Hope is not a biosecurity strategy
After almost a decade in opposition, the Liberals and Nationals have rediscovered their appetite for holding ministers to account. The hunt is on for political scalps before the next election and, if I were the WA Minister for Agriculture, I would not be sleeping particularly well.
CEFC and Aviva Investors invest in Tasmanian plantation forestry and natural capital platform: CEFC, Aviva Investors, Gresham House
The CEFC, Aviva Investors and Gresham House have launched a groundbreaking $142 million project to invest in sustainable forestry plantations in Tasmania, creating local jobs and injecting significant capital into the regional economy while generating high integrity Australian Carbon Credits Units (ACCUs) and protecting an important Ramsar wetland.
H5 bird flu testing update: DAFF
Testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness has confirmed four additional detections of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu). This includes a detection in a greater crested tern, found near Robe, South Australia. This is the first detection of H5 bird flu in an Australian wild non-migratory seabird.Â
Bridge centenary brings community together
Patrick Tucker. Close to 100 people gathered at Murrabit on Sunday to celebrate the Gonn Crossing Bridge's 100th anniversary. Hosted by the Murrabit and District Heritage Group, the ceremony at Miss Keats Picnic Park included speeches, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the raising of the bridge's historic lift span.
Fire funding secured to restore local waterways
The North East Catchment Management Authority has welcomed funding to support the recovery of waterways and catchments impacted by the Victorian bushfires in January 2026. The fires caused significant damage to rivers, creeks and surrounding landscapes across Victoria, affecting important natural assets managed by Catchment Management Authorities.
Outrage at MDBA’s secretive review
A leading community and farmer organisation has expressed outrage at the secrecy surrounding government policy and the failure of a so-called independent authority. The Murray Regional Strategy Group says the Murray-Darling Basin Authority is turning its back on communities, while abrogating its statutory responsibilities ... "We’ve been patted on the head and told to go away. You’ll only have access to further MDBA consultation if you’re someone special."
Entangled whale set free
A number of services combined to rescue a 14.5m entangled humpback whale sighted off Forresters Beach ... The distressed animal was first spotted by a Marine Rescue vessel ... entangled in fishing gear, and reported to ORRCA and the NSW NPWS...
Hervey Bay Whale Festival
Join us as we officially welcome the start of whale season in Hervey Bay with this annual maritime event. This special community tradition brings together the region's maritime operators, local clergy, and community members to celebrate the arrival of the humpback whales and wish our vessels and crews a safe and successful season on the water.
No threat
Thick foam seen floating along sections of the Naracoorte Creek poses no threat to the environment, wildlife, or the public, according to the Naracoorte Lucindale Council ... says it is aware of the foam, but no evidence suggests the unusual sight is linked to pollution or contamination.
Endangered cockatoo count tops 1,400
The results are in for the 30th Annual South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo ‘Cocky Count’, with at least 1,443 endangered birds recorded. More than 200 dedicated volunteers took part in the landmark survey coordinated by BirdLife Australia on 2 May 2026, demonstrating the strong and growing community commitment to protecting this iconic species, found across south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia.
TasFarmers slams Federal Government’s sneaky Rushy Lagoon sell-out to foreign investor
Tasmanian farmers have reacted with anger and disbelief to confirmation that the Federal Government has ignored community sentiment and waved through the sale of Rushy Lagoon, Tasmania’s largest farm, to UK forestry investor Gresham House, clearing the way for 22,000 hectares of prime dairy and beef country in the state’s north-east to be locked up under a pine plantation.
H5 bird flu testing update: DAFF
Testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness has confirmed H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) in a sample taken from a giant petrel found near Hardwicke Bay, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia.Â
Scavenger animals are the missing link in Australia’s bird flu response. Three experts explain
Niraj Meisuria, Michael Ward, Thomas Newsome. We’re yet to see how this deadly highly pathogenic avian influenza virus will affect our country’s wildlife. But an urgent concern is the potential for scavenger animals to spread H5N1 further by eating infected carcasses.
Suspect bird flu case in South Australia: Scriven
A suspect case of H5 bird flu has been detected in a migratory seabird at Hardwicke Bay on the Yorke Peninsula. The giant petrel was reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline and collected and sampled by PIRSA.
Labor dumps Basin water projects in favour of more buybacks: McCormack
The Albanese Labor Government has quietly abandoned 14 water infrastructure and river management projects across the Murray-Darling Basin, with irrigators and water users fearing more devastating water buybacks are to come.
Basin Officials Committee communique, June 2026: MDBA
In 2017, Basin governments agreed to a package of 36 projects in the southern Basin that would deliver environmental benefits equivalent to 605 gigalitres per year (GL/y) of recovered water. This allowed the sustainable diversion limits in the southern Basin to increase by 605 GL/y.
King George Whiting update: PIRSA
Recreational fishers will be able to catch King George Whiting in all SA waters these school holidays ... The King George Whiting closure amendment is one of two changes introduced to support the recovery of marine species affected by the algal bloom.
H5 bird flu testing update: DAFF
Testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) has determined the giant petrel found in the Perth North Metropolitan Area (Whitfords - Mullaloo beach) of Western Australia is presumed positive for H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu).Â
A bird flu update and former Nats MP Michael Trout joins us to talk life on the land
Great episode today, we talked to Michael Trout who is a former Nats MP and former chairman for tourism, plus a bird flu update and your weekly farming weather with the BOM.
Balranald Mayor calls out built-in disadvantage stacking grant system against small councils
Balranald Shire Council Mayor Cr Louie Zaffina has called on both the Australian and NSW Governments to urgently reform the way grant funding reaches communities affected by water buybacks, saying the current competitive model gives small rural councils no fair chance.
NSW Government response in place after suspected H5 detection: Moriarty
New South Wales is responding to a suspect positive case of H5 bird flu. Samples from a Giant Petrel near Hawks Nest have tested positive for H5 influenza in preliminary testing at DPIRD’s laboratory at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute.
Iconic Gloucester Tree reopens following major upgrade: Swinbourn, Whitby
The iconic Gloucester Tree has reopened following a major Cook Labor Government investment, giving visitors the chance to once again experience one of Western Australia's most famous nature-based tourism attractions. Adventurous climbers can now ascend to a new lookout that is as high as a 12-storey building to take in views of the surrounding karri forest within Gloucester National Park.
