NEWS + STORIES 2021

GLENRAC is very excited to be selected as a finalist for the 'Australian Government Partnership for Landcare Award'. The award finalists and winner will be announced at a gala dinner on Tuesday 16th March during the 2022 NSW Landcare and Local Land Services Conference at Twin Towns in Tweed Heads.

Friday 10th December saw 66 community members attend the Guyra Bowling Club for a second workshop in a month focused on Chilean Needle Grass. The workshops have been instigated by a group of landholders in the Black Mountain area, led by local landholder Kristy Youman.

Disaster assistance is now available in 18 additional local government areas in regional NSW following severe storms and flooding from Tuesday 9 November 2021. The additional LGAs are Bourke, Coonamble, Dubbo, Glen Innes Severn, Kyogle, Lithgow, Liverpool Plains, Lockhart, Muswellbrook, Narromine, Orange, Parkes, Singleton, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Tamworth, Walgett and Warren.

Are you a farmer or does your work impact the agriculture sector or rural communities? Are you looking for someone to call for advice? Or are you looking to make a positive impact on someone’s life by sharing your knowledge? The Drought Resilience Leaders Mentoring Program connects farmers and people in the agriculture industry from across Australia to share trusted advice and help tackle common challenges associated with drought, climate change, wellbeing and agricultural practice.

GLENRAC has a very EXCITING opportunity for six local Glen Innes businesses in ANY industry.

We are currently calling for EOI’s for any local businesses that would be interested in improving their WHS or HR through House Paddock Training and Consulting online boot camps.

Successful businesses will also receive 4 hours of 1:1 support.

GLENRAC and Southern New England Landcare co-hosted an information event in Guyra last Thursday 4th November. The event was well attended with over 60 participants in the audience to learn more about the invasive grass plant, Chilean Needle Grass (CNG).

At the event, guest speakers Trent McIntyre; New England Weeds Authority; Lewis Khan, University of New England and Carol Harris, NSW Department of Primary Industries shared their experiences from practical information for identification and control, to management for existing plant populations and current research projects looking at innovative control and management.

The majority of farmers surveyed in an ABARES study are using sustainable land management practices to improve the natural resource base and drought resilience.

ABARES’s acting Executive Director Jared Greenville said the findings of the Natural Resource Management and Drought Resilience – survey of farm practices demonstrates the agriculture sector’s commitment to sustainable land management.

MEMBER for Northern Tablelands and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall has today urged the region’s passionate fishers to ‘cast’ their applications for the latest round of Recreational Fishing Trust grants, in the hope of landing funding for projects to promote fishing across the region’s waterways.

“Just like catching an elusive Copeton Dam Murray Cod, applying for a Recreational Fishing Trust grants does require work, but when it’s hooked it’s worth it,” Mr Marshall said.

Glen Innes Shire Council landfill is now accepting a wide range of electronic waste items.

GLENRAC has been named a finalist in the prestigious 2021 NSW Resilient Australia Awards / Get Ready NSW Community Award announced by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott and the Commissioner of Resilience NSW Shane Fitzsimmons at an online awards ceremony.

Ian Lockwood, Chair of GLENRAC said “We are honoured to be recognised as a Finalist in these awards for our efforts in supporting our community in the response and recovery to natural disasters events over the past few years”.

Communities and farmers across New England are the big winners in the first round of grant projects under the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program.

Member for New England, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Barnaby Joyce, welcomed the investment in New England, benefitting farmers, communities and the environment.

“13 grants, valued at nearly $600,000, will be delivered to applicants across the New England region to improve the health of our local rivers and wetlands,” Mr Joyce said.

A summary of the assistance packages available to both producers and smaller landholders can be downloaded at the link below.

The Productive Producer podcast series is designed specifically for producers across the Northern Tablelands.

Feeling flat from the constant challenges of drought, fire, covid and life? Are you lacking motivation and direction? Wants some tools for planning and time management? Do you want to bring 2021 home with a bang?

Welcome to Stage 1 of our survey to determine GLENRAC farmers annual contribution of public good NRM outcomes from the farm. Attached is a template to assist you in filling out the online survey, we recommend you download and print this document, fill in the details and once the template is completed log in to the survey and enter your information.

Northern Tablelands MP and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall has today announced local households and small businesses impacted by the mice plague can now claim rebates for costs associated with managing the vermin by visiting the Service NSW website.

The Australian Government continues to back farmers in hardship by passing legislation today that waives the majority of Farm Household Allowance debts caused when incorrectly estimating business income.

The NSW Government has today started to process previously successful rebate applications as part of the Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebates (EWIR) Round 1 ahead of Round 2 going live on 1 July 2021.

Two gardens directly affected by the recent bushfires were open last weekend as part of GLENRAC's free open winter garden event with guest presenter Meredith Kirton - gardening expert, author and Gardening Australia presenter alumni!

Calling all garden lovers of the New England! GLENRAC are hosting a FREE winter garden weekend this long weekend with guest presenter Meredith Kirton - gardening expert, author and Gardening Australia presenter alumni.

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said applications have opened for a share of $4.5 million in grants offered under the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program.

Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall has today asked landholders to share their valuable insights to ensure Local Land Services (LLS) best meets their needs over the next five years. Mr Marshall said hearing feedback on Local Strategic Plans was an ideal opportunity to make sure the goals and priorities of all 11 LLS regions were closely aligned with the very landholders the agency supports.

Member for Northern Tablelands and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall has today encouraged farmers in the Golden Triangle, affected by the mice plague, to take advantage of the State Government’s recently expanded series of on-farm mice management and baiting workshops.

Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve is an internationally recognised treasure in the Northern Tablelands region. It has been the focus of a five-year project to revegetate an endangered native vegetation community and has provided an opportunity for some local children to connect with country. 

Land managers across the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services region have been invited to apply for long-term access to a number of Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs).  

Farmers impacted by drought will be given another 12 months to apply for funding from the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme (EWIRS) to help them build much needed infrastructure to make their properties drought resilient. 

Community groups across the New England will be supported by a new Federal Coalition Government program to lower energy costs and support local jobs.

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said grants of between $1000 and $5000 were up for grabs for eligible volunteers in New England.

GLENRAC are delighted to announce the successful application of their grant of $97,988 from the 2019 NSW Environmental Trust Restoration and Rehabilitation project.

A range of hypotheses have been proposed to explain tree dieback, but none have succeeded in fully describing the phenomenon. UNE researchers are back on the case.