GRDC Northern Region team members are just back from Grains Research Updates throughout Queensland and New South Wales. It was great to catch up with so many growers, agronomists and researchers at the events and even better to hear many regions had received rain. Let’s hope there is more on the horizon and everyone gets a winter crop in this season.

If you didn’t make it to an Update, you’ll find a lot of the valuable presentations from these events on our website. And if you did attend one of the Updates, you may find yourself or a colleague in social photo galleries from Wagga Wagga, Dubbo and Goondiwindi Grains Research Updates.  To view the latest Newsletter click the heading.

The National Farmers Federation has welcomed the release of the Murray Darling Basin Social and Economic Assessment Panel Draft Report.

Led by an independent panel comprised of Basin industry leaders, the report highlights the experiences of communities and how they have been affected by the myriad of reforms to water management in the Basin.

“The report’s findings are similar to the messages the NFF heard on our tour across the Basin last month: there is a need to bring communities back to the heart of the conversations and actions that ultimately impact their futures.”

The Coronavirus pandemic means the Independent Planning Commission will not be scheduling any public consultation meetings into two of the region's biggest proposed projects, for the foreseeable future.

The IPC has been asked to hold hearings for both Whitehaven Coal's Vickery coal mine extension project and Santos' Narrabri gas fields project.

However, due to the federal government's restrictions around public gatherings and social distancing, the IPC is unable to plan any public meetings at this stage.

Growers have copped a hammering on social media in recent times over how much water they take in the northern Murray-Darling Basin, and what part the industry may have played in the Darling River fish kills.

There is evidence, generated by the industry, that it has a poor public image.

Cotton Australia commissioned a wide-ranging survey by JP Morgan that found most urban Australians had negative perceptions about the industry.

Chief executive Adam Kay said they needed to do something about it.

THE NSW government is nearly ready to pass over its assessment of the controversial Narrabri Gas Project to the independent body that will have the final say on the development.

NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes formally requested to the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) to hold a public meeting in Narrabri, in anticipation of his department wrapping up its assessment.

Water Management in NSW is not transparent. We have seen in the last few weeks the issues that this lack of transparency creates for everyone, be it communities or people holding water access licences.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler welcomed the news today that the NSW Nationals are backing his party’s call for a Royal Commission into the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party have been calling for a Royal Commission into water for many months now. Pursuing a Royal Commission was one of the commitments the party made in its 10-point water plan. 

“Our political pressure and the pressure from the community has today seen the NSW Nationals finally stand by the comments of their leader in Menindee and support the calls for a Royal Commission,” said Mr Butler. 

Following the issuing of a Media Release today from the Leader of The Nationals backing a Royal Commission, the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party sought to suspend Parliament to debate the need for a Royal Commission. The Liberal-National Government voted against this call.

The decision to backflip on an embargo and waive restrictions on take in several tributaries and parts of the Peel, Namoi and Gwydir rivers doesn’t pass the pub test according to Member for Barwon Roy Butler.

“Minister Pavey pushes out information in the media about doing all she can to support communities through this drought then comes along with a decision like this that severely impacts on the mental health of everyone in Barwon.

“What Minister Pavey has achieved here is the creation of conflict between communities. Who does that benefit?

“What’s the point of creating this perfect storm of misinformation?

“I haven’t received a single call from anyone in Barwon that’s happy with this decision, what I have received are calls and messages from many people from farmers and irrigators, to people in towns and Aboriginal Elders asking what the Minister is playing at.

“There is a complete lack of transparency from Minister Pavey and the Department of Planning Industry and Environment about this decision.

Welcome to 2020 - it is certainly off to an unprecedented start, with communities across the length and breadth of the country dealing with fires, and others going into their eighth or ninth year of drought. Add to that relentless dust storms, and the odd flood event - there aren't many places experiencing a 'normal' season.

However, we have also seen Australia's generosity in response to the fires, with an outpouring of support . We have been overwhelmed with the way people want to help, both here in Australia and across the world

Expressions of interest are invited from qualified teachers interested in a career opportunity relieving in the position of classroom teacher, K-6, for the 2020 school year (with the possibility of an extension). The position will be located at:
Burren Junction Public School, NSW 7 Alma Street, Burren Junction, 2386
School Information
Burren Junction Public School has an enrolment of 40 students, with 3 multi-grade / stage classes. The school is situated in the rural community of Burren Junction, located 40 minutes west of the township of Wee Waa.

Are you happy in your marriage?

Certain habits will either make or break your relationship. 

Many people, however, only learn how to co-exist with their spouses after they get into a marriage. Making an effort to establish healthy boundaries and habits before getting into a relationship can be the difference between a sad and happy marriage.  

Member for Barwon, Roy Butler is calling on people across the electorate who know a remarkable senior volunteer to nominate them for the 2020 NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Awards.  “Seniors provide invaluable skills and help our community thrive in so many ways,”
said Mr Butler.  “This year in Barwon as part of the statewide Seniors Festival we’ll be recognising our senior volunteers – those selfless individuals who donate their time, energy and efforts to volunteering in our communities.

While Australians have been shocked by the scale of destruction caused by the current bushfires, the true horror awaits many farmers on their return home or during the cleanup process.

Buildings and fences have been destroyed, crops lost, and livestock have perished. Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie told ABC radio’s RN Breakfast the bushfire crisis would “devastate” the national herd, and there are fears up to 100,000 livestock could be lost.

The figures are almost too great to grasp. AgriWebb Co-Founder John Fargher knows the personal impact all too well, having heard the stories firsthand from customers. “There are people who have lost everything,” he says. His own family hasn’t escaped unscathed, with his father-in-law’s property hit by the Kangaroo Island fires losing all fences and livestock.

It is easy to lose focus throughout the year. Before you know it, 2020 is upon us. We get it. You get busy, jobs start to pile up, bills need to be paid and before you know it, you are buying Christmas presents! Make 2020 different. Before anything gets too wild, it's time to make a plan and set your business up for success in 2020.

These 3 key things will make sure you have the structure and rigour for business success in 2020! 

Ever wondered what the fuss was about the gluten-free diet?

There's actually a variety of health benefits to be had from eliminating gluten from your diet.

From increased energy levels to greater digestive comfort. There's plenty more that come with this great health move!

“It’s disappointing that the Government has decided to shuffle public service positions, and spend more money creating new offices within offices instead of providing real drought support,” said Member for Barwon Roy Butler. 

Mr Butler’s comments follow the sacking of Jock Laurie, the government’s drought coordinator, to make way for the new Office of Drought Response. 

“The drought coordinator’s position was set up to listen to farmers and communicate their views to government – to make sure their concerns surrounding drought had been heard.

RDA Orana will host a two-day discussion focussed on migration as part of the organisation’s commitment to regional workforce shortages.

“Locally-led migration strategies have provided a response to issues facing rural and regional communities, including shifts in workforce and population,” RDA Orana Director for Regional Development Megan Dixon said.

The event will begin with an employer forum to discuss visa options for employers who may be interested in hiring migrant workers. This will be followed by a workshop about migrant experiences and a roundtable to look at regional settlement.

Member for Barwon, Roy Butler is calling on the NSW Government to take action and establish more residential rehabilitation centres in the west of the State.

Drug related crime figures, presentations to emergency departments, and Ambulance call outs for drug related incidents are all on the increase.

In the Far West, amphetamine use and possession has increased by 61 per cent between April 2017 and March 2019 – the highest increase in the State. 

Do you have a wedding on the horizon?

First things first...CONGRATULATIONS!

Now, onto the most important question - are you spray tanned ready?!

Looking beautiful on your big day is more than a matter of self-confidence. When you’ll look back on the photos for a lifetime, feeling sexy in your skin is super important.

Barwon MP Roy Butler has renewed his party’s call for an independent audit of rural and regional public hospital services and staffing.

This call follows the deeply concerning revelations in the Four Corners report Health Hazard. 

Mr Butler says the government needs to undertake an immediate independent audit of rural and regional public hospitals to determine what services are missing or lacking from hospitals; and the distribution of the health workforce across the State. 

“It’s time to make the health, welfare and safety of people across rural and regional NSW a priority,” said Mr Butler.

Welcome to our Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities Newsletter

Welcome to our Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities Newsletter where you will find details of grant and funding programs that are available for the Northern Inland Region for businesses and infrastructure projects.

Due to the number of grants that are available, we send two funding opportunities newsletters a month; one for Business and Infrastructure and another for Community Projects and Award Programs. These newsletters are a free service that we provide, and can you can add the Community Funding Opportunities and Awards Programs newsletter to your subscriptions by filling your details into on the left hand side of our website: www.rdani.org.au

Local residents are set to benefit from special rates offered as new air services take to western NSW skies next month.

With the support of the NSW government and the Far North West Joint Organisation (FNWJO), the airlines are able to offer a 'local fare'.

The local fare price for Cobar to Sydney is $249 one way, and the Dubbo to Cobar local fare price is $129 one way.