Weedkilling Gunbower Creek drone trial: Stage one complete
A trial using a drone to tackle invasive weeds clogging Gunbower Creek is looking promising. A $100,000 Victorian Government investment allowed North Central CMA and Goulburn Murray Water to trial drone spraying technology alongside conventional boat based spraying to tackle the highly invasive pale yellow water lily in a section of the creek over summer.
Buloke shares in Tiny Town funds
The State Government is backing more community led projects in the Mallee’s tiniest towns, with new initiatives set to make our smallest communities even better places to live, work and stay. Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, announced 10 new projects in the northwest that are being delivered through the first round of the Tiny Towns Fund.
Ninox Robotics to count koalas with new ultra-compact hi-res infrared camera
Australian drone operator Ninox Robotics has boosted its capability for capturing aerial intelligence to be used for conservation efforts with the acquisition of the Sierra-Olympia Vayu HD longwave infrared (LWIR) camera. Ninox Robotics will put this high resolution compact camera to the test for the first time this month in the second phase of its koala spotting program ... ARR.News asked Daniel Vogelnest of Ninox Robotics more about drone monitoring of koalas.
The elephant in the room has antlers
With deer numbers currently at a record high, there is a growing threat to people’s lives, according to Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley."Twice in recent weeks, cars have been written off after hitting deer on the roads around Wodonga," he said." ... "This is now a deer plague that threatens people’s lives," he said.
Royal Commission to bring Covid failings to light: Canavan
Senator Canavan will ... introduce a bill to institute a Royal Commission into Australia’s Covid response. The bill has been jointly signed by Senators Antic, Rennick, O’Sullivan, Roberts, and Babet and sets out the arrangements and terms of reference to hold a Royal Commission into Australia’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gentle giants holiday in Queensland: Healy
The whale watching season in Queensland is now officially open with 40,000 gentle giants holidaying on Queensland’s coastline from June to November. Queensland’s east coast, also known as the humpback highway, is expected to attract more than 127,000 domestic visitors. Queensland has a high association as a destination with world-class nature and wildlife experiences...
Confirmed – GBH redevelopment to go ahead
Almost $15 million will be allocated towards the $263.8 million Grafton Base Hospital (GBH) redevelopment over the next 12 months after NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey handed down the NSW State Budget for 2024-25 last week. Member for Clarence Richie Williamson said the Budget papers "lock in the redevelopment with $14.7 million in the coming financial year, and $222.2 million over the next four years."
WA’s first non-stop Singapore to Broome service takes off: Carey
Western Australia's first non-stop seasonal service between Singapore and Broome launched today, marking the first international route to fly directly into regional WA since the State's borders reopened ... Jetstar Asia's seasonal service will bring almost 6,500 inbound seats to Broome in its first year and reduce travel time between the two destinations by over five hours.
Clare Scriven clueless on downgraded safety changes to SA’s biosecurity measures: Centofanti
Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven has been slammed for failing to stay across key changes to South Australian biosecurity measures which have resulted in a downgrade of safety initiatives ... “Clare Scriven’s federal colleagues are making decisions that have the potential to impact biosecurity and farmers here in South Australia and the Minister, who is supposed to protect primary industries in our state, is not paying any attention”: Dr Nicola Centofanti.
Man sentenced after pleading guilty to causing a bushfire
A Territory man who pleaded guilty in the NT Supreme Court to illegally starting a fire at Djukbinj National Park 2 years ago has today received a 6-month suspended sentence. Djukbinj National Park is a wetland of national significance ... “The resulting wildfire burned for 11 days, burning a total of 166 square kilometres, including 2300 hectares of pasture on an adjoining pastoral station ..."
On critical list
Michelle Daw. The worst of winter ills is yet to come, along with further pain in our hospitals as staff struggle to cope. That’s the warning from groups representing doctors and nurses, as the Code Yellow crisis in public hospitals drags on.
Warning! Crackdown on drugs
Following a spike in drug-related crime, local police are cracking down on drugs in the Buloke region, targeting suppliers and traffickers in particular, in an effort to reduce the negative impact drugs make on the wider community. Charlton’s Senior Constable Will Ringin relocated to the area around a year ago ... brings with him a fighting passion as well as particular skills and experience to deliver results in a rural setting.
South Australian forestry industry to frame up new technical colleges: Scriven, Boyer
South Australian-sourced timber will form the backbone of two of the state’s new technical colleges – simultaneously reducing the carbon impact of the construction work and supporting the state’s $3 billion forestry industry ... new technical colleges at Tonsley and Mount Gambier will both be constructed with timber sourced from Timberlink Australia’s new $70 million NeXTimber manufacturing facility at Tarpeena in the state’s south east.
Agreement to boost WA’s participation in wind energy supply chain: Dawson
The Cook Government has signed a collaborative agreement with the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). Through the agreement, an industry support program will deliver financial and non-financial support for local businesses, to enhance their participation in wind energy supply chains.
Out of 169 police graduates, Richmond Police District gets two
169 probationary officers graduate from the Goulburn Police Academy on Friday, June 21. The graduates include 122 men and 47 women. Out of the 169, two will be based in the Richmond Police District, four in the Coffs Clarence Police District and two in the Tweed Byron region.
New Zealand flights to take off after Bonza closure
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli’s call to the Queensland Government for a lifeline following Bonza Airline’s closure has been met with a positive step forward ... The Fund will support direct Jetstar flights from Sunshine Coast Airport to Auckland all year round, starting in December.
House Speaker visits Shorehaven Primary School
There was a parliamentary sitting with a difference in Alkimos this week with just the House of Representatives Speaker and one member of Parliament in attendance. On Thursday Shorehaven Primary School welcomed the House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick and Pearce MHR Tracey Roberts as part of the Parliament in schools program.
Irene McCormack students meet the Speaker
For the first time in its history, Irene McCormack Catholic College has welcomed a House of Representatives Speaker to the college. A college spokeswoman said Speaker Milton Dick’s visit provided an opportunity for Year 11 and 12 students to gain first-hand insights into the workings of the Australian Parliament and the impact of successful policy implementations in their area.
Letter of Demands from C.F.A. brigades to State Emergency Services Minister and C.F.A. C.O.
Affected CFA Brigades have united in a call for industrial action to achieve demands with respect to the future of their role as firefighters, in view of the Victorian State Government proposed reckless renewables expansion. We consider untenable the risks to lives and property, and irreparable damage imposed by proposed installations of High Voltage Transmission Lines and Renewable Energy Infrastructure.
2024 duck season compliance summary
During the 2024 duck season, the Game Management Authority (GMA) conducted 511 waterway and wetland patrols on private and public land across Victoria ... Authorised officers checked more than 1,550 Game Licences and inspected more than 1,200 hunter bags ... The GMA uses a range of sanctions to deter illegal hunting and protestor activity ...
Detector dogs for dieback: DBCA
Man’s best friend is being used to help identify a dangerous pathogen killing native Australian plants in parks around Perth and in conservation reserves and national parks in south west WA. Phytophthora (cinnamomi) dieback is known as the “biological bulldozer”.
Ben’s “pretty chuffed”
The Naracoorte District Men’s Shed is a vital part of the community, offering men a supportive and productive space. That’s the word from member of the Legislative Council and Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional South Australia, Ben Hood, who visited the members as part of Men’s Health Week last week.
