Use local knowledge, not misleading academic reports
The credibility of a group that has prepared a report on Murray-Darling Basin Plan progress is under question, after claims it contains numerous flaws. The Wentworth Group comprises academics who say they are “dedicated to water and land policy reform”, and have been especially vocal on issues around the Murray-Darling Basin Plan which has attracted billions of dollars in government funding ... “It is disheartening when Sydney and Canberra based academics, without local knowledge, make broad-based statements which paint a false picture": Murray Regional Strategy Group Chair Geoff Moar.
Letter to the Corryong Courier Editor: Poor decisions have caused a catastrophe
Yola Cox. Nestled in the picturesque Tooma Valley, the Mannus Creek and its surrounding environment have long been a lifeline for the region’s farms, families and wildlife. However, a series of catastrophic decisions spanning decades have turned this once-thriving ecosystem into a disaster zone. The Mannus Dam was licensed in the 1980s to Ellis Williams. While the licence suggested the dam would support pisciculture, this promise was never realised.
Water security paramount
The water landscape is undergoing massive changes, with some local towns now in the process of becoming connected to Toowoomba’s water supply and other towns to benefit from plans for a new water treatment plant … The importance of these long awaited projects to supply treated water for Clifton, Nobby, Greenmount and Cambooya was evident by the large roll up of political leaders from state and local governments.
Summer storm causes significant damage to Riverina region
NSW State Emergency Service (SES) crews are still responding to more than 120 reports of damaged properties after a severe storm impacted the Riverina at the weekend. The towns of The Rock and Yenda saw significant damage with widespread power outages, uprooted trees and roof damage.
River Murray system well-prepared for summer water demands: MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has reassured communities the storages and weirs are well positioned to meet irrigation, community, and environmental needs this summer. MDBA Executive Director of River Management, Jacqui Hickey, said managing the system adaptively to respond to the changing conditions is key for ensuring the River Murray System operates smoothly during the peak demand period.
Report: Canine scent detectives promoting koala population health in the Bellingen-Coffs Harbour LGAs.
One hundred and fifteen sites within the Bellingen-Coffs Harbour LGAs were surveyed by the Canines for Wildlife detection dog team for koala scats between June 2020 and January 2024. Over 700 koala scat locations were recorded, and 155 samples were collected. The samples were processed to have the DNA extracted from koala epithelial cells attached to the external surface of the scat.
Certainty needed after koala park conflict: Saunders, Singh, Williamson, Kemp
Nationals MPs are urging the Premier to immediately intervene and pause the assessment process for the Great Koala National Park, until claims of serious conflicts of interest are investigated. NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders, Shadow Minister for the North Coast Gurmesh Singh, Member for Clarence Richie Williamson, and Member for Oxley Michael Kemp made the calls in a letter sent to Chris Minns on Thursday.
NSW Nationals publicly oppose Great Koala National Park: Sharpe
The NSW Nationals have ... publicly announced their opposition to the Minns Labor Government’s Great Koala National Park, an election commitment to help save koalas from extinction ... “Mark Speakman urgently needs to come clean with the communities of New South Wales if the future of Koala’s will be on the line at the next election – or have the koala wars been reignited?”: Penny Sharpe.
‘Wilcannia community leader presents on the plight of the Baaka (Darling River) at the COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan’
...Uncle Owen Whyman presented as part of an Indigenous panel at COP29 during the ‘United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’ in Baku, Azerbaijan. Uncle Owen is a respected Wilcannia community leader, volunteer board member of the Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation, Chair of the Paroo-Darling National Park Co-management Committee, Deputy Chair of the Mutawintji National Park Board of Management, board member of North-Western Water Council, and founder and convenor of the Indigenous - Aboriginal Party of Australia (IAPA).
$13B spent on the Murray Darling Basin Plan but Dalton calls it “lazy politics”
Helen Dalton MP, Member for Murray, says the truth about what she describes as $13 billion of wasted taxpayer money needs to be told. The independent member is referring to a new four-year study into the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) Plan reveals mixed results. The four-year study released last involved 12 scientists from Australia’s leading universities, and drew on data from 1980 to 2023.
Karlene’s hindsight and insight invaluable at RIT AGM
Hugh Schuitemaker. Advocacy for South Australian irrigators in an upcoming Murray- Darling Basin Plan review will be crucial, according to a Riverland politician and regarded figure on water management issues. Former Chaffey MP Karlene Maywald was a guest speaker at the Renmark Irrigation Trust (RIT) annual general meeting, held last month at Hotel Renmark, with the topic being Our Murray River: Hindsight and Insights.
Nhill Lake update
The Nhill Lake and surrounding recreational area has and still continues to attract many users. The ongoing maintenance under the guidance of Dale Stanford and a small group of volunteers is very much appreciated and valued.
New strategy to protect Yorke Peninsula’s coast
Yorke Peninsula’s fragile coastline needs protection, and a 10-year strategy is being developed to safeguard its future. The Draft Guuranda/Yorke Peninsula Coastal Access Strategy 2025-2035 is being led by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board. NYLB general manager Tony Fox said the strategy would aim to balance sustainable coastal access for off-road vehicles, while preserving fragile ecosystems and Narungga cultural sites ...
After more than three years, Naughtons Gap Road is open — and we have the cake to prove it
The road closed signs either side of the landslip on Naughtons Gap Road were removed ... It’s been a long time coming — and it was fitting that the first two cars through on the new road were Paul Connolly’s 1953 FJ Holden and a 1950 Bedford.
Loy Yang seeks water for mine lake
Water is a key part of the operation of the Loy Yang mine – and will still be a key part of the brown coal mine’s future. The scheduled closure of the Loy Yang A power station in 2035 is looming larger on the horizon, and the water issue needs to be sorted out.
Premier Roger Cook: A rare voice of pragmatism in Australian politics
Western Australia’s Premier Roger Cook is becoming one of the more intriguing figures in Australian politics. His latest intervention—opposing the Federal Government’s "Nature Positive" environmental laws—must be leaving the Green Left spluttering into their organic green tea.
Kenbi Land Claim settlement finalised: Edgington
The Kenbi Land Claim – which has been running since 1979 – has been finalised. The Australian and Northern Territory governments have handed back the last parcels of land on the Cox Peninsula to the Kenbi Land Trust, and the Larrakia Development Corporation. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Steve Edgington: “This historic moment is a tribute to the ongoing collaboration between the Northern Territory and Australian governments, the Northern Land Council, the Larrakia people and Traditional Owners to resolve complex issues."
“Say no to towers”
Alex Morrison. The Prime Minister has begun an anti-bullying campaign. It’s welcome. He could start right at home with his own government who are allowing TCV to bully farmers in this district into accepting the power lines that come with wind turbines. Their treatment of affected landholders along VNI West power line route is a disgrace, the so-called negotiations and compensation offers are a farce.
The highs and lows of Cairn Curran
It's usually only during floods and droughts that the everyday modern person thinks at all about the availability of water; we take for granted the trickle from the tap. But the contrast between the recent dry spell of many months and the rain of the last week has prompted Goulburn-Murray Water, the entity that manages the storage and delivery of water in our region, to share some information about how these extremes are managed.
Energy network prepares for summer
Electricity distributor AusNet has spent almost $60 million on vegetation management and maintenance programs in the last 12 months, to prepare the network ready for summer. AusNet Executive General Manager Distribution, Andrew Linnie, said it’s important that the network is ready for severe weather events.
Solutions offered as Basin Plan fails
If the plan was to accelerate environmental degradation, wipe out family farms, increase costs, and dramatically reduce water availability, then the Murray-Darling Basin Authority would have achieved top marks ... While the Wentworth Group has been advocating for more water buybacks, which will no doubt aid the water trading industry returns, while doing very little to address the fundamental failings of the Basin Plan, local Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, has released a 13-step plan to aid in getting the current trainwreck back on the rails.
Gus ‘didn’t give a backward glance’
Gus, the emperor penguin found on Ocean Beach last month, was released into the Southern Ocean on November 20 ... The care, attention and efforts of wildlife rehabilitator Carol Biddulph and her husband Graham gave the Antarctic bird, found thousands of kilometres outside of its home range and in a different climate, a fighting chance of survival.
