CATEGORY

SA

Producers prepare for setbacks

Gabrielle Duykers. Food and beverage producers from across the region will be meeting to discuss the impacts of drought and climate change to help bolster their preparedness for such events. The Limestone Coast Food and Agribusiness Cluster, established in December 2021, will run a series of webinars and networking events to help foster a better understanding of the risks posed by drought and varying climates.

More cases of Japanese encephalitis in SA piggeries

There have been two more detections of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in South Australian commercial piggeries. This brings the total number of cases in South Australia to six. The latest detections are in the local government areas of Clare and Gilbert Valleys and Goyder. This is in addition to existing detections in the following local government areas: Loxton Waikerie, Murray Bridge and Coorong.

New trial explores almond orchard recycling in Australia

Scientists are working with a Victorian almond grower to trial an orchard redevelopment practice that is reducing the industry’s carbon footprint in the United States. ‘Whole Orchard Recycling’ involves chipping trees and incorporating them into the orchard soil prior to planting new trees. It replaces the traditional practice of burning the trees once they have been removed from the orchard.

Member for MacKillop announces leadership ambitions

Sheryl Lowe. MacKillop MP Nick McBride has begun campaigning to lead the SA Liberals in opposition, following his convincing re-election and the Liberal Party’s demoralising loss in last Saturday’s 2022 State Election. The decision to “throw his hat into the ring” follows the announcement by former Premier Steven Marshall that he would step down as Liberal Party leader, following Labor’s win.

Lib backs Labor’s local health pledge

Gabrielle Duykers. A Liberal MP has expressed disappointment in his party for failing to match funding local health funding commitments made by the State Opposition, but says he will continue advocating on behalf of the community. In an interview with Flow News 24, Liberal Member for MacKillop Nick McBride said he supported the Labor Party’s $52 million health pledge for the Limestone Coast, which addressed the “outdated” infrastructure in parts of the region.

Tantanoola gymnasium relocation plan

Sheryl Lowe. The small regional community of Tantanoola in the South East of South Australia has big plans to move their almost one-million-dollar school gymnasium a few hundred metres across a couple of country roads to the town’s sporting complex. We have the skills in our community to do this, Tantanoola local Mr. Peter Altschwager told The News, we just need permission ... Local students were educated at the once vibrant school for 139 years but with recent declining numbers, the Education Minister John Gardner decided to close the school in 2020.

Kingston houses Australia’s best mural

Gabrielle Duykers. A unique piece of artwork showcasing the natural features of Kingston has been crowned the best mural in the nation. Commissioned by Kingston District Council in the wake of the Keilira Bushfire, ‘Wind Dance’ received the Gold Award for the Best External Mural at the 2021 Australian Street Art Awards announced last week. In a collective statement, the judges said the mural was vibrant, creative and would entice visitors to explore more of the region.

Better use of water for the environment – not more buybacks: Pitt, Ley, Davey

“Increasing the capacity of the existing channel escapes will mean environmental water can fill wetlands and creeks that would otherwise only get wet during large over bank flows ... We put an end to buybacks because of the damage they have done to regions like this – stretching beyond the individual farmgate and impacting on the efficiency or whole irrigation networks”: Keith Pitt, Minister for Resources and Water.

Council continues cuttlefish protection push

Council continues to support a submission for their key breeding ground – named the Cuttlefish Coast Sanctuary Zone – to be placed on the National Heritage List under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Council continues to support a submission for their key breeding ground – named the Cuttlefish Coast Sanctuary Zone – to be placed on the National Heritage List under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Member seeks re-election for MacKillop

Sheryl Lowe. Member for MacKillop Nick McBride MP is seeking re-election when South Australians head to the polls this month. “The Marshall government needs another term in government to continue to improve the lives of South Australians and so do I,” Mr MacKillop told The News. “After 16 years in opposition, it takes more than one term to reach some of the goals we had when we came to government.”

Improving water security

A study is currently underway to determine if excess water from the region’s drainage network could be stored in aquifers for the benefit of local primary industries. The Limestone Coast Landscape Board (LCLB) and Primary Producers Sustainable Water Group are together investigating the feasibility of this arrangement in an effort to improve water security and sustainability across the region.

SE Field Days bounce back

Chris Oldfield. Bouncing into life across 45 acres of lush grass, the 42nd SE Field Days at Lucindale will boast at least 450 exhibitors this year, on March 18 and 19.

An idea sparks into SA’s biggest annual event

Chris Oldfield. More than 57 years ago, Jeff and Fay Davey took up dairy farming on their Callendale farm near Lucindale ... In 1978, they joined a group of young farming families all thirsty for information and wanting to see some of the latest machinery ... “We built the site as a club. Then came the infrastructure, and it was all volunteers again.”

Dalton leaves SFF

Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, is now an independent after resigning from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. The move came after Upper House SFF Party MPs did not show up for a crucial vote on floodplain harvesting. Floodplain harvesting has been a contentious issue as NSW seeks to license and meter floodplain interception.

Gold for Cuttlefish Craig!

In commenting on the Whyalla City Council’s Gold Award win, the judges said that the sculpture was a functional piece that also honoured a spectacular local marine species and had been designed with accessibility in mind, making it a winning combination.

Japanese encephalitis detected in South Australian piggery

The mosquito-borne disease Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus has been detected in a commercial South Australian piggery. The disease has also been confirmed in piggeries in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

Supercharging Australia’s role in global battery supply chain

The Morrison Government has granted Major Project Status to a $560 million cobalt project near Broken Hill. Cobalt Blue Holdings’ Broken Hill Cobalt Project will produce 16,700 tonnes of high purity cobalt sulphate per year – a highly sought after form of this critical mineral, used in the manufacture of lithium ion batteries.

London-based owner selling South Australian farm

A 678-hectare landholding in the Booborowie District in South Australia has entered the market. Sitting in South Australia’s renowned Mid-North region, the mixed-use farm is being offered in one line or as two or three separate land parcels, making use of the five certificates of title.

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