Qld

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The Starcke boat ramp area has been the target of an intensive clean-up after years of visitor over-use, weed infestation and damage from feral cattle. Cape York NRM provided training for the Juunjuwara Rangers in littoral rainforest research, and teams then conducted surveys to establish the health of the coastal vegetation.

A new project to monitor and develop a guide on the management of woody thickening through fire regimes on Cape York Peninsula will begin next month ... “There is growing evidence of marked changes in woody structure across the region, and this can affect pastoral production as well as the biodiversity of the country”: Toby Eastoe, Cape York NRM Biodiversity & Fire Programs Manager.

Leader of the Nationals and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has called on Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk  to overhaul the state government’s efforts to eradicate fire ants from the Sunshine State. Mr Littleproud’s call comes after the potentially devastating pest was recently discovered on the outskirts of Toowoomba, meaning the fire ant has made it across the Great Dividing Range for the first time.

The Melbourne Cup will be in Cunnamulla on Tuesday 19th September and Mayor Suzette Beresford is calling on the community to get involved and form a working committee to prepare and organise an event on the day ... In 2023, the $200,000 Cup will for the first-time visit Cunnamulla, former home to Darby McCarthy one of Australia's elite jockeys of the 1960s through to the 1980s.

The NSW Government will spend an additional $80 million to protect the state from red imported fire ants, with the invasive and aggressive pest now on the march towards the NSW border. Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty said red imported fire ants cause serious social, economic and environmental harm.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has approved a development application made by Preston Peak Events Pty Ltd to use a house in Preston as accommodation for its visitors ... The ‘Motel’ is to be available to be booked for guests’ stays for a maximum of 170 nights in any calendar year.

What makes our region’s ecosystems precious? The “big picture” answer has been revealed with the launch of a world-first mapping product for all to explore and understand the different services provided by our ecosystems.

Increased opportunities for local suppliers and a continuing commitment to environment and sustainability are a highlight of Sunshine Coast Council’s 2023-24 Procurement and Disposal Policy. Outstanding Organisation Portfolio Councillor Ted Hungerford said the new policy would continue to prioritise and support local businesses.

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It should not take 67 days for Biosecurity Queensland (the lead agency for biosecurity) to respond to a report of Fire ants near Toowoomba. “What is needed is a better resourced Biosecurity Queensland and an urgent overhaul of the existing Fire ant program,” Chairman of Property Rights Australia (PRA) Jim Willmott said.

There will be plenty happening from Thursday July 20 and running for 10 days in Warwick and surrounds. An easy 20 minute drive north of Warwick and you’re in Allora "The best little town on the Downs".

Owners of the Darling Downs Zoo, Steve and Stephanie Robinson have reluctantly placed the popular tourist attraction on the market due to Steve’s health. The Robinsons opened the Darling Downs Zoo in 2005 after many years of working with authorities to enable the project to go ahead.

Being at the cutting edge of horticultural technology has helped lead Granite Belt producer Ray Taylor to a top agricultural honour. The fourth-generation grower, who is the general manager of Taylor Family Produce, was honoured with the Award for Excellence in Technology at the 2023 Australian Farmer of the Year Awards.

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Key researchers have been on the road to meet beekeepers and queen breeders across the country including Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia ... The purpose of the visit was to collect important colony trait data and genetic samples for Plan Bee’s national database and also to knowledge-share on how hygienic testing can be used in broader selection.

The updated Barron Water Plan has now been finalised, following a two-year process of rigorous scientific assessment and consultation. The new plan, which replaces the Barron Water Plan 2002, is underpinned by 20 years of scientific data and is the product of more than 30 consultative meetings with water users and stakeholders...

The Sunshine Coast community is encouraged to register a helping hand and join a tree planting day that will supply sick and orphaned koalas with fresh leaves. Sunshine Coast Council Parks and Gardens team, in partnership with Nambour, Woombye and Maleny Rotary clubs, Hinterland Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Inc. and Cr David Law, will come together at Mapleton to plant 500 food trees for the local koala habitat.

More than 79,000 hectares of the iconic Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park have been handed back to the Waanyi People in a historic ceremony at Parliament House ... Waanyi Prescribed Body Corporate will lease the Aboriginal land, in perpetuity, to the State to manage under the Nature Conservation Act, the first lease back arrangement that has been successfully negotiated on national park land in Queensland.

The Queensland budget will supercharge CopperString 2032 through a $1 billion down payment from coal royalties, $594 million of which is committed to start construction over the coming financial year ... The announcement was made at the official opening of Vecco Group’s $26 million Townsville Vanadium Battery Manufacturing Facility, which received support through the Queensland Jobs Fund.