Council to object to Willatook Wind Farm
Moyne Shire Council will make a submission to the Minister for Planning objecting to the planning permit for the Willatook Wind Farm. Councillors voted unanimously to object to permit application for the development following a community consultation process, where 62 members shared their views.
A plan to make the most of $17 billion investment for Barkly
The Barkly Regional Deal is seeking public comment on the 2030 Barkly Economic Growth Strategy which outlines key projects, programs and proposals anticipated for the region to build a diverse economy and improve social outcomes, culture, and quality of life for Barkly residents. The Strategy has been developed by working groups of Barkly business leaders, Aboriginal business enterprises, industry groups and community stakeholders.
Almost 20,000 feral pigs culled in regional NSW: Saunders
More than 19,500 feral pigs have been culled in seven months through targeted aerial shooting operations run by the NSW Government ... “There is a definite concern that if FMD was to enter our country, it could be spread through feral pig populations across NSW,”: Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders
$70 million Riverina rail revival: Farraway
The NSW Government has announced a Riverina rail revival is under way with more than $70 million in rail projects funded under the Fixing Country Rail Program, with the largest project now officially complete. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said 174 kilometres of rail between Junee and Griffith has been replaced, while a $11.7 million project is about to get under way near Coolamon to further reduce rail bottlenecks on the line.
Millions of sterile fruit flies to be released weekly
Sterile fruit flies will be released across the Riverland this week, as part of an eradication plan to stop breeding. From Monday 1 August, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) started releasing 20 million sterile male fruit flies per week.
It’s time
It’s not just the ‘it’s time’ factor, nor the furore around Allanah MacTiernan's recent comments linked to Foot and Mouth disease, nor her failure to get her Department to operate effectively, or even the fact she has been captured by the unscientific religion of regenerative agriculture, that she has to go. No, it’s simply the fact that farmers have stopped listening to someone who prefers to lecture rather than listen.
Local industry concerns
Sheryl Lowe. Nick McBride MP, Member for MacKillop, hosted a visit by the Shadow Minister for Regional South Australia and Primary Industries, the Hon Nicola Centofanti MLC, in Naracoorte this week, to discuss the impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Mr McBride and Ms Centofanti toured the Naracoorte Livestock Exchange (saleyards) which has been operating on the corner of Wimmera Highway and Carters Road since 1973 ... “If FMD was found in the region, the impact would be enormous,”: Nick McBride, Member for MacKillop
Call for policy overhaul – prescribed burns
Patricia Gill. The Denmark Shire Council is calling on the State Government to overhaul its prescribed burning practices and policy in line with current science and community sentiment. The council moved a notice of motion from Councillor Jan Lewis to appeal to Parliamentarians for a review of the prescribed burning policy and practices.
Lockhart Shire takes stance on ownership of Rural Fire Service assets
Lockhart Shire Council has taken a strong stance on the NSW Government’s determination on ownership of Rural Fire Service assets by refusing to carry out stocktakes on these assets on behalf of the NSW Government nor record the assets in the council financial statements.
Council talks stormwater funding
The Narrandera Shire Council has agreed to increase its 2022-23 borrowing bid to the Office of Local Government and NSW Treasury from $2 million to $3 million to enable it to undertake stormwater infrastructure works in urban Narrandera. The works are aimed at solving severe flooding that occurred in the town earlier this year.
Licensing, legalities and loonies
Water politics in Australia’s $13 billion political plan to save the Murray-Darling Basin is rapidly deteriorating as political drivers rip apart what remains of meaningful engagement, sustainable water industries and communities reliant on a balanced plan. Despite all the promises and shiny beads, sadly, politics and bureaucracy show little interest in change.
Branching out
A recent controversial social media post has highlighted the importance of communication, engagement and balancing expectations. The target of the post was the red gum forestry operations on Campbells Island back in early 2020. A meeting held at Murray Connect on Monday, July 25, saw industry, community members and forestry start a conversation over harvesting, management, rules and sustainability. In a three-part article, we will break down some of the rules, regulation and concerns.
A lot rides on the man who will lead the flood rebuild
“Failure is not an option,” David Witherden said. The civil engineer has a massive job ahead of him as chief executive of the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation that will lead the rebuild and recovery after the floods ... The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation was set up on July 1 and the actions it takes will be defined by the State Government flood inquiry findings.
CVC objects to NSW Government’s RFS ‘cost shifting’
Geoff Helisma. Councillors unanimously supported a mayoral minute (MM) tabled at the July 26 Clarence Valley Council (CVC) meeting, to “advise the NSW Audit Office, as requested by Local Government NSW (LGNSW), that CVC will not conduct the stocktake of Rural Fire Service (RFS) assets and will not record assets on CVC’s financial statements”.
More land secured for Coomera koalas: Qld Gov
Another 400 hectares has been secured to protect koalas in the Coomera Connector corridor. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Greenridge property at Pimpama, within the Gold Coast's Koala Priority Area, is one of the largest private, and suitable, land holdings close to stage one and future stages ... “The additional 400 hectares is next to the PRCA, creating almost 900 hectares to protect the local koala population and improve their home range and connectivity well into the future.”: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
Export success brings water to Indian farms, jobs to Shepparton
Victorian irrigation innovator Rubicon Water is maximising water use on farms from the Murray Darling to India and beyond, driving jobs growth at its key Shepparton base ... In Karnataka, the Rubicon Water system manages the water supply to more than 400,000 hectares of farmland through 1,250 kilometres of canals.
FMD is far more important than festivals
This opinion piece is all about the failure of our Ag Minister to understand the importance of elevating biosecurity to the top of DPIRD’s list of things to do ... With the arrival of Foot and Mouth Disease in Indonesia, DPIRD needs to be up to the task of stopping it at our borders or wiping it out within the 3-4 months that a recent CSIRO report claims is possible for localised outbreaks.
Labor walking away from River Murray election commitments already: Centofanti
The Labor Party has already begun walking away from its pre-election commitment to deliver the Murray Darling Basin Plan in full and on time in hypocritical revelations from the new Federal Water Minister ... Fast forward a few weeks to the first sitting week of Federal Parliament and Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek is already saying she is open to delaying the 2024 deadline which would break an election promise.
Certainty for the environment, farmers and water users: Anderson, Griffin
There is more certainty for farmers and the environment after the NSW Government’s licensing and measurement reform became law in Water Sharing Plans for the Border Rivers and Gwydir Valleys. Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson and Minister for Environment James Griffin have approved changes to the Border Rivers, Gwydir and Macquarie Water Sharing Plans.
Third ageing wooden bridge replaced, seven to go
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg has opened the new Tucki Creek Bridge at Tucki Tucki which was replaced due to safety issues. Our specialist Bridge Crew replaced the ageing wooden bridge with a new 12.1m x 4.8m single span concrete structure. This new structure founded on concrete driven piles has been designed and constructed to achieve a 100-year design life while improving its flood immunity and safety for local farmers and truck drivers.
Commonwealth Government ignores Basin Plan facts and history: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has raised concerns that the Commonwealth Government is rewriting history in an attempt to buyback and deliver water to South Australia under the Murray Darling Basin Plan. VFF Water Council Chair Andrew Leahy said the response from Water Minister Tanya Plibersek to South Australian MP Rebekha Sharkie’s question in Parliament this week ignored the history behind the 450 GL up-water target.
Release of the East Arnhem Regional Economic Growth Plan
A significant aspect of Closing the Gap in East Arnhem Land is the creation of new industry, jobs and business on country. Announced over the Garma Weekend, the Territory Labor Government has released the East Arnhem Regional Economic Growth Plan – a collaborative 10 year plan which sets ambitious goals for economic and jobs growth across the 33,000 square kilometres of the region.
