News -

Storms have positive impact on dams

Heavy storms during 6-8 March 2010 delivered an unseasonal (but very welcome) boost to Melbourne’s storages.

Planning amendment for Mildura

Vic Planning Minister Justin Madden approved an amendment to the Mildura Planning Scheme recognising the Farming Zone as the most appropriate zone for the Mildura Older Irrigation Area.

Director General appointed

Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls announced the appointment of Paul Rosair as the inaugural Director General of the Department of Regional Development and Lands.

New sawmill development

The Minister for Energy and Resources, David Llewellyn, officially commissioned the latest development at the Kelly Sawmill

Responsible approach to landclearing

NT Environment Minister Karl Hampton officially welcomed new land clearing guidelines set to protect all Northern Territory bushland for decades to come.

Solar Hot Water Program

Qld Energy Minister Stephen Robertson announced the State Government would close its Solar Hot Water Program due to significant changes to the Federal Government’s Solar Hot Water Rebate Program

Good for Rural Health

Rural and regional health services stand to benefit from the National Health and Hospitals Network

Disaster Recovery Payment

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) will be provided to eligible people adversely affected by severe flooding

Prawn Farm approved with conditions

Environment Protection Minister Peter Garrett approved a prawn farm in Guthalungra subject to 19 strict conditions

Supreme Court win means mines must ask

The NSW Farmers’ Association says funding from the Association and the Australian Farmers’ Fighting Fund has helped secure a win for the Liverpool Plains farming community in the Supreme Court.

SEQ dams inching closer to 100%

For the first time in almost nine years, the combined capacity of South East Queensland’s three major dams has surged to almost 94 percent.

WAFarmers welcomes announcement

The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) is pleased to see that Enzootic Bovine Leukosis (EBL), an infectious viral disease that affects cattle, has been eradicated from all dairy cattle herds in Australia.

Help for people affected by floods

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) will be provided to eligible people adversely affected by severe flooding in the Murweh and Maranoa regional council areas in south-west Queensland.

First grain train run

The first grain train is expected to run on the recently upgraded Benalla to Oaklands

Queensland on Tour to China

A group of 25 tourism operators will take a slice of Queensland sunshine to China in a bid to promote Queensland to some of the state’s most significant international markets.

Construction begins on biosecurity site

Work has begun on the NSW Government‘s $56 million upgrade of biosecurity facilities at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute

Fruit fly at Woodville North

Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) declared a fruit fly outbreak at Woodville North.

Lakes and waterways projects in WA

Federal Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water, Senator Penny Wong, announced funding of $6 million for two Perth-based projects

Book & poetry prize open

Chief Minister and Minister for the Arts and Heritage, Jon Stanhope, has announced that the 2010 ACT Book of the Year Award and ACT Poetry Prize are open for nominations.

Canberra Festival starts this weekend

Canberra is turning 97, and Joy Burch MLA, representing Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, launched nine days of birthday celebrations to kick off this Saturday 6 March 2010.

Works begin for Bendigo’s history

History buffs will soon have further access to Bendigo’s past following the start of works on stage two of the Bendigo Regional Archive Centre.

WA ahead of dire water predictions

Territory businesses remain confident

Territory businesses enjoy the second-highest confidence levels in the country, according to the latest Sensis survey results

Queensland’s eco-appeal showcased

More than 11 million Chinese per day will be able to read about South East Queensland’s ecotourism attractions

Truck lane restrictions

The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) has responded to s announcement of truck restriction lanes on selected Victorian roads by Roads and Ports Minister, with a positive but cautious view of the plan.

Nats in a drought on policy

Vic Agriculture Minister Joe Helper condemned the National Party for once again failing to provide country Victorians with any ideas of their own.

Minister meets on rail freight

The Brumby Labor Government has completed a $100 million works package to upgrade several regional rail freight lines

$250,000 for Wimmera area

The Brumby Labor Government officially announced a grant of $250,000 to Horsham Rural City Council

$12.6m for rural roads

A $12.6 million Victorian Government package will boost road links between local farms and markets, the Premier John Brumby announced.

WA’s role in world’s biggest expo

WA Premier Colin Barnett will launch the Western Australian component of the Shanghai World Expo 2010 - the biggest world Expo in history.

Royalties for Regions funding round

WA Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore encouraged mineral exploration companies to apply for a share in more than $5million of State Government funding.

New recycling system good news

Queensland Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor has praised Gold Coast’s Wet’n’Wild theme park for introducing new recycling systems on site.

Ipswich – 150 years young!

Local Government Minister Desley Boyle toasted one of Queensland’s oldest councils but predicted the best was still to come for Ipswich.

Darwin home to first helium plant

The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, joined Northern Territory Chief Minister, Paul Henderson, to officially open the Southern Hemisphere’s first helium plant

How the AFP will police the CPRS

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is liaising regularly with the Department of Climate Change and the Attorney-General’s Department on the law enforcement implications of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

McGahan resignation causes concern

Ms McGahan’s resignation is a step backwards for AWI and Australia’s wool industry in general.

Entries open for top farming award

Applications are now open for the 2010 NSW Farmer of the Year and Young Farmer of the Year Awards

Minister applauds seafood industry award

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore recognised the winners of the 2010 Western Australian Seafood Industry Awards.

Regional aviation under the microscope

The Minister said that last year the Government rejected the findings of a report commissioned by the previous Labor government which recommended the wholesale deregulation of WA’s regional aviation sector.

Money available for forest contractors

The Minister for Energy and Resources, David Llewellyn, urged all forest contractors who are suffering from the downturn in the hardwood woodchips market to apply for support through the Forest Contractors Support Program.

Businesses take advantage of EcoBiz NT

More than $500 000 in Territory Government grants have been provided to businesses improving their environmental efficiency.

$12.48 million for disaster assistance

Local Government Minister Desley Boyle announced $12.48 million in disaster assistance to help Tablelands Regional Council

Flood in Roma declared a disaster

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts has declared a disaster situation in the Roma District, on the basis that homes are likely to be inundated by flood waters.

Disaster relief funding extended

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts announced disaster relief funding arrangements had been extended to the Diamantina and Mount Isa local government areas

Regional SA switch to digital TV

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, confirmed that regional South Australia and Broken Hill would switch to digital-only television on 15 December 2010.

Apple crops crumble

Apple crops are bearing the brunt of a growing flying fox population and the NSW Farmers’ Association is calling for action.

VFF acknowledges decision on EC

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has acknowledged the Federal Government’s acceptance of advice from the National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) to extend Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance

Greater focus on grain quality

As Victorian growers begin to decide which wheat varieties they will grow in 2010, the Victorian Farmers Federation’s (VFF) Grains Group has raised concerns that without clear market signals regarding wheat quality

Grains BMP economic model

The adoption of best management practice grain farming management systems across the Fitzroy Basin can significantly boost profitability and deliver multi-million dollar environmental benefits.

Fruit fly at South Brighton

Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) declared a fruit fly outbreak at South Brighton.