Latest news with #NSW-based
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Brutal' conditions sees a thousand tradies strike at remote camp in Aussie national park
Tradies at a camp inside a remote national park have downed tools on Wednesday, forcing a $12 billion project to a standstill. The NSW-based crew building Snowy 2.0, Australia's biggest renewable energy project, say their employer, Italian-owned Webuild, needs to pay them the same as workers at Melbourne projects and improve conditions. The Australian Workers Union (AWU) has raised concerns about conditions at the camp, with the Snowy Mountains wilderness scorching in summer and freezing during winter. FIFO workers complete 12-hour underground shifts and 14-day stints at the camp in Snowy Mountains wilderness, before travelling home for seven days. NSW AWU secretary Tony Callinan has been scathing of conditions at the camp, comparing the isolated Kosciuszko National Park worksite as 'like being in jail'. 'Employees leave home, they get on a plane, when they get off at Cooma, they get put on a company-supplied bus, and then they're stuck there for 14 days,' he said. 'There are no private vehicles allowed on site. It's not like you can just go up the road to the shops. You're stuck there. Even if you wanted to leave, there's no real ability to unless the company agrees to provide you with a bus to take you into Cooma.' Yesterday, the AWU was further angered after workers reported receiving a warning from the project's manager, Future Generation (FGJV), a joint venture between Webuild, Clough and Lane Construction. The email, seen by Yahoo News, detailed new rules from 5PM on Wednesday until 6AM on Thursday, covering the strike period. It included new restrictions on entering and leaving the site and warned of increased vehicle inspections. 'Breaches may result in disciplinary action,' the company warned. Workers are due to return to work on Thursday, and they are being surveyed by the union about how they'd like to proceed next week. 🦆 Photograph of 31 rare birds sparks ripples in midst of hunting season 🐟 Aussie man 'remorseful' after illegal find in fish tank leads to $2,400 fine 😳 Incredible breakthrough in bid to protect 'near-mythical' species The AWU is calling for a pay increase of up to 12 per cent, in line with what workers are paid at the government's North East Link Tunnel in Melbourne. Also on its list of demands are a $140 daily camp allowance for FIFOs, a doubling of night shift rates, and increased mental health days. Food is also reportedly an issue for workers at the camp. In 2023, they claimed maggots were found in meals, forcing a SafeWork NSW investigation. 'I've got no negative comments to make about the chefs, they can only work with the limited resources and ingredients provided,' Callinan said. 'There's not much variance to the menu. And our members buy two-minute noodles and things like that to try and break up the cycle a bit. It's not a great environment to be living in.' Yahoo News has contacted Snowy 2.0, Webuild and FGJV for comment. On Tuesday, Snowy 2.0 told the ABC that negotiations between the FGJV and the union were ongoing. 'As the employer of most of Snowy 2.0's workforce, Snowy 2.0's delivery partner, Future Generation Joint Venture, is engaged in ongoing negotiations for the enterprise agreements of surface and underground workers," it said. The Snowy 2.0 project expands on the original Snowy Mountains power scheme by connecting two existing dams through a 27km tunnel and building an underground pumped-hydro power station. It is the largest renewable energy project in Australia, and was developed as the centrepiece of the Turnbull Government's green energy transition. Once completed, it will be able to supply three million homes with power over the course of a week. It will have roughly 2.2 gigawatts of capacity and create around 350,000 megawatt-hours of large-scale storage. But the project has been plagued by cost blowouts, delays, and environmental concerns. Work has previously stopped at the site twice this year due to equipment safety concerns and malfunctions. The project is not expected to be completed until at least 2027. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
West Australian
28-04-2025
- Business
- West Australian
WagyuEdge '25: Elite Wagyu Sale tops at $95,000 for heifer Aizakura U300
This year's Elite Wagyu Sale was marbled with enthusiasm with prices reaching a top of $95,000 for a NSW-bred fullblood heifer described as having 'royal blood through her veins with superstar pedigree'. Hosted for the first time in WA on April 10 by the Australian Wagyu Association and conducted live and online by Queensland-based Ray White Livestock in Dalby in association with StockLive, the annual sale grossed $810,425. Overall, 15 heifers were offered, resulting in 11 sold for an average price of $48,864. Of the 13 bulls offered, five sold to a top of $40,000 and an average of $29,000. Of the 16 embryos offered, 12 sold to a top of $28,000 for a package of four, with the total overall average price at $4250 each. In addition, 86 semen straws all sold to a top of $22,500 for a package of three straws. AWA chief executive officer Matthew McDonagh said there was a focus on rare genetics and animals representing the top 1 to 5 per cent of Wagyu Estimated Breeding Values in each category (carcase, growth and maternal) plus Breed $Index in the top 1 per cent. 'With the release of AWA Genetic Diversity and Genomic Inbreeding scores in November, the sale was the first to consider lots with both performance data and high diversity to the breeding wagyu population,' he said. 'The sale was capped at 47 impressive lots, including bulls, females, semen and embryos, each supported by detailed and verified pedigree, EBV and health data.' After an Australian record top-price of $400,000 was achieved at the 2022 Elite Wagyu Sale in Melbourne, auctioneer Lincoln McKinlay said he expected the top-shelf line-up of females to sell 'extremely well'. This record still stands and represents the most expensive beef animal ever sold in Australia, surpassing the $325,000 paid in 2017 for a Queensland-bred Brahman bull. The 13-month-old heifer, only known as S0014, was bred by NSW-based Sunnyside stud partner Johnathan Elphick and bought by Victoria-based Yulong Investments. Mr McKinlay said US pre-sale interests were strong, particularly with the currency exchange rate. 'It's all about genetic merit and the kill data collected on animals. Some in the sale have gained genetically due to carcase data in the last three months,' he said. 'Entry into the sale is by strict criteria with animals in the top 1 to 5 per cent in EBVs.' The auction kicked off with NSW-based Circle 8 Bulls wagyu stud's Aizakura U300 (ET), a 21-month-old fullblood heifer offered as lot 1 with an EBV marble score of 3.8 (top 1 per cent). The black heifer set the top-price at $95,000, selling to NSW-based Gene Flow stud principal Keith Hay. Mr Hay entered the wagyu industry only six years ago after selling his family's dairy farm. 'My interests are in wagyu genetics and now with genomics, you can tell where the animal is in the industry, I appreciated the high marble score on lot one, combined with its high eye muscle area,' he said. 'I am fascinated by the industry and will use this heifer in our embryo program.' Circle 8 fullblood wagyu breeder Jeremy Cooper said three of the last 10 years in wagyu breeding had been concentrated on fullblood genetics. 'In the past 12 months we have completely dispersed our past 70 years of other cattle breeds, including Angus, to facilitate a full transition to wagyu,' he said. 'Speaking as ASA vice-president and from a business standpoint, wagyu kicks it out of the park, but we need to put systems in place to make this high-valued product available at a lower selling point but not diminish the quality or brand.' Mr Hay continued his buying order with lot 5, Door Key U022, a fullblood black heifer which sold for $90,000. On his first visit to WA, he also will be taking home an Albany-bred heifer, Irongate Michiko U435 (AI), for which he paid $45,000. Mr Hay inspected the heifer on-farm when he participated in the pre-conference southern WA tour on April 7, where the Gilmour family welcomed 80 guests to their property that runs 1500 wagyu cattle. Irongate stud co-principal Lachy Gilmour said U435 came with an 'outstanding BFI Index ($599), and MS (3.9) as well as an exceptional phenotype to complement her future breeding potential'. In total, he secured eight heifers for an average price of $53,750 to ramp up his ET program. Central Queensland-based Overtime Patnership principal Neville Crook paid the $22,500 top-price for a semen straw package (three straws at $7500 each). The semen was from Purebred Poll Wagyu PB S0142-52Y PP CE45 (AI) (ET) (CC), a homozygous polled red bull out of a 'super cow that bred progeny females that milked highly and weaned the heaviest calves'. Mr Crook said he would prefer more concentration on purebreds as opposed to fullbloods — 'we want to produce meat'. 'It's tough going at moment, inputs costs are high, the devalued Australian dollar means export grain prices are high, which we compete for domestically — we have to ensure we can feed cattle for 400 to 500 days,' he said. 'It was the most expensive semen package we have bought, worth every bit as we are looking for carcase results — we rely on carcase data.'
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Bachelor fan favourite announces her engagement to political activist after failing to find love on the show
Bella Johnston has found love after striking out on reality TV. The 29-year-old, who was a fan favourite on the 2022 season of The Bachelors, has announced her engagement to left wing political activist Harrison James. The pair shared the happy news in an Instagram post, cuddling up and showing off Bella's diamond ring in a series of photo booth images. 'Fiancée' Harrison captioned the post, which was made last week, alongside a heart and ring emoji. The couple had been holidaying in Europe when the proposal occurred, with photos showing them in Paris. Bella was paired with Jed McIntosh on the dating show back in 2022 but the two did not make a final connection. When applying for the show, the NSW-based self-described feminist said she had a few failed relationships and was single by choice. 'I am passionate, I am hilarious, I am full of energy and love making plans!' she said at he time. 'It would be amazing if I had a partner to do it with, but also not the end of the world if I don't' she continued. 'Also, I am an absolutely incredible cook. But I'm not into gender roles so he'd have to do all the washing up.' The bubbly reality star is a cancer survivor having suffered from a rare, malignant paraganglioma which was discovered at age 21 after years of misdiagnosis. She underwent 15 surgeries and radiotherapy due to a huge tumor entwined with her vagus nerve. 'It was wrapped around my jugular vein and vagus nerve. They grafted part of my nerve to my ear. I have my gag reflex in my ear' Bella told The Mirror. 'It's the most weird thing ever. I had a nasal gastric tube for a while and my original diagnosis was I'd only eat soft foods for the rest of my life. She added: 'Doctors said I'd never eat a sandwich again. I love sandwiches so I thought 'nope'. 'Through a lot of trial and error and with a speech physiologist I now touch my chin to my shoulder. 'It closes my wind pipe and uses the left muscles that are strong to push the food down. I can't swallow face head on.' Bella began getting symptoms at age 14, dropping to 43 kilos and being misdiagnosed with an eating disorder. She even tried the 'cures' offered by cancer faker Belle Gibson before doctors finally discovered the tumour.
The Age
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘Albo can't steal our day': The couples saying ‘I do' on election day
The same goes for vendors and suppliers. Shaw says they should allow extra time for heavier traffic and lengthy polling booth lines. She recommends checking in with photographers, DJs, florists, and other key wedding service providers to ensure they get to the venue on time. Shaw likens an election day wedding to one that clashes with the AFL grand final. 'Make a game of it,' she says. 'Get people to bet on who they think will win in certain electorates … Get the MC to give updates on the election ... That way, they won't need to look at their phones.' William Miller and Maddy Wilson will marry at Yarramalong Valley, west of Wyong in NSW. They are considering hiring a television to show poll updates. Miller knows the election will be on their guests' minds – especially Wilson's family, who are mostly active Liberal Party supporters – so they're leaning into it. 'They'll be keen to watch the results, but it's also their first daughter's wedding, so I imagine they will give that more attention,' Miller says. 'Albo [Prime Minister Anthony Albanese] can't steal our day.' Miller and Wilson will vote ahead of the wedding, despite a suggestion from Wilson's mother to attend a polling booth in her white dress. 'Time will not permit,' Miller says. 'That's very much not an option.' NSW-based marriage celebrant and MC Gary Clementson says an election day clash could be a great way to make a wedding more memorable. 'You could do a photoshoot at the polling booths, kind of like how photographers do the 'first look' photos,' says Clementson, who is also the director of The Celebrants Society. 'You could really make an event of it.' Loading He also suggests incorporating political questions into classic wedding games like the ' shoe game ', creating a wishing well that looks like a mini polling booth, and offering 'classy versions' of democracy sausages. Neither Buck and Morgan nor Miller and Wilson feel the need to establish ground rules about behaviour. However, Miller jokes there are 'enough cold [water] hoses at the venue to splash whoever may need it'. Buck and Morgan intend to rely on their MC to keep things running smoothly. 'We trust she'll be able to control the crowd so that we don't even have to think about it,' Buck says, adding this will allow them to focus on their nearly two-year-old daughter and Buck's father, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Shaw says the election will be a topic of conversation on the day and recommends the dance floor is the perfect place to blow off any steam.
Sydney Morning Herald
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Albo can't steal our day': The couples saying ‘I do' on election day
The same goes for vendors and suppliers. Shaw says they should allow extra time for heavier traffic and lengthy polling booth lines. She recommends checking in with photographers, DJs, florists, and other key wedding service providers to ensure they get to the venue on time. Shaw likens an election day wedding to one that clashes with the AFL grand final. 'Make a game of it,' she says. 'Get people to bet on who they think will win in certain electorates … Get the MC to give updates on the election ... That way, they won't need to look at their phones.' William Miller and Maddy Wilson will marry at Yarramalong Valley, west of Wyong in NSW. They are considering hiring a television to show poll updates. Miller knows the election will be on their guests' minds – especially Wilson's family, who are mostly active Liberal Party supporters – so they're leaning into it. 'They'll be keen to watch the results, but it's also their first daughter's wedding, so I imagine they will give that more attention,' Miller says. 'Albo [Prime Minister Anthony Albanese] can't steal our day.' Miller and Wilson will vote ahead of the wedding, despite a suggestion from Wilson's mother to attend a polling booth in her white dress. 'Time will not permit,' Miller says. 'That's very much not an option.' NSW-based marriage celebrant and MC Gary Clementson says an election day clash could be a great way to make a wedding more memorable. 'You could do a photoshoot at the polling booths, kind of like how photographers do the 'first look' photos,' says Clementson, who is also the director of The Celebrants Society. 'You could really make an event of it.' Loading He also suggests incorporating political questions into classic wedding games like the ' shoe game ', creating a wishing well that looks like a mini polling booth, and offering 'classy versions' of democracy sausages. Neither Buck and Morgan nor Miller and Wilson feel the need to establish ground rules about behaviour. However, Miller jokes there are 'enough cold [water] hoses at the venue to splash whoever may need it'. Buck and Morgan intend to rely on their MC to keep things running smoothly. 'We trust she'll be able to control the crowd so that we don't even have to think about it,' Buck says, adding this will allow them to focus on their nearly two-year-old daughter and Buck's father, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Shaw says the election will be a topic of conversation on the day and recommends the dance floor is the perfect place to blow off any steam.
