Dust, drought, rain, Telstra outage
WE’RE still doing so much wrong when it comes to agriculture in this country but one thing that has vastly improved since the 1982 drought is the amount of groundcover.
Farmers back in the ‘80s used to have as many paddocks ploughed up as possible, waiting for rain, and this meant not only that all the root zone was destroyed, but that the fragile soil was there just waiting for wind or water to carry it all away.
Regenerative farmers these days, and even many conventional chemical farmers, now understand the benefits of leaving groundcover on the soil and the mantra is “100 per cent groundcover 100 per cent of the time”.
What this means is that when the wind blows, its far less likely to create huge walls of dust that look like a scene out of Hollywood Doomsday movie.
So no wonder that Rochelle Karsten’s incredible picture of a massive dust cloud moving towards Gum Bend Lake at Condobolin has attracted so much attention this week.
We’re improving when it comes to land management in NSW, but we’ve got a hell of a long way to go. GREAT to see some more rain in the past week, but it’d be great if it was a bit more constant and widespread, although Dubbo should be grateful I suppose for what we’ve received compared to plenty of other areas.
The city has proven remarkably resilient during the dry times which have made up most of this century so far, but just recently many businesspeople I’ve spoken to have said things are getting pretty tough.
So before you click that computer button to shop online, have a look around locally first and even ask if the supplier does deals, give everyone a couple of chances before you buy from an overseas billionaire.
Those dollars you spend locally will come back to help make Dubbo a better place for you and everyone who lives here. than 24 hours.
Imagine if you as an individual provided a service to government and that happened on your watch, but when it comes to Telstra, luckily it appears that this time the unmonitored offenders didn’t get away with murder.
The network’s general unreliability and who-cares attitude has now gone from a massive and widespread nuisance to what could be a life and death situation.
And what other potential problems aren’t we hearing about?
I’M a huge fan of learning that’s adapted to what students need, so it’s great to see Wellington High School once again running its “River to Retention” classroom on Fridays.
There are so many advantages to staging lessons, especially when connecting to culture, by leaving the boxed-in classrooms behind and getting amongst a bit of Vitamin N (Nature).
Adam Ryan teaches at Wello High and says the way the students respond to the program makes it all worthwhile. WHILE we’re sweltering in and out of an early heatwave, Jason Rennie is all rugged up in the Antarctic.
In fact he’s more than rugged up, he’s got what looks like a full-face paintball mask on to combat the wind-driven snow in what looks like a gale, but for down there is probably a mild breeze.
It’s incredible to think of the very thin altitude and temperature range where humans can exist on what is the only habitable planet we know about.
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RING THE BELL: pic if needed Being our only planet, we really should put some thought and effort into saving it rather than running it down and exploiting our natural resources the way we do just to make a quick dollar or billion.
Peter Andrews is beginning a series of workshops around Wellington from November 18. He’s a good mate of mine who I believe has the unique capacity to restore our landscape functions so nature works as it should – effortlessly.
“Ring the Bell” is a Mid-macquarie Landcare project which will be launched at the boat ramp near the low level bridge in Wellington at noon on Sunday, November 18.
There’ll be a free barbecue and landholders will be able to register their interest in having a workshop on their property.
Disclaimer: I work part time for Mid-macquarie Landcare and am over the moon about the overwhelming and unprecedented positive response from the general SUPPLIED public after the ABC’S “Australian Story” aired its 7th episode on Peter Andrews last week. WHEN you see just how much governments are able to waste on seemingly simple things it’s amazing we don’t have more parties trying to get more traction about making real savings, instead of just selling everything off for a sugar hit and saying they’ll save money for taxpayers.
State governments have been flogging off just about everything that’s bolted down yet are still addicted to payroll tax, which is essentially, and any way you look at it, a tax on jobs.
The Motor Traders’ Association of NSW (MTA NSW) has just released new research which claims that eliminating payroll tax would have a significant positive influence on employment and business investment.
The paper says payroll tax is paid by business regardless of the performance and profitability and, as such, imposes a hardship in difficult years, including now with many businesses being impacted by the severe drought.
It also points out that payroll tax is regressive – the amount of tax rises as businesses hire more workers and increase pay levels.
Co-author of the White Paper, Market Economics Managing Director Stephen Koukoulas, said payroll tax has been identified as an inefficient tax.
“Unlike most other taxes, it doesn’t decline when profits or incomes are temporarily weaker and this is why businesses are often cautious about adding staff, even in good times,” Mr Koukoulas said.
“Without payroll tax, MTA Members have indicated quite clearly that they would be more inclined to add to their staff levels and would have cash freed up to allow for greater investment, which would be a clear positive for the economy.”
MTA NSW Chief Executive Officer Stavros Yallouridis agrees.
“With the amount of payroll tax rising as businesses add employees, businesses are often reluctant to add staff,” Mr Yallourdis said.
“Important also is the burden of red tape and high administrative costs meeting the tax obligations.
“The MTA NSW would like to see the government commit to the phasing out and eventual abolition of the payroll tax as this would underpin a pick-up in employment and investment,” he said.
So many local business owners have told me again and again that they’d employ more staff if the state wiped this crazy tax, so getting rid of it could have a hugely positive impact on Dubbo and beyond.
Election promise anyone? 2WHEELBABES runs the biggest all women’s motorcycle rallies in Australia. Their events are held in various locations in Australia and this year they’re hosting their Mega Babe Raid and world record attempts here in Dubbo.
These chicks on bikes last visited the city in 2016 where they set two world records for most women on motorcycles at one time and most women at a female bike meet.
This year they’ll be here for three days and attempting an incredible 15 world records, and while their rallies are normally female exclusive, this year they’ve incorporated something for the fellas as well.
The program includes Show and Shines, rider training, first aid training, gymkhana events and much more.
There’ll be talent nights, a circus night and the entire community is invited to attend MEGA SUNDAY where the 15 records will be attempted, which include:
z Most women on motorcycles at one time – number needed 1200
z Longest motorcycle convoy – female only – number needed 1200
z Longest motorcycle convoy female and men – number needed 2300
z Largest parade of Harley Davidsons – number needed 2500;
z Largest parade of Ducatis – number needed 406;
z Largest parade of Triumphs – number needed 540;
z Largest parade of trikes – number needed 20 and so on...
This is a ticketed event and can be purchased through www.123tix.com.au or at the Country Leisure Motor Inn at 86 Cobra Street in Dubbo
And tickets are only $25 pre sale or $35 at the door.
97 per cent of the event has been sourced in Dubbo including jobs, with Dubbo locals hired as bar staff, traffic control and check-in crew, etc.
z Send your news tips to john.ryan@panscott.com.au or 0429 452 245 txt is best
z Additional reporting by
News staff. Note: John Ryan is also a councillor on Dubbo Regional Council, and is also employed part-time by Landcare. He writes here in his capacity as a journalist.