Latest news with #JamesKnight
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Climate
- News.com.au
‘Not gonna be OK': Cruel drought crisis grips Australian state
Farmers in Victoria are suffering through a drought-driven fodder shortage that is leaving them with no choice but to sell cattle after years of low rainfall. Hay is scarce in the state where 'worst case scenario' rainfall figures dating back to 2023 look set to continue, which have already doubled fodder prices and left land cracked and dry. Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said the fodder crisis had reached a level 'that I don't think Australia has ever experienced before'. One farmer told last week that hay bales they sourced from NSW were being sold for $250 a round when it used to cost $60. James Knight, who runs a cattle farm at The Sisters about three hours west of Melbourne, said his fodder stocks ran out six weeks ago. 'We're definitely not going to be okay,' he told A Current Affair. 'It could very easily get worse over the next three months.' Mr Knight said hay in bale form was 'virtually non-existent' in Victoria, as he tries to feed 1350 pregnant females and 1250 young stock. He became emotional speaking about the impact the crisis had on his young family. 'I can only start to think that seeing husbands or wives that aren't sleeping or stressed would be challenging for them,' he said. 'We're very fortunate to have water at the moment … there are a heap of people who are worse off than us.' Dairy farmer Bernie Free has had to source 12 loads of water to his property since February alone, a period when he would normally bring in only two or three per year. Mr Free told A Current Affair, however, what he needed most was hay. 'We buy it off a fella that delivers it as well, and at the moment he can't source any for us,' he said. 'We need hay, and it's not available. We need the government talking to us about what the other solutions are. 'I think we're going to offload another 50 (cattle) in the next two or three weeks.' Premier Jacinta Allan recently announced her government would commit another $37.7 million to its drought support fund as the crisis deepened. It came after Agriculture Victoria revealed rainfall in May realised the worst-case scenario, with most of the state receiving just 20 per cent or less of the average typical rainfall expected in May over the past two weeks. 'The increasingly devastating effects of drought aren't confined by postcode or region – its impacting farmers across Victoria. It's why we're expanding support statewide,' Ms Allan said. 'The new Taskforce will bring together Victorians from different communities, different backgrounds and different political parties. Most importantly, it'll be focused on delivering real relief for farming communities.' Mr Hosking has been appointed a member of Victoria's drought response task force. Biosecurity concerns have made sourcing hay from other states complicated, with concerns over the green snail found in Western Australia making its way to Victoria in fodder. 'We're looking at opportunities to bring some from Western Australia, which has a whole lot of challenges amongst it, or from Queensland or looking at 'can we get it offshore?',' he said. 'There's some real critical conversations happening at the moment that have never happened before.' He said overcoming the fodder shortage would be just one step in a long road ahead for the state's farmers. 'How do they recover their pastures? How can they rebuild their farms? How can they restock stock they'd have to sell as well? 'So they're our next challenges.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Community raises concerns on possible Geisinger Cancer Treatment Center
EAST BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, UNION COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Geisinger Cancer Treatment Center is coming to Union County, but not everyone is happy about it. The land, which was once going to be a Giant distribution center, is now planned to become a treatment center. Borough officials say the current plan includes one building bringing in around 300 cars per day. Residents say they're worried about how the new project could bring a lot of traffic to Route 15. 'Because of where it is located and because of how fast the speed is on that hill, it's going to be nothing but a death trap,' East Buffalo Township resident Tina Prowant said. Wilkes-Barre now better prepared for floods 'I think the main concern is traffic safety because it's on Route 15. Giant had proposed building a supermarket on this site back in the 2000s. This is very different, it's not going to be anywhere near the traffic volume that the supermarket would create,' East Buffalo Township Chair of Board Supervisors James Knight explained. The borough believes land development has already been approved, and the project is considered an appropriate use for the site. The final step now is for Geisinger to apply for zoning and building permits. Once those are in place, construction can begin. The land is currently being cleared and graded. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Express Tribune
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Record advance voting turnout on day one: Elections Canada
People line up outside a polling station to vote in Canada's federal election, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada September 20, REUTERS Listen to article Elections Canada has reported a record-breaking start to advance voting, with nearly two million electors casting ballots on the first day, according to preliminary estimates. The non-partisan agency made the announcement Saturday, following widespread reports of long lines at polling stations across the country on Friday. The turnout reflects a 36% increase from the first day of advance voting during the 2021 federal election. 'This is what 250,000 people and all of Elections Canada staff work toward,' said François Enguehard, regional media advisor for the Atlantic region. 'To see this level of participation is encouraging and a testament to Canadians' engagement in this election.' During the 2021 election, 5.8 million Canadians voted early, with a total turnout of 62.6% from over 17 million registered voters. This year's advance voting period runs from April 19 to 21, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at assigned polling stations listed on voter information cards. Some electors described Friday's experience as the longest wait they've had, with queues reportedly exceeding two hours in Ottawa, Vancouver's West End, and Langley, B.C. 'I vote all the time and I've never had to wait this long,' said Ottawa voter James Knight, who speculated the delays were due to increased turnout rather than poor planning. Others, like Barb Stroll in Metro Vancouver, welcomed the delays. 'Hopefully it's a sign of things to come, and a sign of things for change,' she said. Voters can verify polling station details via the Elections Canada website or by calling 1-800-463-6868. Despite the early rush, officials say it's too soon to predict whether the high advance turnout will translate to an overall increase in election participation.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Long lines at polling stations as Canadians turn up for advance voting
Canadians are reporting long lines as polling stations open for advance voting Friday. Advance polls are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. nationwide Friday through Monday, with election day set for April 28. Some voters at polling stations across the country told CBC News early Friday they were waiting upwards of an hour to cast their ballots. "I vote all the time and I've never had to wait for very long, normally. This is going to be an hour apparently," said James Knight, who was voting at Ottawa City Hall. Knight said he believed the long wait was due to people's enthusiasm to cast their ballots, rather than any disorganization on the part of Elections Canada. "They're tuned into the election. It's a big deal for Canada, what's going on. So I think they may have decided to turn out early and often." WATCH | Voters talk about showing up for advance polls: The holiday weekend means many Canadians who would normally be working on Fridays and Mondays have time off to get to their polling stations. Their reasons for getting out early vary. "The economy, that's probably the biggest issue for me," said Peter Xing, waiting in a line at a Vancouver polling station. "And just the whole world politics, I think we just need a strong leader." Voters wait in line at Poirier Community Centre (Centennial Pavillion) in Coquitlam, B.C., Friday. (Ina Yau) In St. John's, Carl Aylward said he was motivated by U.S. President Donald Trump's rhetoric about Canada becoming the "51st state." "This is why I want to get out," he said. "We're not for sale." Elections Canada spokesperson Dugald Maudsley told CBC News Network returning officers at some stations were bringing in extra workers to deal with bottlenecks. "There's high interest across the country and it's busy at a number of the polls," he said. Maudsley said a high turnout on the first day of advance polling doesn't necessarily mean there will be a high overall turnout, but many signs are pointing in that direction. Last week, Elections Canada said more than 130,000 Canadians had already voted by special ballot, more than double the number cast at the same point in the 2021 election. The agency issues special ballots to Canadians who don't want to wait until election day or for advance polls. Maudsley also said Canadians overseas have been asking for voting kits in larger numbers than ever before. "Perhaps that means we'll have a good turnout on election day as well," he said. For voters who plan to turn up for advance polls, Maudsley says the best times to avoid long lines tend to be before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. He also suggests bringing your voter information card, if you received one in the mail, to make the process go faster. On Tuesday, there will be voting in hospitals and other acute care facilities. Tuesday is also the deadline to vote at a local office and to apply to vote by mail. Find information about where you can vote on the Elections Canada website or by calling Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868. WATCH | How to vote early:
CBC
18-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Long lines at polling stations as Canadians turn up for advance voting
Social Sharing Canadians are reporting long lines as polling stations open for advance voting Friday. Advance polls are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. nationwide Friday through Monday, with election day set for April 28. Some voters at polling stations across the country told CBC News early Friday they were waiting upwards of an hour to cast their ballots. "I vote all the time and I've never had to wait for very long, normally. This is going to be an hour apparently," said James Knight, who was voting at Ottawa City Hall. Knight said he believed the long wait was due to people's enthusiasm to cast their ballots, rather than any disorganization on the part of Elections Canada. "They're tuned into the election. It's a big deal for Canada, what's going on. So I think they may have decided to turn out early and often." WATCH | Voters talk about showing up for advance polls: Advance polls open across the country 3 hours ago Duration 6:08 With just 10 days to go until election day, advance polls open Friday across the country for those who want to vote before April 28. Registered voters can cast an early ballot at their assigned polling station between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. from April 18-21. Read more: The holiday weekend means many Canadians who would normally be working on Fridays and Mondays have time off to get to their polling stations. Their reasons for getting out early vary. "The economy, that's probably the biggest issue for me," said Peter Xing, waiting in a line at a Vancouver polling station. "And just the whole world politics, I think we just need a strong leader." In St. John's, Carl Aylward said he was motivated by U.S. President Donald Trump's rhetoric about Canada becoming the "51st state." "This is why I want to get out," he said. "We're not for sale." Elections Canada spokesperson Dugald Maudsley told CBC News Network returning officers at some stations were bringing in extra workers to deal with bottlenecks. "There's high interest across the country and it's busy at a number of the polls," he said. Maudsley said a high turnout on the first day of advance polling doesn't necessarily mean there will be a high overall turnout, but many signs are pointing in that direction. Last week, Elections Canada said more than 130,000 Canadians had already voted by special ballot, more than double the number cast at the same point in the 2021 election. The agency issues special ballots to Canadians who don't want to wait until election day or for advance polls. Maudsley also said Canadians overseas have been asking for voting kits in larger numbers than ever before. "Perhaps that means we'll have a good turnout on election day as well," he said. For voters who plan to turn up for advance polls, Maudsley says the best times to avoid long lines tend to be before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. He also suggests bringing your voter information card, if you received one in the mail, to make the process go faster. On Tuesday, there will be voting in hospitals and other acute care facilities. Tuesday is also the deadline to vote at a local office and to apply to vote by mail. Find information about where you can vote on the Elections Canada website or by calling Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868. WATCH | How to vote early: How to vote early 1 day ago Duration 1:12 If you'll be away on election day, April 28, you have some options to vote early. CBC's Avneet Dhillon breaks down three options: voting during the advance polls, voting at an Elections Canada office and voting by mail.
