News -

Oxfam supports regional solution

The Gillard Labor Government welcomed Oxfam Australia’s call for bipartisan support for a UNHCR sanctioned regional protection framework.

Worst locust plagues on record

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has called an emergency meeting in Trangie next week to open the lines of communication between landholders and the relevant industry bodies ahead of what is predicted to be one of the worst locust plagues on record this spring.

Blueprint for regional Victoria

The Brumby Labor Government’s new strategy to support future population growth and planning was enshrined into state-wide planning provisions with the gazettal of planning scheme Amendment VC66.

SA makes progress against plan

South Australia has made significant progress towards achieving many of the targets outlined in its Ten Year Strategic Plan

WAFarmers launches climate possibilities

The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) launched its ‘Climate Possibilities - Real Solutions’ project

Improved protection for wetlands

The Gillard Labor Government will increase its investment in the Queensland Wetlands Program to help protect and manage Queensland wetlands.

New locust web tool

Audio grab availableThe Brumby Labor Government has unveiled a new web-based program to help farmers make informed decisions on the best use of chemicals in the war on locusts this spring.

New institute to help ag challenges

The University of Adelaide’s new Waite Research Institute will help South Australian agriculture become even smarter in meeting production challenges.

NT skills pay off

A Territory mining company brought together with Chinese investors through the NT Government’s China Investment Strategy has signed a deal that could represent the largest Chinese investment into the NT yet.

Wet catchments continue to deliver

Melbourne’s storages have had their best week in 9 months, with wet catchments delivering a net increase of 12 billion litres.

Strategic control for serrated tussock

Minister for Primary Industries, Steve Whan launched a program that will bring NSW one step closer to more effective coordination and strategic management of one Australia’s most devastating perennial grass weeds.

Farmers to benefit from White Paper

Victoria’s farming and forestry industries will be able to play a major role in tackling climate change through the establishment of the Victorian Carbon Exchange

Regions to win from White Paper

Regional Victoria will benefit from millions of dollars of new investment and thousands of new jobs as a result of the actions announced in Taking Action for Victoria’s Future, the Victorian Climate Change White Paper – The Action Plan.

Wild dog fence repair ahead of schedule

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin congratulated Roma Biosecurity officers on their progress in repairing the wild dog barrier fence

Qld economy on the right track

Queensland’s reputation as the job-generating capital of the country flies in the face of reports that the state economy compares poorly to other states

ACT economy ’fastest growing’

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has welcomed the results of the latest CommSec State of the States economic report which confirms the ACT is still the fastest growing economy in the nation.

Aquaculture red tape cut

The WA State Government has slashed red tape for aquaculture projects.

$3 million for desalination research

Australia’s first desalination research centre has opened its doors at Murdoch University’s Rockingham campus with the help of a $3million grant from the State Government.

Reported rates of crime down 12.7%

Overall reported rates of crime has continued to decrease under the Liberal-National Government with the latest WA Crime Statistics showing a decrease of 12.7 per cent

Economics forecasts a strong NT economy

Treasurer Delia Lawrie welcomed the release of Access Economics’ June Quarter 2010 Business Outlook that predicts strong job and economic growth for the Territory.

Flood assistance grants extended

Premier Anna Bligh extended the deadline for flood assistance grants to give primary producers and small business owners some breathing space

Climate change great for SA’s plans

Premier Mike Rann says Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s $1 billion plan to connect more green energy to the nation’s electricity grids is great news for South Australia

SA congratulated for water saving

Premier Mike Rann has congratulated South Australians for their outstanding efforts to save water this year.

Mobile Office to visit more Eyre

The Australian Government Mobile Office will be rolling into more communities on the Eyre Peninsula

RSPCA controls needed

The NSW Farmers’ Association will lobby the NSW Government to exercise more control over the RSPCA

Water timelines all over the place

The NSW Farmers’ Association is seeking assistance from the NSW State Government in addressing the timelines for implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Rural Women’s provides strong voice

The NSW Rural Women’s Council is meeting in Orange to provide vital feedback to Government on issues such as dental services and tourism initiatives in rural and regional NSW.

Flows return to Yarra and Thomson

Melbourne’s improved water security from the Government’s water projects, conservation and better rainfall will see a further 22 billion litres of environmental water returned to the Yarra and Thomson rivers

000 Young Victorians honoured

Junior heroes from across Victoria are being recognised for taking fast action to get specialist help in emergency situations

Supermarket supports stalls phase out

The Minister for Primary Industries and Water Bryan Green welcomed an announcement by the Coles’ supermarket chain to support the phase out of sow stalls used for raising pigs in Australia.

Report on dingo population on Fraser

A dingo survey in progress has confirmed that there are currently 231 tagged dingoes on Fraser Island.

Developing SA rural leaders

The South Australian Government is continuing to foster leadership skills in regional communities.

Have your say on Murray and Mallee

Minister for Urban Development and Planning Paul Holloway encouraged people living in the Murray and Mallee region to have their say about future development.

Good times for vegetable and beef

Widespread rainfall across NSW has benefited some of the State’s vegetable farmers and beef producers, who have begun rebuilding their herds, however the rain has had little impact on the State’s drought situation

ACT receive security boost

Community organisations have a new opportunity to boost the safety and security of their facilities thanks to an ACT Government grants program worth $150,000

Renewable energy potential

Victoria’s significant renewable energy potential has again been confirmed with the release today of a new report.

Vic shines on climate change

Victoria is set to become Australia’s solar state through a plan to increase Victoria’s electricity supply from large scale-solar power to five per cent by 2020

City worker healthy than country worker

The largest health check of Victoria’s workforce shows that people working in Melbourne are healthier than those working in regional Victoria – but only just.

National Farm Safety Week

The farm is not just a workplace for many Tasmanians, it is also a home, and any injury or death through accident can take a heavy toll on families and communities

$18.5 million war on locusts

NSW Premier Kristina Keneally announced an $18.5 million package to help farmers across the State

Arrangements for the final report

Premier John Brumby outlined arrangements for the distribution to the Victorian public of the final report of the Royal Commission inquiring into the 2009 Victorian bushfires.

Chemicals ordered for war on locusts

The Brumby Labor Government has ordered $4.2 million in locust-spraying chemicals for public land to help combat what looms as one of the worst locust plagues in living memory.

Working together of fruit fly

Stone fruit, table grape and citrus producers in the Greater Sunraysia region have joined together to work with Government on their local fruit fly management program.

Young rural ambassadors commended

Agriculture and Regional Development Minister Michael O’Brien has congratulated William Denholm from Kapunda on being named Young Rural Ambassador of the year.

Goolwa to be regional centre

Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts John Hill has announced in Parliament that Goolwa will be the third South Australian Regional Centre of Culture.

Daily water use down

Average daily residential water consumption dropped slightly to 152 litres per person

Importance of rural and remote health

In Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, the Election campaign has two people with close and long-term understanding of the importance of rural health and health policy.

QFF Statement on Federal Election

The Queensland Farmers’ Federation has welcomed the forthcoming Federal Election

Healthy farmer week

The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers), in conjunction with Ford Health, encourages all Western Australian farming families to make health and wellbeing their top priority

Premier thanks Christine Nixon

The Premier, John Brumby, thanked Christine Nixon for her 18 months service to the Victorian Bushfires Recovery and Reconstruction Authority