodge where guests come to escape into the nature and unspoilt beauty of the Clarence Valley. The rocky dirt track off Paddys Flat Rd is a 20-minute steep drive to the lodge and camping grounds on the 460 hectare property.
Knife crime reduction strategy released: Paech
The Territory Labor Government has released a Knife Crime Reduction Strategy that builds upon initiatives already underway to stamp out knife crime in the Territory. The strategy informs a whole of government approach to building partnerships with the community, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations...
Partnering with the West Coast Council and industry for a prosperous future: Rockliff
The Tasmanian Liberal Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the West Coast Council and key industry leaders. Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the MoU was an important next step in progressing the Government’s commitment to develop a Strategic Regional Partnership with the Western Region of Tasmania.
