Hydrogen skills hunt kicks off
The hunt is on to find the hydrogen skills and businesses to join the renewable fuel supply chain that will create jobs in Toowoomba and the Western Downs.Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni today announced a partnership between publicly-owned power generator CS Energy and Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise to increase local participation in the hydrogen industry.
EDO out to take a chainsaw to the forestry industry
Gordon Wilson and Kookaburra. Several issues need to be addressed in response to the Environmental Defenders Office press release about the legal challenge to the NSW forest logging agreement ... timber is a renewable resource ... native forestry products come from "working forests" ... native forestry uses only a very small portion of Australia's native forests ... native flora and fauna co-exist with forestry
The Territory’s historic Aboriginal Justice Agreement launched
The Territory Labor Government and Aboriginal and community sector leaders have today signed a ground-breaking Agreement to deliver a safer community and better justice outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians. The Aboriginal Justice Agreement (AJA) is the first of its kind in the Territory.
Diamantina National Park de-fenced
Close to 300km of old barbed-wire fencing along Diamantina National Park has been removed to protect native animals including the rare night parrot ... The fencing was installed by farmers to manage livestock before the park was purchased by the Queensland Government in 1992. “It’s been close to 30 years since the land was transformed into 507,000 hectare national park, and in that time we’ve seen many resident and migratory bird species return to the local wetlands, which act as a haven in an otherwise arid region,” Minister Scanlon said.
Top notch entertainment at this year’s Red CentreNATS, 3-5 September 2021
Australia’s Ultimate Festival of Wheels will host of one the nation’s biggest names in Australian music, with Sneaky Sound System confirmed as the headliner for the Red CentreNATS Sun 969 Podium Party.
Lockdown Lotto, where there is just one winner
Welcome to the latest game in town, Lockdown Lotto where random reigns and the numbers don’t add up. This afternoon’s announcement by the Victorian Government of another state wide lockdown has become a plaything for the Premier, and a serious challenge for Victorian businesses and families. Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, says it’s a seven-day lockdown without the backing of science or logic.
Stop punishing us: border
Eliza Berlage. SA/ Vic Border Districts’ club presidents have implored the State Government to “stop punishing” their community with restrictions ... The restrictions are "disappointing", "mentally draining" and "detrimental" to the morale of clubs and the broader community. "The bubble is absolutely ridiculous. You may as well put the Berlin Wall up at the border."
Queensland earmarks future aquaculture sites
Two new sites in Queensland have been identified as land-based marine aquaculture development areas (ADAs), leaving new space for the industry to grow. “My vision is to make Queensland the aquaculture capital of the world,” said Mark Furner, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities. The two new sites comprise 1,974-hectares for future aquaculture development in the Hinchinbrook Shire.
Upgrades progressed at historical Ringsfield House, Nanango
South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Brett Otto is pleased to advise that funding has seen upgrades progressed at the historical Ringsfield House, Nanango.
High-stakes schedule for 2022 Margaret River Pro
The World Surf League's 2022 schedule has positioned the Margaret River Pro as a mid-season decider, determining the finals fate of the world's top professional surfers. The Margaret River Pro, to be held from April 24 to May 4, is one of only two Australian events on the prestigious 2022 Championship Tour schedule, announced today.
Valiant variety to rev up WA’s grainbelt
A new generation, high performance Australian Hard wheat variety, Valiant CL Plus, has launched today to support grain growers across the State.
Landholders brace for another flood
Rob Locke. Hume Dam is already at 76 per cent capacity and rising, with predictions it will spill. There have been calls for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to release water to reduce the possible impact of flooding. And, this all comes at a time when local irrigators have a meagre 10 per cent allocation, which Southern Riverina Irrigators chair, Chris Brooks, describes as ‘disgraceful’.
Ban on subsea mining in the Territory
Subsea (seabed) mining is banned in the Northern Territory with a Declaration of Prohibited Action gazetted.
Online forum: Activating the low carbon economy in regional Australia
Government and industry representatives, businesses, agribusinesses, community members, advocates and anyone with an interest in this field are invited to attend the Activating the Low Carbon Economy in Regional Australia forum online on Thursday 19 August 2021 to learn more about embracing this developing industry and the opportunities it offers.
Help shape the future of animal welfare laws in NSW
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall has released the NSW Animal Welfare Reform – Discussion Paper as the next step in the NSW Government’s commitment to modernise animal welfare legislation.
Completed Albany to Denmark pipeline secures Denmark’s water future
WA Water Minister Dave Kelly has announced the official completion of the Albany to Denmark pipeline, securing Denmark's long-term water supply in the face of climate change.
Affordable housing on the way in Casino
Liina Flynn. Before he headed up North Coast Community Housing, John McKenna spent his childhood growing up in public housing. ... With 3000 families currently on the region’s wait list for social housing, John was proud to announce that a new social and affordable housing development project will be built this year on Callistemon St in Casino.
NSW Government powers on Hillston radar
Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Adam Marshall today announced the completion of a state-of-the-art weather radar at Hillston in western NSW, delivering the second of three Doppler radars as a key election commitment for regional NSW.
Queensland crocs make bold comeback in state
Crocodile populations in Queensland continue to recover after the reptiles were almost hunted to extinction before being protected in the 1970s, a new state government survey shows ... “The population recovery has been relatively slow and highly variable across the ranges of species since the unregulated hunting of estuarine crocodiles for their skins was banned,” says Dr Matt Brien.
Farmers can now apply for mouse bait rebates
NSW Farmers is encouraging farmers to apply now for mouse bait rebates of up to $10,000 per farm business through the Rural Assistance Authority website. Applications for the rebate opened today with a total of $95 million available to assist farmers with the costs of Zinc Phosphide baiting programs.
Construction powers ahead on Jabiru Project
Clearing works are now complete as part of construction on Jabiru’s new power station. The project is part of the Territory Labor Government’s $135.5 million dollar commitment to the Future of Jabiru and Kakadu ... Construction works are now underway, with the diesel generators scheduled to come online by the end of 2021 and the solar farm in early 2022.
Endemic Lord Howe Abalone listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN
Due to its incredibly small population size, population density, and distribution, the Lord Howe Abalone faces an extremely high risk of extinction from threats including marine pollution - such as an oil spill event - and climate change. As a result, the IUCN assessed this species to be Critically Endangered. Of the 37 worldwide abalone species, it was one of only two given this status.
