CSIRO climate cop-out ignores the science
Dr Canadell said in response to my comment: “Our study doesn’t discuss forest management.” This statement is Not True ... Dr Canadell and his colleagues failed to consider critical evidence which demolishes the CSIRO argument.
Film night educates about Territory’s water issues
Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC) and the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) were in town to talk with interested community members about water issues affecting the region, in particular, the Singleton Station water license decision.
Concern grows for native wildlife and residents
The community is awaiting follow up from local Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards, regarding the petition to close local wetlands to recreational duck shooting and instead make them a sanctuary for the threatened species which call them home. The petition attracted just under 500 signatures, mostly local, compared to a petition by shooters to have duck shooting remain which obtained 21 signatures (11 local).
Forest fires and climate change: CSIRO responds
Dr Pep Canadell. Our study doesn't discuss forest management. In our paper we show that the TREND in mean annual fire area is driven unequivocally by the TREND in mean annual FFDI (a weather index), ie by the changing climate. Forest management is important locally but varies substantially regionally and between states. We expect it contributes, along with other factors, to the unexplained variance (20-25%) in the relationship between FFDI and fire area that occurs nationally.
Qld boosts eco-parklands on southern Gold Coast
The Queensland government will transform a newly acquired 148-hectares on the southern Gold Coast into one of the nation’s most expansive eco-parklands. The Currumbin Eco-Parkland, will see local native flora and fauna protected from encroaching development, including the preservation of koala habitat at the site.
Heavy rain may damage grain yields/ prices
Nicholas Rupolo. Massive rainfall over the weekend has caused grain growers concern over missing out on historically high prices this year ... The wash has caused concern amongst grain growers as to the quality of their crop as they harvest for a bumper season ... Independent agronomist and cropping property owner Neil Durning says farmers will take a psychological hit as well as a financial hit from the heavy rain.
Farmers offered support through floods and heavy rains
Australia’s most trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, is reaching out to farmers who’ve been affected by recent rain and flood events ... “Some of our farmers have told us this season’s crop was the best they’d ever had in the ground. But just days out from harvest, the rain dealt their crops a fatal blow. They’ve had to watch their year’s income get washed away, or ‘sprung and shot’ growth before they could get in with the harvester”: Rural Aid CEO John Warlters.
Rain: road closures and photos flooding in
It rained all night. And continues today. BOM rain monitor Lyn Walters reported 95mm of rain fell in the last 24 hours to 9am this morning at Green Pigeon in Kyogle LGA. The Bureau of Meteorology has kept the minor flood warning in place for Richmond and Wilsons rivers. The constant rain is causing issues.
Water security and Dunoon Dam: Richmond Valley Council candidates respond
We asked the 18 Richmond Valley Council candidates about water. There has been much heated debate about the Dunoon Dam expansion, tapping into groundwater and using recycled water. Here’s what the candidates said.
Grampians Peaks Trail opens
Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan said he was delighted to launch the 160 km world-class hiking trail Grampians Peaks Trail, starting at Mt Zero in the north, passing through Halls Gap and with highlights including Redman Bluff, Major Mitchell Plateau and Mt Abrupt before reaching Dunkeld in the south.
Flood focus shifts to crumbling roads
Farmers and rural communities across the state are bracing for an enormous cleanup effort as floodwaters subside, with concerns about the condition of local roads once the water retreats. After weeks of heavy rain during harvest season, many roads across regional NSW have developed deep potholes and ruts that are proving problematic for motorists, farmers and truckies alike.
Cat-astrophe no more: Novel implants to protect Australia’s wildlife from feral cats
New technology developed by the University of South Australia may put an end to predatory cat behaviours in native environments and help control Australia’s feral felines. sing polymer chemistry principles, researchers at UniSA’s Applied Chemistry and Translational Biomaterials Group have created novel Population Protecting Implants (PPIs) to provide a targeted method for controlling invasive and problem feral cats.
ABC, CSIRO and climate science – what hope have we got?
Since the Black Summer bushfires, there has been fierce debate over the role hazard reduction burns played in the severity of the fires, but Dr Canadell says prescribed burning has not actually changed ... Dr. Canadell was absolutely correct in saying we’re burning a really small amount. I wonder why, then, he finds it difficult to imagine that fuel loads are driving megafires ...
Geoff “Boots” Towner AFSM (Australian Fire Service Medal)
I first came to Lord Howe Island via Middleton Reef on board my friends prawn trawler “Sea Dreamer” in 1975. Unfortunately, the “Sea Dreamer” was wrecked on the Clarence River Bar with loss of life of my friend in 1979. Yamba was the home port for “Sea Dreamer”.
Environmentally friendly moorings
Lord Howe Island Marine Park staff have recently commenced a trial of environmentally friendly mooring designs to reduce impacts on coral and seagrass in the lagoon. There are 11 courtesy day-use moorings in the Lord Howe Island lagoon which are maintained by the Lord Howe Island Marine Park ... These moorings were originally installed as traditional block and chain swing moorings, which can limit the growth of coral and seagrass within the mooring footprint.
Turtles benefit from Rio’s support
Turtle monitoring around Rio Tinto’s Amrun mine has shown the unusual benefit of a mining company that improves the environment around it. Before the Amrun mine was constructed, turtle hatchings were rare in that part of the Cape, mostly because feral pigs predated nests.
Emergency location area for horses and large animals in Wanneroo
Wanneroo councillors have given their approval for the city to enter a memorandum of understanding with the Wanneroo Trotting and Training Club for a temporary animal relocation area during emergencies such as bushfires. During the 2019 Yanchep bushfire some Seatrees and Breakwater residents with horses, sheep and alpacas had to leave them behind when they evacuated.
Forest school sprouts international success
It began with a vision to get Sunshine Coast kids back to nature. Now, Wildlings Forest School is teaching outdoor education around the world with one simple goal: to let kids be kids ... From raft building and archery to wood carving and bush cubby houses, the forest school offers a dose of the outdoors enriching the lives of thousands of children, big and small.
New research links Australia’s forest fires to climate change: CSIRO
New research by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, shows climate change has driven a significant increase in Australia’s forest fire activity over the last three decades. A lengthening of the fire season towards Autumn and Winter were also identified, along with an increase in fire activity in cooler and warmer regions including alpine forests in Tasmania and tropical rainforests in Queensland.
Forest scientists say new approaches are needed to address escalating Victorian forest wars
The professional association for forest scientists, growers and managers in Australia has expressed its concern at the escalating Victorian forest wars, saying changes are desperately needed in the way the State’s forests are managed. Forestry Australia Vice President Dr Michelle Freeman said the escalating situation in Victoria shows the State’s current approach to forest management is simply not working.
100 year milestone for Phillip Island’s little penguins
Today marks a significant milestone for Phillip Island Nature Park and the very popular little penguins − which were put on the map as a must-see experience 100 years ago today ... Penguin numbers on the island have almost tripled since the mid-1980s − from 12,000 to around 32,000 breeding birds today thanks to extensive conservation work.
Disaster assistance extended following severe weather and flooding in NSW
Disaster assistance is now available in thirteen additional local government areas of Blayney, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cabonne, Cobar, Gilgandra, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Narrabri, Port Macquarie Hastings, Upper Hunter, Warrumbungle and Weddin following severe storms and flooding from Tuesday 9 November 2021. These areas are now included in addition to the initial declaration for the local government areas of Tenterfield, Forbes, Bathurst, Blue Mountains, Cowra, Lachlan and Moree.
