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Peter Bannan

Mallee drought relief urgent, says Benham

MEMBER for Mildura Jade Benham has called for urgent drought relief for farmers in the Mallee, with areas such as Manangatang doing it “particularly tough”.The Nationals MP warned that families and communities were facing one of the most challenging...

29 Jun 2025

Farming and Environment

Cutting edge take on technology

ALL roads - from the northwest and across northern Victoria - will lead to Charlton next month when Birchip Cropping Group stages its Ag Tech Expo. Expected to attract farmers, researchers, advisers, and agribusinesses, the full-day event will...

29 Jun 2025

News

No rush needed for tax return

TAXPAYERS have been warned not to lodge their tax returns too early. Last year 142,000 people who lodged in the first two weeks of July had to lodge amendments, or had their returns investigated and amended by the Australian Taxation Office to fix...

29 Jun 2025

News

Councils’ seven item Fed wish list

ISSUES facing regional Australia will be raised by the Murray River Group of Councils at an upcoming local government forum. Representatives of the Murray River Group; made up of Mildura, Swan Hill rural city councils, along with...

24 Jun 2025

News

Purchase to create haven for Mallee icon

ONE of Australia’s rarest birds has a brighter future thanks to a new sanctuary in the Mallee. Victorian conservation organisation Trust for Nature has purchased 860 hectares of habitat for Malleefowl at Annuello, about 30 kilometres...

23 Jun 2025

Farming and Environment

Locals to handle fruit fly

THE management of Queensland fruit fly in the Murray Valley has been handed to locals. The Fruit Fly Murray Valley area wide management program will end this month. Although the formal FFMV program is winding up, support for growers and home gardeners...

22 Jun 2025

News

Council expects strong comeback

THE head of Swan Hill Rural City Council has said the municipal planning and engineering teams are making a strong comeback after a challenging period of limited resources and staffing shortages. Chief executive Scott Barber said the teams were...

21 Jun 2025

Farming and Environment

New chief for Victorian Farmers Federation

VICTORIA’S peak farming body has appointed Charlie Thomas as its new chief executive Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said Mr Thomas brought a “wealth of experience and knowledge” to the role, which he will assume on...

10 Jun 2025

Farming and Environment

Make sure campfires are safe

CAMPERS are being urged to be safe around campfires during the King’s Birthday long weekend. Forest Fire Management Victoria chief fire officer Chris Hardman said with cooler temperatures settling in, it might feel like the fire risk has passed, but...

05 Jun 2025

Farming and Environment

Dry autumn leads to bushfire warning

VICTORIANS have been warned of an increased bushfire risk across much of the state after a warm and dry autumn. March and April saw the fourth-highest temperatures on record, below average rainfall across much of Victoria and an extension of the fire...

04 Jun 2025

Politics

MP questions water register rollout

THE New South Wales Government is aiming to create a water register by October, Parliament has been told. Yet Member for Murray Helen Dalton said since laws were passed in October last year nothing more has has happened on the issue.“In October last...

03 Jun 2025

Farming and Environment

New directors bring scientific and on-farm expertise

BIRCHIP Cropping Group (BCG) has announced the appointment of Dr Marisa Collins and Giles Cunningham to its board, bringing deep scientific, educational, and on-ground production expertise to help shape the future direction of the organisation. Dr...

01 Jun 2025