‘Bunyip Bird’ takes centre stage at 2022 Australasian Bittern Summit
The iconic Australasian Bittern is the focus of a summit in Leeton on 1-4 February 2022, designed to advance the conservation of this cryptic species ... “The Bittern holds a special place in Indigenous culture and Australian folklore, with its booming call thought to be behind the legend of the bunyip,” said Senior Local Land Services Officer and conference lead Anna Wilson.
Minister Hinchliffe MP visits the South Burnett, opens bicycle museum
Queensland Government Minister for Tourism and Sport, Stirling Hinchliffe MP visited the South Burnett on Saturday 6 November 2021. Minister Hinchliffe opened Blackbutt’s new Bicycle Building School and Museum, the brainchild of renowned Penny Farthing historian, Mr Brett Richardson.
New air service to Brisbane
Wagga Wagga will have regular airline services flying direct to a third Australian capital city from early next year. Riverina travellers will have direct flights to Queensland when QantasLink starts flying between Wagga Wagga and Brisbane from 28 March, 2022.
Land purchased for $300 million high purity alumina industrial plant in Gladstone
A $300 million high purity alumina industrial plant is a step closer for Gladstone with Alpha HPA purchasing a 9.2 hectare site in the Queensland Government’s State Development Area.
Lord Howe Island’s Sydney air services extended for another three years
Air services critical to the Lord Howe Island community are set to continue, with the NSW Government extending the existing QantasLink licence for another three years from 2022. Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the air service is vital for keeping the Island’s 350 residents connected to Sydney and to support the tourism industry.
SA Labor to appoint River Murray Commissioner and prepare for High Court action
SA Labor: A Malinauskas Labor Government will appoint a Commissioner for the River Murray and prepare for High Court action to defend South Australia's water rights against upstream states’ greed. Labor has released its six-point action plan for the River Murray.
New frog species ‘hopping’ into protection
A new frog species has been discovered in Wollumbin National Park in northern New South Wales, and is one of only two known species that store their tadpoles on their bodies. Researchers from University of Newcastle and the South Australian Museum recently identified the species as distinct from its close relation, another ‘hip-pocket’ or pouched frog Assa darlingtoni, after genetic analysis.
New Queensland strategy to bring wild dogs to heel
Minister for Agricultural, Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the Queensland Dog Offensive Group (QDOG) developed the new five-year strategy in consultation with stakeholders. “The Queensland Wild Dog Management Strategy 2021-2026 provides state-wide coordination and direction to wild dog management,” Mr Furner said.
Wild dogs terrorising Gwydir Shire farmers stopped in their tracks
Two elusive wild dogs, which had been terrorising farming operations north of Coolatai for the last 12 months, have now been successfully controlled, Minister for Agriculture and Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has announced ... “Over the last year, this wicked pair of wild dogs wreaked havoc on local landholders, including one farmer who lost around 200 sheep,” Mr Marshall said."
Vaccination certificates
The streets of Maldon are bustling once more as visitors from Melbourne are free to travel the state. While cafes and retail stores happily welcome the increase in trade they now have the unenviable task of checking each customer's vaccination status. The Tarrangower Times interviewed local business owners and employees, many of whom have found the government mandates to be unclear, and at times difficult to implement.
Labor’s permanent power grab under fire
The Bill to amend the Public Health and Wellbeing Act has drawn fire from expert legal minds and politicians. The Bill would allow Premier Andrews alone, the ability to declare a pandemic empowering the Minister of Health effectively unlimited power to rule the state by decree, for an indefinite period, and without effective judicial or parliamentary oversight ... Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, said democracy has already gone out the window in Victoria, with Daniel Andrews ‘drunk on power’ and determined to entrench himself in a position where not just the parliament itself is at risk, but the individual liberties of every Victorian.
Native foods business blossoming in the Mallee
The Victoria Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas visited the Belar Nursery and Bioculture Resources Centre to announce the Labor Government’s $2 million Djakitjuk Djanga Program in partnership with the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations ... The Djakitjuk Djanga Program has supported 13 Aboriginal native plant businesses to overcome key resource-related barriers towards the commercial production of native foods and botanicals.
Guiding Aboriginal bushfood businesses to success
Two new guides, 'Setting up for success: Bushfoods' and 'Protection of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge for Bushfood Businesses', highlight the risks and opportunities for Aboriginal businesses, as well as promoting best practices for industry.
More housing for seasonal workers in Mildura
The Andrews Labor Government is securing more accommodation for seasonal workers in Mildura, with the completion of a new facility to help tackle workforce shortages in the Mallee. Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas has opened the newly refurbished Ramsay Court Worker Accommodation facility in Mildura.
Megafires: Prof Ross Bradstock responds
The bulk of this commentary has little to do with the content of the Report to the NSW Natural Resources Commission. The report addresses the consequences of the 2019/20 fires for the objectives and outcomes of the Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals (i.e. forest health, threatened species conservation, water quality and aquatic biodiversity). The 2019/20 fires have rendered forests, in relation to these objectives and outcomes, in a highly vulnerable state because of their magnitude and severity. This vulnerability will be ongoing and challenging to deal with because the efficacy of all facets of fire management (e.g. preparation, prevention, suppression) will be adversely affected by climate change.
New registration laws for short-term rental accommodation in NSW
From 1 November 2021, owners of short-term rental accommodation (STRA) will be required to register their properties with the NSW Government and will no longer require Council planning approval.
Cowra glasshouse to pioneer pasture and crop research
Minister of Agriculture Adam Marshall and Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke have opened the $2.1 million state-of-the-art glasshouse precinct at the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Cowra Agricultural Research and Advisory Station. Mr Marshall said the new facility would advance the State’s research and development capabilities, enabling new science to help increase the productivity and profitability of the agriculture sector.
New infrastructure protects ancient petroglyphs at Ewaninga
New infrastructure at a Central Australian conservation reserve will help protect prehistoric Aboriginal rock engravings and enhance visitor safety to the site. The new viewing platform and boardwalk at Napwerte/Ewaninga south of Alice Springs, enables visitors to have an optimal view of the petroglyphs which date back around 30,000 years, while preventing inadvertent damage to the works by visitors.
New report reinforces farmers are the best land managers
In 2018, the NSW Government introduced the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code as part of the wider NSW Land Management and Biodiversity reform framework. Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said the inaugural NSW Land Management Report 2018-2020 showed how farmers had used the Code to increase agricultural production, while restoring valuable native vegetation.
Successful Sunwater trial returns rebates to irrigators
More than $3.13 million will be returned to growers in regional Queensland as part of a Sunwater trial related to water delivery services. Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said the rebates have already begun being provided to irrigators following the first 12 months of a three-year electricity cost passâ€through trial - developed in conjunction with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation.
Coastal water rights a positive step
NSW Farmers has welcomed the state government’s move to increase water capture for coastal farms as a positive first step in reforms.
Major economic loss due to farm worker shortage
The state’s agricultural worker shortage has wiped hundreds of millions from projected harvest income as farmers desperately plead for access to labour. NSW Farmers President James Jackson said reports of the state securing more farm workers would be welcomed if they came to fruition, but he warned the time for talk had passed.
