Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council communique, 24 February 2023
Murray–Darling Basin water ministers met on Gadigal Land (Sydney) to discuss the impacts of flooding on catchments and communities, next steps to deliver the Basin Plan and opportunities to strengthen First Nations' role in water management and ownership.
Australia’s rarest bird of prey disappearing at alarming rate: UQ
Australia’s rarest bird of prey - the red goshawk - is facing extinction, with Cape York Peninsula now the only place in Queensland known to support breeding populations ... “Over four decades the red goshawk has lost a third of its historical range, which is the area that it’s previously been known to occupy”: Chris MacColl, UQ.
Koala conservation in Queensland – interview with Australian Wildlife Conservancy
Australia Rural & Regional News asks some questions about AWC's koala conservation projects and koala monitoring, and land and fire management of Andrew Howe, Australian Wildlife Conservancy Senior Field Ecologist and Peter Stanton, Australian Wildlife Conservancy Senior Ecologist.
Federal grant to fund koala conservation in Queensland: AWC
Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) has secured $179,211 in new federal funding to assist in a three-part Koala conservation project at Curramore and Mount Zero-Taravale Wildlife Sanctuaries in Queensland ... Tim White, AWC Chief Operations Officer, welcomed the grant, saying it will help improve habitat, data and knowledge on Koala populations at both sanctuaries.
Thousands more hectares of koala habitat protected forever: Griffin
Another 3,157 hectares of high quality koala habitat has been secured for the State’s national park estate ... Minister for Environment James Griffin said seven more properties spanning from near Tenterfield in the north, to near Cooma in the south have been protected in perpetuity ... Since 2019, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has secured more than 600,000 hectares for addition to the national park estate.
Bridging the Gap under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Plibersek
The Government is beginning the process to buy water to Bridge the Gap under the Murray–Darling Basin Plan. These water purchases are voluntary. This water purchase is only for the remaining 49GL of the Bridging the Gap target. ‘Bridging the Gap’ is the largest pool of water to be recovered under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan – a total of 2,075GL. Around 49GL remains to be recovered: Tanya Plibersek.
Economic Contribution Study of the NSW hardwood timber industry
The North East NSW Forestry Hub has posted a report prepared by Ernst & Young into the economic significance of the NSW hardwood industry to the NSW and Commonwealth economies ... the report shows the critical importance of the industry to the Northern NSW economy, contributing $1.8 billion in revenue, adding $700 million to NSW GDP and employing 5,700 people in the region.
Statement on water buybacks: NFF
Reports are that these buybacks will not be used to progress the 450GL or 605GL recovery targets. However, it’s important this proposal doesn’t become a stalking horse to open up broader buybacks. We need open consultation and transparency in decision making and we’re looking to Minister Plibersek to lead that approach. We have recently written to water ministers seeking openness and transparency – both from the Ministerial Council and their advisory body the Basin Officials Committee: Malcolm Holm, NFF.
Partnership expands iconic Gold Coast Hinterland national parks: Scanlon
Two of Queensland’s most popular national parks have expanded thanks to a partnership worth more than $600,000 between the Department of Environment and Science (DES) and the Foundation of National Parks and Wildlife (FNPW). More than 185 hectares of undisturbed forest habitat has been added to the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage listed Lamington and Main Range National Parks.
Campaspe mayor applauds ministerial announcement on Lake Eppalock
Campaspe Shire Mayor Cr Rob Amos has applauded Minister for Water Harriet Shing’s announcement that the Victorian Government will conduct an assessment of operating and infrastructure arrangements at Lake Eppalock to find opportunities to reduce the impact of flooding ... “The spilling of Lake Eppalock in 2011 and 2022 caused catastrophic damage to the Campaspe Valley, particularly Rochester”: Cr Amos.
The Gap: More than a pretty picture
“The Queen got pulled up in The Gap. The Olympic torch got pulled up. I was there.” ... For eons people wishing to enter Arrernte land north of the ranges, through the magnificent landmark, had to have consent from the locals. It’s a requirement the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Board clearly failed to observe ...
Water buyback plan ignores evidence and farming communities: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the Albanese Government’s plan to buyback water under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan ignores all evidence of the devastation farming communities will be forced to endure. VFF Water Council Chair Andrew Leahy said the announcement by Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek to buyback water continued to ignore the concerns of farmers about the reduction in the amount of water available to produce food.
Tighter leash on dog-accessible parks denied
A move proposed at a Toowoomba Regional Council meeting last week which would have seen dogs prohibited from 11 public parks was voted down by Councillors. In March 2022, Council considered a proposal to make changes to the Register - Prohibition and Restriction of Animals in Public Places through the inclusion of 11 additional bushland parks.
Our future on show
The launch of ‘The Future of the Upper Murray’ project in Corryong last Thursday drew an audience of more than 60 people who heard what plans are in place for the region’s growth ... "It will focus on the development of strategic and innovative long-term plans to take advantage of local regional strengths, natural assets and community passions": Dr Juliette Milbank.
Forest closures continue to hamper community recovery
As communities work diligently to recover from the recent flooding, local businesses are concerned that continuing forest closures are hampering the local economy’s recovery ... Further upstream, the Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh said despite the Moama Water Sport Club delaying the world’s biggest ski race until March 24-26 because of the floods, there is still no guarantee the banks of the Murray will have been reopened to the public. He says there is no reason beyond the usual government indifference, regional Victoria is “out of sight, out of mind.”
Native forestry set for the chop
Under the direction of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, native forestry throughout the state of Victoria is set to be banned by 2030. The move has alarmed rural communities right across Victoria as the regenerative, carbon sequestering resource is not only a sustainable natural product, but provides significant employment, bushfire prevention and a boost to the economy.
Teens raise arson alert
Patricia Gill. Firefighters battled steep terrain and near-inaccessible bush initially resorting to backpack sprays to contain a deliberately lit fire on Mt Hallowell at the weekend. The fire on the northern side of the mountain was reported about 5.30pm on Friday night and was started by teenagers whom Denmark Police say are known to them and have been dealt with.
Tinnie Heroes voted best short film by audience
The hall was packed and all eyes were on the screen at the Bangalow Flickerfest on Saturday, February 18. IndyNR.com presented Tinnie Heroes – a film about the floods.
Why this dangerous pest must be stopped
The battle against one of the most serious threats to Sunshine Coast native wildlife is about to resume. To protect native animals, Sunshine Coast Council is running its Coastal Fox Control Program, for the ninth year.
Bunya Pines are impressive but dangerous
Allora has two massive Bunya Pines ... In the bad storm last week branches were ripped from the Pines with sharply pointed leaves falling to the ground covering the lawn and gutters of the nearby home. If a child or even adult was under the Pines when a cone dropped on their head there could be serious consequences. Is it time these Bunya Pines were permanently removed?
Webinar series: Understanding the Black Summer bushfires through research: Natural Hazards Research Australia
Science is shaping how Australia can better prepare for devastating bushfire seasons. In January, Natural Hazards Research Australia published its report on the 2019-20 bushfire season, Understanding the Black Summer bushfires through research.
Howitt Society weighs into debate
Hiding behind climate change is not a strategy to address the increasing number and intensity of fires and floods across Australia, according to the Howitt Society. The society's president, Rick Cooper, said even if all burning of fossil fuels was stopped across the world tomorrow, climate change was not going to shift into reverse.
