Rural property ripe for picking according to farm land valuation report
A surge in rural land values, driven by low interest rates, strong commodity prices, farm consolidation, and fewer farms for sale, is both excitement and nervousness amongst the industry, according the latest ANZ Agri Report. Over the past five years, rural land value growth has outperformed national residential property value growth by an average of […]
CBA supports wind farm to advance QLD towards renewable energy goal
Dulacca Wind Farm, backed by a loan from CBA, will gear Queensland towards its goal of generating 50% of its power from renewable sources by 2030. Commonwealth Bank is one of five banks providing project finance to support the development of the 180MW Dulacca Wind Farm, located in the Western Downs region of Queensland. The […]
Paying farmers to improve native remnant vegetation – we would like to see that
The Australian Farm Biodiversity Stewardship Pilots indicates it will pay farmers for management activities to improve the condition of existing native vegetation. The Australian Government says it intends a pilot market-based approache to enhancing remnant vegetation as part of the Agriculture Stewardship Package. Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the Enhancing Remnant […]
Sacred Bodhi tree’s journey to Oz has been 2300 years in the making
In a cultural first for Australia, a sapling from a sacred tree revered by the world’s Buddhist community has been imported from Sri Lanka in what can only be described as a great biosecurity success story. Head of Biosecurity at the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Andrew Tongue, said the sapling is from […]
Investing in our people for Top End biosecurity includes $1.2 million grant
The next round of the Indigenous Biosecurity Traineeship begins today, building biosecurity capacity for North Queensland, Cape York and the Torres Strait and offering opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be employed in biosecurity related roles. Up to 5 trainees demonstrated the skills and personal commitment to protect our biosecurity, have now […]
Partnering a big win for plant biosecurity system with $1 million annual tip in
The Australian Government is committing $1 million annually through a national partnership agreement to significantly improve Australia’s national plant health surveillance system. This is expected to prove to be a big win for our plant biosecurity system, which protects our economy and environment. This commitment will enhance the national plant health surveillance program which provides […]
Pet ant trade has been exposed as a dangerous and costly hazard
An investigation into the online sale of ants has revealed a disturbing global trade that offers up some of the world’s most terrifying and dangerous ants as pets, including red imported fire ants, yellow crazy ants and Australia’s own bull ants and jack jumpers.“Countries across the world, including Australia, are spending tens of millions of dollars […]
Support for Queensland to manage navua sedge and feral pigs costs $998,000
The Australian Government is providing $998,000 to Queensland for two projects to improve the landscape scale management of navua sedge and feral pigs, through a Federation Funding Agreement with states and territories as part of the $30.3 million Established Pest Animals and Weeds Management Pipeline Program. The funding is expected to be used for research […]
The status of plant biosecurity in Australia revealed in annual report
The National Plant Biosecurity Status Report (NPBSR) is the latest comprehensive plant biosecurity resource detailing Australia’s plant biosecurity system and the pre-border, border and post-border activities undertaken in the last year. Released this week by Plant Health Australia (PHA), this reference volume brings together contributions from over 100 government, industry and research organisations, and is […]
Research evaluates impact of COVID-19 travel bans
Australian scientists have modelled a way to determine how many cases of COVID-19 could be travelling on any international flight, based on data from the first six months of the pandemic, which could help Australian authorities make decisions about incoming international travel. Developed by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and Queensland University of Technology, the […]