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Scientists from the NSW Government’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are taking the lead on multi-million-dollar research projects focussing on tackling soil-borne diseases that are costing Australian crop farmers more than a billion dollars a year.

The projects are part of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Soilborne Disease Initiative, a coordinated $34.6 million, five-year, Australia-wide research program. GRDC estimates soil-borne diseases cause $1.71 billion in lost grain production annually nationwide, including $1.23 billion in wheat alone.

The research projects are part of the Minns Labor Government’s record $1 billion biosecurity investment to protect and boost the economic growth of the state’s $25 billion primary industries sector.

The research, which is focused on fusarium crown rot in grains and cereals and Sclerotinia stem rot in broadleaf crops will provide growers with integrated disease management strategies to minimise yield loss and economic impacts.

Integrated disease management strategies could include a combination of crop rotation, stubble management, varietal disease tolerance, strategic fungicide use and novel strategies such as application of biological control agents.

• Fusarium crown rot mainly affects winter cereal crops including wheat, barley, durum wheat and triticale and is a major issue in dryland farming systems across Australia, including NSW. It is estimated to cost growers in NSW and Queensland around $112 million annually.
• Sclerotinia stem rot, often called “white mould”, is a major fungal disease that affects a range of broadleaf crops, particularly in higher rainfall or irrigated systems, including canola, chickpea, lupin, and faba bean. It is estimated to cost NSW southern region growers around $70 million annually.

The projects will also have a strong focus on skills transfer of research methodologies and capacity building to support the management of future soil-borne disease issues.

NSW DPIRD plant pathologist Dr Steven Simpfendorfer, a national expert on Fusarium crown rot, is leading the state’s contribution to that disease theme and DPIRD broadleaf crop pathologist Dr Kurt Lindbeck is leading the national theme on Sclerotinia stem rot.

The importance of managing soil-borne diseases has increased as growers adopt conservation cropping practices, in particular stubble retention, which has associated environmental benefits of reduced soil erosion, reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, increased water use efficiency, and improved drought resilience.

Soil-borne diseases also reduce nitrogen use efficiency, which not only increases the economic impact to farmers but also elevates greenhouse gas emissions through the need to apply more artificial fertiliser to compensate.

Recent crop vulnerability studies have highlighted that the impact of soil-borne diseases will increase further under future climate scenarios making this is a priority area for future sustainable land use and nature positive research.

Visit the GRDC website to learn more about the Soil-borne disease initiative.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“Cropping is worth $11.6 billion to the NSW economy, so this research partnership between the NSW Government and the Grains Research and Development Corporation is vital to provide growers with the knowledge and tools to tackle soil-borne diseases on their farms.

“This initiative will provide crop producers with the scientifically proven disease management strategies so they can remain productive as part of the state’s annual primary industries output worth $25.5 billion.

“These projects will bring wider benefits to the economic growth of NSW and maintain regional biosecurity expertise to respond to endemic and exotic crop disease issues.”

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Director Cropping Systems Guy McMullen said:

“NSW growers need regionally proven integrated disease management strategies so that soil-borne diseases do not become an economic barrier to continuing and further adoption of environmentally beneficial farming practices.

“Without such intervention, growers may have to resort to more aggressive stubble management practices such as burning and cultivation, which have associated negative impacts on the environment from soil erosion, air pollution through increased frequency of dust storms, and greenhouse gas emissions.

“The capacity building part of these projects is critical to ensuring the availability of expertise to respond to sporadic issues with endemic diseases and regional biosecurity capacity in the event of exotic incursions.”

Grains Research and Development Corporation Board Chair Sharon Starick said:

“Soil-borne diseases are responsible for more than half of total yield losses from disease in Australian grain crops.

“Through this initiative, GRDC will invest $20 million nationally, complemented by an additional $14 million from collaborating research partners.

“As part of the program, which builds on past research, we aim to equip Australian grain growers with practical, economic and innovative soil-borne disease management strategies that reduce the financial impact of these diseases on their farming businesses.”

Grains Research and Development Corporation Managing Director Nigel Hart said:

“We know this is a critical area for growers and advisers, which is why we have committed to bringing current and new research together in a highly effective multi-disciplinary way.

“By bringing together Australia’s leading researchers and communication and extension specialists, we’re ensuring growers and advisers have the information, support and confidence they need to adopt and implement new and improved disease management strategies.

“To help address the specific needs of the northern cropping regions, nodes will be developed in partnership with NSW DPIRD, University of Queensland, and the University of Southern Queensland.”

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we mourn the loss of two brave Marine Rescue NSW crew members who have died in a tragic incident at Ballina.

Our emergency services are the first to rush to the rescue of people in danger and last night two of our courageous volunteers made the ultimate sacrifice.

Along with four of their crew mates, the volunteers were heading to the aid of a yacht in distress when their Marine Rescue NSW vessel capsized.

In difficult and dark conditions, additional emergency services then raced to their assistance.

Sadly, the mariner on board the yacht has also lost their life, and we offer our condolences to their family.

Four of the Marine Rescue crew are receiving medical treatment, and we give heartfelt thanks for their safety and their courage throughout these terrible events.

The loss of these members of our emergency services is a tragedy for their families and friends, as well as the communities they helped protect. It is a loss that is deeply felt across all our emergency services, especially throughout the Marine Rescue family.

My heart goes out to their loved ones and fellow crew members at the Marine Rescue Ballina unit. Our thoughts and thanks are also with the emergency service members who came together to assist them.

This is a very difficult and heart-breaking time for such a tight knit community.

Background:

Two Marine Rescue NSW volunteers from Ballina have lost their lives while coming to the aid of a stricken yacht on the State’s North Coast last night.

At approximately 6.15 pm on Monday evening, a Marine Rescue NSW crew from Ballina was responding to the distressed yacht off the South Ballina break wall when their boat capsized in heavy seas crossing the bar. The Marine Rescue NSW vessel had six crew members on board, four of whom made it to shore. Another person who was on board the yacht has also died.

Marine Rescue NSW is providing support to the volunteers’ families, unit members and rescue community through its wellbeing and chaplaincy services. Support for the community is also available through the 24/7 Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. For crisis support, call 13YARN (139 276) or Lifeline 13 11 14.

NSW Police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Minister for Emergency Services will travel to Ballina this afternoon.

Scientists from the NSW Government’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are taking the lead on multi-million-dollar research projects focussing on tackling soil-borne diseases that are costing Australian crop farmers more than a billion dollars a year.

The projects are part of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Soilborne Disease Initiative, a coordinated $34.6 million, five-year, Australia-wide research program. GRDC estimates soil-borne diseases cause $1.71 billion in lost grain production annually nationwide, including $1.23 billion in wheat alone.

The research projects are part of the Minns Labor Government’s record $1 billion biosecurity investment to protect and boost the economic growth of the state’s $25 billion primary industries sector.

The research, which is focused on fusarium crown rot in grains and cereals and Sclerotinia stem rot in broadleaf crops will provide growers with integrated disease management strategies to minimise yield loss and economic impacts.

Integrated disease management strategies could include a combination of crop rotation, stubble management, varietal disease tolerance, strategic fungicide use and novel strategies such as application of biological control agents.

• Fusarium crown rot mainly affects winter cereal crops including wheat, barley, durum wheat and triticale and is a major issue in dryland farming systems across Australia, including NSW. It is estimated to cost growers in NSW and Queensland around $112 million annually.
• Sclerotinia stem rot, often called “white mould”, is a major fungal disease that affects a range of broadleaf crops, particularly in higher rainfall or irrigated systems, including canola, chickpea, lupin, and faba bean. It is estimated to cost NSW southern region growers around $70 million annually.

The projects will also have a strong focus on skills transfer of research methodologies and capacity building to support the management of future soil-borne disease issues.

NSW DPIRD plant pathologist Dr Steven Simpfendorfer, a national expert on Fusarium crown rot, is leading the state’s contribution to that disease theme and DPIRD broadleaf crop pathologist Dr Kurt Lindbeck is leading the national theme on Sclerotinia stem rot.

The importance of managing soil-borne diseases has increased as growers adopt conservation cropping practices, in particular stubble retention, which has associated environmental benefits of reduced soil erosion, reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, increased water use efficiency, and improved drought resilience.

Soil-borne diseases also reduce nitrogen use efficiency, which not only increases the economic impact to farmers but also elevates greenhouse gas emissions through the need to apply more artificial fertiliser to compensate.

Recent crop vulnerability studies have highlighted that the impact of soil-borne diseases will increase further under future climate scenarios making this is a priority area for future sustainable land use and nature positive research.

Visit the GRDC website to learn more about the Soil-borne disease initiative.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“Cropping is worth $11.6 billion to the NSW economy, so this research partnership between the NSW Government and the Grains Research and Development Corporation is vital to provide growers with the knowledge and tools to tackle soil-borne diseases on their farms.

“This initiative will provide crop producers with the scientifically proven disease management strategies so they can remain productive as part of the state’s annual primary industries output worth $25.5 billion.

“These projects will bring wider benefits to the economic growth of NSW and maintain regional biosecurity expertise to respond to endemic and exotic crop disease issues.”

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Director Cropping Systems Guy McMullen said:

“NSW growers need regionally proven integrated disease management strategies so that soil-borne diseases do not become an economic barrier to continuing and further adoption of environmentally beneficial farming practices.

“Without such intervention, growers may have to resort to more aggressive stubble management practices such as burning and cultivation, which have associated negative impacts on the environment from soil erosion, air pollution through increased frequency of dust storms, and greenhouse gas emissions.

“The capacity building part of these projects is critical to ensuring the availability of expertise to respond to sporadic issues with endemic diseases and regional biosecurity capacity in the event of exotic incursions.”

Grains Research and Development Corporation Board Chair Sharon Starick said:

“Soil-borne diseases are responsible for more than half of total yield losses from disease in Australian grain crops.

“Through this initiative, GRDC will invest $20 million nationally, complemented by an additional $14 million from collaborating research partners.

“As part of the program, which builds on past research, we aim to equip Australian grain growers with practical, economic and innovative soil-borne disease management strategies that reduce the financial impact of these diseases on their farming businesses.”

Grains Research and Development Corporation Managing Director Nigel Hart said:

“We know this is a critical area for growers and advisers, which is why we have committed to bringing current and new research together in a highly effective multi-disciplinary way.

“By bringing together Australia’s leading researchers and communication and extension specialists, we’re ensuring growers and advisers have the information, support and confidence they need to adopt and implement new and improved disease management strategies.

“To help address the specific needs of the northern cropping regions, nodes will be developed in partnership with NSW DPIRD, University of Queensland, and the University of Southern Queensland.”

The use of council-controlled facilities for activities deemed antisemitic will be prohibited under an amendment to the Local Government Act to be moved by the NSW Liberals and Nationals. 
 
The amendment to the Local Government Act 1993 would prohibit the use of council-controlled land or facilities by any person or organisation reasonably suspected of being likely to engage in antisemitic activities with consideration given to the use of the phrases “globalise the Intifada” and “from the river to the sea”. 
 
The amendments would draw on elements of the Prevention of Antisemitism Bill 2026 introduced by NSW Liberals and Nationals in February which adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. 
 
Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said social cohesion is at the core of the change.  
 
“This is not some harmless phrase; it is an incitement to hatred and violence against the Jewish community, and allowing its use in a council-controlled venue puts at risk everything we have done to promote social cohesion,” Ms Sloane said.  
 
“By prohibiting antisemitic events in council venues, the Liberals and Nationals are drawing a line unlike the Premier who can’t even pick up the phone to Clover Moore.” 
 
“This amendment will ensure local government has to take action against divisive events like Tuesday’s forum.” 
 
Shadow Attorney General Damien Tudehope said considering events such as tonight’s public forum hosted by Stop The War in Palestine, action cannot wait.  
 
“The amendment is directed at antisemitic activities because antisemitism is a real current threat to the wellbeing of the Jewish community in New South Wales,” Mr Tudehope said.  
 
“Antisemitism has no place in our community. No local government facility should be made available to those wishing to promote the destruction of the Jewish people.”  

Under the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government rat-bags on e-bikes will be held accountable.
 
The Opposition will move to amend the Road Transport Amendment (Non-registrable Motor Vehicles) Bill 2026 to enable the NSW Police Force to seize any e-bike, regardless of its legality, from the community if the rider’s behaviour falls short of community standards.
 
Adults would have their bike seized for 14 days, while minors would be forced to have a parent or guardian collect the device.
 
The rat-bag laws follow the Opposition’s strong action on e-bikes including its policy to introduce a licence plate scheme for particular rider cohorts if elected.
 
Shadow Minister for Transport Natalie Ward said the Labor Government is all talk and no action on out-of-control e-bike behaviour, ignoring the lived experience of the community.
 
“People are sick of dodging rat-bags on e-bikes while the Government sits on its hands and tells them to cop it. This is about consequences,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“Chris Minns and John Graham want headlines about crushing bikes, but they still won’t give police the powers they need to stop rat-bag behaviour.”
 
“If you ride responsibly, you have nothing to worry about. But if you’re tearing through shopping centres, abusing police or treating suburban streets like a racetrack, your e-bike will be taken.”
 
The Opposition amendments would allow NSW Police to seize legal e-bikes based on an agreed level of behaviour between the transport minister and NSW Police Commissioner.
 
As the Opposition does not have access to the NSW Police Force, it proposes that the regulations establish the clear guidelines that will be the criteria for seizure, and expects it to include dangerous or anti-social behaviour, reckless riding, intimidating the public, abusing police, or riding through private property and shopping centres.
 
Shadow Minister for Police Anthony Roberts said the Government’s approach is weak, reactive and completely disconnected from what communities are demanding.
 
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals are on the side of families, local communities and police officers who are sick of seeing the rules ignored with no meaningful deterrent,” Mr Roberts said.
 
Mrs Ward said Labor now faced a clear choice.
 
“They can back common-sense powers for police, or they can keep protecting e-bike rat-bags while communities suffer.”