The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
A direct link to the ACCC Horticulture Code webpage providing detailed information for growers and traders about the Horticulture Code of Conduct and access to a full range of ACCC publications.
National Harvest Labour Information Service (NHLIS) Grower Guide
The NHLIS is a one-stop-shop for growers seeking labour - just call 1800 062 332, and they will take care of the rest for you. The NHLIS alleviate growers of the arduous task of locating harvest workers. “Our Call Centre operators field thousands of calls from prospective job seekers each week and ensure that only suitable applicants are referred to the employer“ reports the NHLIS Manager. “Growers don’t have the time to take 100’s of calls from job seekers, so we try to minimise that for them”. And what’s even better, the service is completely FREE! Remember, even if you have a labour need at short notice, the NHLIS is a cost effective, convenient and efficient way to source harvest workers.
The Call Centre operates Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm (EST). For further information, please call the National Harvest Labour Information Service on 1800 062 332.
Land Tax Relief for Businesses and Land Tax Reforms
As you may be aware the Tasmanian Premier announced on 10th December 2009 a package of Land Tax reforms. The proposed legislative amendments will reduce the land tax rates for land holdings with an aggregated value of greater than $350,000, as well as provide land tax relief to certain shack owners, first home builders and home businesses from 1 July 2010. Please access further information from the State Revenue Office . Applications for the rebate opened on 7th January 2010 and will close on 21st April 2010.
Aurora - Media Release
Aurora to invest $3m in North-West power supply upgrades - see media release for more information.
SAFETY ALERT - Quad bikes and the workplace
Small off road vehicles such as four wheeled quad bikes (also known as all terrain vehicles or AVTs) have become commonly used and integral part of any workplace system in Australia. Workplace Standards Tasmania has adopted a policy of ZERO TOLERANCE of breaches of duty of care responsibilities with quad biikes. Click on the heading to view full details.
ChemCert Accreditation
ChemCert is a nationally accrediated course delivering competencies in chemical safety and handling. ChemCert is suited to people who are using agricultural and veterinary chemicals as part of their normal work duties as an employee.
Tasmanian Women in Agriculture
Two local events - see attached flyer for more information
Free Household Chemical Drop-Off Service Launched
Tasmanians will soon be able to remove unwanted and out-of-date chemical products from their homes and deposit them at a free drop-off site. Click on the heading to access the brochure which contains a timetable for drop-off sites from November 2009 to March 2010.
Churchill Fellowships 2010 - Rewarding Australians striving for excellence
Over 100 Fellowships are awarded annually to passionate Australian Citizens who want to conduct research overseas and bring the benefits back to Australia. Applications are now open and need to be submitted between 1st November 09 - 26 February 2010.Contact the National Office on 1800 777 231 to receive your application package or download it from their website
Electric Farm Newsletter Online
Aurora Energy have recently published their Electric Farm newsletter online. It is a quarterly newsletter that includes news, advice, information and case studies relevant to Aurora's agricultural business customers.
The Fox Eradication Program (FEP) was established by the Tasmanian Government (with joint funding from the Australian Government) to undertake an integrated statewide fox eradication program. The FEP also has responsibility for studying native wildlife most at risk from foxes and working with barrier control agencies to reduce any future risk of fox incursions into Tasmania. The TFGA is an important member of the FEP's Stakeholder Reference Committee. This committee assists in the implementation of effective community engagement, promotion of awareness about the issue and provides input on the FEP's activities. The TFGA also plays an important role in ensuring the voices of Tasmanian rural landowners are heard and considered in the FEP's operational planning.The rural community is urged to take seriously the very real threat which foxes pose to Tasmania. The fox eradication effort can be supported by providing access to land for detection and eradication activities, and by reporting fox sightings or possible evidence of fox activity (eg. possible den sites, suspicious stock kills) to the 24 hour FOX HOTLINE: 1300 FOX OUT (1300 369 688) Information about foxes in Tasmania, evidence of recent areas of fox activity and much more is available from the FEP website, by clicking on the link above.
New Permit System for groundwater wells and bores
The Tasmanian Government recently announced that it will be introducing a permit system for water bores, wells and other excavations that access groundwater anywhere in Tasmania from September this year. For more information read the attached media release or go to http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/JMUY-7UC7W8?open