It is a pity that the writer failed to check his information about the black-throated finch. In reality this bird does not range over most of Queensland. It formerly occurred in north-eastern NSW and it was last recorded there in 1994. It now occurs only in certain parts of Queensland.

There are two subspecies of black-throated finches. The northern subspecies occurs in north Queensland, mainly on Cape York Peninsula, extending into parts of the Gulf Country. The southern subspecies is recorded at a few scattered sites, mainly near Townsville and in the Galilee Basin of Central Queensland.

It is estimated that in recent decades its range has contracted by about 80 per cent and it is now listed as an endangered species.

This finch depends upon specific habitat to survive and any disruption to that environment e.g. open-cut coalmine, construction of a mine railway, and consequent ongoing human activity, is likely to result in the birds disappearing from that area and becoming extinct.

Chris Weller might find it useful to consult the Birdlife Australia website for further information. The website address is www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/black-throated-finch.

I know that it is very important to focus on the positives when the going gets tough, however burying your head in the sand when there is a problem will not solve it.

Last week Dairy Australia's June 2019 Situation and Outlook report was released and pointed to a number of positives for the dairy industry.

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As a dairy farmer myself I find it a very bitter pill to swallow that once again the unnecessary destruction of an industry with so much potential is hidden under the carpet. Across southern NSW and northern Victoria not a week goes by without hearing of another dairy farm closing down. In fact in the NSW Murray Valley there has been an 18 per cent reduction in dairy farms since the start of the year.

No upturns in consumption or export demands will compensate for the biggest and most damaging force impacting innovative and passionate dairy farmers in the nation's premier food bowl - the cost of water.

And before another high-paid politician, CEO or bureaucrat blames the drought, let's be clear about the real problem - poor water policy and pouring billions of litres into a forest. This occurred during the drought and does not paint a picture of a drought crisis.

The most damaging crisis being faced in our region is that our leaders do not have the courage to hold those responsible for poor water management and policy to account.

Instead of sugar-coating the problems, our dairy industry leaders need to be highlighting our major impediments, as this will increase the chance of getting them fixed.

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