Huge milestone proves Murray-Darling Basin Plan is back on track: Plibersek
The Albanese Government is delivering over 100 times more additional environmental water in one term than the previous Liberal National Government delivered in a decade. This is a huge win for South Australia.
Water plans walked back: NSW Farmers Association
Farmer hopes for water security have been buoyed by new changes to water sharing plans for six NSW rivers. NSW Farmers Water Taskforce Chair Richard Bootle said the revised wetland maps released by the state government this week were a sign of positive progress for many farmers, who were concerned land and water would be unfairly locked away by new water sharing plans.
A case study in folly #4: The price of ignoring fire risks
The day started rather innocuously on 18 March 2018 at Tathra, a serene coastal town nestled amidst the forested hills of southern New South Wales, renowned for its natural beauty near the sea. Yet, by 5 pm, this picturesque setting became the backdrop for a disaster that laid bare systemic failures in firefighting coordination, urban planning and bushfire preparedness.
Fire in motion: New animation platform and updates to key bushfire resources
A demand for data to inform fire management has prompted Charles Darwin University (CDU) researchers to develop a tool animating historic bushfires across Australia. The Landscape Knowledge Visualisation (LKV) Lab at CDU has recently released the Burn Area Animation Tool, a site which animates where bushfires occurred from 2012 to 2024 around Australia.
Batten down the hatches
While far more out of the firing line than our coastal counterparts, Darling Downs residents are being advised to err on the side of caution in the face of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. It appears being located some 150 kilometres inland will not be far enough away to be safe from the effects of the cyclone…
Council targeting Chilean needle grass
Cr Carol Taylor says vigilance is needed to keep Chilean needle grass in check in the aftermath of Toowoomba Regional Council completing a program in the local area. Chilean needle grass is a Weed of National Significance and is considered to be one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasive nature, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts.
Survey finds 150 ancient tingles lost in December fire
More than 150 ancient tingle trees in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park have fallen after a prescribed burn on December 18 last year. This is the finding of a local researcher, ANU environmental science student Uralla Luscombe-Pedro, who surveyed the area burned next to the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk.
Narrandera Landcare Clean Up
Clean Up Australia Day celebrated 35 years of improving and conserving our environment one piece of litter at a time at Narrandera and surrounding towns on Sunday.
Conversation with Monica Revell, CEO Hindmarsh Shire
The devastating bushfires that swept through the Nhill, Dimboola, and Wimmera regions have left a lasting impact on residents, businesses, and wildlife. In response, local podcast Two Cousins One Chat has released a special episode featuring Hindmarsh Shire Council CEO Monica Revell, who provides insights into the damage, recovery efforts, and community support initiatives.
2025 Lord Howe Island Sea Slug Census February, 28 to March 9
Lord Howe Island will host its eighth annual Sea Slug Census from February 28 to March 9. Launched at Nelson Bay, NSW in December, 2013, the Sea Slug Census program has spread across Australia, and to sites in Indonesia and Vanuatu, with more than 4,000 participants photographically documenting the distribution of over 1,100 species to date.
2025: “Your Best Year Farming Yet” – BCG’s Annual Trials Review Day
On Friday, February 21, BCG’s annual Trials Review Day, supported by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, delivered cutting-edge research and expert insights to help growers make informed decisions for the upcoming season in Birchip.
The last ‘Met Family’ depart Lord Howe – is this the end of an era?
On Thursday, 20th February, Andrew Jenner’s rotation as local observer for the Bureau of Meteorology came to an end ... If all goes according to plan, Andrew and Misty will be the last Met observers to be resident on Lord Howe.
The story of Lord Howe’s Meteorological Service – by Daphne Nichols
Daphne Nichols. Rainfall readings commenced on the Island in 1886, and records of climatological data began the following year ... The Meteorological Office shared the two-room wireless station from 1939, until 1955, when an independent station was completed on the eastern side of the Island above Middle Beach.
David Lindenmayer ignores core points and key questions: Robert Onfray’s further response
David Lindenmayer's response to my rebuttal still fails to address the core points I raised in my original blog and overlooks the straightforward questions I posed in my response to his critique ... If Professor Lindenmayer believes his theories reflect reality, he should test them in the field.
Residents urged to stay up to date with weather warnings: Williamson
Residents in the Richmond and Clarence valleys are being urged by State Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson to stay informed about the latest weather forecasts as the region braces for potential severe weather in the coming days. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Flood Watch for all coastal rivers in the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast, including those in the Richmond and Clarence valleys.
TasFarmers welcomes calicivirus release to combat rabbit plague
Tasmania's peak body for primary producers, Tasfarmers is welcoming news the calicivirus is being released into populations of wild rabbits across the state to control their overpopulation.
Another successful fishing classic at Kyalite
A phenomenal weekend was enjoyed by a whopping 400 competitors. Plenty of fish caught over the weekend and it was hard work with the weather conditions ... There were incredibly impressive prizes on offer, thanks to a lot of highly generous sponsors.
Retrofits take over from buybacks as flood authority gets cash ready for homeowners
On February 28, 2022, Mal Lanyon was in the State Emergency Operations Centre in Sydney, watching the flood disaster unfold ... Three years on from those days when relentless rain filled our rivers and overflowed into our homes, Mr Lanyon is chief executive of the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Measuring the true value of Australia’s natural environment: Plibersek, Leigh
The Albanese Labor Government has ... released the first set of National Ecosystem Accounts which will help Australians better understand the value of nature to our economy and our wellbeing. The accounts will inform the Government’s policies and decision-making processes to better measure the impacts of our actions to the environment.
Basin water conference comes to lower Murray in 2025: MDBA, Murray Bridge Council
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) will hold its fifth annual water conference 29 and 30 July in the city of Murray Bridge in regional South Australia. MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said it was the first time River Reflections would be held in this part of the southern Basin where community interests and water management challenges differed to those further upstream.
170 GL in unnecessary water recovery to win city votes
In a clearly political move to win city votes at the expense of regional Australia, the Commonwealth yesterday kicked off a second buyback tender in the southern Murray-Darling Basin in 2024-25. NSW Irrigators’ Council CEO Claire Miller said with an impending election, "this announcement is clearly intended to try to win city votes while throwing regional communities, farmers and even the environment under the bus.
Disbelief at Plibersek’s disdain for rural Australia
Community and farming groups have expressed "total disbelief" at the latest attempt by the Albanese Government to destroy regional communities. Leading the charge is Murray Regional Strategy Group, with Chair Geoff Moar saying the latest announcement of more water buybacks on the eve of a Federal election was "beyond comprehension".
