Qld

J Grey. It was always going to be a tough challenge to take the title from the Gold Coast-Tweed District, after 2019’s winners mother-son pair of Jackie McWhinney and Dale McWhinney-Shillington replaced fellow district winners Dee Anne Robertson and Sean Ingham at the top of the leader board. Robertson and Ingham held the top spot for 2017 and 2018. Dee Anne Robertson was back this year, this time pairing with Chris Le Lievre. The question on everyone’s lips was, “would Gold Coast-Tweed take it for the fourth year running?”

A strengthening Bureau of Meteorology forecast of between 50 and 100mm of rain starting mid–next week has prompted the Murray–Darling Basin Authority to increase releases from Hume Dam to create more airspace. Releases will be stepped up today ahead of what is expected to be a sustained wet–weather event spanning several days from next Wednesday.

Toowoomba Regional Council has endorsed supporting the Phase 1 Implementation Plan (2020-2022) of the South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2020-2025 at its September Ordinary Meeting. In addition, Council will advise the state government that it wishes to see the Koala Conservation Strategy expanded to incorporate the Darling Downs following consultation with local communities.

Western Downs Regional Council’s popular Adopt a Street Tree program is bringing more trees to the streets this Spring as planting commences across the region. Adopt a Street Tree has been a significant initiative of Council since its launch in 2017 and has since received thousands of applications from residents of the Western Downs.

Minister for Resources and Water Keith  Pitt joined Member for Dawson George Christensen in Mackay to officially announce the North Bowen and Galilee Basin Strategic Basin Plan. “The Plan supports industry to develop the region’s major gas resources and is the second to be delivered under the Government’s Strategic Basins Plan Program,” Minister Pitt said.

Fund manager Gunn Agri Partners has picked up an avocado orchard in northern NSW, looking ahead to higher retail prices for the popular fruit after this year’s massive harvest. The group has paid $11 million for the orchard despite avocado prices plunge from as much as $4 to just $1 each this year as strong seasonal conditions in Western Australia particularly created a bumper crop ... Gunn Agri bought the asset for a European institution with a mandate to invest in permanent Australian crops assets.

Scott Bates and family of Wallumbilla have paid $15.5 million for the fully exclusion fenced Plevna Downs East in south west Queensland, with the Augathella property selling at a record rate of $2,474 per hectare.

As part of a joint partnership  struck with the Victorian Government last month, the Palaszczuk Government locked in the future of the Large Aerial Tanker (LAT) firefighting aircraft for the next four bushfire seasons. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the LAT and its crew had arrived in Bundaberg, completed quarantine and were ready to get to work.

Region 6 of the Murray Darling Association is announcing its annual 2021 Region 6 Stakeholder Symposium, themed “Water Use Efficiency: Benefits that flow.” The Region 6 committee will host councils from across the Murray-Darling Basin and will meet with around 100 water stakeholders at the newly refurbished Bridgeport Hotel in Murray Bridge this October. Delegates will share information on water use efficiencies and discuss opportunities for the future health and prosperity of both the region and the Basin.

Weipa's solar farm will triple in size as Rio Tinto looks to reduce its reliance on diesel power generation in Cape York. The mining giant has approved a new solar farm and battery storage in a move that will more than triple the local electricity network’s solar generation capacity and help provide cleaner power to Rio Tinto’s operations.

New laws allowing voluntary assisted dying in Queensland were passed by parliament last week. Member for Cook Cynthia Lui was one of the supporters of the legislation, which was a conscience vote for Labor and LNP politicians.

Thursday Island has put on a spectacular display of Torres Strait Islander culture for the Winds of Zenadth festival ... “It may have been limited to only a two-day festival, but reached deep into our hearts as the sounds of the warup (island drum) and trum/luumoot, combined with our songs, brought joyful tears to all who attended" : Torres Shire CEO Dalassa Yorkston.

Lesley Bates. As with many events last year, the Women’s Northern Challenge scheduled for Ingham was cancelled. Fortunately, the 2021 event of three days was contested in mid-July by four teams from the Tropical Far North Queensland, Mackay and North Queensland Districts in what was previously called the 5D Shield.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council is urging landholders to remain vigilant for Fireweed. Lockyer Valley Environment Portfolio Councillor Michael Hagan said the invasive weed has the potential to severely impact agriculture in the region if it's not removed from pastures.

Wallabies assistant coach Dan McKellar has spoken from Townsville. The side were given an official welcome to country upon arrival in Townsville this afternoon ahead of their eToro Rugby Championship Test against Argentina on Saturday night. McKellar grew up in North Queensland and went to school in Townsville.

The Caloundra Music Festival program has been released with a new line up of artists and schedule allowing you to plan your weekend so you don’t miss a beat.

The Western Downs is rolling out the red carpet and welcoming the best of Australian short films as part of an exciting partnership between Western Downs Regional Council and Flickerfest Short Film Festival.

A vanadium mine in Queensland's remote northwest will pioneer production of a globally sought-after new economy mineral, supporting up to 400 regional jobs. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Resources Minister Scott Stewart and Multicom Resources’ chief executive officer Shaun McCarthy jointly announced the go-ahead for the $250 million Saint Elmo mine near Julia Creek, in the state’s North West.

A nationwide operation has been launched aiming to bolster the supply of local workers to help deliver this year’s bumper grains harvest and relieve pressure on farming communities. Retired and former ADF servicemen and women are being motivated and mobilised under Operation Grain Harvest Assist, to answer the call-up and work on grain farms stationed throughout Australia.

J Grey. The fourth annual Bowls Queensland North versus South Challenge will be held at the Mossman Memorial Bowls Club on October 30 and 31, 2021.

Ewan Amateur Turf Club is celebrating country racing’s heritage on the weekend of 24th and 25th September at Stockyard Creek with their first TAB meeting to be televised nation-wide on Sky Racing.