2019 March 28 Rural

REAL ESTATE ON THE CASSOWARY COAST

A Buyer’s Market

Tyson Real Estate Ross and Margaret Sorbello.

REAL Estate is something most people love to discuss and inevitably the discussion leads to housing prices and latest sales.

According to recent data from ‘On The House’ property marketing website, “the median house sale price in Tully is $217K and in the last quarter between November and January only 4 properties were sold according to government verified records.”

‘On The House’ also reports that in the same quarter, “the median rent in Tully is $285 per week with returns on average 7%.”

At present we are experiencing a buyer’s market.

Why? Because there are

fewer buyers, but lots of properties for sale. During the last 12 months there were fewer house sales than average, but we are always hopeful the numbers will lift.

If you have to sell your property in the current market it can be disappointing; some people make the decision to rent their property and move on.

The reason we have a strong rental market here in Tully is that our town provides plenty of employment- either short or longer term- in the banana, sugar and tourism industries and these workers need accommodation. One thing we can rely on in Tully is

the supply and demand for rental properties.

In business sometimes you have to weigh up your options to value-add to your business. We have decided to make that choice by adding property management to our portfolio.

After 11 years selling Real Estate we are still committed to investing in Tully and are here for the long run, so through our local knowledge we will provide a new property management option in the Tully district.

If you wish to discuss Real Estate call in and see us soon at 61 Bryant Street Tully.

8 Melaleuca Drive

ATTENTION

FOR THOSE SEEKING A WORTHY INVESTMENT OR RESIDENCE OR BOTH

DUPLEX - 8 Melaleuca Drive,Tully Heads The elderly owner of this worthy investment property has instructed that he wants it SOLD. Ill health necessitates that he sell his investment so that he can move closer to family. First listed at $350,000 with all offers now being considered.

Fully tenanted ; 4 bedrooms ; 2 bathrooms ; 2 carports ; fenced back yards CONTACT MARKETING AGENT SHARON SPICER EMAIL: sharon@spicerpropertysales.com.au PHONE: 0438 688 128

REAL ESTATE

Are you Renting or Leasing Property?

Thinking of Buying or Selling Property Tully, Mission Beach and Tully Heads?

Call Ross Or Margaret or visit www.tysonreal.com.au

Phone 0417772745

23 Hielscher Street PRICED TO SELL @ $289k

$299k BUT OWNER WILL CONSIDER ALL OFFERS

THIS quality built duplex positioned on a spacious 1400m2 (approx.) allotment with well maintained lawns and gardens, is ON THE MARKET and JUST REDUCED….. AGAIN!!

Both units currently tenanted @ $220 per week each.

Fully tiled throughout with combined kitchen/dining rooms and generous sized living areas opening onto covered front patios.

There are 2 generous sized bedrooms with built-ins in each unit as well as independent bathroom and toilet facilities.

Single carports with enclosed laundries open out to separate fully fenced back yards and as the property is a generous 1372m2 in total, both units have a larger than average outdoor area.

The beautiful Googarra Beach is approximately 800m away and the local “watering hole”, Tully Heads Tavern is even closer.

Positioned between the Tully and Hull Rivers with easy boat access to Dunk and surrounding Islands and only a short drive to Tully township.

Give Sharon a call to arrange an inspection.......0438 688 128

TYSON

IMMACULATELY kept, tastefully decorated and fully air-conditioned home, nestled on 844sqm at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac with delightful mountain views......

An alluring property for those looking for a low maintenance and well maintained home which defies age.

• cement block exterior & interior walls • zincalume roof • tiled living areas with carpeted bedrooms • Avista decorative concrete on both front patio & rear entertainment area • Essastone kitchen benchtops • security screens on bedroom windows & front and rear doors • fans throughout • electric hot water & oven/hotplate A one owner home with special touches throughout adding to the its appeal. All 3 bedrooms have built-in robes and an office/study/ playroom extends from the rear room, but could

PUBLIC AUCTION

WEDNESDAY 3 APRIL - 10AM START

SITE CLEARANCE FARM EQUIPMENT

TRACTORS, TIPPER TRUCK, FARM IMPLEMENTS & EQUIPMENT ON SITE - 67827 BRUCE HIGHWAY, BABINDA

TRACTORS: Massey Ferguson 188, International 766, John Deere 2130. TRUCK: 1975 Toyota DA115 Tipper Truck, Truck Fertiliser Bin to suit Toyota. FARM IMPLEMENTS: Howard HD Series 6Ft Slasher, 2 x Single Axle Manual Tipper Farm Trailers, 7Ft 6” Hydraulically Adjusted Heavy Duty Tractor Back Blade, Bonel Twin Row Galvanised Fertiliser Box, 4 x Cane Planting Trailers, Silvan 600 Litre Spray Unit with Booms, Inter Row Protection Cage, 3 Row Coulter Weeder, Weeder Rake, Off Set 24 Disc Plough, 5 Disc Reversible Plough, 2 Row Planter, Heavy Duty 2 Tyne Ripper, 12 Spring Tyne Ripper, 3 Point Linkage Drain Plough, Eurospand Fertiliser Spreader, Set of (2) Heavy Duty Ripper Coulters, Horse Drawn Diamond Harrows, 2 Row Fertiliser Box with Crumbler Rollers, 1T Bag Lifter, Diesel Fuel Tanks & Stands. TOOLS & EQUIP.: Assorted Plough/Coulter Discs, 2.2kVa Petrol Generator, Richardson Pedestal Drill, EMF Arc Welder, Delva Fibreglass Tractor Shade, 550mm Blacksmith Anvil, Jim Crow Railway Vice, ProAir Air Compressor, Buffalo Forge Wall Mounted Hand Drill, Acetylene Welding Equipment, 4.5M Timber Planks, Collectable Hand Tools, Pedal Singer Sewing Machine.

OPEN FOR VIEWING TUESDAY 2nd 10AM - 4PM Visit our website to subscribe for our Flyer & Catalogue

www.quaidauctioneers.com.au

AU C T I O N E E R S & VA LU E R S 401 Sheridan Street, Cairns North - Phone 4051 3300

ADVERTISE HERE! Call 4068 0088 NOW!

easily become a 4th bedroom/nursery if necessary.

Convenient amenities, including separate toilet, internal laundry with storage cupboard and a 2 way bathroom which doubles as an en-suite to the master bedroom.

The attention paid to the exterior of the property, mirrors the interior with special touches adding a classy quality to the property.

• fully fenced backyard with side gates - opening on one side is large enough to allow vehicle access to the rear of the property • carport with gates opening onto back entertainment area - timber slats for privacy • 6m x 6m shed with roller door and personal entry door • garden beds/landscaping • garden lights Owners are encouraging inspections….give Sharon a call to arrange a suitable time.

ATTENTION

CALLING ALL YOUNG COUPLES/ FAMILIES & DOWNSIZERS

23 HIELSCHER STREET,TULLY The owners of this immaculately maintained, one owner property are demonstrating their willingness to negotiate on the sale of their much loved family home by reluctantly reducing the price from $320,000 to an affordable $289,000.

3.5 bedrooms ; 2 way bathroom ; separate toilet ; drive through carport with back yard access ; shed CONTACT MARKETING AGENT SHARON SPICER EMAIL: sharon@spicerpropertysales.com.au PHONE: 0438 688 128

Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, March 28, 2019 Page 7

GARDENING IN PARADISE

The garden is dotted with colourful tropical foliage and statues.

JENNY’S TROPICAL GARDENING

March 2019

A very cleverly planned pathway meanders through the garden, giving it the feel of a much larger space.

OUR gardens have certainly been inundated with water lately!

We have had lots of rain and it is great to see so many photos of different areas on Facebook and reading how people cope. I’m happy to see that we still have good spirits and are getting on with what has to be done and helping others.

Our gardens cop a lot of water at this time, with many going under water for days or even weeks. How resilient are those plants to come through this and keep on growing!

Many trees lose branches with the weight of the rain on their leaves and the heavy winds that can accompany the rain, and it is good to give the broken end of the branch a prune to neaten the split.

Some flowers are finding it hard to keep their heads held high with the extra weight of the rain on them, but they keep on blooming.

I find our wet season is great for taking cuttings from shrubs and simply pushing the cuttings into the wet garden bed and seeing them produce roots and grow quite quickly. This is a fuss-free way to make more plants either for your own use or to share with others.

This is also a good time to move established plants that are not in floodwater, as they will not suffer from the sun’s drying rays and will soon re-establish themselves where they are moved to.

Heliconia rostrata makes a dramatic statement when in flower.

Waterlilies and the sound of running water add to the sense of tranquillity in this garden.

Plants such as this beehive ginger make a statement with their long-lasting flowers.

Page 8 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, March 28, 2019

They will appreciate being staked for a while as the wet soil is very soft.

I thought I would share some photos of a beautiful tropical garden I was fortunate to visit a few years back in Brisbane as many are not able to do much in their gardens at the moment and they may enjoy seeing these.

The garden belongs to Dennis Hundscheidt, and many have seen his garden in magazines or on television. With his creative use of screening plants, meandering paths, water features and beautiful tropical statues and pots, Dennis has very cleverly made a house-block garden which makes visitors feel they are exploring a much larger area.

Dennis makes great use of many plants that have year-round colour in their foliage and makes some dramatic statements with bromeliads, heliconias and gingers.

The next time I can get to work I shall print all my photos of his gorgeous garden and bring them in to the Mitre 10 Garden Centre for people to peruse. I’m sure it will inspire many to add some features to their gardens!

Until next month, when the sun will be shining, Happy gardening,

Jenny

10% O FF ALL PLAN TS

59 Butler Street, Tully, QLD 4854 Ph: 07 40684900 Fax: 07 40682351

COMMUNITY NEWS

Possession of a knife in a public place, Innisfail: At 3am on Wednesday March 20, police observed a 22-year-old Innisfail man walking on Alice Street, Innisfail.

Police will allege the man was carrying a knife at the time.

As police spoke with the man he threw the knife in the opposite direction.

He was charged with possession of a knife in a public place and is scheduled to appear in the Innisfail Magistrates Court on April 15.

Drug Driver, El Arish: A 33-year-old Tully man was charged with drug driving on March 20.

At around 5:20pm police from the Innisfail Road Policing Unit intercepted a vehicle on the Bruce Highway, El Arish for a random drug and breath test.

Police will allege the man returned a positive drug result.

The relevant samples from the drug test have been forwarded to a laboratory testing facility for scientific analysis.

His licence was suspended for an initial period of 24 hours and is scheduled to appear at the Tully Magistrates Court on May 5.

Public nuisance and move on direction, Innisfail: Police have charged a 51-year-old South Brisbane man with public nuisance and issued him with a move on direction.

At about 6:30pm police have attended a business on Fitzgerald Esplanade in relation to a disturbance.

Police will allege the man had been swearing at customers entering and leaving the business.

He was charged with commit public nuisance and is scheduled to appear at the Innisfail Magistrates Court on April 15.

At 7:20pm police attended Fossy Park on Fitzgerald Esplanade in relation to the same man causing another disturbance.

He was issued with a move on direction not to return to the area for a period of 24-hours.

Drink driving, Bingil Bay: On Wednesday March 20, a 44-yearold male from Bingil Bay was intercepted by police driving his vehicle on Bingil Bay Road.

The man was required to provide a breath test which returned a positive result.

He subsequently recorded an al-

leged reading of 0.082 per cent BAC. The man’s licence was immediately suspended for 24-hours and he was issued with a notice to appear at the Tully Magistrates Court on April 18.

Unregistered and uninsured vehicle, El Arish: On Wednesday March 20, police intercepted a 33-year-old man from Tully driving a vehicle on the Bruce Highway, El Arish.

Checks revealed the vehicle was unregistered and uninsured.

The man received a $522 infringement notice for driving an uninsured motor vehicle and a $417 infringement notice for driving an unregistered motor vehicle.

Public nuisance, Innisfail: Police have fined a 43-year-old Innisfail woman $391 for committing a public nuisance – offensive behaviour.

At about 11:30pm on Wednesday March 20, police were called to an address on Hickey Street, Innisfail.

Police have spoken to people at the address and the 43-year-old woman who made admissions to yelling and swearing at neighbours from across the road.

Break and enter, Innisfail: Police are investigating a break and enter of a vehicle parked on Edith Street, Innisfail.

At about 4:30am on Thursday March 20, the victim discovered his vehicle had been broken into and several personal items were missing.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and investigations are continuing.

Disturbances, Innisfail: A number of youths have been charged and banned from an Owen Street Arcade.

Around 1:30pm on Tuesday March 19, it will be alleged a 10-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl damaged a water feature in the Arcade causing water to flood the area.

On Thursday March 21, it will be alleged two boys aged 10 and 12-yearsold were located around 2:30pm spraying painting on the walls of a stairwell.

Around 2:30pm on March 23 it will be alleged a number of youths were in the Arcade causing a disturbance two girls aged 14 and 15-years-old entered a store and made threats towards staff and customers.

The four youths will be dealt with under the provisions of the youth justice act.

Break and enter, Innisfail: A 15-year-old Innisfail girl will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act after a Lily Street address was broken into on March 23.

It will be alleged around 2:40am the

girl has gained entry to the address and stole a quantity of money before she was disturbed and fled.

Police located her later in the day.

Drink driver twice in one night, Innisfail: A 27-year-old Belmont woman was charged with two counts of drink driving on Sunday, March 24.

It will be alleged around 12:15am she was driving a silver Holden Frontera around the roads of a River Avenue caravan park.

An initially breath test was conducted and she was transported to Innisfail station where it will be alleged she returned a reading of 0.155 per cent BAC. It will be further alleged she was intercepted again around 3:30am Sunday morning on River Avenue it will be alleged she returned a reading of 0.129 per cent BAC. She was charged with one count each of driving over the high alcohol reading, driving over the mid alcohol reading and driving a motor vehicle with a suspended licence.

She is scheduled to appear at the Innisfail Magistrates Court on April 15.

Stealing charge, Innisfail: A 31-year-old East Innisfail woman was charged with stealing on Saturday March 23.

It will be alleged around 3:40pm she has attempted to leave a Ernest Street business with over 162 consumable items she had failed to pay for.

She is scheduled to appear at the Innisfail Magistrates Court on April 8.

Drugs and explosives located: Mission Beach and Tully police executed a search warrant around 8:30am on March 18 at a Buccaneer Street, South Mission Beach address in relation to dangerous drugs. As a result of this search, it will be alleged police located and seized a significant quantity of meth amphetamines and other drug related items. Subsequently a 34-yearold South Mission Beach woman was charged with numerous drug related offences including possession of a dangerous drug namely methamphetamines. She is required to attend Tully Magistrates Court on April 18.

Around 9am on March 18 police from Mission Beach and Tully executed a search warrant on an address on Tully Mission Beach Road, Wongaling Beach. As a result of this search, police located and seized a quantity of cannabis and explosives (Fireworks).

A 51-year-old Wongaling Beach man was charged with drug and explosive related offences including possession of a dangerous drug namely cannabis and authority to possess explosives.

He is scheduled to attend the Tully Magistrates Court on April 18.

Drink drivers: Around 6:30pm on March 20, Mission Beach police intercepted a 45-year-old Bingil Bay man on Bingil Bay Road, for a road side breath test.

It will be alleged as a result of the test the man returned a reading of 0.082 per cent BAC. A 55-year-old Mission Beach woman was intercepted on Donkin Lane around 12:30am on March 23 for a road side breath test. As a result of the test it will be alleged she returned a reading of 0.082 per cent BAC They are both scheduled to appear at the Tully Magistrates Court on April 18 Drivers should be mindful that it can be easy to go over the 0.05 per cent limit, or to still have a breath alcohol reading the following day.

It is important to take into account many factors when planning to have a drink, like how quickly you have consumed the drinks and when you last ate.

Unlicensed drivers: Around 4:30pm on March 21 Mission beach police were conducting high visibility traffic enforcement on Seaview Street, Mission Beach when they intercepted a maroon Land Rover wagon in relation to a traffic matter. It will be alleged the driver, a 45-yearold Bingil Bay man, was unlicensed, he was issued with a $200 infringement notice.

On March 23 police from Innisfail Road Policing Unit were conducting high visibility traffic enforcement on Tully Mission Beach Road, Mission Beach when they intercepted a 47-yearold Wongaling Beach woman around 4pm in relation to a traffic matter. She was issued with a traffic infringement notice for unlicensed driving.

Driver licensing and vehicle registration addresses and renewals can be quickly and easily updated by visiting any Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld. com.au 24hrs per day.

Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, March 28, 2019 Page 9

RURAL REPORT Statement on Australian Government funding of Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program

THE Wet Tropics Management Authority welcomes the Australian Government’s threeyear, $9 million funding commitment to secure the future of the Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program.

In 2016, the Australian and Queensland governments funded the Authority’s eradication program for three years.

The Authority’s Executive Director, Scott Buchanan, said the new Australian Government commitment will ensure that the program continues on its 10-year path to eradication.

‘The Australian Government is a valued partner in the Authority’s Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program, recognising and acting upon community and industry concerns about the threat of this invasive ant,’ he said.

‘This commitment is recognition of the program’s success in working with local residents

and industry to tackle yellow crazy ants, and ensures that this important work can continue.

‘We thank the Australian Government for its support and dedication to protecting the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area from the threat of yellow crazy ants.’

The Wet Tropics Management Authority’s Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program was established in 2013 in response to community demand for a solution to an outbreak of the ants in the Cairns region.

Since commencement of the Australian and Queensland government funding package in 2016, the eradication program has significantly reduced ant numbers and declared eradication at three local sites.

The Authority’s Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program Manager, Lucy Karger, said community and industry support has underpinned the pro-

gram’s success.

‘Together with funding from the Australian and Queensland governments, this program would not be where it is today without the support of a dedicated team and the Wet Tropics community,’ Ms Karger said.

‘The support of our passionate community and industry leaders is appreciated, and remains essential as we continue on our path towards eradicating yellow crazy ants from the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and surrounds.’

Yellow crazy ants have invaded 1,722 hectares of land in the Cairns region, including more than 90 hectares of rainforest in and adjacent to the World Heritage Area.

Anyone who suspects they have seen yellow crazy ants are encouraged to contact the Wet Tropics Management Authority on email YCA@wtma.qld.gov. au or call 4241 0525.

Reef bill is an alarming grab for power

CANEGROWERS has told a Queensland Parliamentary committee that the State Government’s proposed laws on farming in Great Barrier Reef catchments include a massive power grab.

CANEGROWERS was represented by Chairman Paul Schembri and CEO Dan Galligan in Brisbane at Monday’s only scheduled hearing of the Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee into the Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019.

“Our submission highlights that this Bill would hand broad powers to the Department of Environment and Science’s chief executive to change minimum cane farming standards in any way at any time with no regard for the impacts on growers or their communities,” Mr Galligan said after the hearing.

“There is no mechanism for challenge or review, no requirement for the changes to be based on science or evidence.

“Essentially the government will hand bureaucrats in Brisbane the power to shift the goal posts on cane growers again

and again and again.

“This was never part of any consultations held with industry to date and puts CANEGROWERS members in a dangerous and vulnerable position.”

Mr Schembri today told the Committee that most cane growers had been working under reef water quality regulations since 2009 and there was no need for changes.

“We take our environmental responsibility seriously,” he said. “Australian cane growers are recognised as world leaders in every international industry forum for our innovation and sustainable practices – yet when we return home our credentials are considered second-rate.”

In five years 70% of the cane industry’s land footprint has voluntarily become involved in a program of best practice called Smartcane BMP which is supported by the Queensland Government.

“This program is delivering environmental outcomes while also positioning us as certified suppliers of sustainable sugar to a market that wants,” Mr Schembri said.

“We don’t need more bureaucratic interference when, as an industry, we are achieving

good progress with programs that acknowledge, respect and work with us.

“The big risk with the government’s heavy-handed approach is that growers will throw their hands up in the air and give up.”

Mr Schembri was one of only around six farmers in the Committee room at Parliament House for the public hearing.

“This hearing in Brisbane was completely inadequate to explore the huge impacts this Bill will have on farming in Queensland,” Mr Schembri said.

“Just 40 minutes of the Committee’s time had to be shared by CANEGROWERS, AgForce and the Australian Sugar Milling Council.

“While we thank the Committee members for their interest and questions, it was clear some of them had more to ask us when the time expired.

“This makes regional public hearings, that more farmers can attend, an absolute priority and we urge the Committee to leave Brisbane and travel to the key farming areas impacted by this Bill.”

Australia’s national science agency CSIRO will release a new biocontrol agent called “leaf smut” in a bid to help save rainforests across Australia from an invasive South American weed.

Wandering trad (Tradescantia fluminensis) has become a significant environmental weed in parts of eastern Australia where it forms dense carpets on forest floors, smothering native vegetation and clogging waterways.

CSIRO senior research scientist Dr Louise Morin said weeds like wandering trad had

a significant economic, environmental and social impact in Australia.

“Weeds are one of the biggest threats to Australia’s unique environment – in many areas across Australia they are damaging native vegetation, which threatens whole ecosystems including native wildlife,” Dr Morin said.

“Last year Australia spent almost $30 million protecting the natural environment from weeds. In the agriculture sector, weeds cost the industry more than $4.8 billion per year.”

RIGHT: An infestation of

wandering trad smothering the forest floor.

Extensive research and laboratory trials at CSIRO’s Canberra biocontainment facility and other international research showed a fungus from Brazil – Kordyana brasiliensis – only infects the weed and not other plants.

“The fungus is spread through spores and needs the leaves of the wandering trad to survive – if there is no wandering trad to infect, the fungus dies,” Dr Morin said.

“We know from decades of research in this field, that

Page 18 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, March 28, 2019

Festival celebrates the legendary barramundi

KARUMBA’S annual Barra and Blues Festival in May will be combined with the launch of an $8.5 million barramundi interpretive centre and the best fishing season in years.

Carpentaria Shire Mayor Jack Bawden said the outback town by the sea was gearing up for an influx of visitors as the recent floods had transformed the Gulf Savannah country in north-west Queensland into a lush green paradise.

“Our wetlands are teaming with birdlife and the fishing should be extraordinary, especially for those wanting to catch our famous barramundi. Locals have been reeling in enormous barra with some catches longer than 90cm,” he said.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Pip Close urged people to visit the Gulf Savannah and outback to support communities doing it tough after years of drought and then flood.

Cr Bawden said the Barra and Blues Festival on May 4 and 5 would be a great week-

end with ARIA nominee Ash Grunwald headlining the blues concert and the official opening of the stunning Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre.

“The ticketed concert on Saturday night also features singer Emily Wurramara, nominated for the 2018 ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album, award-winning North Queensland blues and roots artist Tim Griffin, and local Normanton band Split Image,” he said.

“Other activities include free yoga, market stalls, free guided tours and barramundi feeding at the Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre, blues artist workshops, a Big Barra BBQ, and an outdoor screening of the legendary movie ‘The Blues Brothers’, with awards for bestdressed movie-goer.

“We are really excited to officially open the state-of-the-art Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre which will enable visitors to discover the history, lifecycle and habits of the southern gulf barramundi that are bred in the hatchery.

“The interpretive centre also showcases the wetlands, mangroves, birdlife and flora of the southern Gulf. The centre originated some 25 years ago when a group of local fishermen set out to restock the local waterways with barramundi fingerlings to ensure a sustainable fishing future for years to come.

“They developed a barramundi restocking program and hatchery and, ultimately, a small interpretive centre which was upgraded to the new $11 million centre with funding from the Queensland Government’s Building Our Regions program.”

Karumba, a nine-hour drive west of Cairns, attracts about 55,000 visitors a year with most arriving for the barramundi fishing season from February to October.

Tickets for the Saturday night concert are $65. Find out more at www.barracentre.com. au or look for Karumba Barra Blues Festival on Facebook.

2019 Queensland Rural Media Awards announced ABC News Journalist, Kristy Sexton-McGrath will join more than 600 global agricultural communication professionals in Minnesota, USA in July after she was announced the overall winner of the 2019 Excellence in Rural Journalism awards.

Cairns-based Kristy’s indepth coverage of the Indigenous Land Corporation’s plans to destock its far North Queensland cattle stations and shift to carbon farming gained an enormous audience and impressed the judges for its thorough research, balance and flare.

The Rural Press Club of Queensland’s annual Excellence in Rural Journalism awards are one of the state’s highest profile and most prestigious awards for rural and regional journalists. The overall winner receives $5,000 towards professional development and international networking opportunities through attending

the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Annual Congress.

This year’s Congress is being held in Minneapolis and is themed Global Connections in America’s Heartland. It will feature experts on news topics such as trade, sustainability, crop and livestock issues, together with professional development sessions and plenty of Midwest hospitality.

Kristy’s story, Cattle stations to be handed back, was also the winner of the Radio Award category, with Queensland Country Life Journalist, Lucy Kinbacher, taking out the Print Award category for her series of stories on alternative farming.

Lucy was won $1000 as the overall runner-up.

ABC TV’s Landline Journalist, Pip Courtney won the Television Award category for her story Solar boom, while ABC Reporter, Melanie Groves

won the Online Award category for Animal welfare in drought, which engaged both city and country audiences and sparked a heated debate as it went viral.

The overall winner of the Excellence in Rural Photography Award 2019 was Paula Heelan for a cohesive series of photographs successfully illustrating the vast landscape and harsh environment of Rawnsley Station, while also telling the story of its present and past agricultural activity.

Entries for the 2020 Excellence in Rural Journalism Awards, for stories and photos published between 1 December 2018 and 31 October 2019 will be accepted from 1 November 2019, with the overall winner attending the IFAJ Congress in Denmark, 24-29 June 2020.

For more information go to www.ruralpressclub.com. au and click on Awards.

Super Smut Fungus to Combat Smothering Weed

specialised fungi, like the leaf smut, have specific genes that enable them to successfully infect and cause disease only on single or a narrow range of plant species “So we look at plants that are related to wandering trad including native plants to make sure the fungus will only infect the weed.

Wandering trad has infested native forests across eastern Australia, from eastern parts of NSW and south-east Queensland, to the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria where the biocontrol agent will first be released.

CSIRO field biologist Dr Ben Gooden, who is coordinating the rollout of the biocontrol program across Australia, said highly targeted and tested biocontrol agents like the fungus were a more environmentally sustainable option than other available tools.

“Scientifically tested biocontrol agents like this fungus provide a longer term, environmentally sustainable way of controlling weeds like wandering trad, without harming Australian plants or animals,” Dr Gooden said.

“Currently, the only tools

available to the community and local councils against the weed are hand-pulling and chemical herbicides, which only bring short-term control and have the unintended consequence of killing native plants and disrupting complex rainforest ecosystems.”

Release of biocontrol agents are approved by the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

RURAL REPORT

Research initiative ramps up investments to secure plant biosecurity

MORE than $27 million has been invested into research, development and extension projects through the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative and partners since its inception just 18 months ago.

The initiative was developed to encourage collaboration and investment in plant biosecurity research, with a focus on managing threats to Australia’s plant industries and their environment.

The national value of plant industries at risk is valued at almost $30 billion per annum across the horticulture, wine, broadacre and forestry industries.

The PBRI program director Dr Jo Luck said pest, disease and weed threats to Australia’s plant production systems could have a catastrophic effect on Australian farm businesses, employees and the surrounding regional communities.

“Established to support cross-sectoral RD&E, the PBRI has formed new collaborations across seven plant industry research and development corporations (RDCs), Plant Health Australia (PHA) and the Department for Agriculture and Water Resources,” she said.

“We have seven major projects underway delivered through co-investment from state-based primary industry agencies, CSIRO and Australian universities. A further five projects valued at over $21 mil-

lion is currently under consideration.”

Dr Luck said this is an enormous feat in such a short period of time – a clear demonstration of the commitment of the RDCs, and the value that the PBRI was bringing to industry.

The current projects include: * A leadership project assessing strategic ways to coordinate RD&E across sectors to leverage investments, promote collaboration and avoid research duplication. * A national cross-industry surveillance project to monitor and report on the presence of airborne pests and diseases affecting horticulture, grains, cotton, sugar, wine and forest plantations. * Two new projects to protect horticulture and wine industries from Xylella, an exotic bacterium that threatens more than 350 commercial, ornamental and native plant species in Australia. They are the appointment of a Xylella coordinator and a state-of-the-art diagnostic project to have ready the most accurate and sensitive method of detecting this disease. * An investment into improving plant industries’ access to new genetics through faster and more accurate biosecurity screening using Next Generation Sequencing. * A review of the biosecurity plan and manual for the viticulture industry including wine and table grapes.

* An R&D symposium showcasing current plant biosecurity research supported by the PBRI member organisations.

A further $21.7 million of RD&E is being considered in the following areas * Two novel detection methods for brown marmorated stink bug, which is not established in Australia, but poses a high biosecurity risk due to their tendency to hitchhike in sea cargo. * Understanding the potential of native insects to transmit Xylella if it was introduced into Australia. * Boosting national diagnostic capacity for plant production industries. * Business continuity for farmers affected by emergency plant pest incursions.

PHA Executive Director and CEO, Greg Fraser, said the level of commitment into current and future investment for the PBRI was representative of the importance that industry placed on the initiative.

“It is clear that PBRI is here for the long run, investing in strategic and long-term RD&E projects that will help to protect Australia’s valuable plant industries into the future,” he said.

A two-day Plant Biosecurity Research Symposium on 15-16 August 2019 will showcase research supported by the PBRI member organisations and delivered by research teams in Australia and New Zealand.

Inland Rail Offers Agricultural Saving on a Plate

CSIRO research into the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project has determined that shifting horticulture and processed agriculture from road to rail could reduce transport costs for the agricultural industry by an estimated $70 million per year.

Australia’s national science agency conducted a pilot study in 2018 using their successful computer logistics tool TraNSIT (Transport Network Strategic Investment Tool), along with extensive industry engagement, to focus on Parkes to Narromine in Central West NSW. Researchers identified a baseline of existing freight movements in this area to estimate the potential transport cost savings for the entire Inland Rail project, marking the first time such a detailed analysis on road to rail supply chains in Australia has been completed.

They considered horticulture, and processed agriculture, such as meat, rice and dairy products.

The analysis showed if existing agricultural road trips were shifted to Inland Rail, the agricultural industry could save between $64 to $94 per tonne (depending on back-loading).

This equates to about $70 million in reduced transport costs per year based on the shift of 923,000 tonnes of horticultural and processed agriculture

to the lower cost transport option that Inland Rail provides.

Additional analysis revealed that if existing coastal rail trips shifted to inland rail, this would result in an estimated saving of $28 to $35 per tonne.

“Our research has shown that Inland Rail would bring an improvement in rail travel time and transport cost, particularly important when considering perishable products.

This would make it a lot more competitive with the travel time advantages of road transport,” CSIRO TraNSIT leader Dr Andrew Higgins said.

Parkes to Narromine was chosen for the case study as it is the first section of track to undergo construction. There’s also a large number of supply chains in this pilot area involving hundreds of stakeholders.

“A big cost in food production is transport, particularly given the large distribution of where and when it is grown across Australia, and the long distances to major domestic markets, often over 1000 kilometres,” Dr Higgins said.

"These type of savings with Inland Rail would mean food companies would have lower cost access to markets further away than they supplied to in the past.

“The benefit is for those selling to market, basically large farming corporations, food

companies and those behind processing facilities.

"You’d expect the savings would then be passed back onto farmers.”

The Australian Government has committed $9.3 billion to complete the 1700 kilometre spine of Australia’s freight rail network that will connect Melbourne to Brisbane in under 24 hours.

As a next step, TraNSIT will now be applied to the broader Inland Rail corridor (commencing with the southern corridor from Narromine to Seymour) to obtain even more detailed cost savings across a broader range of commodities.

New commodities will include grains, cotton, livestock, wool, minerals and general freight.

TraNSIT has been used in previous research to test the benefits of transport infrastructure in regard to upgrading roads in Northern Australia, and calculating agriculture and forestry transport benefits for industry and various levels of government.

The TraNSIT computer modelling tool works by analysing every possible combination of transport routes and modes (road and rail) and determining those that optimise vehicle movements between enterprises in the agriculture supply chain.

Get clicking and win with ‘Sugar Snaps’

BUDDING sugarcane industry photographers are invited to share their best pictures as part of a new competition showcasing the beauty of the Australian sugarcane industry.

Both amateur and professional photographers are encouraged to submit their sugarcane industry photographs to the ‘Sugar Snaps’ competition, where they will have the chance to win prizes and see their work published in a 2020 shed calendar.

The purpose of this competition is to highlight pictures that illustrate the hard work, beauty, landscape and the contribution of the Australian sugarcane industry.

Farmacist Regional Manager, Mr Jayson Dowie, said the competition was seeking photo-

graphs capturing all aspects of the sugar industry from people to harvesting to farming systems to transport and milling.

“There are some amazing images out there that celebrate this amazing industry. We would like everyone to get their cameras or smartphones out and send us their best snaps,” Mr Dowie said. “Through this competition, we would love to see a range of pictures revealing the depth and breadth of the Australian cane industry and showcase them in a sugar industry calendar.”

SRA Executive Manager, Communications, Mr Brad Pfeffer, said the winning entries would be featured in the 2020 shed calendar and also be in the running for other prizes.

“The 2020 shed calendar

will be produced as part of a series of ‘RP161’ Nutrient Management projects which are currently being delivered in the Burdekin, Mackay Whitsunday and the Herbert regions,” Mr Pfeffer said.

The RP161 Nutrient Management projects are delivered

by Farmacist, Mackay Area Productivity Services, and Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited (HCPSL) and funded by the Queensland Government Reef Water Quality Program and Australian Government Reef Trust.

Entries close September 27, 2019. To submit your entry and for more information visit, https://sugarresearch.com. au/sra-information/sugar-snaps/

Advertise here call 4868 0088 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, March 28, 2019 Page 19