Land & environment

South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Brett Otto revealed he is getting desperate for a permanent water solution for Kingaroy, saying he has called on the state government to help make a case for federal funding ... “We all need to get on the same page with this issue or we will end up trucking water and that is not sustainable for us or for the Queensland Taxpayer,” he said.

The response to the rodent incursion, which was first initiated on 15 April 2021, continues. The Lord Howe Island Board (LHIB) and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) field crews are working together with rodent control experts undertaking rodent baiting and monitoring in and around the settlement area and on the fringes of the Permanent Park Preserve. The team currently working on the rodent response includes specialists from Lord Howe Island, mainland NSW, Tasmania and New Zealand ... Our Lord Howe Island based dog handlers and detection dogs have been joined by additional dogs from Port Macquarie and Tasmania.

The McCullochs anemonefish (Amphiprion mccullochi) is an endemic species which only occurs in waters around Lord Howe Island, Elizabeth Reef and Middleton Reef. The Lord Howe Island lagoon supports the world’s largest population - approximately 75% of all McCullochs anemonefish – and is therefore a critical area for monitoring this species.

NFF CEO Tony Mahar has called the Australia Institute's latest report a PR stunt and questioned the think tank’s motives in continually ignoring agriculture's achievements in stemming the impacts of climate change. "In fact, Australian farmers are leading the world in reducing emissions, all while continuing to increase productivity."

New research from the Australia Institute reveals that, contrary to claims by the Australian Government of falling emissions, Australia’s national emissions (excluding land use) have risen by 7 per cent from 2005 ... “The Australian government is taking credit for changes in the land sector, that have not been impacted by any federal climate policy. By contrast, key allies like the United Kingdom and United States have decreased their net emissions and are exercising real credible climate leadership," said Richie Merzian.

The Government has heeded the National Farmers Federation's call for a strategy to underpin Australia's biosecurity system, with today's release of Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030. "Achieving a risk-based biosecurity system that effectively, efficiently and sustainably protects Australia’s health, economic, environmental and national security interests is essential to protecting Australia’s $62 billion agriculture industry," NFF CEO Tony Mahar said.

Sloping banks make it difficult to access the Richmond River at Casino. The sound of the river water echoes up the slopes to a winding path where Casino High School students are planting 800 native trees behind Queen Elizabeth Park. Teacher Rod McFarlane said they wanted to revitalise the whole area to make it accessible for elders.

The final Get Set in the Basin celebrations were held over the weekend. The concerts, funded through Lloyd’s Walk for Water, the Australian Horizon Foundation and BEEFitUP Australia, had toured four rural communities for a night of music and comedy. Headlining the shows were Aria Award winning lead singer of TAXIRIDE, Jason Singh, along with musician, Huc Richards and comedian, Flemmo.

An independent inquiry has stated that Field and Game Australia should rightly be concerned that serious efforts by Victoria’s Game Management Authority (GMA) are underway to restrict duck hunting in the state, regardless of scientific evidence. The veiled threat about whether duck hunting may no longer continue in Victoria should be taken seriously.

Ever had a dream to paddle the Murray? Amy Teitzel did. Now utilising her long service leave, she is paddling her 13-foot canoe the length of the mighty river. Amy started in Walwa, 150km upstream of Hume Dam on April 9.

With recreational freshwater fishing worth $300 million to the economy, a local author has launched a complete fishing guide to the Murrumbidgee for anglers. Martin Asmus, NSW Department of primary Industries, and Dr Jamin Forbes have published the Fishing Atlas for Murrumbidgee river- Gundagai to Balranald.

Geoff Helisma. The Lions Club of Clarence – Environmental is a rare breed of Lions club and, just like the threatened coastal emus it is campaigning to protect, its vital numbers are growing. The nature-focussed group, the first of its kind in Australia, has gathered 1,318 signatures on its petition to reduce the speed limit on Brooms Head Road from 100kph to 80kph, particularly where emus regularly cross.

Shire of Ashburton are thrilled that the Neil and Judy Baker Shell Museum opens this week in Onslow ... “Council has supported and worked hard to be able to showcase the impressive shell collection from residents Neil and Judy Baker so that it can be enjoyed by tourists and the community for decades to come”, said Councillor White. “Accumulated for over 60 years, most of the shells have been collected from the waters and islands surrounding Onslow, with others coming from Europe as collector items.

Council’s push for an improved planning approach to renewable energy developments has received a boost after gaining support from the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV). In a motion put to Friday’s MAV State Council, Moyne Shire Council called on the MAV to advocate to the Planning Minister and Energy and Environment Minister for a strategic approach to be taken on renewable energy projects and transmission lines.

The community of Newhaven will soon be the custodians of a significant sculpture, created by renowned Australian artist, Geoffrey Bartlett ... “My proposal for the sculpture draws a connection between the past and present of the Newhaven precinct, through the poetic interpretation of the local maritime history,” Mr Bartlett said.

Central Goldfields Shire Council is one of forty-six Victorian Councils to sign on to VECO, the Victorian Energy Collaboration, the largest ever emissions reduction project by local government in Australia. VECO, led by Darebin City Council in Melbourne’s north, will provide 45 per cent of all Victorian Councils’ electricity requirements with 100 per cent renewables, reducing greenhouse emissions by 260,000 tonnes of C02-e every year.

Rockhampton Regional Council is excited to host the national touring exhibition Submerged – Stories of Australia’s Shipwrecks at the Northside Library from 24 May - 4 June and from 7 June - 30 June at Rockhampton Regional Library on the south side ... “68 shipwreck stories were nominated by 46 maritime museums and heritage institutions from around Australia with 14 of the most compelling stories selected to feature in the exhibition,” Communities and Heritage Councillor Drew Wickerson said.

The Kwinana Recquatic Centre is now a ‘Gold’ Waterwise Aquatic Centre, recognised by Water Corporation for demonstrating best practice water management ... Mayor Carol Adams said the City’s aim was to be a water sensitive and climate resilient community.