Rewilding Lord Howe Island
Joanne Heathcote. An artist’s vision for the birds we’ve lost and might yet see again. Fiona Lumsden is a wildlife artist based in Katoomba. She is passionate about birds, habitats, and the stories that link species and landscapes. Her work aims to foster a sense of belonging and a connection to nature.
New community group launch a triumph
There was a full house at the launch of Mount Alexander Wildlife Watch incorporated Sunday 31 August. Local Councillors Rosalie Hastwell, Lucas Maddock and Deputy Mayor Toby Heydon turned up in support of the group's inaugural event – a key note talk by Prof. Darryl Jones of Griffith University on the subject of wildlife crossings.
River ‘staircases’ to help our fish stocks climb
A fin-tastic new project is set to bring more fish swimming into Sunshine Coast rivers ... Two new fishways will be installed on Petrie Creek, providing vital passage for a variety of native fish.
Captain JJ and the Argo Armada
Every time someone brings up the Southern Oscillation Index or the Indian Ocean Dipole, I nod along and drift off. But a recent conversation with an old boarding school mate gave me hope that maybe it’s not as complex as I originally thought and maybe some of the amateur Wheatbelt weather forecasters might have more than half a clue about what's going on out there.
Basin Plan chickens return to roost
The trail of destruction that is the politically charged Murray Darling Basin Plan may have had its time in the sun as failings are laid bare. The court case of irrigators vs the MDBA, and last week’s suspension of NSW environmental water delivery has clearly demonstrated what locals have been concerned about, but remained unheard due to the dramatic power imbalance between the arbiter of truth, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, and the political aspirations of the politicians involved.
Great Koala National Park Op-Ed: Kemp
This Labor government’s environmental policy doesn’t look like it’s being run by those in Macquarie Street, but maybe by rooftop protestors who contribute little to society ... These high-end activists are screaming “koala crisis”, all the while happily living in high rise towers built from concrete and steel, wrapped in plastics, stuffed with furniture made from imported timber ripped from forests overseas with zero environmental standards. That’s not conservation. That’s hypocrisy.
Magical night walk
The Walking the Seasons program provides guided walks led by local First Nations Elders and aims to deepen the understanding of local landscapes ...
Council calls for drought recognition
West Wimmera Shire Council has called on the State Government to expand the drought declaration area to cover the entire shire ... The program helps farmers affected by drought to meet their general rates and municipal charges ... Council also resolved to lobby the state government to expand the drought declaration area to cover the entire shire.
Algae mural an ‘ocean coat of arms’
Sarah Herrmann. Marion Bay Community Centre is home to a new mural calling on the federal government to classify the algal bloom as a natural disaster. Sydney artist Patrick Hunter drove more than 1600 kilometres to donate his time and talent, painting a vibrant depiction of the giant cuttlefish and weedy sea dragon — iconic native species threatened by the unprecedented marine crisis.
Voucher tourism
Sarah Herrmann. Coastal regions impacted by the algal bloom are set to benefit from a travel voucher program this spring. The Coast Is Calling, delivered by the South Australian Tourism Commission, will release 20,000 vouchers for accommodation and experiences valued at up to $500 ahead of the September school holidays.
New data shows emissions down in year to March 2025: Bowen
Australia is tracking well to meet its 2030 climate pollution target, with new emissions data showing emissions fell by 1.4 per cent or 6.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in the year to March 2025 ... In that period, 440.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions were recorded, which is 28 per cent below 2005 levels...
New koala joey born at Yanchep National Park
Miffy, one of the new koalas homed at Yanchep National Park, has given birth, with footage of the mother and her joey released by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions this week.
Labor pits funding against farmers in algae bloom disaster: Littleproud
Labor is pitting funding that is meant to be set aside for farmers going through hardship, to pay for South Australia’s environmental algae bloom disaster ... “The Nationals are not against funding to fix the algae bloom problem in South Australia – in fact, we support it – but Labor should not be taking funding from the RIC,” Mr Littleproud said.
Irrigators got their day in court
It might have been six years in the making but irrigators across northern Victoria and the Riverina have finally got their day in court with the MDBA. The MDBA used overbank transfers to flood the bush four times during 2017-2019 which resulted in little or zero allocation for irrigators, causing extreme financial and mental stress.
Community connects through hardship
The Upper Murray community gathered in solidarity at the Corryong Events Centre on Friday night to support one another and those who have suffered loss and hardships since the 2019-20 bushfires. The fourth Corryong Spirit event carried the message of 'Shining a Light into the Darkness' and the guest speakers reinforced that sentiment.
Floodway upgrade complete on rural road
Upgrades have finished on the Jimna Springs Road Floodway over Umbiram Creek at Southbrook, completed by Toowoomba Regional Council. The upgrade was delivered through Betterment funding as part of the broader 2022 Flood Recovery Program.
DCCEEW hits back at Dalton’s water theft claims
The NSW department responsible for delivering water to the environment, and setting water allocations, has hit back at Member for Murray Helen Dalton MP's claims that water is being stolen from irrigators. The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) said Ms Dalton's claims of water theft are incorrect.
Landmark water mismanagement trial against MDBA underway
A landmark class action legal battle against the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) commenced last week in the New South Wales Supreme Court. After six long years, the case – alleging water mismanagement by the MDBA and brought by thousands of farmers - is finally getting its day in court.
It’s time to act: Protecting our coastline is no longer optional
The Hon. Nick McBride. The recent storms that hit areas of the Limestone Coast have again laid bare the urgent threat of coastal erosion in the region. With every storm, we lose more of our coastline—along with the infrastructure, tourism, and natural environment it supports ... They reflect a growing crisis that short-term fixes like sand replenishment or rock walls can no longer solve.
Frustration boils over at algae forum
Sarah Herrmann. An Ardrossan commercial fisherman gave state government representatives a piece of his mind at a government-run algal bloom community forum in Minlaton last week, criticising their grant eligibility criteria and calling for action on fish stocks.
Wind farm impacts: a forester finds common ground with environmentalists
Foresters and environmentalists in Australia may not have seen eye to eye of late, but on the subject of forest clearances for large scale renewable energy developments, there are increasing instances where their objections to the consequential impact on the forest make them de facto allies.
Farmers push for productivity plan: NSW Farmers Association
NSW Farmers is urging the Australian Government to commit to a plan to drive productivity through the agricultural sector and get the economy back on track ahead of a national economic reform roundtable on Tuesday. NSW Farmers’ President Xavier Martin said scrapping the super tax on unrealised gains, boosting mobile coverage and developing laws to protect farm data were just some of the solutions farmers had put forward to the roundtable in a call to fix the nation’s productivity woes.
