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The Courier
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Courier
United against Raac: The Courier takes landmark step in fight for residents in Dundee and Angus
The Courier has taken a landmark step in our fight for those trapped by Raac in Dundee, Monifieth and across Scotland. In a first for both titles, we join with our sister paper The Press and Journal to share a front page highlighting the impact on those devastated by the defective block crisis. That is a testament to how serious an issue it has become in our communities. Together, alongside the thousands of those affected, we are united against Raac. We are also asking for your help – we are asking our readers to sign this petition and give homeowners and tenants a voice in the corridors of power. That is where their plight must be heard. For this special edition, editors of both publications explain why they are taking this important step in highlighting the issue blighting our communities. David Clegg, editor of The Courier, said: 'In Dundee alone, nearly 900 homes are caught in the Raac crisis. Dozens more are affected in nearby Monifieth – and across Scotland, the total runs into the thousands, including in cities like Aberdeen. 'This isn't just about buildings. It's about people. 'It's families raising children in homes that may no longer be safe. It's elderly couples unable to downsize for health reasons. 'It's young first-time buyers trapped in negative equity. It's grieving daughters who, after the loss of a loved one, now face the burden of inheriting a crumbling flat that could financially devastate them. 'Both tenants and homeowners are affected – but it is the homeowners who face the sharpest edge of this crisis.' He added: 'They are living in properties no longer worth the value of their mortgage. 'Many cannot sell, cannot move, and cannot see a way forward. 'They are Trapped by Raac. 'That's why The Courier and our sister title The Press and Journal have taken the landmark decision to share our front pages. 'This is more than a campaign – it's a call for urgent action. 'Each level of government is passing the buck. 'Councils will support their own tenants but are leaving private homeowners to face this alone. 'Holyrood looks to Westminster. Westminster looks the other way. 'Homeowners feel abandoned – and with good reason. No one is offering them a way out. No one even appears to be trying. 'Our petition aims to change that. It gives these people a voice and demands those in power finally listen. 'They need your support. We're proud to stand with them. We hope you will too.' Craig Walker, editor of the Press and Journal, spoke of the devastating impact the crisis is having in Aberdeen. He said: 'More than 500 houses, thousands of people displaced, hundreds more in limbo and 18 months of misery for all. 'This is the scale and the cost of Aberdeen City Council discovering risky Raac in the roofs of Balnagask homes. 'Yet this week in Holyrood, weeks into our Trapped by Raac campaign, finance minister Ivan McKee claimed MSPs were 'scaremongering' with comments about residents losing their homes or being stuck in worthless properties. 'He even said Raac does not have to be a 'problem' if it is 'properly maintained'. 'What chance do the good people of Balnagask have – and almost a thousand more in Dundee and Angus – if their government ministers can't comprehend the scale of this disaster? 'This is why we launched our campaign. And it's why we are standing shoulder to shoulder with our sister title, The Courier, today. 'Time has run out for buck-passing, and for ignorance. It's time to face reality, stand united, and help those suffering through no fault of our own. ''A complete injustice' is how Tory MSP Meghan Gallagher described the situation in Aberdeen,' to which Mr McKee told her to 'tone down her language and focus on the facts.' 'Well, the facts are these: Hundreds of homes are going to be demolished unless funding can be found to provide alternative solutions. 'Hundreds more are living with the threat of Raac literally over their heads. And thousands more signatures are needed to get governments of all levels to come together to find a way forward. 'We have championed the Balnagask people on the pages of The Press and Journal. We've told the stories of families, pensioners, war veterans, babies, first-time buyers and long-standing members of the community. 'With no way forward, Trapped by Raac, they need our help. 'Please sign the homeowners' petition today.'
The Courier
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Courier Business Awards 2025: Entries open as new categories revealed
The Courier Business Awards 2025 are open for entries as we look to share success stories from companies across our region. The awards, held in partnership with Henderson Loggie, have been celebrating the achievements of companies operating in Dundee, Angus, Fife and Perthshire since 2013. They recognise the ambition, resilience and innovation of the region's most outstanding companies – from established enterprises to game-changing entrepreneurs. And, for the first time this year, we are also welcoming entries from businesses operating in the Stirling area, reflecting The Courier's wider geographical coverage. The Courier Business Awards are without question one of the largest and most respected awards in Scotland. Last year more than 700 people attended the black-tie awards ceremony at Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee. Taking our top honour of Business of the Year 2024 was Montrose Port Authority. Other winners last year included Blackadders, Carnoustie Golf Links, ESP Group, Bella Mella and Alpha Projects. Entries are now open for this year's awards. The awards cover a variety of categories including Innovation and Technology, Family, Service, Growth and Transition to Net Zero. This year we have two new categories. The new Medium to Large Business category looks to celebrate businesses of more than 16 employees that are crucial to the economy in Courier Country. Firms that employ 15 or fewer staff are welcome to enter our established Small Business category. The Employer of the Year trophy will honour an organisation which fosters staff engagement, retention and personal development. It is free to enter at Entries close on July 14. The Courier editor David Clegg will chair this year's judging panel. He said: 'The Courier Business Awards are a powerful celebration of the innovation, resilience and ambition that defines our local economy. 'Each year, we highlight the outstanding businesses, large and small, that are creating jobs, driving growth and making a real difference across Dundee, Fife, Perthshire and Angus. 'I'm especially proud that, for the first time, we're expanding into the Stirling region – recognising the incredible enterprise and energy found there. 'These awards are about more than trophies. They're about honouring the people and organisations who help our communities thrive. 'I would strongly encourage any business with a story to tell to enter and join us in showcasing the very best of our growing region.' David Smith, managing partner at Henderson Loggie, said: 'Being part of the Courier Business Awards is about more than just sponsoring an event. 'It's about celebrating the incredible businesses and people that make Courier Country what it is. 'Every year, we're blown away by the stories of those who go the extra mile – the innovators, the risk-takers, the teams who pull together to make great things happen. 'The Courier Business Awards shine a well-deserved spotlight on that hard work, and we're proud to support it. 'If your business has a story worth sharing, we'd love to hear it. Enter the 2025 Courier Business Awards and let's celebrate your achievements together!' The Courier Business Awards helps fulfil The Courier's mission to support key industries and be a vital connector across the business landscape. We want to strengthen our communities, fuel growth, and give a powerful voice to the organisations shaping the future of Courier Country. This year's awards will take place on Friday, October 24.
West Australian
13-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
WA grain and livestock producers are set to benefit from a new forage crop developed locally by DPIRD
Western Australian grain and livestock producers are set to reap the rewards of a new forage crop developed in the State's south. The new multipurpose triticale variety was designed for sheep and cattle producers across medium and low rainfall environments looking to maximise their stockfeed options on challenging soils. Dyna-Trit 1143 was locally developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in collaboration with international corporation, Florida Foundation Seed Producers. Field trials were held during several seasons at Merredin, Wongan Hills, Manjimup and DPIRD's Katanning Research Station. The new variety does not have awns — the bristle-like growth in the triticale head — making it suitable for direct grazing, and silage or hay production. It is also suitable for traditional grain harvest. WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said the State Government saw 'great potential' for the 'robust' variety, and triticale more generally. 'This initiative is part of our investment to help industry respond to a changing climate and deliver year-round feed options for sheep and cattle growers across WA's diverse environments,' she said. 'Our government is committed to supporting research and development collaborations that deliver new innovations and farming systems that boost growers' resilience and returns.' The new forage crop is part of the State Government's ongoing investments to increase the profitability and sustainability of WA's livestock and grains industries, and will be marketed in Australia by Nutrien Ag Solutions. WA Nutrien seed category manager and Seednet regional manager David Clegg said Dyna-Trit 1143 was available to buy through Nutrien and CRT stores. 'We are really pleased to be involved in commercialising the new crop, and triticale is grown more in other states but it has a great fit for WA as well,' he said. 'Triticale is underutilised in WA and we hope to see a bigger uptake. It's about improving the feed base for our sheep and cattle industries. 'It does particularly well in acidic soil types but also as a good-quality, hay and grain option for growers.'
