What the Minister and CEO FCNSW did not say!
On 15 March 2022, NSW Budget Estimates Portfolio Committee No 4 saw Justin Field MLC and David Shoebridge MLC once again argue the closure of selective harvesting of native forests in NSW.
Cook MP impressed on trip north
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said a trip to Cooktown and Hope Vale had highlighted some of the positive contributions made by councils and community groups in the region ... “Given the vast size of my electorate, it is always fabulous catching up with locals in Cooktown and Hope Vale to see and hear first-hand the progress of state-funded projects, programs and matters where I can assist,” she said.
Inland Rail modelling reveals need for state-based investment
The state’s peak agriculture body says the federal government’s multi-billion-dollar freight project needs more work to fully benefit agriculture and the regions. Adrian Lyons, head of the NSW Farmers Inland Rail Taskforce, said new modelling from the CSIRO revealed cost savings were not built in for the state, and more interconnectivity was needed.
NT Govt and Julalikari agree to work together for a stronger future for the Barkly
Chief Minister Michael Gunner, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Selena Uibo, Linda Turner and David Curtis Jnr from Julalikari and Byron Matthews from the National Indigenous Australians Agency signed a Local Decision Making Agreement in Tennant Creek following a Community Cabinet meeting in town on Wednesday.
Gunner’s arrival in Tennant Creek draws criticism from residents
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s visit to Tennant Creek this week was greeted with ire by many local residents sick of the continuing crime and antisocial behaviour in town ... “Residents have a reason to be angry with the Chief Minister – since 2016 we have yet to see a detailed crime prevention plan that would tackle the issues in Tennant Creek”: Barkly MLA Steve Edgington.
SA Territory Minister visits Tennant Springs
The South Australian Territory Minister for Veteran’s Affairs Kaul Pirby was recently in town and visited the local RSL. Unfortunately on his social media page, Mr Pirby was confused to where he was in fact visiting.
Lib backs Labor’s local health pledge
Gabrielle Duykers. A Liberal MP has expressed disappointment in his party for failing to match funding local health funding commitments made by the State Opposition, but says he will continue advocating on behalf of the community. In an interview with Flow News 24, Liberal Member for MacKillop Nick McBride said he supported the Labor Party’s $52 million health pledge for the Limestone Coast, which addressed the “outdated” infrastructure in parts of the region.
“Satellite city of Narrandera”
A contingent of around 30 local residents travelled by coach, sponsored by TAFE CLC at Narrandera, to the Avonlie Solar Farm at Sandigo last Thursday to be part of what is claimed to be the beginning of the largest project the town has ever seen ... Managing Director (CEO) of the company behind the project in Australia Ross Rolfe said the Iberdrola was the third largest producer of wind and solar power in the world.
‘Falling through the gaps’: Catch-22 for small farmers applying for flood recovery grants
Cattle farmers like Rachel Bell at Coraki need help. Having just experienced their worst flood ever, they need to rebuild and the flood recovery grants are supposed to make that rebuilding easier. Unfortunately, Rachel has found herself in the position where she doesn’t qualify for the flood recovery grants because she doesn’t fit the eligibility criteria for a farmer or as a small business owner.
Park Ave DA deferred ‘for one reason’
Geoff Helisma. The Northern Region Planning Panel (NRPP) has deferred its decision to approve (or not) a 136 multi-dwelling proposal in Yamba, pending the development of a draft flood evacuation plan ... As well as calling for an evacuation plan, councillors Tiley and Clancy were concerned that managing stormwater during an extreme weather event, such as the recent Yamba flooding, would be more than the design could handle.
Soy exciting for NSW producers
Emma Pritchard. A new variety of soybean developed in the Clarence Valley will significantly boost productivity and profitability for growers across the state ... the new variety called Gwydir is an early maturing plant which provides greater crop security and is well suited to a variety of climates ... Gwydir is also the first variety in NSW which is resistant to soybean leaf rust.
Corroboree frogs return home
One hundred critically endangered Southern Corroboree Frogs have been reintroduced to their native habitat at Kosciuszko National Park ... The frogs were badly affected in the 2019/20 bushfires, and the field enclosures have been fitted with irrigation systems for fire-proofing, as well as remote cameras for monitoring.
Forty local jobs up for grabs at Rookwood Weir
Central Queensland workers stand to benefit with a number of jobs soon to be up for grabs as part of the $367.2 million Rookwood Weir project ... Water from the weir will be available for sale later this year as part of the second stage of the tender process.
Putting Emu Creek Dam on the table
Toowoomba Regional Council moved a motion on 14 March to ensure Emu Creek Dam is firmly on the State Government’s radar as an option for future water. With the State Government undertaking work on a Regional Water Assessment, Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio said it was vital Emu Creek Dam was considered as part of this assessment.
New homes for victim-survivors to rebuild
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said it was vital victim-survivors have access to safe, affordable housing as quickly as possible to help them get back on their feet after their traumatic experiences. “We’re starting to see the important outcomes from our record commitment through the delivery of these 68 additional homes in Sydney and regional NSW, giving women and children who have suffered domestic violence a place to recover and thrive.”
Factory homes help speed up delivery of housing in regional WA
Housing Minister John Carey has announced the second tranche of homes to be delivered through the McGowan Government's social housing Modular Build Program. 21 homes will be delivered in the second tranche with contracts worth $9 million signed with multiple modular building companies.
New ebook to provide grower resource for soil water repellence
“Book 7 focuses on the impact, expression, diagnosis and management of water repellence in agricultural soil, supported by evidence-based case studies and farmer experiences”: SoilsWest co-director and Murdoch University Associate Professor Frances Hoyle.
Farmers call for clear land use strategy
The state’s peak farming body is calling on the state government to clearly set out rules around productivity of agricultural land. NSW Farmers President James Jackson said increasing urban sprawl and new developments were eating away at the state’s farming land, which will ultimately reduce the amount of food we can grow.
$45 million recycling plant opens in Albury
“The Circular Plastics Australia joint venture between Pact Group Holdings Ltd, Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd, Asahi Beverages and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners was born out of our first ever national plastics summit, and it is wonderful to see it come to fruition in Albury today”: Minister Ley.
Convoy of motorhomes for flood affected communities
The first of a 120-strong convoy of motorhomes will leave Sydney this morning bound for Northern NSW to provide medium term accommodation in flood-affected communities. Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the NSW Government is providing a range of accommodation for people affected by the floods to help ensure no one is left homeless.
Member seeks re-election for MacKillop
Sheryl Lowe. Member for MacKillop Nick McBride MP is seeking re-election when South Australians head to the polls this month. “The Marshall government needs another term in government to continue to improve the lives of South Australians and so do I,” Mr MacKillop told The News. “After 16 years in opposition, it takes more than one term to reach some of the goals we had when we came to government.”
Dalton resigns from party ahead of election
“They refused to vote down dodgy National Party law changes that allowed for excessive water take in the Northern Basin. These law changes really disadvantaged Lower Darling communities and Murray River irrigators” : Helen Dalton ... “This disallowance motion is a political game from a green Independent looking for relevance that undermines years of hard work by the SFF to see floodplain harvesting regulated”: Mark Banasiak, SFF MLC and Deputy Chair of the Select Committee on Floodplain Harvesting.
