Unconventional gas, mining, finance and retail in western Victoria
- Rural Press Club of Victoria and Women in Media: Communicating in a digital age | AUDIO - Communicating in a digital age; what it means for work life balance, traditional storytelling and managing the personal versus the professional. How do you cut through in an era soaked in storytelling? A panel of Gippsland women, experienced in telling stories through print, broadcast and social media platforms, share their experiences. Your hosts are Walkey-award … Continue reading "Rural Press Club of Victoria and Women in Media: Communicating in a digital age | AUDIO"
- AFI director Mick Keogh, Tanya Pittard from Grain Producers Australia, and Tania Chapman from Voice of Horticulture | AUDIO - A landmark discussion paper authored by the Australian Farm Institute says plant biosecurity RD&E that underpins Australian agriculture and its access to international markets must be prioritised and is best served by the establishment of a new research corporation. Watch or listen to the author of the Paper, AFI director Mick Keogh, join with Tanya … Continue reading "AFI director Mick Keogh, Tanya Pittard from Grain Producers Australia, and Tania Chapman from Voice of Horticulture | AUDIO"
- Tax data reveals low income growth in western Victoria - HAMILTON’S income growth is in the bottom 15 per cent of Victorian postcodes and the immediate area has lost hundreds of net taxpayers over 10 years. Australian Tax Office data shows that the Hamilton 3300 postcode recorded an almost 44.8 per cent increase in mean taxable income between 2003/04 and 2013/14. That sounds impressive but the … Continue reading "Tax data reveals low income growth in western Victoria"
- Roads a priority - The Hamilton Spectator – October 31, 2015 SOUTH-WEST COAST state by-election candidates have all agreed that local roads are in a terrible state, especially around the Macarthur and Condah areas that have seen heavy freight use in recent years. Most of the 10 candidates that spoke to The Spectator about local transport issues this week have advocated for a new system of funding allocation for road … Continue reading "Roads a priority"
- Majority on board - The Hamilton Spectator – October 29, 2015 A MAJORITY of candidates for the South-West Coast state by-election have voiced their support for rail projects, including freight and passenger improvements, but the Coalition frontrunners have placed a greater focus on roads. Most candidates said they would push for the State Government to honour its commitment to have the $416 million Murray Basin Rail Project completed by 2018, … Continue reading "Majority on board"
- NBN is on its way - The Hamilton Spectator – October 20, 2015 THE National Broadband Network will be coming to thousands of local homes from early 2017 as part of the infrastructure project’s new three-year plan. The plan, which was released on Friday, states that construction of wired NBN internet services for 4900 Hamilton premises will begin in the first quarter of 2017, along with 700 premises in Coleraine. … Continue reading "NBN is on its way"
- Private Push for HILAC - The Hamilton Spectator – October 20, 2015 HAMILTON’S Indoor Leisure and Aquatic Centre could have more of its functions taken over by private businesses as Southern Grampians Shire Council voted unanimously for recommendations designed to stem mounting losses. Councillors were presented in Wednesday’s meeting with a list of ‘key recommendations’ of a HILAC Enterprise Review, commissioned from external consultants by the Shire late last year. Shire services … Continue reading "Private Push for HILAC"
- Gas hearing in Hamilton - The Hamilton Spectator – September 26, 2015 A WIDE range of individuals and organisations provided testimony to a Hamilton hearing of Victoria’s parliamentary unconventional gas inquiry on Wednesday. The individual speakers were local members of a variety of anti-gas groups or alliances, though they had varied opinions on whether the industry should be subject to an ongoing moratorium, a permanent ban, or rigorous regulation that favoured … Continue reading "Gas hearing in Hamilton"
- Farmers voice concern over proposed oil shale project - The Hamilton Spectator – September 24, 2015 SOUTH-West Victorian farmers have expressed concern about a proposed oil shale drilling project between Casterton and the South Australian border. They say that their focus is on what will happen to food production over the next century, rather than the economic benefits over the lifespan of an unconventional oil or gas field, which … Continue reading "Farmers voice concern over proposed oil shale project"
- Two per cent wool levy recommendation - September 3, 2015 AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation, which funds research and marketing on behalf of woolgrowers, has recommended that members vote in ‘WoolPoll’ for a two per cent levy for the next three years. However, some Western District woolgrowers want the AWI to reduce its funding for marketing activities or change its approach to promoting Australian wool around the world. A two per cent levy brought in about $43 million … Continue reading "Two per cent wool levy recommendation"
- Comment: Global market is big influence on local gas policy - REX MARTINICH Comment Rising unemployment and declining manufacturing will collide with farmer-driven campaign against unconventional gas, but international markets will play the role of umpire. The Victorian Liberal National Coalition has announced it will support an “extension of Victoria’s (current) onshore gas moratorium until 30 June 2020”. It should be noted that the next Victorian … Continue reading "Comment: Global market is big influence on local gas policy"
- Potential $6 Billion Oil Deposit in SW Vic - The Hamilton Spectator – September 22, 2015 SOUTH-WEST Victoria is potentially sitting on a $6 billion oil and gas deposit with a production capacity of 100,000 barrels per day, according to Melbourne-based industrial engineering and mining company Mecrus Resources. Mecrus has told Victorian Parliament’s inquiry into a potential onshore unconventional gas inquiry, via a written submission, … Continue reading "Potential $6 Billion Oil Deposit in SW Vic"
- Western Victoria’s aquifers and surface water face a “low” risk from fracking - REX MARTINICH The Hamilton Spectator – August 08, 2015 WESTERN Victoria’s aquifers and surface water face a “low” risk from onshore unconventional gas fracking, according to a State Government report that has been harshly criticised by The Greens. The report explored “hypothetical onshore natural gas development scenarios”, including a wide band of shale gas … Continue reading "Western Victoria’s aquifers and surface water face a “low” risk from fracking"
- Doctor Payment Plan Defended - REX MARTINICH The Hamilton Spectator – August 01, 2015 HAMILTON Medical Group has defended its new ‘pay on the day’ policy for GP appointments, which was announced last Saturday and will take effect on September 28. The clinic has pointed to a freezing of Medicare rebates to GPs since November 2012, under both Labor and … Continue reading "Doctor Payment Plan Defended"