AI tool set to transform woodland bird conservation: Charles Sturt University
A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool is transforming woodland bird conservation in Australia with the help of a Charles Sturt University research team. As Australia’s woodland bird species face alarming declines, one of the biggest challenges to their conservation is simply detecting them.
Opposition leader visits Hall Gap
Mallee business owners under persistent threat of bushfire told Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton they cannot secure the insurance they need to protect their livelihoods, after his visit organised by Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster.
Open letter to Rous County Councillors from Water Northern Rivers
We were heartened to read an article in the Tweed Coast Times, "Leading the way for a sustainable future water supply", p.13, 6/9/24. In the article Sharon Cadwallader (newly re-elected Rous County Councillor and Ballina mayor) said working to minimise water demand from big water users is an important part of water sustainability.
Resilient Lismore annual report released
The floods that devastated Lismore and the Northern Rivers in late February 2022 may be the worst natural disaster in recorded Australian history ... Resilient Lismore emerged out of the disaster to assist the many people who were affected by the floods.
Fire exposes risk of chicken farm waste
The management, storage and disposal of farm waste products has become a focus after residents reportedly discovered a smouldering fire in a chicken litter stockpile last week. A resident in the Baringhup/Carisbrook area says they discovered evidence of self-combustion in a pile of chicken farm waste following a day of Total Fire Ban in the district, expressing concern that it could happen again.
Debunking false claims about bushfire risk and native forest logging in Australia
Robert Onfray critiques claims that native forest logging in Australia contributes significantly to increased bushfire risk. Some academics championed this idea, purporting to follow the scientific method, but often their work lacks scientific rigour. These claims have misled the public, skewing the debate around forest management, fire prevention, and the ecological role of logging.
Hazardous surf for parts of NSW: SLSNSW
With hazardous weather conditions forecast to impact parts of NSW over the coming days, including major Sydney beaches, Surf Life Saving NSW is urging the public to exercise caution when visiting the coastline.
Council to assist with raw water connection costs at Showground
The Narrandera Shire Council has agreed to a request for assistance from the Narrandera Showground Land Managers to reduce the financial impact of the raw water connection to the Narrandera Showground. Council will make a contribution of $2,500 to the Showground Trust ... Based on expected water usage on the site there is anticipated to be an operational cost in excess of $20,000 a year that will need to be paid by the Narrandera Showground Trust.
500 animals, fire and feed. Life for the Treweek family
Bushfires are stressful enough, but having a zoo of 500 animals and 23 staff adds a whole new level for the Treweek family. Former Wakool family Mark and Lisa Treweek and their kids Cooper and William have finally been able to open their 52-acre Halls Gap Zoo after the challenges of the Grampians bushfire. Their second fire in 12 months.
Pet owner urges council to rethink scare guns
Christine Webster. A Waikerie pet owner is calling on Loxton Waikerie council to review its use of scare guns to control corellas after her dog went missing for several hours when becoming startled by noise ... a canoeist contacted police after noticing a dog on a ledge of a cliff, upstream from the Waikerie ferry.
Conflict over camping ban
Rachel Hagan. Local residents are up in arms after the dunes at trending Yorke Peninsula camp spot, Wauraltee Beach, were left covered in rubbish and human waste ... NSW resident Stephanie Ramirez, who was visiting Yorke Peninsula for the first time, said she saw Wauraltee Beach on social media, and her family decided they had to stop on their way to Esperance, especially before camping was banned.
SA Murray Mallee newest region to receive trees through AstraZeneca’s global forest initiative: Greening Australia
With less than a quarter of the SA Murray Mallee region’s original vegetation remaining, funding from AstraZeneca’s global AZ Forest initiative is supporting large-scale restoration of this priority area. Two properties in the SA Murray Mallee received free trees in 2024 ... ARR.News asked about fire mitigation.
Secure the food supply
All agricultural land in Victoria should be mapped and strategic land use planning established to protect farmland in major areas such as Gippsland, according to a landmark report by a Victorian parliamentary committee. This was one of 33 recommendations and 29 findings in a report ‘Securing Victoria’s Food Supply’ by the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee.
NSW Independent Forestry Panel process
In August 2024, the NSW Government announced the appointment of an expert panel to lead consultation on a Forestry Industry Action Plan. The final report of the Independent Forestry Panel has been provided to the NSW Government. Whether the report will be made publicly available and the shape of the future Forestry Industry Action Plan is a matter for the Government.
Foreign owned and controlled TransGrid is disconnected from regional Australia
The ever-increasing number of stories of the difficulties faced by landowners when dealing with transmission network builder, TransGrid, points to an organisation with no knowledge of, and no interest in learning about, the land, and the peoples living on that land, through which they are building those networks.
Scientists finally speak out as Labor removes gag on koalas and forestry: Kemp
Labor Government’s Environment Minister Penny Sharp’s tenuous grip on scientific truth has finally been broken. Now allowing real, scientific based research to reveal what political agendas have long suppressed in the fight over koala populations and sustainable forestry in NSW.
Time to trial fire vehicles: NSW Farmers Association
Farmers are urged to take part in a trial of Farm Fire Units in NSW as unprecedented bushfires continue to burn in the United States. Under a NSW Government trial in place until 31 March, private farm vehicles used for firefighting purposes known as Farm Fire Units – or Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles (FFFVs) – can be used unregistered under certain conditions.
WA Minister too busy freeing the chooks to focus on biosecurity
WA desperately needs a unified biosecurity authority, one that merges the resources and expertise of DPIRD and DBCA under a single, competent Minister. Such an authority would eliminate bureaucratic overlap, create a cohesive strategy, and launch the kind of public education campaign sorely needed to tackle threats like the shot-hole borer.
Three earthquakes in 30 hours – rumbles in the Back Country
The rumbles began with a 2.6-magnitude quake, which struck just before midnight on Friday January 3. This was followed by a followed by a larger 4.1-magnitude quake at 2.50pm on Saturday afternoon and a 3.3-magnitude tremor at 5.30am Sunday morning.
Thank you to all emergency volunteers –Consider signing up to RFS, SES or VRA
Tomki Rural Fire Brigade has put out a call for new members. “We will keep you fit, teach you many skills that will empower you to strive in many situations as well as having a great support group around you. If you live in the Spring Grove, Clovass, Mckees Hill or the Tomki area why not jump online at NSW RFS and fill in an application form.”
Natural Newstead
Geoff Park. Mistletoebirds are a lovely feature of the local bird fauna. Each year, from spring through summer, I discover several of their beautifully woven and highly engineered nests, made mainly from cobwebs with a few adornments such as spent wattle flowers added in.
Lazy river times
A boat, a BBQ, a swag and the mighty Murray to Murrabit were the order of the day. With a meagre 5,700 megalitres a day flowing past Barham, we set off for Murrabit.
