The Northern Territory news Wed 4 Nov 2020
NT news
The Northern Territory news; NewspaperNT
2020-11-04
English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin.; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin.
News Corp Australia
Darwin
application/pdf
Copyright. Made available by the publisher under licence.
News Corp Australia
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/816205
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/816594
06 NEWS WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 4 2020 NTNE01Z01MA - V1 $14m loss for farmer NT mango grower Nino Niceforo in happier times. Picture: Supplied THE owners of Australias largest mango farm operation in the NT say they have lost about $14m worth in lost crops this year because they didnt have enough workers. Territory mango farmers Nino and Tina Niceforo, who have mango farms across Darwin, Katherine and Mataranka, said the shortage of seasonal workers this year hit them extremely hard, costing them millions. Its cost us around $14m, but its not just us, I know there are other Territory farmers out there who have been struggling as well, Mr Niceforo. It would have been a big help to be able to quarantine our seasonal workers on farm, but the NT government didnt want to budge on that issue. I must have called the Chief Ministers office almost every day at one stage while trying to arrange a face-to face meeting about this issue, but they shut us down. It was extremely disappointing considering the mango industry brings about $130m to the NT economy each year. It comes after the first charter flight of 150 Pacific seasonal workers recently arrived in Queensland, where the state government has allowed workers to quarantine at the farm. In the NT, seasonal workers from Vanuatu are still not allowed to quarantine on farm and need to spend 14 days in the Howard Springs facility at the cost of $2500 per person. This cost is paid for by industry. Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the quarantine arrangements for international arrivals was not his decision to make. Mr Gunner said the responsibility lay with the federal government, national cabinet and Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. NATASHA EMECK Shortage of workers takes toll on mango harvests NT govt solar plan thriving MORE than 300 Territory homeowners have applied for a $6000 grant under the NT governments Home and Business Battery Scheme. Successful applicants will get $6000 to either buy/install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system with an eligible battery or inverter, or buy/install an eligible battery and inverter, to complement an existing solar PV system. Renewables Minister Eva Lawler said the estimated economic impact value of the works of the scheme is more than $7m. The $6000 solar and battery vouchers will see even more Territorians choose the sun and lower power prices and create more jobs, Minister Lawler said. Local businesses, and local families are benefiting from this scheme whether its receiving the work now to install the PV and Battery system, or whether its a cost-saving measure in the future this is a win-win for the Territory. NATASHA EMECK Track events will vary depending on how your item is lodged and delivered. Please refer to the full terms and conditions at http://auspost.com.au/ Were getting ready for a huge Christmas at Australia Post. If youre posting presents within Australia, please send before 12 December or Express Post before 19 December. If youre sending overseas, wrap it up in November. Check our website for last sending dates to hundreds of international destinations. To help keep track and manage your deliveries this Christmas, download the Australia Post App today. auspost.com.au/Christmas H4 tA.e ~etMJJft fA /Je Ettt+ - ~ Australia Post