Restrictions are now in place to prohibit the movement of bees from New South Wales into Victoria.

Every year, in some regions of Victoria, there are emergency events involving livestock, such as bushfires, floods, and emergency animal diseases.

Every year, in some regions of Victoria, there are emergency events involving livestock, such as bushfires, floods, and emergency animal diseases.

Agriculture Victoria plays a key role in the response and recovery during and after these events.

When such an event occurs, some of our first questions include – who is impacted, and how many and what type of livestock do they have?

Victoria’s Property Identification Code (PIC) database is designed to answer these questions at the virtual click of a button. For an accurate estimate, the database needs to be factual and complete.

But, what happens if we find gaps or errors in the database?

In other words, if a PIC’s owner or manager has changed? Or if a piece of land doesn’t have a PIC? Or if a property is mapped incompletely or incorrectly?

It can become necessary to redirect staff from the emergency response to sort these matters out through a combination of phone calls, pursuing council information, and on-the-ground assessments and this can have a negative impact on the timeliness and effectiveness of our response.

The obvious solution is to ensure the PIC database is accurate at a time outside of an emergency response. This is very much a shared responsibility.

There is no cost to apply for or receive a PIC.

A single PIC can be allocated to a property consisting of more than one block of land, provided the blocks are part of one enterprise and are within the same locality or in adjacent localities.

This includes land on which livestock are agisted and leased land.
Individuals must have a PIC for the properties on which they graze cattle, sheep, horses, goats, pigs, alpaca, llamas, deer, camels, and more than 50 poultry.

To apply for a PIC, you have three options:

1. apply for a PIC online by visiting www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/pic
2. download an application form
3. contact the Agriculture Victoria NLIS Helpline on 1800 678 779.

You can also update your existing PIC details using any of these three options.

The online option is a user-friendly way of updating your PIC. For further information please contact your nearest Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Officer or the Agriculture Victoria NLIS Helpline on 1800 678 779.

The State Government is boosting regional tourism and jobs while fostering Victoria’s unique native
wildlife, with a fourth site for Zoos Victoria.

Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio today announced that the management of Kyabram Fauna Park will be taken over by Zoos Victoria, supported by $3 million from the Labor Government.
Kyabram Fauna Park joins Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary, benefiting the resident wildlife, delivering improved staff opportunities and increased tourism to northern Victoria.
From October, Kyabram Fauna Park will be included in the Labor Government’s $20 million Kids Go Free offer, where children under 16 receive free admission to Victoria’s Zoos on weekends, public holidays and school holidays, and members of the two zoos will have access to both.
The 55-hectare parkland and wetland Kyabram Fauna Park site is two and a half times bigger than Melbourne Zoo and has more than 600 animals, the largest collection of Australian animals in Victoria after Healesville Sanctuary.
The extensive collection of Australian animals includes Tasmanian Devils, quolls, dingoes, koalas, kangaroos, wombats, echidna, emus, flying foxes and southern cassowary along with an impressive collection of reptiles and birds.
The Park has looked after wildlife and delivered conservation programs since 1979, planting more than 7,000 native trees and plants to create a range of habitats to provide food and shelter for free-ranging wildlife and encouraged the return of 35 species of birds to the local Kyabram area.
The two wildlife organisations already share close strategic alignment across animal welfare, conservation,
sustainability and visitor experience. The transition process is now underway, with full integration to be complete within the next 18 months.
The Government has invested more than $305 million in Zoos Victoria since 2014. Over the same period, the Government has invested more than $560 million into protecting biodiversity – more than any other in Victorian history – working to halt the decline of Victoria’s plants and animals through the landmark plan Biodiversity 2037.
Quote attributable to Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio
“Welcoming Kyabram Fauna Park to the Zoos Victoria family is a win for tourism and jobs in northern Victoria and our precious biodiversity.”
Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp said:
“Zoos Victoria taking management control of the Kyabram Fauna Park will mean new tourists from all over
Victoria and the world will have even more reason to visit Kyabram and north central Victoria.”
Zoos Victoria Chief Executive Officer Dr Jenny Gray said
“Zoos Victoria will work hard to ensure a smooth transition, and we are thrilled to have an even broader reach to connect community with nature right across the state of Victoria, to secure a future rich in wildlife.”

The State Government is providing a boost to the environment and local Ballarat jobs by recycling hundreds of tonnes of plastic waste and repurposing it into transport projects across the state.

It’s estimated 10 Victorian jobs are created for every 10,000 tonnes of waste material kept out of landfill – leading to approximately 3,900 jobs in the next decade.
eMesh is made from 100% recycled polypropylene plastic and has been used to replace steel mesh in concrete for shared user paths across 22 road and rail projects and dozens of other infrastructure projects in Australia.
The recycled product is manufactured in Ballarat by Danbar Plastics for Enviromesh.
The eMesh is packed by McCallum Industries, an Alfredton-based disability support organisation and social enterprise that employs approximately 90 people with disability under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Since it was introduced in 2020, Recycled First has led to five times more recycled materials being used than previous years – with 1.3 million tonnes being integrated on Victorian transport projects.
The shift to recycled products is being driven by Victoria’s ecologiQ program, which is leveraging the State Government’s significant infrastructure investment to boost the use of recycled and reused materials. Supplier Enviromesh has already seen stronger demand, with 100% year-on-year growth for eMesh in recent years.
eMesh is used across 22 Victorian major infrastructure projects, with 10 more planned, including the Monash Freeway and Barwon Heads Road Upgrades, Toorak Road and Hoppers Crossing Level Crossing Removals and the Pakenham rail line upgrade.
Victoria’s nation-leading circular economy will take centre stage in September, showcasing the greener projects being delivered by the Labor Government’s Big Build. For more information visit ecologiq.vic.gov.au.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said:
“Recycled products like eMesh are keeping hundreds of tonnes of plastic out of landfill and significantly reducing the carbon footprint of projects – as well as creating jobs and investment in regional communities like Ballarat.”
“Our Recycled First Policy plays a crucial role in this, as it requires transport infrastructure contractors to optimise their use of recycled and reused materials

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said:
“Through our infrastructure projects across Victoria, we are supporting the shift to a cleaner and greener transport network and ensuring thousands of local jobs for the next decade, including right here in Ballarat.”
Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said:
“Not only are we reducing landfill, but we’re also opening up new opportunities in employment and ongoing job security through the pipeline of future infrastructure projects.”

The State Government is helping Victoria’s up and coming sporting stars boost their competition with
grants supporting athlete development as well as travel and accomodation costs.

Acting Minister for Community Sport Shaun Leane today announced applications are now open for the latest round of the State Government’s Athlete Pathway Travel Grants program.
The program helps athletes, teams, coaches and officials with travel and accommodation costs associated with competing at regional, state and national levels. It also includes pathway development programs and training for emerging athletes. The funding also covers costs for training camps, competition entry and registration.
Grants of up to $6,000 are available for recognised state sporting associations, regional academies of sport and state sport and active recreation bodies. Victorian sport and active recreation clubs can also apply for grants of up to $2,000.
Previous grant recipients include Victorian junior triathlete Lucinda Rourke, who offset travel costs to compete in the Elite Junior Triathlon Series. Up-and-coming Shepparton basketballer Isabel Whitelaw was also supported to attend the Victorian National Performance Program training camps.
The Anglesea Surf Lifesaving Club also received $2,000 to compete at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.
The Athlete Pathway Travel Grants program has awarded more than 1,500 grants, totaling more than $2.9 million, to help teams and athletes reach their goals since 2015.
The program is part of the Government’s commitment to increase local participation, stimulate local economies and create new jobs and volunteer opportunities.
Applications for the current round of the Athlete Pathway Travel Grants program will be open until 4 August, 2022.
For further information visit sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants.
Acting Minister for Community Sport Shaun Leane said:
“We’re helping our athletes and future champions to reach their sporting goals by helping with travel and
accommodation costs, as well as athlete development.”
“This program helps our up and coming sporting stars take a step to the next level in competitive sport.”
Anglesea Surf Lifesaving Club President David Marsh said:
“The women’s R&R (Rescue and Resuscitation) team were successful in achieving a bronze medal in the open event of the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships held on the Sunshine Coast in April 2021.”
“Despite the challenges of the past couple of years, this grant helped our members to travel and compete, showing off their skills.”

A municipal monitor will be appointed to the Horsham Rural City Council to help guide good governance and help forge its strong future.

Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne today announced a monitor will be appointed at Horsham Rural City Council. The monitor, their terms and other details will be named at a later date.
The decision has been made at the request of the Council’s Mayor and CEO who sought to ensure that the Council has the guidance it needs to perform its role successfully and serve the local community effectively.
During their term, the municipal monitor will work closely with Horsham Rural City Council to improve governance practices and help councillors ensure they are performing their roles in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020.
The State Government is supporting and improving council culture throughout the state through initiatives such as the Local Government Culture Project and the Women Leading Locally program.
For more information visit: localgovernment.vic.gov.au/council-governance/local-government-culture-project
Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne said:
“We expect Councils to maintain a standard of good governance that the community rightfully expects.”
“The municipal monitor will help ensure Horsham Rural City Council properly serves the ratepayers it represents.”

The state’s new liquor regulator, Liquor Control Victoria, has today been established and will play a vital role in helping reduce liquor-related harm and ensuring the liquor industry continues to receive the strongest regulatory oversight.

Liquor Control Victoria will see liquor regulation brought within the Department of Justice and Community Safety,
with the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) retaining responsibility for gambling and casino oversight.
Liquor Control Victoria comprises Victorian Liquor Commissioners and staff from the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
The new regulator will perform a number of important functions, including undertaking licensing, approval, authorisation, and registration activities and monitoring and responding to breaches of liquor regulations.
The State Government has also provided additional powers to the VGCCC to hold the casino operator to account which come in effect from today, including new powers to give inspectors greater access to books and surveillance equipment at the casino.
Changes to the VGCCC also explicitly embed gambling harm minimisation as part of the VGCCC’s core business and improve powers to take action against Crown Melbourne if it fails to abide by the gambling code of conduct.
The new laws mean a single breach of the code is grounds for disciplinary action. Previously the VGCCC could only initiate disciplinary action after repeated breaches of the gambling code.
The VGCCC’s casino inspectors will also have enhanced powers and functions in response to recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence.
Further reforms that respond to all remaining Royal Commission recommendations are set to be introduced later this year.
Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne said:
“Liquor Control Victoria will provide the strongest possible level of industry oversight.”
“The VGCCC’s new powers will make a huge difference in reducing gambling related harm for all Victorians and ensuring the casino operates appropriately.”

The village of Mount Macedon has been announced the inaugural winner of the Tiny Town category at the Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards 2022 held at the RACV Healesville Country Club and Resort on Wednesday 6 July.

Mount Macedon was recognised for its fantastic nature-based experiences including Macedon Regional Park and nearby Hanging Rock that can be enjoyed year-round.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson said the win was fantastic news for local tourism and hospitality businesses who have been working hard to re-build after being impacted by the pandemic and 2021 storm events.
“Recognition like this peaks the interest of people to come and visit the region to see why it is so special. This will give a welcome boost to our local economy. I encourage everyone to come and visit, and see why it has been crowned the Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town. There is so much to see and do and with every season being so different it is worth a return trip to experience them all,” she said.
The Top Tourism Town Awards recognise and reward Victorian towns that demonstrate a strong commitment to tourism, offer an excellent visitor experience, and show strong collaboration with tourism operators, local businesses and the community.
Andrew Towner, President Macedon Ranges Accommodation Association said it is a great honour for Mount Macedon to be named as Victoria’s inaugural Top Tiny Tourism Town.
“The award recognises the amazing natural beauty of our region and the hard work of our local businesses, community, and Council to create exceptional experiences for our visitors. We are excited to proceed to the National Awards and look forward to the results later this year,” he said.
Mount Macedon will now go on to represent the state at the national awards where it has the opportunity to be crowned as Australia’s Top Tiny Tourism Town.
An inspirational two-day itinerary to experience the town and its surrounds, along with a promotional video, was submitted as part of the award process and can be viewed at
www.visitmacedonranges.com/itineraries/mount-macedon-nature-escape/

Safe driving rewards and easier registration and licensing are among benefits being delivered to motorists across
the state, with the transformation of VicRoads to streamline interactions for millions of Victorians.

Treasurer Tim Pallas and Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll today announced the outcome of the 15-month VicRoads Modernisation process that included consultation with VicRoads workers, unions, motorists groups and other stakeholders.
Following competitive and robust market engagement a consortium of Aware Super, Australian Retirement Trust and Macquarie Asset Management was selected to deliver the VicRoads Modernisation process, bringing benefits to individuals and businesses – including upgraded customer service systems, better Custom Plates services and user-friendly registration and licensing.
The joint venture is a 40-year partnership in which the Government retains ownership of VicRoads, while generating $7.9 billion in upfront proceeds for the State, which will be invested in the new Victorian Future Fund to help manage our pandemic debt.
The Government has also delivered on its commitment to protect the jobs of existing VicRoads employees, while creating up to 80 new jobs to oversee the partnership, support the IT modernisation process and bolster the Government’s road safety role.
Continued ownership of VicRoads by the Government will ensure control over regulation and policy, data and privacy provisions and pricing of essential fees, with information to remain secure and stored in Australia.
Independent integrity bodies, including the Victorian Ombudsman and the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner, will continue to provide oversight.
The Government will immediately deliver benefits for Victorian drivers through a package that will slash licensing and online testing costs and reward safe driver behaviour.
Under the changes, learners and probationary licences as well as online testing will be made free. Aspiring drivers and riders will save up to $51.40 in learner licensing and online testing fees. While probationary drivers will save up to $133.30 in probationary license and online hazard perception testing fees.
Safe drivers who have not incurred demerit points or committed road safety offences in the three years prior to their licence expiring, will be rewarded with the reintroduction of a 25 per cent discount on their licence renewal.
The VicRoads Registration and Licensing business maintains registers of more than 6 million vehicle operators and 5 million driver licence holders, including cars, motorcycles, heavy vehicles and boats.
The joint venture partners have a strong track record of successfully partnering with governments to deliver services. The partners are Australian industry superannuation funds and long-term investors with combined experience delivering the New South Wales, South Australian, Victorian and Western Australian land titles services, as well as data centres and telecommunications infrastructure.

Treasurer Tim Pallas said:
“This is a win for all Victorians – it means a better experience for drivers and owners of cars, motorbikes, trucks and boats, and continued investment in VicRoads for future generations.”
“It’s a terrific start for the Victorian Future Fund, which will deliver major benefits for Victorians as we continue to recover strongly from the shocks of the pandemic.”
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said:
“Getting your L’s and P’s is one of life’s most significant milestones – and we will deliver them for free.”
“The agreement protects the jobs and conditions of VicRoads workers and will see us create new roles as well.”

Since April 2018, Agriculture Victoria and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) have worked together to produce The Fast Break newsletters, the Very Fast Break YouTube clips and Climate Outlook webinars; products which outline the climate indicators and forecast model predictions for Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Southern NSW.

This survey seeks your feedback to ensure we continue to deliver climate information relevant and useful to you.

Please complete this survey – we estimate it should take about 5 – 8 minutes of your time – before Monday 11 July.

Any questions regarding this survey can be directed to:
Randall Wilksch, GRDC Grower Relations Manager – South
0437 769 098
randall.wilksch@grdc.com.au

Complete this short survey online before Monday 11 July.

Fungicide resistance management techniques explained in videos

Grain growers are encouraged to increase their knowledge of fungicide resistance risks and optimal fungicide management in their cropping systems.

Three new Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) videos have been produced to help growers understand how fungicide resistance develops and how they can prevent it from becoming an issue in their cropping programs.

The videos have been produced by the Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN), a significant investment by the GRDC, co-ordinated through the Centre for Crop Disease Management (CCDM) – itself a co-investment between the GRDC and Curtin University.

Growers can view the videos through GRDC’s YouTube channel.

For more detailed fungicide resistance information CLICK HERE

GRDC Grains Research Update – Boort

• Date: 14 July
• Time: 9 am – 1 pm 
• Location: Boort Memorial Hall, Godfrey Street.

Go online to register or for more information about the event.

The event contact is Matt McCarthy on (03) 5441 6176 or admin@orm.com.au

Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) is arguably the biggest move seen in agriculture, with consumers demanding a high level of product integrity and proof of source.

This conference offers the opportunity to learn more about what ESG means for farmers and their market partners.

Thursday 28 July, 9.30 am to 5 pm – $23pp (including GST) at La Trobe University, Wodonga.

THEN

Drinks, dinner from 6 pm – $40 pp (including GST, drinks at own cost) at the Albury Club, Kiewa St, Albury.

Guest speaker and celebrity chef

TICKET FOR CONFERENCE AND DINNER + BOOKING FEE ($4.50) = TOTAL $67.95

Topics

• ESG – Finance opportunities
• Sustainability frameworks
• Supply Chain – Red Meat
• Supply Chain – Wool
• Supply Chain – Retail
• Producers’ perspectives
• On-farm emissions
• Q&A panel session.

Speakers include:

• Rosemary Bissett – Head ESG Risk, National Australia Bank
• Edwina Clowes – Manager Sustainability Frameworks and Stakeholders, MLA
• Jason Colosimo – Head of Commercial and Strategy, Coles
• (more speakers to be announced).

Foxes and wild dogs are ‘declared’ established pest animals in Victoria.

They cannot be eradicated from the state and require ongoing management by all public and private landowners.

Effective fox and wild dog management requires an integrated approach utilising all suitable management practices including:

• poison baiting
• trapping
• exclusion fencing
• fumigation
• appropriate animal husbandry.

Hunting can play an important role in supporting an integrated management approach.

The collection schedule for North West Victoria, includes:

Bendigo collections (Fox only), Corner Midland Highway and Taylor Street, Epsom, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

Dates:

• Monday, 4 July
• Monday, 1 August
• Monday, 29 August
• Monday, 26 September
• Monday, 24 October.

Ouyen collections, Fox and wild dog (wild dog by appointment only), Gregory Street, Ouyen, 2 – 4 pm

Dates:

• Tuesday, 5 July
• Tuesday, 2 August
• Tuesday, 30 August
• Tuesday, 27 September
• Tuesday, 25 October.

St Arnaud collections (Fox only), 4 Montague Street, St Arnaud, Victoria, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

Dates:

• Thursday, 7 July
• Thursday, 4 August
• Thursday, 1 September
• Thursday, 29 September
• Thursday, 27 October.

2022 Swan Hill collections (Fox only), 7 Quin Drive, Swan Hill, 8.30 – 10.30 am

Dates:

• Tuesday, 5 July
• Tuesday, 2 August
• Tuesday, 30 August
• Tuesday, 27 September
• Tuesday, 25 October.

The bounty will run until the end of October 2022, consistent with previous years.

Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/bounty to find out more or call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

The Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty is now digital

To streamline payment processes for fox and wild dog bounty participants, we have introduced a digital bounty application system.

Registering is easy.

Access the form at agriculture.vic.gov.au/bounty and simply input your email and banking details.

The art of seasonal risk decision making

In this special two-part podcast episode of My Rain Gauge is Busted we hear from ThinkAgri’s Kate Burke.

In this episode we talk about seasonal risk decision making and hear some of Kate’s tips from her many years of experience.

Interested in hearing more?

Search for My Rain Gauge is Busted wherever you get your podcasts or listen 🎧 online via the AgVic website.

Climb on board and join us for the next virtual climate bus trip.

Today we’re visiting two businesses that have approached future risks in very different ways.

First stop is to the southern Mallee to meet Craig Henderson who has built a family business by diversifying their business across both low and medium rainfall zones.

Next stop we visit Tom Gleeson north of Swan Hill who farms 18,000 hectares with his brother in businesses that have a strong focus on technology, skills and training.

Listen online via the AgVic website agriculture.vic.gov.au/AgVicTalk

Agriculture Victoria’s podcasts deliver knowledge and information in a format that suits the way farmers and agricultural professionals work and live today.

You can subscribe and listen to AgVic Talk wherever you get your podcasts:

• Subscribe to AgVic Talk on Spotify
• Follow through Apple Podcasts.

Your feedback is important to us so make sure to rate and review AgVic Talk episodes and share with your friends and family.

Contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or your consultant before making any changes on-farm.

Find every AgVic Talk podcast episode on this page of the Agriculture Victoria website.

All information included in these episodes is accurate at the time of release.