AusBiz – February-March 2024

February/March 2024

NEWS | SCIENCE | mining | agriculture | charity | finance

70. A BUDDING INDUSTRY Global demand for Australian lavender is larger than ever, and there is still significant potential for growth.

P.67 ausbiz. news P.74 BACKyARD BIRD COUNT P.80 bees and bacteria p.84 bushfire insurance P.88 tech TO BEAT RURAL crime p.92 three aussie charities p.96 the last word

AUSBIZ NEWS

UNEMPLOYMENT AFTER UNIVERSITY A recent survey has revealed that university students studying architecture and design are facing high levels of unemployment after graduation.

According to the Australian labour market data and graduate surveys from Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT), one in three graduates is currently unemployed or struggling to transition into fulltime work. In fact, surveys have found that in certain universities, 48 per cent of respondents are finding it difficult to obtain a job.

These startling results highlight a need for greater support as architecture and design graduates navigate the journey into the industry. Experts believe the survey reveals a gap between what is being taught at university, and what employers demand of their staff.

According to Kevin Mitchem, cofounder of CO-architecture, Australia’s biggest community of emerging architects

and designers, “the gap between what universities teach and what employers need is clear. Fundamentally, universities focus on theoretical knowledge and creative exploration, while employers want practical skills, technical know-how and an understanding of real-world constraints like budgets and timelines.”

In response to this discrepancy, CO-architecture has launched an academy for graduates as they navigate the job market, focusing on providing support and developing skills.

“Much like the construction sector, architecture and design is primarily represented by small businesses and contractors who lack the resources to establish graduate programs and internships designed to nurture emerging talent into their business,” says Mitchem.

The QILT survey has opened up new opportunities to expand education programs and connect students with professionals, promising a solution for undersupported design and architecture graduates.

Pomegranate potential

A review led by AgriFutures Australia suggests the pomegranate industry could rapidly expand with a few small changes.

The report, titled The Australian Pomegranate Management Guide, provides insight into the potential of this small Aussie sector, which is currently worth $10.4 million and consists of 275,000 mature trees.

Pomegranates are popular due to their health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. They are also high in antioxidants, fibres and vitamins C and K. Around the world, this delicious fruit remains in high demand, with the pomegranate juice market expanding by 750 per cent between 2001 and 2005 in the US alone.

AgriFutures’ new guide seeks to upscale Australia’s pomegranate production to meet this international demand for the fruit.

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According to Dr Kristen Stirling, author of the paper, “there is no ‘perfect’ way to grow pomegranates, which is why we have provided the principles of good management which producers can tailor to suit their needs.”

The study outlines several areas where more research and regulation could prove invaluable, such as practice standards, quality control and market development. As a small industry, growers work with fewer

guidelines and standards, limiting opportunities for growth.

Dr Olivia Reynolds, AgriFutures Australia Senior Manager Emerging Industries, believes the review will help emerging and experienced producers alike.

“The guide will aid growers to optimise their farming practices, reduce environmental impacts and improve overall efficiency and sustainability,” she concludes.

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AUSBIZ NEWS

FIRE ANTS CAUGHT RED-HANDED ‘RAFTING’ After a Queensland farmer posted a video of red fire ants building floating rafts, many are fearful that these pests will travel to new regions and destroy precious resources.

Now, experts are warning that the unpredictable weather could accelerate the spread of this deadly species. words: Matilda Meikle

This summer, Queensland has been subject to torrential rain and heavy flooding, brought about by Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Beyond the devastation caused to properties and roads, many are also concerned about the sightings of red fire ants using the floodwater to guide them to new locations.

A warning released by the Invasive Species Council Advocacy Manager Reece Pinata emphasised the need to stay vigilant.

“Fire ants are more active before or after rainfall and can form large floating rafts which move with water currents to establish footholds in new areas,” he explains.

“We have recently seen evidence of this rafting behaviour on cane farms south of Brisbane.”

During long periods of flooding, fire ants can link their legs together to form a raft and protect the queen.

This phenomenon has long fascinated scientists, who have found that the rafts exhibit unique material properties. According to

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one study from the Georgia Institute of Technology, the ants build their rafts by using all six of their legs to attach themselves to others in their colony. This means that each ant could have up to 20 friends gripping onto its body.

“It turns out that 99 per cent of the legs are connected to another ant and

there are no freeloaders,” says David Hu, who worked on the Georgia Institute study.

By connecting using their legs, the ants can change the structure of the raft simply by bending or stretching. This gives the raft a unique quality similar to both a liquid and a solid.

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“Fire ants are more active before or after rainfall and can form large floating rafts which move with water currents to establish footholds in new areas.”

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: A FIRE ANT WARNING SIGN; RED FIRE ANTS ARE A DEADLY INVASIVE SPECIES. IMAGES: ISTOCK/GETTY. FIRE ANTS FORMING A RAFT ON WATER. IMAGE: DAVID HU/ GEORGIA TECH.

DEVASTATION AND DECLINE According to experts, the spread of fire ants could cause agricultural output to decline by 40 per cent, and cost the economy $2 billion every year.

“They will devastate Australia’s environment and agriculture, cost our economy billions annually and we could see over 140,000 extra medical visits every year as they sting Australians at the park or in the backyard,” says Pinata.

Originally from South America, red

imported fire ants were first identified in Australia in 2001. In November 2023, they were detected in New South Wales, with many concerned they would take to the Murray-Darling Basin and spread beyond control.

In response, the national fire ant eradication program committed $268 million towards elimination.

“Fire ants are one of the world’s worst super pests and, if they are allowed to spread across the continent, their economic impact will be greater than cane toads, rabbits, feral cats and foxes combined,” says Pinata.

“We are calling on the community to be on the lookout for fire ants, including in their backyards, local parks, beaches or bushland.

“It’s really easy to do your part. Just take a picture of any suspicious ants and report it.”

A COMMUNITY EFFORT The Invasive Species Council has released several tips for spotting and reporting suspected fire ant nests:

1. When in the garden, at the park, camping or at the beach, keep a look out for ant mounds.

2. If you think you have found fire ants, keep a safe distance. Do not make direct contact with the fire ants or their nest.

3. Take a photo or video on your mobile phone.

4. Report the sighting to: • Queensland: www.fireants. org.au New South Wales: https:// • www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ biosecurity/forms/reportexotic-ants Even if you’re unsure about the sighting, Pinata says that every report helps.

“Don’t worry if you’re not sure what type of ant it is, every picture that is sent in will be vital information for the eradication program. Ongoing containment and suppression means it is still possible to eradicate fire ants from Australia if we all do our part.

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SPECIAL FEATURE: FINANCE

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NAVIGATING THE NEW YEAR WITH SAXO Overweight on commodities, bullish on metals – how Saxo’s global markets experts see 2024 panning out. words: Peter Garnry and Ole S. Hansen

The keyword for global equities in 2023 was economic resilience.

Everything was set for a recession in the US amid the steepest interest rate increase in decades. However, unprecedented US fiscal policy – and the animal spirits unleashed by the mesmerising proficiency of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool ChatGPT – helped the US economy avoid a recession, and propelled technology stocks to all-time highs. The main concern in 2024, nevertheless, is the

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possibility of a recession stateside, and its potential effect on the rest of the world.

Economists predict a 50 per cent likelihood of a US recession, underscoring the challenge for investors as they set their strategy for 2024. China’s policy resolve is also still a big unknown after another year of disappointment for Chinese equities – particularly in comparison to countries such as India, Mexico, Brazil and Vietnam,

which have benefited from the post COVID-19 fragmentation of supply chains. Chinese equities have underperformed other key emerging markets by almost 44 per cent in USD terms since early 2018, and Saxo expects this trend to continue in 2024.

Across equity themes, Saxo believes the ongoing commodity super cycle – driven by global urbanisation trends, green transformation investments and

SPECIAL FEATURE: FINANCE

constrained supply – will push the sector to new heights in 2024. If the market accelerates its bets on more central bank rate cuts this year, the battered green transformation stocks across wind, solar, energy storage, electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen could likewise see a short-term boost. Cybersecurity and defence stocks are also likely to continue benefiting from ongoing geopolitical tensions, but we suggest exercising caution with the “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks – AI hype has rendered the US equity market dangerously overconcentrated, leading Saxo to be underweight US “mega caps” in 2024. Instead, Saxo prefers equalweighted equity indices, in addition to minimum volatility and quality factors.

YEAR OF THE METALS Diving into specific commodities, Saxo believes the new year could mark the “year of the metals,” with a focus on gold, silver, platinum, copper and aluminium. In precious metals, we believe the prospect of lower real yields and a reduction in the cost of holding a non-interest paying position will support demand, especially through exchange-traded products, where investors have been net sellers for the past seven quarters.

Industrial metals also stand to benefit from supply disruptions, industry restocking as funding costs fall, and continued demand growth in China offsetting the rest of the world’s weakness. This will, not least, be driven by the green transformation, which will keep gathering momentum in 2024 – in some cases replacing demand for copper and aluminium from traditional end users, who could suffer from a weakening economic outlook.

Copper remains Saxo’s preferred industrial metal for 2024 due to expectations of robust ongoing demand, as seen in China over the past year. The so-called “king of green metals” (due to its multiple applications) has also suffered major

“Saxo believes the ongoing commodity super cycle – driven by global urbanisation trends, green transformation investments and constrained supply – will push the sector to new heights in 2024.” supply disruptions in the recent past, most notably the governmentenforced closure of the First Quantum-operated Cobre Panama mine in Panama. Other mining companies such as Rio Tinto, Anglo American and Southern Copper have also made production downgrades, primarily due to escalating challenges in Peru and Chile. Overall, these incidents paint a picture of a mining industry challenged by rising costs, lower ore grades and increasing government intervention – which may combine to boost the price of copper in 2024. However, given the wide range of challenges that mining companies will face in the coming years, such as those outlined above, we prefer direct exposure to the

PETER GARNRY

OLE S. HANSEN

underlying metals through ExchangeTraded Funds (ETFs).

The 2024 investment landscape is complex and challenging, presenting investors with a multitude of risks and uncertainties – not least in the geopolitical space, where the rise of populist sentiment in an election-heavy year (there will be elections in 2024 in the US, UK, Mexico, Indonesia, India, South Africa, the European Union and more) could prove pivotal. However, a bullish commodities outlook may serve the commodities-heavy Australian equity market well in 2024, given the ASX’s strong representation of iron ore, oil and gas, gold, copper and lithium companies – notwithstanding the potential for declining Chinese demand in iron ore and continued lithium oversupply.

As always, investors should seek to diversify across markets, sectors and asset classes to ensure they capitalise on new global opportunities where they arise, and protect their wealth in more difficult times.

Peter Garnry is Saxo Head of Equities Strategy, and Ole S. Hansen is Saxo Head of Commodities Strategy. Peter and Ole are both based in Copenhagen.

Disclaimer: Saxo Capital Markets (Australia) Limited (Saxo) provides this information as general information only, without taking into account the circumstances, needs or objectives of any of its clients. Clients should consider the appropriateness of any recommendation or forecast or other information for their individual situation.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

A RENEWABLE ENERGY FUTURE WITH GENTARI SOLAR AUSTRALIA Gentari Solar Australia (Gentari) is one of Australia’s leading clean energy providers, promoting the value of renewable power through innovative solar and energy storage solutions. words: Matilda Meikle

In the next decade, eight gigawatts of Australia’s coal energy is scheduled to leave the electricity grid. Renewable energy plus storage is positioned as the most affordable way to replace these generators. As such, many energy providers are looking for clean solutions to continue powering the country.

According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, renewable energy sources contributed to 32 percent of Australia’s total electricity generation in 2022. This included solar (14 per cent), wind (11 per cent) and hydro (6 per cent). In fact, the production of renewable energy has more than doubled over the last decade.

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With the demand for clean energy on the rise, companies such as Gentari are set to remain at the forefront of the power market over the coming years.

Gentari, for example, has avoided 1,158,546 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, emphasising how renewable energy is the future of power.

A BRIGHT FUTURE In 2024, Gentari is beginning construction on two new projects, which will contribute 550 megawatts of clean energy to the grid.

The company is dedicated to operating eight gigawatts of renewable power in Australia by 2030, and currently, it produces 422 megawatts of power, meaning

its energy capacity will double when the new projects become operational.

According to Gentari Solar Australia CEO, Andrew Barson, each project is a chance to develop new relationships and invest in a clean energy future.

“I want the company to contribute to a sustainable, equitable and just energy transition,” he explains.

“I believe we will become one of the largest renewable energy companies in Australia by 2030. We will have the capacity to provide holistic energy solutions for many Australian businesses and households.”

Since its inception in Australia, Gentari has created 3,779 jobs in various capacities during construction and powered the equivalent of 315,000 average Australian homes annually.

SPECIAL FEATURE

FARMING FOR CHANGE

FAR LEFT: HAMILTON SOLAR FARM IN NORTH QUEENSLAND. THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: WEMEN SOLAR FARM (NEAR MILDURA, VICTORIA); GANNAWARRA SOLAR FARM (NEAR KERANG IN VICTORIA); CEO OF GENTARI SOLAR AUSTRALIA– ANDREW BARSON.

One of Gentari’s largest projects is the Glenrowan West Solar Farm, where it partnered with the landowners, who are primarily sheep farmers, to install solar panels across 323 hectares..

Since developing the site, Gentari has successfully introduced around 2000 sheep back onto the property to assist with vegetation management.

The sheep themselves benefit from the shade provided by the panels.

According to Andrew, this is just one example of Gentari’s success working with local landowners and their communities.

“Another of our projects was built on land leased from a grain and crop farmer who says it has helped to diversify his income,” he explains.

“In the lean years when growing conditions aren’t optimal, he can keep his staff, whereas before he would have to lay them off.”

Aside from supporting landowners, Gentari’s projects also have a positive impact on the local and neighbouring communities. During construction, they require labourers, health and safety experts, fencers, truck drivers and forklift operators. Ongoing, the site also requires electricians, trade assistants, and support with vehicle maintenance and vegetation care.

This creates an abundance of jobs and promotes a diverse workforce throughout the life cycle of each project.

Gentari also supports the community by delivering community engagement initiatives, such as supplying local AFL and Netball clubs with solar panels, and donating to not-for-profit groups.

“We genuinely want to invest in Australia’s future and create a lasting impact in the regional communities of our sites,” concludes Andrew.

“This impact will only grow as we develop projects and introduce more clean energy offerings in Australia, such as our hydrogen and green mobility arms.”

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THE LAVENDER INDUSTRY IS READY TO BLOOM words: Matilda Meikle

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AGRICULTURE

Global demand for Australian lavender is bigger than ever. And, according to a new report from AgriFutures Australia, there’s still significant potential for growth.

By investing in further research and diversification, Australian farmers can keep up with global competitors and establish themselves as leaders in the lavender industry.

A SNAPSHOT OF THE SECTOR Lavender is a versatile crop grown in all six Australian states: Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. It has a market across several industries including fragrance, cosmetics and food and beverage. Due to the adaptable nature of the plant, which grows best in warm, temperate climates, it is relatively easy to grow in Australia.

The main product drawn from lavender crops is lavandula oil. According to research, this oil is set to increase in value across the global market from US$153.5 million to US$220 million between 2020 and 2027.

That’s equivalent to a 5.3 per cent annual growth rate.

Dr Veronica Borrett, Senior Director at the La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food, says that the lavender industry is only getting started in Australia.

“As we look at agronomy, varietal information and industry capacity, we see a clear path forward for growth,” she explains.

“In the next five years the industry will be working towards a step-change in production, with clearly defined varieties and the delivery of agronomy information that is currently lacking for existing growers and for those wanting to enter the market.”

Unfortunately, up-to-date information on lavender farming in Australia is scarce.

The most recent numbers, from a 20112012 report, suggest the country’s lavender production was worth around $1.3 million.

However, a thorough examination of the industry has not been undertaken in several years, making it difficult to investigate the current contribution of lavender to Australia’s domestic market.

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AGRICULTURE

THIS PAGE: THE LAVENDER INDUSTRY COULD BE WORTH $10 MILLION ANNUALLY IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

REPORT REVELATIONS

“The industry will be working towards a step-change in production, with clearly defined varieties and the delivery of agronomy information that is currently lacking for existing growers and for those wanting to enter the market.”

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Recognising the potential for growth in the lavender sector, AgriFutures wanted to provide new opportunities for development. The lack of upto-date research makes it difficult to implement new strategies or understand the agronomic impacts shaping productiuon, but drawing on past data it is believed that Australia’s lavender industry could reach an annual GVP of $10 million over the next five years if it is given the chance to flourish.

Late last year AgriFutures released the Strategic Australian Lavender Industry RD&E Plan 2023-2028, which outlines recommendations for the development and sustainability of the lavender industry in the long term. The plan spans across the next five years, and is worth $2.5 million.

Primarily, it outlines areas of the sector that would benefit the most from new investment. These include the development of a structured agronomy program, research into management of waterlogging and drought, identifying lavender varieties, improving market access and more.

Dr Borrett highlights how these changes will allow the sector to reach new heights.

“This will enable selection of the correct variety for the local environment, optimised farming practices and information on the impacts of adverse weather events, such as waterlogging and drought,” she explains.

MOVING FORWARD The AgriFutures Industry Plan offered many insights, especially into the need for diversification in the industry.

AGRICULTURE

According to AgriFutures Australia Senior Manager of Emerging Industries, Dr Olivia Reynolds, a varied approach will allow all elements of the sector to grow together.

“We are already seeing many mass planters of lavender capitalising on their picturesque farm locations to drive on-farm sales, tourism, cafes, photoshoots, and event hosting.

“It’s evident there’s a lot of room for growth, especially with high demand for lavender oil, and a seemingly untapped export potential.”

She believes that the RD&E plan is the first step in exploring new opportunities for farmers and businesses alike.

“As this plan paves the way for a thriving lavender sector, it stands as a testament to the transformative influence of structured research, development and extension strategies,” she says.

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WHY YOU SHOULD COUNT YOUR CHICKENS (AND BACKYARD BIRDS)

2023 marked the tenth annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count, which Professor Simon Griffith says highlights the important role citizen science projects play in our understanding of changes taking place in our world.

Words: Fran Molloy READ IT ONLINE

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ENVIRONMENT

“Citizen science is sometimes the only way we can afford to fund this kind of important data collection work.”

THIS PAGE: MAGPIES ARE A COMMON NATIVE BACKYARD BIRD, WHILE KOOKABURRAS ARE ON THE DECLINE.

The Aussie Backyard Bird Count is Australia’s largest single citizen science event, with organisers BirdLife Australia inviting people across the country to spend 20 minutes in their backyard, local park or on their balcony noting down the birds they see.

Last year, more than 77,000 people submitted a checklist of the birds they spotted, a huge increase from the 9,000 or so collected when the project began in 2014.

“I’ve definitely used some of the data collected in the Backyard Bird Count in my own research, because it gets fed into a number of big, important data collections, like the Atlas of Living Australia, and the eBird project out of Cornell University,” says Macquarie University ecologist Professor Simon Griffith.

“Citizen science is sometimes the only way we can afford to fund this kind of important data collection work.”

The Australian project has a long way to go to rival the world’s longest continuous wild bird monitoring program, Oxford University’s 77-yearold Great Tit study in Wytham Woods, where Professor Griffith worked for over four years.

“The reality is you need many years of data to start exploring those longterm patterns, in particular to recognise the sorts of major trends that operate on different time scales such as climate change,” Professor Griffith says.

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ENVIRONMENT

“Cockatoos getting into bins and even lunchboxes have learned to get around deterrents, becoming even more successful living in cities that provide food.”

THIS PAGE: BIRDS LIKE NOISY MINERS, COCKATOOS AND LORIKEETS THRIVE IN AN URBAN SETTING.

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ENVIRONMENT

SMALLER BIRDS ON THE DECLINE Although a decade is a relatively short time in which to assess environmental shifts, Professor Griffith says our global biodiversity crisis is so significant that changes are already evident in Bird Count patterns.

One trend emerging is the surge of some bird populations at the expense of others over the past decade, he says, with changes to bird communities shaped by the plants in our backyards. For example, birds like the territorial noisy miner thrive on grevilleas that have been bred in nurseries to have larger flowers – and therefore increased nectar.

This urban ‘nectar buffet’ is nothing to crow about – it attracts aggressive nectar-feeders like noisy miners, rainbow lorikeets and eastern rosellas.

“As particular plants disappear, birds relying on them leave too,” says Professor Griffith, adding that aggressive urban adapters can also drive out less adapted species.

“We’re seeing a diminishing number of small birds in urban areas,” he says, attributing the decline to the growing prevalence of larger native birds such as magpies, noisy miners and rainbow lorikeets.

“These aggressive birds are doing extremely well in our cities – and they’re the ones chasing some of the smaller birds out,” says Professor Griffith, adding that some native birds adapt to urban environments and learn behaviours that give them a competitive edge.

“Cockatoos getting into bins and even lunchboxes have learned to get around deterrents, becoming even more successful living in cities that provide food,” Professor Griffith says. “It shows how smart and innovative these birds are.”

KOOKABURRA NUMBERS DWINDLE One of the larger members of the kingfisher family, kookaburras are famed for their distinctive call which sounds like laughter.

While some native birds are thriving, others – such as previously common kookaburras – are on the decline, likely due to a combination of factors.

“Climate effects are starting to bite,” Professor Griffith says.

“The world is increasingly becoming a more challenging place with far more extreme events, and we don’t know how much each factor is contributing.”

Other issues include the widespread use of rat poison in urban areas, causing serious harm or death to kookaburras eating poisoned rodents, while heavy use of insecticides in urban areas has reduced many insects which were previously a prime food source for many birds.

“Old, dead trees which might have hollows often get removed from urban areas for safety and to look nice, reducing potential nesting spots,” Professor Griffith says.

This article was first published in The Lighthouse.

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WHAT BEES CAN TELL US ABOUT BACTERIA RESISTANCE IN HUMANS Words: The Lighthouse

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SCIENCE

“Bees only live for about four weeks, so whatever you’re seeing in a bee is something that is in the environment right now.”

Bees could become biomonitors, checking their neighbourhoods to determine how far antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has spread, according to research by Macquarie University scientists.

At least 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which estimates that 10 million people will die due to AMR by 2050. But we have few tools to keep track of its spread in the environment.

The study, published in Environmental Science and Technology, recruited honey bees, which can be a “crowdsourced” environmental proxy as they interact with contaminants in soil, dust, air, water and pollen while they forage.

“Bees interact with human environments, so they are a really good indicator of pollution that may present risk of harm to humans,” says first author Kara Fry, an Adjunct Research Fellow at Macquarie University’s School of Natural Sciences and also Senior Research and Development Officer at the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA).

“Bees only live for about four weeks, so whatever you're seeing in a bee is something that is in the environment right now.”

Fry, who, along with lead author Professor Mark Taylor, who is the EPA Victoria Chief Environmental Scientist, examined 18 hives from citizenscientist beekeepers who had hives across Greater Sydney in a mixture of land-use types. She sampled eight bees from each hive to see what was in their digestive tracts.

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SCIENCE THIS PAGE: MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY SCIENTISTS ARE TESTING BEES FOR INDICATIONS OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE.

Specifically, she was looking for genetic elements called Class 1 integrons, key drivers of resistance to antibiotics. She also looked for toxic metals such as lead.

“As humans have released their own bacteria into the environment, Class 1 integrons have spread into other natural systems. You can now find them on every continent, even Antarctica. You can find them in really diverse spaces,” Fry says.

The study found that more than 80 per cent of the bees sampled across all hives were positive for one or more antimicrobial resistance targets, surprising the researchers by showing that AMR is prevalent irrespective of the land-use context.

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Fry and her team expected to find more integrons in more densely populated areas. Instead, they found them distributed over an extremely wide area but with higher concentrations around waterbodies such as dams and lakes.

“We suspect the presence of local waterbodies that collect run-off is a critical source of AMR contamination,” Fry says. “Everything from the catchment drains down, then it stays in that system.

“As anticipated, our study data showed that residential and industrial areas were impacted very heavily with environmental lead, with greater concentrations in more densely populated areas. By contrast, AMR

was much more pervasive across the whole urban environment.”

While being able to monitor pollutants and determine where their concentrations are highest could provide an invaluable tool to understand where to implement clean-ups, the discovery of how widespread AMR is also provides a wake-up call for people to alter their behaviour.

“The main drivers of AMR are the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial products. The message from this research reinforces the need to use antibiotics when needed and as directed, and to dispose of them appropriately by returning unused medicines to your pharmacy,” Fry says.

“In addition, we should also take a look at the products we are using in our homes and avoid those with added antimicrobial agents.”

The researchers are now focusing their investigation on the use of bees to detect other environmental contaminants as well as exploring whether certain bird species could be used in biomonitoring.

This article was first published in The Lighthouse.

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HOW INSURANCE COULD IMPACT YOU THIS BUSHFIRE SEASON Words: Matilda Meikle

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PROPERTY

THIS PAGE: UNDERSTANDING THE BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR HOME IS CRUCIAL TO BEING PROPERLY INSURED. IMAGES: ISTOCK/GETTY.

Experts are warning there’s another dangerous bushfire season ahead, meaning homeowners should make sure they are covered by insurance.

Following a disastrous 2022-23 bushfire season, particularly in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, the Australian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) is predicting another year of above average temperatures and below average rainfall, which could impact many regions of Australia.

Communities are being urged to prepare for bushfires, but for many, insuring their property is not part of their action plan.

Leading scientists and academics want to emphasise the importance of understanding what your insurance covers, and the loopholes that could place you in a precarious position.

THE SEASONS AHEAD According to Professor Michael Sherris from the School of Risk and Actuarial Studies at UNSW Business School, “bushfires are becoming more prevalent.”

“With increased temperatures, this is something that is going to be more significant over the coming years.

We know that it is going to be hotter, drier, and bushfires will unfortunately become more common.”

For many, the 2019-20 bushfire season resulted in devastating loss, including the destruction of property.

However, when seeking insurance support, individuals came up against challenges to accessing their full coverage.

“While most insurance companies should pay out, there are some issues and challenges that result in policyholders being underinsured or not insured at all,” explains Professor Sherris.

To prevent a similar occurrence in future seasons, Australians are being warned to educate themselves on what their policies actually cover, and why they might be foregoing their insurance.

BUILDING CODES While individuals can end up underinsured for a variety of reasons, the most common factor is adherence to building codes.

These are a collection of standards which outline the basic requirements for any property, including design, construction and maintenance.

Since the 2019-20 bushfires, Australia’s codes have been revised, meaning it’s important to check that your home still complies with the guidelines in your geographical area.

Unfortunately, for houses that don’t meet the new codes, insurance companies will only pay for the amount the building was initially valued at. This doesn’t include the cost of rebuilding to the standard of the new building codes.

“If your home’s cladding material, for instance, doesn’t meet the building code requirements in your area, and in the unfortunate event of a bushfire causing damage to your home necessitating a rebuild with cladding material compliant with the building cost, you will incur higher costs. Your insurance company, in this situation, will typically not cover the higher cost,” explains Professor Sherris.

“It’s the same if you renovate parts of your property to the new building codes. Your property is valued higher because it’s more resilient to bushfires. Unless your insurance company is aware of this and reassesses your insurance premium based on your new building codes, you will be underinsured.”

For many, falling short of these codes is simply the result of not understanding the changes.

Yet this small mistake can have devastating consequences in the case of a bushfire.

WHAT SHOULD HOMEOWNERS DO? It’s vital that each and every homeowner understands the building codes for their local area, and ensures FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 85

PROPERTY

“A major challenge we see nowadays is Australians choosing not to have insurance because the cost may be considered too high,” says Professor Sherris.

“The current cost-of-living crisis is not helping.”

they are complying with them.

Spending extra money renovating your house to meet the building code requirements could easily save you time and money in the future.

“If you live in a high bushfire risk area, then your building code may have changed since the Black Summer bushfires.

“Insurance companies may not notify policyholders of the changed building codes, but it’s good to discuss these points with insurance companies,” Professor Sherris warns.

On top of this, some insurance companies may charge for underinsurance by adding a 30 per cent increase to price if individuals submit a claim. The policies are more expensive, but they protect homeowners from the dangerous risk posed by fires.

EXAMINING EXPENSES However, for many Aussies, the price of insurance is a stress in itself, especially when the current cost of living crisis is taken into consideration.

Between March 2021 and March 2022, the consumer price index was raised by 5.1 per cent, the highest annual increase since 2000. As a result

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THIS PAGE: THE COSTOF-LIVING CRISIS IS AFFECTING AUSSIES’ ABILITY TO PURCHASE INSURANCE. IMAGES: ISTOCK/GETTY.

of this, according to government data, around 40 per cent of renters feel they will struggle to pay their rent.

In the face of this reality, many homeowners struggle to justify the price of insurance. Standard policies will include protection from bushfires, with the premium added for bushfire risk informed by the BAL (bushfire attack level). However, as the BAL for properties across the country has been steadily increasing, so have insurance costs.

“A major challenge we see nowadays is Australians choosing not to have insurance because the cost may be considered too high,” says Professor Sherris. “The current costof-living crisis is not helping.”

But for homeowners in mediumto high-risk areas, it’s important to

protect their property from bushfires.

According to the Australian Disaster Resilience Knowledge Hub, more than 2400 homes were destroyed during the 2019-20 bushfire season. And the 2023 AFAC seasonal outlook report warns that the fire risk in the current bushfire season will be even higher than previous years.

Weighing the risk of fire against the price of insurance carries is a delicate balance, yet choosing not to protect your home can be a costly decision. Professor Sherris acknowledges the strain of insurance costs, yet believes covering yourself is always the safest option.

“It may mean you might end up paying a higher price, but you will be covered for the current bushfire season,” he says.

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TECHNOLOGY

USING TECH TO COMBAT RURAL CRIME Words: Jeanette Severs

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TECHNOLOGY THIS PAGE: TECH SUCH AS SECURITY CAMERAS (LEFT) AND EAR TAGS (RIGHT) CAN BE USED TO DETER AND TRACE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. IMAGES: ISTOCK/GETTY.

In September and October 2023, NSW Farmers collaborated with WFI Insurance, NSW Police Force Rural Crime Prevention Team, and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) to host nearly two dozen workshops across New South Wales, giving farmers the opportunity to learn about what they can do on their property to reduce the risk of rural crime, and to express their concerns about criminal activity in the agricultural sector.

Large properties in particular are at risk of being targeted by criminals, and security systems can be a visual deterrent to them. The same technology that’s used for security can also be used to monitor water infrastructure and identify when livestock are using it, fences, yards and machinery, and identify expected and unexpected visitors as they enter the property via the main gate. An alert can be transmitted to the operator, or an external security officer, for any of these situations.

Western region NSW Farmers regional service manager Caron Chester says rural crime costs landholders and businesses millions of dollars every year.

This was measured in theft and criminal damage and increased insurance premiums.

“Theft of livestock, produce,

“Theft of livestock, produce, equipment and machinery, illegal shooting, trespass and other crimes affect people’s livelihood and wellbeing.” equipment and machinery, illegal shooting, trespass and other crimes affect people’s livelihood and wellbeing,” she says. “Reporting criminal activity is crucial to creating a secure and thriving environment for everyone.

“Simple security measures that deter criminal activity include locking trucks, tractors, sheds and petrol tanks and using permanent engraving to mark equipment.”

Presenting at one of the workshops, Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Whiteside said cameras are also a deterrent, and serve to identify and record criminal activity.

This is very helpful when it comes to identifying and prosecuting criminals.

BIG ISSUES: THEFT & TRESPASSING A trend at the NSW Farmers workshops was trespassing identified as a significant issue; theft was also a common problem.

Surveillance systems were often

utilised as a solution, along with placing signs on fences and gates warning of prosecution.

When farmers first approach Earle Swan, of OES Systems, to discuss security and monitoring systems, he seeks to identify the services they actually need, to provide usability and value.

Swan says theft can vary from deconstructing a shed to its slab, and stealing everything in the shed as well, or stealing diesel from a tank, to theft of tractors and other machinery.

Alarms can even monitor who is walking or driving through gates.

“Alarm systems can be put on anything these days,” he says. “This includes on remote properties where security and surveillance may be challenging.

“OES Systems provides alarm monitoring and intrusion alarm systems on properties all around Australia,” he adds. “Camera systems can monitor gates, equipment and infrastructure.

You may want to monitor a water FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 89

TECHNOLOGY RIGHT: GEORGE BASHA FROM INTEGRITY SYSTEMS COMPANY PRESENTS AT THE NSW FARMERS’ RURAL CRIME WORKSHOP IN MUDGEE. IMAGE: NSW FARMERS.

source with a camera, but if you have 18km of water infrastructure that needs monitoring, you can also put technology on that. Tracking security hardware and software can be installed into anything.

“OES Systems also provides alarm monitoring and intrusion alarm systems which communicate to a 24-hour monitoring centre.

“This means if someone is opening a tractor door at two am in the morning, and overnight sowing or harvesting is not part of planned operations, the intrusion system will report in real time to the control room that someone is opening the tractor door.”

The property owner or manager receives an instant alert on their mobile phone and by email of the activity, and that an alert to police is pending.

“Current apps give you the flexibility to monitor your site from anywhere, at any time,” Swan says. “A key feature of our system is its ability to be customised and to integrate with other systems, so you end up with a comprehensive solution for monitoring and managing your site remotely.”

MONITORING ASSETS, AND BIOSECURITY Monitoring information provided by property owners has enabled criminal activities to be successfully identified and prosecuted.

“Any security on a farm – from locking tractors and sheds to a comprehensive monitoring system – can make criminals think twice about targeting a farm,” says Caron Chester.

“Some of the strategies are common sense, many of them are easy, and all of them make it harder for criminals to get away with crime.”

A point that came out of the workshops was that landholders need to inform the workers on their property if cameras are installed.

Another common theme from

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attendees was biosecurity – especially how this was breached when people from off-farm handled livestock without the farmer’s knowledge.

MLA representatives discussed the integrity of the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) and the importance of ear-tagging animals for lifetime traceability.

Australia’s red meat industry’s Lifetime Production Assurance program manages on-farm food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity risks.

As livestock producers know, the national vendor declaration is a legal movement document that underpins and enables the NLIS database to track livestock movements around Australia.

The NLIS is crucial for biosecurity and food safety, and has an important role in investigating livestock theft.

George Basha from Integrity Systems Company, a subsidiary of MLA, says the NLIS database should make it easier to identify stolen livestock, and return them to their owners.

He says this is why all livestock

location data and movements need to be recorded on the NLIS database.

All livestock producers should also undertake an annual reconciliation of their data, to ensure accuracy.

There are a range of resources available to farmers on the NLIS website at: https://www. integritysystems.com.au/identification– traceability/national-livestockidentification-system/ MLA has recently undertaken a review of assets and is developing an app and other electronic information that is intended to make it easier for primary producers to use the NLIS and NVD systems.

Of course, using the NLIS database to identify stolen livestock depends on the thieves not cutting out and replacing the original tags on the stolen animals, which is a common practice.

Branding and other marks, such as notches and tattoos, are also helpful for recovering stolen animals that haven’t been slaughtered soon after they are taken. Police also use DNA to identify stolen livestock.

Other issues raised in the workshops included illegal hunting, machinery theft, drone activity, guns and cybercrime.

This story first appeared in The Farmer magazine for the NSW Farmers’ Association. Find more great farming stories here: https:// thefarmermagazine.com.au/

CHARITY

READING, RECONCILIATION AND HOUSING RELIEF : THREE AUSSIE CHARITIES MAKING THEIR MARK The Australian spirit is central to the efforts of these three Aussie charities, working tirelessly to lift others up and make a better tomorrow.

Words: Matilda Meikle

STORY DOGS Story Dogs was established based on the popular US DONATE HERE program Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) This was the first literacy program to show how children could learn by pairing up with pets.

In 2009, Story Dogs was launched by two Aussie women, with the aim of developing a fun and supportive reading environment for children who need literacy support, encouraging a lifelong love of learning. Every week the Story Dog program helps more than 3,300 kids in 390+ schools across the country through tailored, individual sessions.

During a Story Dog session, children spend around 20 minutes in a quiet area of their school, reading alongside a dog team. The dog handler will prompt engagement with the text by speaking ‘through’ the dog, such as: “Sam doesn’t understand what’s happening on this page.

Can you explain it to him?” This develops literacy skills in a safe and non-judgemental way. The kids are also welcome to write letters to the dogs, enhancing their writing ability

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alongside their reading skills. The program has been highly successful in promoting confidence in children, and helping them to relax.

Dog-owners with the relevant safety checks are encouraged to join the 649 dog teams already in the program. Animals are great reading buddies as they promote relaxation, don’t criticise or laugh, and remain calm when in a child’s presence.

DIGNITY Founded in 2015, Dignity is committed to helping people at DONATE HERE risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. Its wide range of programs includes providing temporary and permanent accommodation, employment support and food relief.

Since its inception, Dignity has facilitated more than 95,000 nights of temporary accommodation and 460,000 meals. Its volunteers prepare and package 3,000 homecooked meals monthly. It also runs volunteer initiatives with schools and corporations to raise awareness about homelessness and debunk damaging myths in the community.

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CHARITY

THIS PAGE: A STORY DOGS VOLUNTEER AND HER PET HELPING A YOUNG GIRL WITH LITERACY SKILLS. IMAGE: STORY DOGS.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 93

CHARITY THIS PAGE: CLOCKWISE: DIGNITY VOLUNTEERS IN THE KITCHEN. IMAGE: DIGNITY; A RED DUST MENTOR HELPING OUT; INDIGENOUS YOUTH PARTICIPATING IN A RED DUST PROGRAM. IMAGES: RED DUST.

In 2022, Dignity launched Ready To Work Housing. Twenty-two homeless individuals were offered safe housing for 12 months, a stable employment opportunity, and ongoing support from professionals. The participants were also provided a mobile phone, free clothes and food relief. Incredibly, 95 per cent of participants secured employment within the first six weeks of the program.

The core values of Dignity are central to everything it does. These are: treating everyone with dignity, and ending homelessness through collaboration. For those wanting to support the charity, it is always looking for help in the kitchen, or in various other volunteer programs.

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RED DUST Red Dust is a Northern Territory-based charity committed to improving DONATE HERE the health and wellbeing of young Indigenous people and their families. In 2022, it ran 37 programs and engaged with 7,720 community members, with the intention of improving wellbeing and reconciliation in remote areas.

“For more than 25 years Red Dust has been working with Indigenous youth and families, supporting them to walk confidently into a bright future.

Working alongside Elders and remote Northern Territory communities we are redefining what success looks like, by harnessing the strengths

of both ancient and modern cultures,” says Jonathan Lindsay-Tjapaltjarri Hermawan, Director of Male Health Programs and Strategic Lead.

The Healthy Living Program is a school initiative in which community role models run interactive classroom modules to focus on nutrition, resilience and the importance of physical activity. The aim is to create better health outcomes by equipping students with knowledge.

Similarly, the Strong Young Men’s Program and the Strong Young Women’s Program deliver genderspecific advice to young people in remote communities. Both initiatives focus on cultural learning, peer-led exercises and overall wellbeing.

They are provided both in language and in English.

As part of its support, Red Dust also offers Reconciliation Programs that focus on a genuine exchange of experiences and ideas between cultural groups. Organisations can opt to attend an on-country immersion trip, spending between three and seven days learning about First Nations communities.

Introductory courses act as a platform for developing cultural awareness, teaching participants about identity, history and acceptance.

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LAST WORD

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BEYOND THE DISH In the vast expanse of Western Australia’s Murchison Shire, on the ancestral lands of the Wajarri Yamaji, a groundbreaking scientific endeavour is underway.

THIS PAGE: A COMPOSITE IMAGE OF SKA-LOW; INSTALLING THE ANTENNAS. IMAGES: SKAO.

Words: Emily Riches

The CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory is known as Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, or ‘sharing stars and sky’, in the local Wajarri language. This will be the site of the new Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) telescope, SKA-Low: one of the next generation of radio telescopes. With its partner SKAMid being constructed in South Africa, these two telescopes combined will make the largest radio observatory in the world.

You may be familiar with the traditional dish-style telescope, such as the famous Parkes radio telescope, Murriyang, which helped to broadcast the 1969 moon landing to the world. SKA-Low, however, is a bit more unconventional. The telescope is made up of over 130,000 Christmas tree-shaped antennas, each standing 2 metres tall. There are 256 antennas per station, and 512 stations all up, which will be distributed in a spiral arm pattern across the outback for 74 kilometres.

The antennas are made of horizontal ‘branches’ known as dipoles. They may be deceptively simple-looking, but at very

low frequencies these “wire” antennas are much more powerful and efficient.

Combined with state-of-the-art back-end technologies, they collect a broad frequency of radio waves from a 419,000-square-metre area.

Through a meticulous process, the signals received through the dipoles are amplified and transmitted to a Central Processing Facility in Perth, at a staggering rate of 7.2 Tb/s.

What is most exciting about SKA-Low is that it can capture the “oldest” signals redshifted by the universe’s expansion to those originating closer to Earth.

It will therefore be able to observe the first billion years of the universe, helping us to understand the birth and death of the first-ever stars, and give us insight into how the earliest galaxies were formed.

SKA-Low’s sheer scale promises a quantum leap in resolution, sensitivity, and survey speed. One of its defining features is its ability to digitally “point” at different directions in the sky, despite the stationary nature of its antennas. This

capability, achieved through a process called ‘beamforming’, enables astronomers to explore the cosmos with unparalleled precision.

As SKA-Low inches closer to fruition (with a completion date scheduled for 2029), the scientific community eagerly anticipates the revelations it will unveil about the universe’s infancy.

In an interesting side note, the same technology that powers SKALow’s antennas is finding unexpected applications, such as a shark spotter app that utilises similar drone technology to detect sharks in Australian waters.

The universe, it seems, is not the only frontier SKA-Low is exploring.

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