Diversified hydrocarbon explorer, Central Petroleum, may be looking to discover and extract large volumes of hydrocarbons from the parched deserts of Australia’s “Red Centre” – but in at least two small corners of its vast exploration acreage, the story is quite the reverse.

The Minister for Economic Development, Michael Aird yesterday congratulated Norske Skog and BIS Industrial Logistics on the successful completion of the $50m Softwood Conversion Project and Integrated Woodchip Plant.

Landowners considering the potential of deriving new income from dedicated bioenergy crops have the opportunity to learn first hand from a leading international expert next month.

Australia’s premier bioenergy conference, Bioenergy Australia 2009 will be held at the Radisson Resort Gold Coast, Queensland from 9 - 10 December 2009 with a Technical Tour on 8 December 2009.

Arborists and building developers now have an agreed framework for the protection and preservation of trees during all stages of a development project with the first Australian Standard covering tree protection on construction sites now available.

An invitation has been extended to all to attend the Heartwood Plantations launch and free field tour on 13 November.

A reckless act by a Jeetho farmer in South Gippsland has prompted a warning from EPA Victoria to other landowners.

Australia’s rapidly expanding olive industry has strengthened its protection against exotic plant pests and diseases with the launch of the new Olive Industry Biosecurity Plan at the Australian Olive Expo in Canberra last week.