Stop work order issued for Toorale National Park
A stop work order has been issued covering operation of the Boera Dam river regulator in Toorale National Park following an extensive investigation by the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR). Chief Regulatory Officer Grant Barnes said NRAR issued the order yesterday (Wednesday, August 6) because the operation of certain water infrastructure allegedly did not fully account for water use, as required by the Water Management Act.
Upcoming webinar: Offshore seaweed cultivation, 20 August 2025
This webinar explores the cutting-edge advancements in deep-cycling offshore seaweed mariculture, a “stellar technology” poised to revolutionise ocean regeneration and sustainable economies. Led by Dr. Brian von Herzen, Dr. Joseph Rauch, and Steve Hamilton, the session will delve into the automation, scaling, and commercialisation of these innovative platforms...
Byron Writers Festival 2025 – Weekend events cancelled due to weather
Due to the condition of the festival site, as well as ongoing rain predicted, organisers of the 2025 Byron Writers Festival regret to inform all ticket holders that the festival will not proceed on Saturday 9 August and Sunday 10 August at Bangalow Showground as planned.
Buloke shares flood protection funding
Communities across Victoria will be better protected from future flood impacts ... This includes the installation of moveable flood barriers, connecting gaps in existing levee systems, improving flood risk mapping and updating flood studies to reflect current conditions.
Outlook for River Murray water operations released: MDBA
Under the current outlook the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is confident that system demands will be met across the 2025-26 water year, despite a dry start to the season. The MDBA has released its Annual Operating Outlook for 2025–26, which outlines how the River Murray System might be managed under different water availability scenarios for the year ahead.
The biological war of the worlds
While politicians and activists agonise over the merits of the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, a far more insidious war rages on — not between nations, but between species. It’s the war we barely talk about, yet one we’re losing badly: the war against invasive pests. From farmland to forest, the frontlines are everywhere, and the casualties aren’t measured in headlines but in trees, crops, ecosystems — and billions of taxpayer dollars.
Farming carbon or farming fools
Long?suffering readers know I like to poke around in the world of agricultural science particularly anything to do with carbon farming and climate change, so — without drawing on the untapped wisdom of my son Thomas — I’m going to argue, once again, that soil carbon farming in the WA Wheatbelt belongs firmly in the fantasy section of the library, not the science shelves.
Eyes down and looking as volunteers get seeds sorted
Serena Kirby. It was eyes down and tweezers poised at a recent seed sorting session. The Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee-organised activity was part of the committee's Cockies for Cockies program that's working to re-establish and protect habitats and food sources for three threatened black cockatoo species: Carnaby's, Baudin and red-tailed black cockatoos.
Inlet conditions right on the mark for opening
The Wilson Inlet sand bar was breached yesterday with the AHD of 1m exceeded last week when low-lying areas around the inlet began to flood. Despite the cold weather and rain, fishers were out in force at Prawn Rock Channel at the weekend as schools gathered in the changing water conditions and increased food availability.
Step up to save mountain plant
A community-based project to re-establish a critically endangered plant in the Burrowa Pine Mountain National Park (BPMNP) is gaining momentum in the Upper Murray. Mountain Banksia (B. canei) became locally extinct in the park following the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.
Killing in the name of: How Coorong’s don’t make a right
I’d always heard the claims that Australia’s most significant water reform was built on falsehoods, political agenda and flawed science, but seeing for myself fundamentally changed me ... I joined a merry band of nine intrepid explorers who ventured to South Australia’s agricultural crown jewel to understand more of the Murray-Darling Myths.
New Spanish mackerel assessment shows sustainable populations: Perrett
This year’s Spanish mackerel stock assessment found the population was now likely to have doubled since the 2021 review. Based on this, the Department Primary Industries has proposed raising Spanish mackerel catch limits for both commercial and recreational fishing.
Council invests in sustainable future
A major upgrade at the Grafton Regional Landfill is helping Clarence Valley Council (CVC) reduce their carbon footprint while delivering sustainable results for the environment and economic benefits for the local community. Aimed at capturing harmful methane (CH4) gas emissions which are byproducts of the decomposing waste buried underground, 12 vertical gas extraction wells which extend 40m below the surface ...
Dispelling the ‘forever chemical’ fables: What’s really in Australia’s renewables?
In an era where climate action is a oft-discussed topic, and given Hay and Balranald's geographical location in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), fears over 'forever chemicals' persist. Among the more prevalent claims circulating is the fear that wind turbines and solar panels extensively use Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – the so-called "forever chemicals" – posing significant environmental and health risks.
A new way for water?
Hugh Schuitemaker. An ongoing reduction in permanent entitlements being held in a Riverland irrigation trust's district has forced changes to its water accounting. Central Irrigation Trust (CIT) customers were informed in June that all water accounts would now need to be balanced at the end of each month.
Tree policy becomes a tree trap
Land clearing was effectively banned back in 1983—but apparently no one told the Shire of Northam. Their newly released draft Tree Retention Policy (LPP27) reads as if state and federal restrictions don’t exist. It’s packed with all the right buzzwords—biodiversity, canopy cover, climate resilience—but beneath the green gloss is a bureaucratic trap.
Uncertainty prevails despite algae grants
Sarah Herrmann. Small businesses have expressed concerns about long-term financial assistance after eligibility criteria for the $10,000 algal bloom grants were revealed last week. Pubs are one of the businesses not eligible, but Dalrymple Hotel, Stansbury, publican Rob Rankine said, even if they were, there were other hurdles businesses had to jump to get compensation.
New water testing breakthrough offers fast, affordable detection of dangerous parasite: CSU
A Charles Sturt University researcher has helped develop a groundbreaking new method to test water for a dangerous parasite ... The new testing method is faster, cheaper and more accessible in remote or resource-scarce locations
Give your feedback on CSIRO flood modelling report at sessions in Casino, Woodburn and Kyogle
The National Emergency Management Agency is working with CSIRO to identify flood mitigation options for the Richmond River catchment. This is part of the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative. As part of this work, CSIRO has developed a hydrodynamic model for the Richmond River catchment.
Three stations added to the National Park network in north west NSW: Sharpe
The government has invested $11.7 million to acquire the retired stations, totalling 34,773 hectares ... These three acquisitions nearly double new additions for the 2024-25 financial year to a total of more than 73,000ha. The NSW national parks network now totals almost 7,774,000 ha.
Friends of Lord Howe Island May 2025 weeding ecotour
Ian Hutton. From May 25th to June 1st the Friends of Lord Howe Island ran another successful weeding ecotour to assist the LHI Board with the Island weed eradication program. Eighteen people came along and enjoyed a week contributing to conservation, whilst enjoying the exploration of the Island.
More trees on farms to benefit landowners: Spence
The Allan Labor Government is encouraging Victorian farmers and landowners to take advantage of a new program to plant more trees on their farms – helping to boost timber supply, increase biodiversity and prevent soil erosion. Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence today announced the Victorian Trees on Farms Program at Parliament House, alongside industry members at the Victorian Forest Products Association’s Timber Plantations showcase.
