Over the past month, council has observed several incidents including damage to the entire width of a road reserve, on both sides of the road, and damage to sections of planted native vegetation along the banks of local lakes.
On the back of these incidents, council is reminding residents that it is illegal to remove or destroy native vegetation or destroy council property on any roadside or council land. This includes the use of herbicides for suppression of weeds or for fire risk fuel reduction.
Landholders are encouraged to contact council if they have issues with vegetation on roadsides or council land.
Council can also provide information on the requirements and considerations for removing, destroying or lopping native vegetation on private land, including spraying native vegetation with herbicides.
Play your part with biosecurity
A fun new citizen science campaign is under way, encouraging children and families to play their part protecting Victoria’s precious environment and agriculture.
Biosecurity Victoria executive director Katherine Clift said the Great Biosecurity Quest was about protecting what we value most by preventing and managing harm caused by pests and diseases.
Participants can download or print Agriculture Victoria’s new citizen science toolkit and keep an eye out for some of the state’s highest plant and pest risks.
“Grab a magnifying glass, take your toolkit and see what you can find,” Dr Clift said.
“If you find an unusual plant, pest or disease you think we should know about, you can make a report via our website.”
The Great Biosecurity Quest runs from October 9 to 22. Go to: agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurityquest
Capture ag’s best moments
In the lead up to National Ag Day on November 17, BASF has announced the launch of The Biggest AgriPhoto Competition with the aim of celebrating the enormous contribution and importance of farmers and their families.
The competition will open on Monday, October 16 and close on Sunday, November 12, and encourages farmers, growers, their families and even others who are outside of the ag industry, to capture moments on the farm that celebrate the hard work of farmers.
Enter a photograph for a chance to win a $500 store voucher (GiftPay) and a framed photograph of your image. Two winners will be announced each week via BASF Australia’s social media channels, and will also go in the running for the grand prize — a $2500 store voucher (GiftPay) announced on National Ag Day.
For more information and to enter, go to: crop-solutions.basf.com.au/AgriPhotoCompetition
Farmers at risk from hearing loss
Farmers, construction workers, airport ground staff, F1 race car drivers, miners, musicians and Emergency Department staff have some of the noisiest jobs.
Which is why during National Safe Work Month, Hearing Australia is urging everyone to be aware of occupational noise and the risks it can pose.
Occupational noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common yet preventable occupational diseases, with an estimated more than 1.1 million Australians exposed to hazardous noise in their workplace.
Hearing Australia says those living in rural and regional Australia are more likely to have hearing problems compared with those living in cities, with occupational noise exposure one of the biggest contributors.
It says hearing loss among farmers and agricultural workers is widespread, with statistics indicating that 65 per cent of farmers aged between 15 and 75-plus experience some degree of hearing loss.
“Compared to the general population, young farmers are around seven times more likely to have hearing loss than the general population of the same age. Almost 50 per cent of farmers report tinnitus,” Hearing Australia said.
Cultivating the chicken meat workforce
The new AgriFutures Cultivate Traineeship Program aims to build the poultry workforce one student at a time.
AgriFutures has partnered with the chicken meat industry to launch the traineeship, which provides an opportunity to launch a career in a thriving sector for people in their early career who are interested in animal welfare, innovation and sustainability.
As well as a Certificate III in Poultry Production, successful participants will be guaranteed a full-time role in the industry, engage in professional development and mentoring and complete the program alongside a passionate network of peers.
Inghams executive general operations manager Susy Klein said Inghams were proud to back the initiative.
“It is an important collaboration that provides the industry with a new way of growing our workforce capacity,” Ms Klein said.
“There are diverse career options in the chicken meat industry as it has a vastly different structure compared to other agricultural industries.”
Head to agrifutures.com.au/cultivate for more information and to apply.
Reel in a grant to improve fishing
The latest round of the Recreational Fishing Grants Program has officially opened, making it easier for Victorian fisheries to catch some funding.
Project proposals between $5000 and $100,000 qualify for the ‘large grants’ part of the program, which is available across four categories: Fisheries sustainability and habitat improvement; fishing access and facilities; fisheries related education, information and training; and recreational fisheries research
The program is open to fishing clubs, community groups, incorporated bodies, and government and statutory bodies.
Intermediate grants tailored for fishing clubs are available for projects up to $50,000, while smaller grants are on offer for projects of up to $5000.
Grants are open until February 29, 2024. For more information or to apply online, visit: vfa.vic.gov.au/fishinggrants
