Labor’s electric ute price shock for Mallee farmers and tradies: Webster
Labor’s Electric Vehicle dream will cost Mallee farmers and tradies looking for their next work ute, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. The world’s top selling electric ute, the Ford F-150 Lightning, is now available in Australia from an eye watering $224,990.
State government sitting on a gold mine
Miners and small prospectors fear that the state government's study into the future of Gippsland's forests could lock up swathes of forest and shackle mining as a driver of local economic growth and jobs. Both the Minerals Council of Australia and the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria (PMAV) are critical of mining's inability to have a say in the process.
Goodbye to bottle shop cops?
Bottle shop cops may be replaced by unarmed officers from another department while the Mayor, an ardent supporter of the Point of Sale Intervention (POSI) provided by the police, declines to comment. He will also not discuss his claims that the recent curfew was a success.
Council shame – Relief as stand-off resolved: TasFarmers
Tasmania's peak body for farmers welcomes the announcement of critical drought relief feed shipments from Victoria to farmers on King Island via the Port of Welshpool. President Ian Sauer commends the Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Â Jane Howlett, Minister for Primary Industry and Water, and the Premier's department for resolving the stand-off with the Colac Otway Shire Council.
An honour . . .
Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, recently embarked on a moving journey to Villers-Bretonneux to pay respects on Anzac Day and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the twinning with Robinvale. Â
Vital tourism
Is Naracoorte-Lucindale District a competitive tourism destination, and are we doing enough to leverage from the region’s visitor economy? Tourism is critical to the region’s growth ... According to the Naracoorte Visitor Information Centre, 1738 tourists visited the district in the first two months of the year, with the majority being interstate and intrastate guests.
Infrastructure provider at forefront of new code of conduct: TasFarmers
The peaks body for Tasmanian Farmers today welcomes TasNetworks as the first signatory to the Farm Access Code of Conduct, reaffirming their commitment to collaborating with the Tasmanian Agricultural Community. In February of this year TasFarmers, in partnership with the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) launched, the Farm Access Code of Conduct aimed at promoting respectful and sensible access to agricultural land.  Â
War on pigs past due: NSW Farmers Association
Farmers are calling for more resources to tackle pigs as millions of the pests rampage across the state. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said the state’s pig problem was out of control, with official estimates suggesting there could be up to 100 million feral pigs in Australia at present.
CLP unveils plan to reform failing NT corrections system
The Country Liberal Party (CLP) has announced a Plan for a Safe Territory which aims to reform the corrections system in the Northern Territory. This plan includes reducing prison overcrowding, rehabilitating offenders, and equipping them with life skills to prevent repeat offending. According to Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro, the CLP will ensure that those who commit crimes face real consequences such as imprisonment...
Transport subsidies vs live export: Geoff Pearson
Geoff Pearson. Two weeks ago 300 farmers from across the South West convened an urgent drought meeting to address what is one of the driest seasons experienced in living memory across what is traditionally the wettest part of Western Australia. It’s at times like these that the State and Federal governments need to step up and support farmers to rectify where they have made things worse through past policy mistakes.
Back-to-back-to-back: SA only state growing exports: Szakacs
South Australia is the only state in the nation to grow its exports according to latest trade stats as trade with China continues to soar – up nearly 40 per cent year-on-year. The state’s merchandise exports reached $17.7 billion in the year to March 2024, growing by 2.8 per cent, against a nationwide decrease of 10 per cent over the same period.
Mango growers angers rise of government funding inequities: AMIA
Mango growers on the Atherton Tablelands have been facing severe challenges due to the catastrophic effects of Ex Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which occurred in December 2023. The industry has experienced significant setbacks ... necessitating a call for fair disaster recovery support ... The disparity in recovery funding between the agricultural sector and other industries, notably tourism, has sparked significant concern and mistrust among growers.
Tilley sees red over traffic lights
Almost half a million dollars has been wasted on traffic lights rather than road fixes, according to the Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley ... "This is the real cost of a cash strapped state that can’t pay for what should be urgent repairs. $474,000 has been wasted while these roads were reduced to one lane."
Council upset at weeds management funding change
Council continues to fight over changes to weeds management funding. Coolamon Shire Council will express its disappointment and concern in representations to NSW Farmers regarding the Department of Regional NSW recent changes to the funding model for weeds management. Coolamon Council received a response to the correspondence sent by the three councils of Coolamon, Junee and Temora in regard to the changes.
Enough talk – just do it: Canegrowers
The time for talking is over! Immediate, large-scale, effective action is what’s required if we’re to have any hope of halting the march of Red Imported Fire Ants, CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens has said.
Major improvements to start in Hay’s main street next week
Improvements are on the way for the main street of Hay. Work is set to start next week on improvements to the main street to provide a stronger road and a smoother and safer journey for up to 5000 vehicles that drive through the town each day. Hay Shire Council General Manager, David Webb welcomed the announcement made on Monday afternoon.
Preschool dream comes true for Lord Howe Island kids
Natassia Soper. After years of delays due to the pandemic and its remote location, families are finally benefiting from the establishment of Lord Howe Island’s first preschool ... Director of the volunteer group and local mother Rachel McFayden spearheaded the push for a preschool, after seeing kids would start primary school without access to play-based early childhood education and care.
Councillor and lawyer proud to be regional voice on Local Land Services board
Appointments to the boards of regional Local Land Services are made by the Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty. There are 11 LLS regional boards and 24 appointments were recently made – two of those are for the North Coast board. Kyogle’s Danielle Mulholland is one of them ...
Victoria’s Colac Otway Shire engaging in economic and social vandalism: TasFarmers
Tasmania's peak farming body is calling for Federal or State intervention to ensure drought-breaking fodder is moved from Victoria to King Island. Â TasFarmers said bloody-mindedness is preventing 500 plus tons of fodder from leaving Apollo Bay in Victoria, the closest port to King Island. President, Ian Sauer, said the blocking of shipping to move the much-needed feed displayed a total lack of understanding of the dire situation in which King Island farmers find themselves...
Management plan for saltwater crocodiles released: Worden
The Northern Territory Government’s Saltwater Crocodile Management Program 2024-2034 will allow for the targeted culling of crocodiles in specified areas to ensure the safety of swimmers. The new Program provides a clear direction for the management of the NT’s saltwater crocodile population for the next 10 years.
Now boarding from Bendigo Airport’s new terminal: Allan, King, Tierney, Edwards, Chesters, Metcalf
Bendigo Airport's new terminal and business park officially opens today, providing an economic boost to the region ... The terminal-which is approximately four times larger than the previous building-includes new check-in facilities and departure lounge, upgraded restrooms, provision for future security screening, and an indoor arrival area and baggage collection.
Tender awarded for $7.1m Nyinkka Nyunyu upgrade
Plans to upgrade Tennant Creek’s Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre (NNACC) have progressed, with the awarding of a $7.1 million construction tender to a joint venture between Territory companies ANT Galactic and M&J Builders ... the new-look site will include multi-sensory exhibitions featuring the Nyinkka (spiny-tailed goanna), and a truth-telling exhibition that shares Warumungu perspectives and personal accounts of Australia’s past.
