Land & environment

The state’s peak farming group has welcomed a fresh crackdown on biosecurity controls in the wake of ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred. On Friday NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty announced measures to keep Red Imported Fire Ants out, with a temporary ban on soil and hay coming into the state from infested areas in southeast Queensland.

Tweed Shire Council is actively tackling the widespread damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred with vital support from intrastate crews. The storm has caused significant damage, with fallen trees and debris blocking roads, Council land and private properties. 

Clockwise from top left: North Branch Road, near Goomburra Hall; New England Highway bridge; Goomburra residents were lucky that this tree missed their car...

The Labor Government’s kangaroo harvesting quotas have been significantly reduced for 2025, exacerbating the escalating overpopulation crisis in Western Victoria. Peter Riddle, a professional kangaroo harvester with 10 years of experience, was allocated just 50 tags for the first quarter of 2025 ... Bev McArthur remarked that it is “barely enough to cover one and a half nights of work.

A review of the Darling Downs 2024 Koala Population Study was recently held in Pittsworth and revealed three separate koala 'clusters' on the Downs identified through DNA testing of scat samples. A total of 91 out of 104 samples collected over an eight month period were used as part of the study.

Murrumbidgee Council is pleased to announce the new residential subdivision in Darlington Point will be called 'River Red Gum Estate'. The name was chosen to honour the iconic river red gum, a tree species that is deeply intertwined with the region's natural landscape, environment, and cultural heritage.

As flood relief efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred remain ongoing, volunteer surf lifesavers and lifeguards are imploring the public to take safety seriously, with the use of rescue water craft likely to be significantly hampered ahead of the weekend.

John Williams. "Kaniva Weather" is a proverbial. And another old saying might be "Snakes alive in Kaniva" thanks to the following historic snake stories that have made the news.

Despite seemingly dodging a bullet in the form of the worst of the winds and rain from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, the Lower Clarence was in the crosshairs of a major flood after large volumes of rain fell in the catchment. From Thursday, winds and rain lashed the Lower Clarence, causing minor flash flooding and uprooting trees around Yamba.

Moderate and major flooding was occurring across Northern NSW as the Clarence Valley Independent went to print this week, and while coastal communities including Iluka and Yamba avoided the worst of the severe weather event, further inland, residents in Grafton and surrounding areas endured a nervous wait as heavy rain associated with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continued to fall locally and in the catchment area.

Hugh Schuitemaker. The Federal Government says it is reaching new milestones in recovering environmental water, however senior Riverland politicians claim a focus on fulfilling the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is harming local growers and irrigators. Statistics released last week by the Federal Government show 286GL of water for the environment has been recovered under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

Victoria has long faced the devastating impact of powerline-related bushfires, with outdated Single Wire Earth Return powerlines responsible for 30 to 40 fires each year. Despite almost ten years of successful trials, partially funded by the Victorian Government, which prove that early fault detectors for powerlines can prevent bushfires, the technology has yet to be widely rolled out ... ARR.News asked some further questions of IND.T CEO, Professor Alan Wong.

One of the key drivers of fire behaviour that Professor Lindenmayer seems to pay little attention to is the ground fine fuel load across the forest landscape. The key driver of fire intensity, with a given fuel moisture content, wind speed, air temperature and relative humidity, on the day, is fine fuels.

Central Darling Shire says the restrictions will remain in place until drought conditions improve. Level two restrictions came into effect on March 3, and will remain in place until conditions improve.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler MP has moved a notice of motion at the most recent sitting of NSW Parliament. In a statement made on social media Mr Barwon said weirs are integral in Western NSW.

Dr Fiona Walsh. Why do we continue to allow and accept the deaths of animals on our roads? ... I’ve recently driven more than 6,000 km in a loop from Mparntwe Alice Springs to the east coast and home again. My first holiday in eight years. I saw animals killed on roads in the NT, SA, Victoria and southern NSW.

I’ve been tied to my computer typing stories about flood updates, rescues and river heights. It’s been so intense that sometimes I forget to look outside. Fortunately, I have a bluey called Jelly (don’t ask, it’s a long story) who keeps tapping me with her paw ... I walk around town with Jelly and take some pictures.

Rain is expected to continue today, Monday, March 10 with severe thunderstorms predicted for west of the range. As a pre-emptive step to boost recovery efforts for impacted communities, the State Government has appointed NSW Police Superintendent Scott Tanner as the recovery coordinator for the region.

A beloved Australian bird best known for its stunning tail and powers of mimicry may have a cunning hidden talent. New research has revealed the superb lyrebird to be a resourceful farmer, creating micro-habitats to host and fatten its prey before returning later to feast. 

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says ... Commonwealth Government announcement to purchase 30,614 megalitres (ML) of water from Duxton Water has sent off alarm bells in Basin communities. VFF President Brett Hosking said the $121.3m water sale would hurt farmers and regional communities the most.