‘Massive reduction across Australia': Farmers devastated by floods and drought as milk shortage looms
The dairy industry has warned entire herds of cattle have been lost in the floods as well as fences, machinery and other infrastructure required to keep a farm operational, which could have an impact on prices.
Livestock were washed away as the Manning River rose to record levels, while farmers on the Belmore River described the conditions as diabolic.
EastAusmilk chief executive Eric Danzi warned the first time many Australians see the devastation of the floods would be when they go to their local supermarket.
'There is going to be a real shortage of milk and products,' he told 2GB.
'How that plays through to consumers I don't know.'
'Between the floods now, ex- Cyclone Alfred and the drought in South Australia as well as Victoria you're going to have a massive reduction in milk production across Australia.'
Mr Danzi said the widespread carnage means many farmers are coming home to empty land with their livestock swept into the ocean.
'Most farmers on the mid north coast have been absolutely devastated by floods. There's 100 odd farmers in that area and I think half of them will be struggling with losses of half a million (dollars) if not a lot more,' Mr Danzi said.
The same producers impacted by the recent floods were also hit by ex-cyclone Alfred in March, which caused considerable damage to Australian farms in northern NSW.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the mid-north coast on Tuesday, as authorities revealed the downpour had left more than 5,000 properties damaged and 794 uninhabitable.
Mr Albanese said the mid-north coast floods would have a considerable effect on the dairy industry 'right throughout Australia,' in addition to the impact on homes and residents.
'It is a point that while there are people who are directly affected here, every Australian is affected as well, by the fact that we've had a loss of dairy industries that will have an impact right throughout Australia,' he said.
NSW Farmers president Xavier Martin urged farmers to not 'fight floods alone' with support available to help them get back on their feet.
'We know farmers did everything they could to prepare for this disaster, but the reality is these floods have left colossal damage and devastation in their wake,' Mr Martin said.
'Dreadful connectivity has made it very difficult for many to stay in touch, but there is real help available and please don't hesitate to reach out for support when you can.
Mr Martin said the NSW Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline was up and running to provide emergency assistance with livestock and animals, and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, as well as Local Land Services, are sharing what support is available via their social media channels.
'Local Evacuation Centres are also open to provide emergency accommodation, food and social support, and Recovery Centres have opened today as a one-stop shop for all flood resources and assistance in this time.'
At the peak of the flood, 50,000 people were isolated from their homes. As of Tuesday more than 10,000 Australians remain cut off.
A further five Australians have so far been reported to have died during the floods.
The Prime Minister announced on Monday Australian Defence Force personnel had been called in to help with the clean up effort.
Mr Martin said mental health services were readily available to help farmers in need.
'Lifeline is on 13 11 14 for crisis support any time, and we have a whole host of other mental health services on the NSW Farmers website that are here to help at this time,' he said.
'While many are only just beginning to assess the full extent of the damage, we know communities will need all the help we can get to recover from this – so stay safe, look out for each other, and together, we'll get through this.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
McDonald's rejected from affluent Sydney suburb
One of Sydney's affluent Northern Beaches suburbs has said no to the golden arches, with a contentious proposal to build a McDonald's in Balgowlah shut down amid concerns of anti-social behaviour and congestion on an-already bustling road. The plan to build the restaurant – which would operate from 5am to midnight – at 37 Roseberry Street, was unanimously rejected by the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel (NBLPP) on Wednesday. In its decision, the panel highlighted existing congestion in the area – which is home to businesses, dwellings and the Manly Vale B-Line bus stop, stating: 'The application has not demonstrated the proposed development will not have unreasonable impacts on the already congested surrounding road network'. It also pointed out 'incidents of anti-social behaviour in the vicinity recorded by police' – who have raised concerns the restaurant could make matters worse. In its submission to Northern Beaches Council, police said they had 'some reservations' about the restaurant – which was originally proposed to be open 24 hours a day – stating it 'may contribute to an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour, particularly at night unless adequate security measures are implemented'. 'Given the 24-hour operating model, this development has the potential to attract increased levels of crime, anti-social behaviour, and public safety concerns, particularly during late-night and early-morning trading periods,' police said in the report. Police also noted a comparable existing 24-hour McDonald's located nearby recorded 58 incidents over the last 24 months, including assaults, burglaries and malicious damage. Within the vicinity of the proposed Roseberry Street site, police recorded a total of 112 incidents over the past 24 months. 'The introduction of a 24-hour fast-food venue at this location has the potential to exacerbate these incident categories, particularly in relation to assaults, anti-social behaviour, and property damage at night, if reasonable mitigation strategies are not implemented.' McDonald's had originally proposed redeveloping the site – which is currently occupied by the Seven Miles Coffee Roasters plant, head office and cafe – and opening the restaurant for 24 hours a day, seven days a week in an almost $4 million Development Application lodged to the council in February. However, the hours were later scaled back to 5am to midnight, seven days a week amid community backlash. A community petition calling on officials to 'Say NO' to McDonald's was launched in February. At the time of publication, it had attracted over 3,000 signatures, with supporters raising concerns about traffic congestion and potential crime, as well as noise and rubbish pollution. 'We are calling for a rejection of the application … and to consider the cumulative impact of fast-food outlets on our neighbourhood's environment and character,' Petition creator Sarah Garland said, as per The Courier Mail. Prior to the proposal's rejection, McDonald's told the publication last month, the restaurant would 'create more than 100 new local jobs and represents an investment of more than $3.9m into the community'. contacted McDonald's for comment however a statement was not provided prior to publishing. Plans for Redfern McDonald's scrapped It comes after plans for a 24-hour Macca's in the inner Sydney suburb of Redfern were scrapped following uproar from local residents and police earlier this year. The $3 million development plan for a two-storey restaurant on the area's main dining and shopping strip, Redfern Street, was blocked in a unanimous vote by the local planning panel at a City of Sydney council meeting in May. Police and local residents fought to stop the proposal, warning it would lead to a spike in theft and violent crime at night, and be a step backwards for the suburb. A request by a McDonald's representative for a six-week extension to try and resolve locals' concerns was also denied during the meeting, with one panel member suggesting those attempts would be like putting 'lipstick on what the community submissions largely believe to be a pig'. The local planning panel conceded that the development proposal 'has not adequately addressed crime prevention'.
Daily Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Mahindra XUV-3XO: Budget SUV arrives without ANCAP safety rating as 2026 crash test rules change
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Mahindra's newest compact SUV, XUV 3XO, has just launched in Australia with a jaw-dropping price of $23,490k (introductory offer) for the base model and flashy features like a panoramic sunroof, surround-view cameras and level 2 ADAS. It's a zippy, family-friendly SUV that's hard to ignore. But while it may look like the ultimate bargain, it comes with a catch. Mahindra isn't submitting it for ANCAP testing, as it's not mandatory in Australia. Instead, the automaker is working on tuning the vehicle to meet Australia's upcoming 2026 ANCAP protocols which include new benchmarks for post-crash safety, driver monitoring and advanced autonomous braking. That doesn't mean the car won't be tested at all. It's likely ANCAP will independently test the vehicle. RELATED: Australia's in love with Elon again Mahindra XUV 3XO. Picture: Daniel Snare A social media clip recently revealed ANCAP conducted a test on this model; however, its rating has not yet been released. ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg said consumers shouldn't overlook the importance of a verified rating. 'It is positive to hear Mahindra are working to bring safety improvements to their future model line-up, but consumers should be aware that – until independent safety testing is undertaken – the safety performance of any new model arriving in our market is unknown,' she said. Hoorweg emphasised that safety is critical in the compact SUV category. 'The Mahindra 3XO is entering a very competitive segment with a competitive price-tag, and while some may suggest safety isn't important for the smaller end of the market, in fact the opposite is true,' she said. 'Smaller vehicles, by physical size, are at a disadvantage out on the road. We all drive within a mixed fleet of larger cars, utes, vans, and trucks, so having a high level of structural safety, on-board safety features, and best ability to avoid a crash is critical for those looking to purchase a smaller vehicle.' MORE: Aussies 'not ready' for advanced driver tech Interior of Mahindra XUV 3XO. Picture: Daniel Snare Budget-friendly cars like the XUV-3XO often appeal to younger, more inexperienced drivers or older Australians, who may be more vulnerable in crashes, Hoorweg said. 'We also need to think about the consumer cohorts that are likely to buy these vehicles. They're generally some of the most at-risk – younger, more inexperienced drivers and older drivers who are physically more vulnerable.' Despite the lack of ANCAP testing, Mahindra insists the car is built to high safety standard and has been tested in India. According to the brand, the XUV 3XO features 55 safety features, including six airbags, level 2 ADAS, Bosch electronic stability program and 360 degree camera system. The 3XO on sale today is based on the heavily modified platform originally used by SsangYong's Tivoli, first released here in 2018. The price is right but buyers have to be mindful. Picture: Daniel Snare Mahindra says it has made major structural improvements but admits the car isn't currently tuned to meet ANCAP's stricter rules coming in 2026. A revised model will be submitted for future testing which could result in a higher price. With a current entry price below many hatchbacks and a lengthy 7-year warranty, the XUV 3XO offers strong bang for buck. The base model AX5L offers a sunroof, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 6 speaker system for $23,490 drive away (July-August introductory offer). The top spec AX7L adds a panoramic sunroof, leatherette interior and cabin, and a 360-degree camera for $26,490 drive away (July-August introductory offer). But with the current model not built to ANCAP's future crash standards, and a revised version already in the pipeline, buyers need to weigh up whether to buy now or wait. MORE: The end of travel as we know it Originally published as 24k SUV lands but there's a catch
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Amazon's robotics, AI push not eliminating jobs as tech giant continues automation wave
Amazon warehouses are still a viable job option for unskilled and entry-level workers, executives of the e-commerce giant say, despite massive robotics and AI investments. Speaking to NewsWire in Japan this week, Amazon's global head of PR for robotics and AI, Xavier Chao, compared AI robots and sorting machines to offices having a coffee machine and snacks close to the desks. 'Retention is very, vitally important for us if we want to continue to manage and sustain our business and grow; we have to retain our workforce,' Mr Chao said. 'And so we think that innovation is part of the solution of creating a nice workplace that attracts people, and retains staff.' Australia has eight Amazon 'fulfilment centre' warehouses; seven of these do not have Amazon's robots. The custom designed and built robots operate using AI, moving stacks of products for humans to pick and put into boxes. Australia's robotised Amazon warehouse is at Kemps Creek in Sydney, and employs about 2500 workers. With Australia's comparatively low-tech Amazon facilities - compared to warehouses in comparable countries - retraining Australian workers to fix and maintain Amazon's robots has stalled. In June, Amazon announced it would be investing $20bn in data centres in Australia, reiterating concerns about the e-commerce company's entrenchment in the Australian economy. Anthony Albanese faces internal pressure from high-ranking Labor MPs, The Australian reports, over accusations Amazon undermines labour laws and employs tax avoidance tactics. These criticisms are echoed by unions - the ACTU, TWU and the SDA - who claim Amazon Australia's workplace practices are unethical. Asked if operating in countries with relatively strong workplace protections was tough for Amazon, Mr Chao said 'Right now, what we're really hyper-focused on is can these systems actually benefit our frontline workers, and getting feedback from them'. He argues wide-scale automation is good for workers. 'If we can create the most innovative workplace that we possibly can, we want to try to do three things. 'Safety … Ease - all of us want to have an easier job. 'And then three, it's exposure. So a lot of people who come and work at an Amazon facility, you know, there are people from all walks of life.'
