Flood modelling now complete
The CSIRO has released its catchment-scale virtual model of the Richmond, Tweed and parts of the Brunswick Rivers, which offers an unprecedented understanding of how floodwaters move through our catchment, and will be used to test future flood mitigation scenarios.
Forestry Corporation firefighters from Tumut and Deniliquin join international Canada deployment: Forestry Corporation of NSW Â Â Â Â Â
Forestry Corporation firefighters from Tumut and Deniliquin will deploy to Canada this week to reinforce local and international crews battling ongoing wildfires, where close to five million hectares have been burnt, approximately 150 wildfires remain active, and multiple communities have been evacuated.
Have you noticed any sick magpies?
Have you noticed any sick magpies in the northern suburbs in the City of Wanneroo or the Shire of Gingin or have the magpies in your area just disappeared? Wildlife centres record spike in bird paralysis disease (Echo News, March 13) reported on a Perth Hills resident who took two sick magpies to her vet and was told about a spike in a paralysis disease they called black-and-white bird disease.
We’re chuffed — WaterNSW gives interim licence for fishing club to operate Bells Bay
There’s been movement on the stalemate between WaterNSW and Kyogle Fishing Club with a formal interim licence to be issued next week. The gates to Bells Bay Campground are still locked despite initial reports they would be opened last Wednesday, July 9.
Deep listening in nature
Michelle Dorian. A special event presented as part of the Maldon in Winter Festival program, ‘Deep Listening in Nature’ was an eloquent and persuasive talk by Andrew Skeoch ... Describing his field of Acoustic Ecology as being about a personal relationship with nature, Andrew said that while he had listened to birds since childhood, it wasn’t until later in life that it occurred to him to really start listening to them ...
New tourism campaign calls on locals: “YOU” are the reason
A new campaign is calling on locals across the Grampians and Wimmera Mallee to help support the region's bushfire recovery by doing something simple but powerful – inviting their friends and family to visit. Launched on July 6, the YOU campaign reminds locals that, sometimes, the most impactful thing you can do is extend a personal invitation.
Katter calls for State to back piston-engine helicopters in disaster response: Katter
Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter, is calling for urgent reform to Queensland’s disaster management policy to formally recognise and financially support the vital role of piston-engine helicopters—particularly during major fire and flood emergencies in rural and remote communities.
Lion attack at zoo
Pilton's Darling Downs Zoo made national headlines last Sunday following an attack by a lion that saw a woman lose her arm. In a statement posted on social media later that day, the zoo said that at approximately 8.30am the woman, aged in her 50s, was watching keepers working in the carnivore precinct.
Locally led
In a bid to garner a better understanding of the important role irrigation plays in supporting biodiversity on farm, food producers from Southern Riverina Irrigators (SRI) and the Cohuna and District Landcare group met with MDBA regional engagement officer Sam Campi.
Worst ever drought is only three years away
A Riverina-based engineer with vast experience in climate and infrastructure has repeated his warning that Eastern Australia should prepare for the worst drought ever experienced. The prediction is for a drought that would affect entire communities, not just farmers.
Dalton’s water Bill progresses – environmental water is “a mess”
"It matters because, as of December 2022, governments held over 2.5 million megalitres, which is 2,505 gigalitres, of water licences across New South Wales, yet there is no central, transparent record of what has been done with it. There is no way to track trades": Helen Dalton, Member for Murray.
Reforms mean RIT unable to trade?
Hugh Schuitemaker. One of the Riverland's major irrigation trusts has been left unable to make water trades due to new market reforms. Renmark Irrigation Trust (RIT) has advised new regulations under the Federal Government's water market reform would restrict it from facilitating any water trades of allocation or entitlement between customers for now.
Fishers’ plea for lifeline
Michelle Daw. Commercial fishers are calling for the South Australian Government to waive licence and quota fees as they continue to struggle with low catches amid the devastating impact of the prolonged toxic algal bloom on marine life.
A $6.3 billion solution hiding in plain sight
Picture this: you're watching the NSW Treasurer deliver a budget that cuts transport spending by 34 per cent, slashes education infrastructure by 41 per cent, and offers zero additional cost of living relief to struggling families. Meanwhile, sitting in government reservoirs across the state is something that could change everything – 450 gigalitres of surplus water worth a potential $6.3 billion.
Backing our farmers through the drought: Tierney
The Drought Response Taskforce has been listening directly to farmers and regional communities across Victoria – making sure their voices shape the support they need to get through tough times ... the Labor Government is investing an additional $75 million to help farmers through the drought, bringing the total support package to $144 million.
Australian Conservation Foundation disingenuous at best
Lloyd Hick. Queensland's peak representative body for rural producers has condemned the Australian Conservation Foundation for its latest misleading campaign against Australian cattle producers. AgForce Cattle President Lloyd Hick says AgForce has thrown its support behind Property Rights Australia's calls for ACF's tax free status as a registered charity to be withdrawn in response to its deceptive "Bulldozing the Bush" campaign.
Merger will not restore deleted emergency capability
Victorian Fisheries Media Centre. On May 20, 2025, the fisheries authority (VFA) finalised an organisational restructure, under which it has since shed 30 (44 per cent) of the state's 69 Fisheries Officers; leaving just 39 officers to patrol Victoria's 2,512 km coastline, 10,000 square km of ocean waters and 170,000 km of inland water frontage along 85,000 km of rivers and creeks. Then in a separate decision, on Friday, June 13, 2025, the VFA stripped the remaining officers of their duties to "respond to any emergency" by deleting these duties from their Position Descriptions ...
More opportunities for deer hunting in Victoria: Dimopoulos
The Allan Labor Government is expanding recreational hunting in East Gippsland – boosting tourism, supporting local jobs and helping control wild deer. Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos today announced that the National Parks Act will be amended to allow seasonal deer hunting in Errinundra and Snowy River National Park.Â
The first in, now the first out: why farmers are leading the retreat from net zero
Come 2025, after a couple of wars, a new US president, a cost of living crisis, power blackouts and the hard economics finally catching up to lofty promises, the world seems to have quietly lost interest in the net zero game ... Just this week, the Red Meat Advisory Council formally dumped its 2030 carbon neutral target, swiftly followed by Meat & Livestock Australia.
Report shows benefits of sustainable wood harvesting in native forests: ABARES
A new ABARES report, Australia’s native forests and wood production, highlights the important role Australia’s diverse native forests play in helping to combat climate change, providing a home to many flora and fauna species, and providing high quality wood products.
Coppicing reform: A win for native species and farming families
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke has introduced the Biodiversity Conservation and Local Land Services Legislation Amendment (Broombush and Blue Mallee Coppicing) Bill 2025 to the NSW Parliament. The bill seeks to amend the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and the Local Land Services Act 2013 to enable the lawful coppicing of broombush and blue mallee in the Bland Shire...
Mayor disappointed as NSW Budget ignores critical needs in Narrandera
Narrandera Shire Council Mayor Cr Neville Kschenka has expressed disappointment following the release of the 2025-26 NSW Budget, which failed to deliver any new funding for vital infrastructure and services in Narrandera. "While we welcome ongoing investment in regional health infrastructure in parts of the electorate, Narrandera Shire has once again been overlooked in this budget," Mayor Kschenka said.
