Megafires thrive on high per hectare fine fuel loads across the forest landscape, regardless of land tenure: SETA’s further response to David Lindenmayer
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.
Free flood waste disposal for Lismore residents as recovery begins
“We really dodged a bullet with this one, but there is a lot of damage, including downed trees. Our residents shouldn’t have to bear the cost of this weather event": Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg.
White Cliffs hit with water restrictions
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.
Barwon MP calls for review on weirs
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.
Car-nage on our highways: 263 dead roos in 250 km
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.
Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet – or if you’re a dog you leap right into it
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.
Superintendent Scott Tanner is new recovery coordinator for our region
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.
Iconic Australian bird reveals hidden farming talent: La Trobe University
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.
Commonwealth cozies up with corporates to kill family farms: VFF
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.
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.
