Development Land clearing crisis sounds alarm for wildlife QUEENSLAND’S latest land clearing figures reveal the scale of destruction is vast. Rob Mellett 17 Sep 2025
Agriculture Nursery boss broken by NFAEP bureaucracy FOR 30 years, Wesley Trevor operated a thriving nursery in Queensland, with 100,000 plants across seven acres, and at its peak employing 37 staff. Rob Mellett 17 Sep 2025
Agriculture Fire ant program slammed over GMO bait silence THE Queensland Government has known for at least a year that fire ant baits being spread across southeast Queensland include genetically modified ingredients – but only admitted it last week. Rob Mellett 03 Sep 2025
Agriculture Farmers ‘ignored’ while NFAEP holds closed-door forums LOCKYER Valley hay agent Jake Holzheimer has spent more than two years pleading for a farmer-led solution to restore market access for Queensland fodder – only to watch government inaction devastate livelihoods. Rob Mellett 27 Aug 2025
Ipswich Tribune Biosecurity bureaucracy crippling Lockyer growers JAKE Holzheimer is no stranger to tough seasons. A second-generation hay and lucerne agent in the Lockyer Valley, he’s seen his fair share of dry spells, floods, and pests. Rob Mellett 06 Aug 2025
Ipswich Tribune Big spend to revive SEQ’s waterways A MAJOR environmental investment will see local waterways in Ipswich and across Southeast Queensland benefit from more than $30 million in funding over the next two years. Rob Mellett 23 Jul 2025
Ipswich Tribune Top ant expert: winter baiting ‘scientifically flawed’ THE Queensland Government’s new year-round fire ant eradication plan has been criticised by one of the world’s leading authorities on invasive ants, who warns winter baiting is scientifically flawed. Rob Mellett 23 Jul 2025
Agriculture Statewide fishing comp to mark 25 years of SIPS A STATEWIDE fishing competition will cast off across Queensland this September to celebrate 25 years of the state’s Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS), in what organisers are calling the most ambitious freshwater event of its kind. Rob Mellett 09 Jul 2025
Development Professor and farmer unite for hot water fire ant fix A LEADING Australian entomologist has broken ranks with conventional fire ant control orthodoxy, joining forces with a Queensland smallholder to trial a chemical-free method that may offer new hope in the fight against the invasive species. Rob Mellett 09 Jul 2025
Property Cops, fire ant squads ride roughshod over rights GROWING numbers of Southeast Queenslanders are pushing back against National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) tactics they say undermine property rights. Rob Mellett 04 Jun 2025
Agriculture World first and an award win to local company ADVANCES in sustainable waste management isn’t usually a topic that makes the headlines. Staff Writers 14 May 2025
Ipswich Tribune Arrested, charged over fire ant treatment refusal A GATTON smallholder who was arrested and charged with two counts of obstructing police after refusing fire ant treatment on his property will front Gatton Magistrates Court this Monday. Rob Mellett 30 Apr 2025
Business Primary producers want fire ant program reform PRIMARY producers in Southeast Queensland met on Saturday to discuss solutions to what they say is an unsustainable and bureaucratic approach to fire ant management. Rob Mellett 16 Apr 2025
Agriculture Farmers to meet as fire ant rules cripple bottom line A GROWING number of farmers across Southeast Queensland are calling for the relaxation of “excessive biosecurity restrictions” which they say are crippling their livelihoods. Rob Mellett 09 Apr 2025
Business Buy local honey as varroa mite hits Lockyer Valley A LOCAL beekeeper and greens candidate says shoppers can help in simple ways to support the beekeeping industry with news the varroa mite has been identified in the Lockyer Valley. Rob Mellett 09 Apr 2025
Ipswich Tribune Fire ant review on ice as extra funds declared THE QUEENSLAND Government has delayed an independent review into the $593 million fire ant eradication program. Rob Mellett 26 Mar 2025
Ipswich Tribune How rural anger at solar plan split a community AFTER decades of hard work on their dairy farm, the Blanch brothers didn’t think twice when they were approached by a “renewables” developer with what appeared to be an offer they couldn’t refuse. Rob Mellett 19 Mar 2025
Business Year of upgrades for the Ipswich Showgrounds NEW and improved facilities and buildings will be built at the Ipswich Showground thanks to funding from the Investing in our Communities program. Rob Mellett 29 Jan 2025
Business Lawyer: Biosecurity QLD faces class action PROPERTY owners in Southeast Queensland have employed lawyers to help defend their homes against biosecurity officers from forcing entry and spraying fire ant pesticides. Rob Mellett 22 Jan 2025
