The asphalt section of the Waranga Rail Trail is no open.
Small increase for Bullarook system
The Bullarook system seasonal determination for irrigation water has increased from five per cent of high-reliability water shares to seven per cent HRWS.
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Seasonal determinations in the Murray, Goulburn and Loddon systems are unchanged at 100 per cent HRWS.
In the Broken system, seasonal determinations remain at 100 per cent HRWS and 100 per cent of low-reliability water shares. The Campaspe system is also unchanged at 100 per cent HRWS and 47 per cent LRWS.
Northern Victoria resource manager Andrew Shields said there was only a small improvement to water availability.
“While dry conditions have persisted since the last assessment, river operating requirements in the Bullarook system have been lower than estimated,” Mr Shields said.
“This enabled the small increase to the Bullarook system seasonal determination.”
Waranga Rail Trail on track
The much-anticipated 1km asphalt section of the Waranga Rail Trail opened before Christmas, marking the completion of the first stage of the trail’s construction.
The new 2.5m wide asphalt path begins at the High St footpath in Rushworth, passes alongside the historic goods shed and railway lines, and concludes at the Bendigo-Murchison Road.
For stage two, a significant portion of the 10km gravel path, extending from the Bendigo-Murchison Rd crossing to Channel Inlet Rd, has been installed. However, table drains and shoulder works are still required, and repairs to six VicTrack bridges are currently under way.
This section of the Waranga Rail Trail will remain closed to the public until construction is completed. Construction fencing and flagging have been installed at all bridges and road access points.
Campaspe Shire Council asks the public to stay off this path while the contractor, Northerns Constructions Group, completes the finishing touches to the new rail trail.
Funding is available for farmers to develop automated and remote technology.
Photo by
Geoff Adams
The Federal Government's On Farm Connectivity Program is providing $33 million over two years from 2024 to 2025 to enable primary producers in agriculture, forestry and/or fisheries to take advantage of connected machinery and sensor technology.
This program is part of the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, which aims to assist primary producers to take advantage of digital agribusiness solutions to boost productivity, improve safety and drive more sustainable farming practices.
Primary producers in the agriculture, forestry and/or fisheries sectors can participate in the program if they meet the eligibility criteria, which include annual income thresholds and eligible primary production activity
There are five broad categories of eligible connectivity solutions and associated eligible equipment: Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN); connectivity equipment; environmental monitoring; farm management; and remote automation and control.
The Federal Government is providing $18 million in 2024-25 under Round 2 of the program. Rebates of up to 50 per cent of the cost of eligible equipment are available, with a minimum rebate of $1000 and a maximum of $30,000 on offer.
New fire truck for Shepparton
A new pumper platform fire truck has arrived in Shepparton after a detour to Sunshine.
A decision by Fire Rescue Victoria to send the truck to Sunshine in Melbourne instead of Shepparton, its originally intended destination, was reversed after pressure from State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell, firefighters and the community.
Pumper platform appliances perform general firefighting duties, and also have a long extendable arm with a platform that can be raised to give further reach for water delivery and enable rescues at height.
Risk assessments conducted during the planning phase for new pumpers identified Shepparton and Warrnambool as having the highest risk profile.
Shepparton has numerous facilities that require the use of an aerial appliance, including large food manufacturing facilities, cool stores and greenhouses.
Mental health handbook launched
The Victorian Farmers Federation Making our Farms Safer Project (VFF MOFS) is aiming to tackle the scourge of mental health in rural communities by launching the new Harvesting Change handbook.
The free handbook is available to all Victorian farmers and offers practical mental health tips, information and advice that are critical to save lives.
It has been written by farmers and industry experts specifically for farmers and their communities.
“Mental health doesn’t just impact those suffering directly. It’s a huge issue for families and the community as a whole,” the VFF said.
“This handbook is made for those people in mind and acts as a tool to begin those important conversations.”
