HUNTER Local Land Services is working to protect and restore the Hunter Estuary Wetlands and Myall Lakes Ramsar sites – two wetlands of international importance. The project aims to strengthen habitat, cultural partnerships and community engagement to support the recovery and long-term resilience of these vital ecosystems. The ‘Securing the Sanctuaries of Ramsar and Priority […]
The platform brings together functions that previously existed in a suite of existing tools such as the Drought and Supplementary Calculator, DroughtPack, Feed Cost Calculator and Drought Feed Calculator.
New online tool to support farmers prepare for and recover from natural disasters
A NEW online tool is available to help NSW farmers better prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters including fire, flood, and drought. The platform, called myStockPlanner, enables farmers to provide details of their farm, risks and resources to access tailored response options to consider and implement with their feed and livestock. Federal […]
Nature smiles on Pindimar Markets once again
Lesley and Bea kept the chocolate wheel spinning. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Cammi had a great day, including becoming a Jedi Padawan at the Preschool stall. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Kim and Steve at the Pindimar Bundabah Community Association BBQ. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. A future RFS volunteer getting familiar with the trucks. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Jack and […]
Inaugural Worimi and Birrpai Youth Gathering heading to Saltwater
The organising committee at Murrook Culture Centre planning the event. Photo: supplied. THE inaugural Worimi and Birrpai Youth Gathering is being hosted by the Goori-Bugg family later this week at Saltwater, near Old Bar. Activities will include weaving, grass skirt making, emu egg carving, canoe and gunya building, and a Goori song and dance. The […]
Oyster and Timber Festival showcases the best of Karuah
RFS volunteers from Karuah and Medowie turned out to help attendees get ready for summer. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Stallholders were busy as the crowds rolled in. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Tea Gardens Lions kept the people fed with their famous portable barbecue. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. KARUAH celebrated the return of its iconic Oyster and Timber Festival […]
Multiple units tackle lightning fire threatening Karuah farmland
New Pindimar/Tea Gardens RFS recruit Jack using the drip torch to help build a fire break. Photo: Mark Pryor. The crew of Pindimar/Tea Gardens Cat 7 watch a waterbomber refill. Photo: Mark Pryor. Smoke rises as the fire encroaches on pastoral land west of Karuah. Photo: Mark Pryor. A BUSHFIRE started by lightning threatened farmland […]
Sudden stratospheric warming causes weather chaos
RISING temperatures over Antarctica have been a major contributing factor to recent volatile weather along the East Coast, according to new information from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). A “sudden stratospheric warming” (SSW) is to blame. This is a documented weather scenario in which air temperatures high above the South Pole rise by 30 degrees […]
Citizen scientists called on to spot underwater flowers
A NEW citizen science project led by UNSW Sydney is inviting beachgoers, snorkelers and divers to spot and share photographs of seagrass flowers along Australia’s coasts. The endangered seagrass Posidonia australis forms rich underwater meadows that capture carbon, support fisheries, and help stabilise shorelines. It’s one of the most important habitats in coastal ecosystems but […]
While the country lifestyle and lower cost-of-living was appealing, access to housing, health care, connectivity and public transport were seen as key barriers.
Health, housing and jobs stifling the country dream
A QUIET life in the countryside appeals to nearly half of Australia’s city residents, but concerns about access to health care, housing and jobs are stopping them making the move. Country Australia is on track to become home to 11 million people by 2032, or 40 percent of the population, while 40 percent of people […]
Planning Minister Paul Scully says the NSW government is supporting housing growth in the regions. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
Infrastructure ‘key’ offers to unlock regional housing
SOME regional Australians may get a reprieve from the housing crisis as councils are offered interest relief to build more drains, roads, and other infrastructure. Though many parts of regional Australia have ample residential land, it often isn’t ready for development due to a lack of funding and planning for critical infrastructure, a 2024 national […]
