SA’s first rapid response units to combat animal disease and protect supply chains unveiled: Scriven
The rapid response and containment capability against significant diseases in livestock has been given a boost with new biosecurity response trailers rolled out across South Australia ... The risk of exotic disease outbreaks in Australia remains elevated with foot and mouth disease (FMD), lumpy skin disease (LSD), and African swine fever present in Australia’s near neighbours.
Flood recovery could have spread Red Fire Ants
As community concerns grow after a nest of imported Red Fire Ants were detected at Wardell on January 19, there are fears one of the world’s most destructive and invasive pest may have been spread to NSW from Queensland during recovery efforts from the devastating 2022 floods.
Vital biosecurity response to stop invasive beetle pest: Jarvis
The Cook Government is urging the Western Australian community to help stop the spread of polyphagous shot-hole borer - an exotic pest native to South East Asia ... The borer tunnels into a tree and plants a fungus - which blocks the transportation of water and nutrients within the tree, slowly killing it.
Continuing recreational duck hunting in Victoria: Dimopoulos
Recreational duck and quail hunting will continue in Victoria with important changes to ensure it remains safe, sustainable and responsible. The Victorian Government announced its response to Parliament’s Inquiry into Victoria's recreational native bird hunting arrangements – confirming its position has not changed, and recreational duck and quail hunting will continue with common-sense changes.
CLP luminary wants Jacinta Price to get Scomo’s seat
A former Country Liberal Party front bencher, Roger “Stainless” Steele, says it’s likely that NT Senator Jacinta Price “could contribute even more to the North of Australia from a seat in the House of Representatives".
Improved mobile phone coverage for Central Australian homelands: Uibo
Five new mobile phone hotspots are now in operation in the remote homelands of Petyale, Ankweleyelengkwe, Welere, Urrermerne and Payeperrentye.
The Territory Government continues its partnership with the Centre for Appropriate Technology (CfAT) with an additional $300,000 program to deliver hotspots to residents and tourists. There are now 53 mobile phone hotspots at very remote sites throughout the Territory.
New scheme to help farmers fight fires: NSW Farmers Association
Farmers have welcomed the launch of a new trial scheme to help first responders fight bushfires. Under the new scheme, Farm Fire Units (FFUs) – or private vehicles used for firefighting purposes – can now be driven unregistered, provided certain conditions are met.
Pothole plague spreads: funding fill must be found
The deplorable state of roads will be back on the agenda when State Parliament resumes in February. Nationals Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, said it was alarming the number of road warning and traffic hazard signs that had been situated on our roadsides for an extended period of time, without repairs being done.
Cr Grundy: Power prices killing our livestock sector
High electricity prices are killing the district’s livestock sector, making life difficult for businesses and households, claims an elected counsellor. Naracoorte-Lucindale Council Cr Cameron Grundy says farmers who used irrigation to produce more, adding to our gross domestic product, “have simply turned off their pumps”, thereby producing less.
Go west, young man
Many will have heard of the popular memoir, A Fortunate Life, which follows the story of Albert B. Facey (1894 -1982), and his experiences growing up and farming in the Wheatbelt, a book that has sold over half a million copies ... As an Australian history buff, I’m always on the lookout for stories of our farming pioneers, unfortunately, they are few and far between.
Water security high on council agenda
Last week, Toowoomba Regional Council resolved to investigate two key water security measures for the region. At Tuesday’s Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to investigate the possibility of increasing water capacity of Cressbrook Dam as part of the critical Dam Safety Improvement Project as well as supporting a comprehensive investigation of the potential Emu Creek Dam by the Queensland State Government.
Sea to plate dining is a catch at Gippsland Lakes: Tierney
Bullock Island’s new café will add to the charm of the Gippsland Lakes and draw new visitors to the area ... Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney joined representatives from the Lakes Entrance Fishermen Limited (LEFL) at the brand new café at Lakes Entrance, offering spectacular water views as diners enjoy their locally sourced meal.
Katters launch attack on Government’s Swiss Rollover at Mount Isa Mine: KAP
The State Government has been put on notice over its special treatment towards a large multinational mining company accused of destroying North Queensland’s minerals industry by Katter’s Australian Party … Robbie Katter has called on the State government to abolish the Mount Isa Mining Act which gave Glencore favourable operating conditions...
Rain increases Fire Ant threat
Recent rain and wild weather has prompted the Invasive Species Council to call on residents of northern NSW to be on alert for Fire Ants following concerns the weather could accelerate the spread of the invasive pest ... The Invasive Species Council is concerned that Fire Ants can form rafts during flood events or high rain, or stowaway in freight or soil, increasing their spread into NSW.
Drastic fire ant efforts critical: NSW Farmers Association
Farmers are calling for a major effort to stamp out fire ants in NSW after the insidious pests were discovered near Ballina. According to the NSW Government, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) detected a Red Imported Fire Ant nest at Wardell, south of Ballina on Friday.
DPI puts 5km exclusion zone around Wardell to halt fire ant spread
Fire ants have made it to Wardell. NSW Department of Primary Industries said there is an exclusion zone of 5km around Wardell in an attempt to halt the spread of fire ants after a resident contacted them.
Full throttle for low cost airline
Any conversation about the livability of Alice Springs will quickly hit on atrociously priced air fares making personal contact with loved ones interstate a nightmare. The touchdown of Bonza is bringing significant relief. But why can’t it fly to Sydney?
Cook Government to deliver Broome youth safety pilot program: Papalia, McGurk
An agreement has been signed between the Department of Justice and Aboriginal-led service provider Kullarri Regional Communities Indigenous Corporation (KRCIC) to implement a $4 million pilot program providing a location out of harm's way for at-risk youth who are found in public areas at night.
McBride’s choice
Labor or Liberal. What choice will Nick McBride, the member of Mackillop, make if he holds the balance of power in the next election? The independent member who left the Liberal Party in July, citing ‘dark forces’ and factionalism, seems to have made up his mind.
Another chance?
Will the electorate of Mackillop give Nick McBride another chance in 2026? If they do, what would this mean for them and for Mr McBride, and will he, as an independent member, be able to put Mackillop on the map for all the decision-makers in Adelaide ... The Naracoorte Community News caught up with the local politician ...
Infighting over renewables rush: “Mallee farmers are not pawns”
Regional communities must not become collateral damage as Federal and Victorian Labor fight over their reckless renewables rush, Member for Mallee Anne Webster warns. The Albanese Labor Government last week blocked the Allan Labor Government’s plan to build a plant to assemble wind turbines for offshore wind farms, while Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio accused the Federal Government of sitting back and making the states do all the work in the energy transition.
The Big Banks’ “postcode discrimination” was the canary in the coal mine all along: Katter
Katter’s Australian Party Leader and Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter, said he is heartened by calls for the dilution of private corporate control over the provision of essential “public” services but that action could have been taken years ago had regional Queenslanders been listened to ... a “fifth pillar” in the banking sector was needed to curtail the market power of the so-called Big Four ...
