Plan and prepare NOW
It's not even Fire Season yet and already there are many fires across the State. In the MIA this week there were numerous grass and structure fires ... These fires highlighted that even though the weather was cooler and the environment wet with a lot of green growth, fires are still possible.
Locked and loaded
The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) has assembled its air fleet to help fight outbreaks of fire in what is expected to be a busy season across Queensland. On standby at the Toowoomba Airport for the fire season are two Bell 214B helicopters, two AirTractor AT-802 fixed wing bombers, two air attack supervision platforms and a specialist intelligence gathering light helicopter.
Where has all the water gone?
Sophie Baldwin. The last time the Bullatale Creek ran dry was back in 2007 – at the peak of the millennium drought. And yet, in 2024 and after three consecutive wet years, the creek is dry. Again. Which begs the obvious question – where has all the water gone?
Menang elders lead festival river tours
Menang elder Aunty Vernice Gillies and Menang man Larry Blight will lead guided walking tours along the Kwoorabup riverbanks at the Kwoorabup River Festival [on Saturday 21 September] ... This cultural and environmental experience aims to help everyone better appreciate the Kwoorabup River and the Wilson/Nullaki inlet as they paddle, row and swim through the events of the day.
Farmers unite to fight stress
Serena Kirby. David Wright was named as the Inaugural Denmark Cattle Farmer of the Year at the recent Drought Muster Buster held at The Dam ... The award was part of a broader event organised by Raintree Farm owner Steve Birkbeck, who wanted to create ‘a reason to celebrate in a time of stress and trouble for the farming industry’ ... An integral part of the event was the discussion of issues surrounding bushï¬res by a panel of local experts.
Methane emissions increase by 20 per cent in 20 years: CSIRO
The Global Methane Budget 2024 ... highlights methane emissions from human activities have increased by 20 per cent in the past two decades. Methane is one of three core greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. It lasts in the atmosphere for just a few decades, which is shorter when compared to its counterparts, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.
Water matters: Who controls our river?
Rosalie Auricht. The states in the Murray-Darling Basin have been arguing, seemingly forever, about how to look after and share the rivers ... At the MDBA River Reflections conference in Albury, the audience was asked to explore ‘what does a healthy river mean to you?’ ... "no carp, native fish are increasing in abundance, and no dead fish ..."
Terra nullius, aqua nullius, farming nullius
Remember ‘terra nullius’ the legal term that rose to prominence in the Mabo case? ... my focus in this opinion piece is not on terra nullius and who owns the land but on aqua nullius and who owns the water ... the Albanese government shows no sign of learning from the referendum disaster and is pushing ahead with building indigenous veto powers into a new National Water Agreement plus revving up the Commonwealth's Heritage Act.
Island set to return to Narungga Nation
Rachel Hagan. Since 1966, Scotch College has had a licence agreement with the Department for Environment and Water which has allowed them to use Mayibarrdu/Goose Island for immersive outdoor camp experiences ... Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Doug Milera said the board was thrilled the island was returning to the Narungga people, who plan to open it up for everyone to use and visit.
Koondrook levee funding welcomed
Construction of a flood protection levee along Gunbower Parade at Koondrook will occur after Gannawarra Shire Council successfully received Federal Government funding. The National Emergency Management Agency announced in late August that the Federal Government would invest $851,774 in the project, which is the first in a series of planned stages to construct a levee network to mitigate the risk of riverine flooding in the Koondrook township.
Water security for Wilcannia
A drop in session was held at Baker Park last Thursday to inform the community of the progress of the proposed new bore to supplement the town water supply. Interestingly, the presenters, Maddy, Chris and Shaun, were able to explain a few details that probably have not been conveyed properly to the community.
Why did the koala cross the road? It didn’t because of a 1.5km protection fence
Lara Leahy. There is a sign on Bruxner Highway between Lismore and Casino that says five koalas died in August … A koala fence is about to be installed at that spot to help prevent further koalas deaths. Lismore City Council has hired contractors Ecoteam to install 1.5km of fencing along both sides of the Bruxner Highway, starting at Pelican Creek Bridge…
CSIRO and UQ collaborate to boost Australia’s ecosystem research
Researchers at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, are leading the five-year ‘Landscapes’ program, looking at the health and function of Australia’s natural and managed ecosystems. Administered through the innovative TERN project (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network), the team will deliver important soil and landscape environmental data to support sustainable ecosystem management.
Letters from Home: Will of the wasp
Once again, it was a case of act first, think later... If there were medals to be won for that trait, I could compete for Australia. It’s been a failing all my life and has, many times, got me into hot water. A nest of wasps appeared, the little European devils imported along with sparrows, rabbits, foxes and prickly pear from other places to be total pests to us Aussies ...
New national one-stop-shop website launched to help better manage feral cats and foxes
The National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordination Program is proud to announce the upcoming launch of its new website on Threatened Species Day, 7 September. This significant day marks the anniversary of the death of the last known Tasmanian tiger in 1936 and serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats to Australia’s unique wildlife.
Vital flood mitigation program extended
A program designed to reduce the risk and impact of flood events across towns in inland NSW has been extended thanks to a $3 million Australian Government grant ... NSW DCCEEW has identified 14 Local Government Areas across inland NSW where flood works pose known risks, and have received strong support for the program.
Sparks fly at Goomburra
On Saturday morning the owner of Long Neck Farm, Corie Ross prepared for a huge last day but found power to the Goomburra Valley had dropped. When he investigated, Corie discovered a phase from a power line had fallen and being live, had started a fire on a property and roadside.
South East is drying
Cliff Hignett, Your Say. The Naracoorte Water Allocation Plan (WAP) meeting (14/8/24) was well attended, 90+ people. The purpose of the meeting was to alert irrigators that the WAP was failing to protect the groundwater resource and was in urgent need of revision. When the WAP was set up (in 2013) land owners received an ‘Allocation’, in theory - their maximum share of the resource. Then they were authorised to use some part of that allocation on a year by year basis.
Murray Darling Association 80th National Conference
Jenny Clarke was a representative of the Narrandera Shire Council at the 80th National Conference of the Murray Darling Association, on which she was the Council’s delegate ... Murray Darling Association – representing local government and community in the Murray-Darling Basin since 1944 - covers 12 Regions from Queensland down to Murray Bridge where the water runs out to the sea ... A challenge in managing the Basin’s resources is delivering sufficient water for people, crops and livestock while maintaining a healthy environment.
Storms cause minimal damage
The Upper Murray dodged a bullet on Monday when wild weather that devastated parts of Victoria only had a minor impact locally. Despite winds gusting up to 90km/h, Vic SES advised that the Corryong unit only had two callouts including a fallen tree at Cudgewa.
Murray River group of councils advocate for community
Council leaders from Gannawarra, Swan Hill, Mildura, Loddon, Campaspe and Moira shires visited Canberra and Bendigo over the last two weeks, speaking to politicians and advisors on water management, renewable energy, housing and the funding of local government ... The latest round of buybacks was a pressing issue for the group.
Cod and crays come under protection
The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) and NSW Department of Primary industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are reminding recreational fishers that the Murray Cod and Murray Crayfish seasons have ended. NSW DPIRD Program Leader Fishing Stocking and Enhancement, Jim Harnwell, said the Murray Cod fishery is subject to a three-month closure every year to protect our number-one native sportsfish during their breeding season.
