Latest news with #WillRoberts
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Solar mats installed on Warwick district waste recycling trucks
Solar mats have been installed on 20 refuse and recycling trucks across the Warwick technology had been installed in a bid to reduce energy consumption, and it could reduce carbon emissions by about 1.3 tonnes per vehicle per year, Warwick District Council mats work by powering electrical components and equipment in the vehicle, such as air conditioning and Will Roberts said the authority was committed to further reducing carbon emissions from its fleet of waste collection vehicles. "These solar mats will provide a useful solution while we see out the lifespan of the existing fleet of diesel vehicles, after which time we will look to replace the diesel vehicles with low or zero emission alternatives," he council said the project had been funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the solar mats installed by transport company Buckley Mays, chief technology officer, said the "ultra-thin" solar panels had been installed on the roof of the vehicles and would "actively" reduce emissions by reducing fuel consumption."The early data captured via the dedicated TRAILAR telematics are impressive and allow Warwick District Council to see and report how much fuel and CO2 each vehicle is saving each day," he explained. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
ABC News
13-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Outback community rallies around flooded farmers
When Will Roberts heard about the livestock losses that Queensland graziers were dealing with after devastating flooding, he knew he had to help. He and his family, who were unaffected by flooding earlier this year, donated 400 merino ewes and 14 rams to a primary producer who had lost thousands of sheep. It's one of many examples of communities coming together during the crisis.
ABC News
12-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Grazier donates sheep to property that lost thousands in outback Qld flooding
There is an unwritten rule in the outback — when a mate falls, you help them back up. So, when Will Roberts heard about the livestock losses that Queensland graziers were dealing with after devastating flooding, he knew he had to help. He and his family, whose property at Morven in the state's south-west was unaffected by flooding, donated 400 merino ewes and 14 rams to a primary producer who had lost thousands of sheep. "We didn't have a helicopter so we couldn't go out and help them," Mr Roberts said. "We thought this was one way we could actually do something for somebody. He said it only took a few phone calls to coordinate trucking the flock to a south-west Queensland sheep station. A rural agent put him in touch with the grazier, a local livestock carrier offered to truck the sheep for free, and shearers volunteered their labour to help process the sheep. "It's just been quite amazing because everybody's really keen to help in whatever way they can," Mr Roberts said. "Lots and lots of people have become a part of the process … it's really special." The sheep were destined for an abattoir but instead became a lifeline for grazier Steven Hall. Merino sheep are a popular breed in south-west Queensland as they can be shorn for wool or sold for meat, and breed high-quality lambs. Mr Hall said the flooding came right before shearing season and as a result he lost significant income when he lost 2,500 sheep out of his 6,000. "They were all full wool sheep, so it was a bigger loss than just the sheep," Mr Hall said. Between the livestock and fencing loss, he estimated the damage could be up to $1 million. Mr Hall said the Roberts's donation had softened the loss significantly. "Four hundred ewes gave us another 10 bales of wool … and with the rams, that's probably another 400 lambs this year," he said. "It's one of the kindest things that's ever happened to me. "The generosity is just unbelievable." For Mr Hall, it is a gift that has meant more than "any government hand-out". "It's the Aussie spirit, isn't it?" he said. "It's just meant the world to us." On top of the usual charities that organise flood relief, several outback residents have recently taken it upon themselves to help those affected. Morven resident Kylee Tindall-Smith started the Pay 4 A Panel initiative to send donations directly to graziers to rebuild their fences. Grazier Anthony Glasson is coordinating the Fridge for a Friend project, which aims to provide a fridge and washing machine for every affected home in Thargomindah. Mary O'Brien, founder of suicide prevention service Are You Bogged Mate?, has organised the Grease Army, a team of volunteer mechanics heading to outback properties to help fix water-damaged equipment. "We thought this was important, particularly for clearing roads and fences and burying stock." Ms O'Brien stressed that often stoic primary producers should not be reluctant to accept help, including mental health support. "It's not a hand-out, it's a hand up," she said.
