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.
Lovell seeks certainty to ensure running of Bendigo Easter Fair
The Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has sought a guarantee from the Andrews Labor Government that will ensure the running of the 2022 Bendigo Easter Fair.
Battle of recognition: Paech challenges Edgington’s social media claims about housing investment
Member for Barkly Steve Edgington has been referred to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee after Minister for Remote Housing and Town Camps Chansey Paech accused him of lying about the Territory Labor Government’s investment in remote housing across the Barkly.
Loud & clear
With just two days’ notice, community volunteers at the heart of the Koondrook Perricoota co-design welcomed a shiny entourage of politicians, bureaucrats and media. The whistlestop tour was part of a $330 million funding announcement with no less than five state and federal politicians ... The Koondrook Perricoota project has been a white elephant of government spending with the $120 million over-designed project sitting idle.
Black marketing fish is illegal: seized boat goes under the hammer
A boat used repeatedly for illegal black market fishing on the Sunshine Coast and seized by fisheries officers is being sold to the highest bidder at auction.
Solar farm powering jobs
Queensland’s Western Downs solar farm has reached a major milestone, with connection to the electricity grid now complete. Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said Neoen’s $600 million Western Downs Green Power Hub is supporting more than 450 construction jobs and will generate 400 megawatts (MW) of solar energy.
Support for plantation estate in the south welcomed
The Tasmanian Government welcomes the announcement by the Federal Government to help grow and incentivise the plantation estate and support jobs in Tasmania ... unlocking the carbon farming market ‘water rule’ in the South of the State will help encourage private forester participants to fully participate in the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) across the State, including making the market more accessible to small scale landholders.
New app to guide self-drive holidays in the Pilbara
A new app developed by the Pilbara Tourism Association with support from the McGowan Government is helping self-drive tourists to explore Western Australia's vast and beautiful Pilbara region. The Warlu Way, named after a spirit snake featured in Pilbara creation stories, provides four routes between Exmouth and Broome, taking in the Pilbara's major tourism attractions on sealed and unsealed roads.
Increased harvestable rights to bring greater water security to coastal landholders: Pavey
NSW coastal farmers and landholders can currently store 10 per cent of the rain that falls on their properties, yet they will soon be able to better drought-proof their properties as the NSW Government increases their harvestable right to 30 per cent. Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said these changes would improve water security for property owners and assist with reducing bushfire risk for coastal towns.
Trash to treasure: copper mine waste could hold key to renewable revolution
Queensland copper mine waste could deliver a key ingredient for the renewable energy revolution thanks to a three-year international study. Qld Resources Minister Scott Stewart announced a three-way agreement between the Queensland Government, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) and the University of Queensland which will examine whether cobalt – a globally-sought-after critical mineral and a key battery ingredient – can be retrieved economically from old copper mine tailings.
Anti-mining debate finishes in a ‘draw’
Geoff Helisma. Debate about the Clarence Catchment Alliance’s (CCA) petition calling for the cessation of mineral mining and exploration in the Clarence River catchment took place in the NSW Legislative Assembly on Thursday October 14 ... The petition was lodged by Lismore MP Janelle Saffin (Labor) ... Speaking against the petition was Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis (Nationals).
The Emperor has no mask: Bev McArthur
We have learned that a Bill will be introduced into the Parliament that will strengthen the powers of the Premier, who in reality has become a unilateral dictator addicted to power without scrutiny. This has to be opposed with every means at our disposal. He will effectively have ongoing State of Emergency Laws in his own hands via a ‘pandemic declaration’.
Finniss Lithium Project commences construction
The Territory Labor Government and Core Lithium have announced construction is underway on the $89 million Finniss Lithium Project ... Construction follows the project reaching Final Investment Decision last month, and Core Lithium successfully raising $150 million from institutional investors and shareholders.
