Land & environment

Local magpie family, known as Hilary, Martin and Princess have come first in the wildlife section of the Camberwell Rotary Art Show. Captured in gouache (watercolour) on paper, local artist Robyn Riley has propelled the trio to stardom.

The recent frosty mornings in our area might inspire us to cosy up inside by a fire or with a loved one, but university studies have found that Australians have colder houses than people in similar climates around the world. Experts from RMIT commented last week about the phenomenon in which Australians have lower standards for warmth in their homes, leading to health risks.

Australian drone operator Ninox Robotics has boosted its capability for capturing aerial intelligence to be used for conservation efforts with the acquisition of the Sierra-Olympia Vayu HD longwave infrared (LWIR) camera. Ninox Robotics will put this high resolution compact camera to the test for the first time this month in the second phase of its koala spotting program ... ARR.News asked Daniel Vogelnest of Ninox Robotics more about drone monitoring of koalas.

The Albanese Labor Government has ... launched a world-leading water ownership program for First Nations peoples in the Murray-Darling Basin, delivering on an election commitment. Under the Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program, the government has made $100 million available to buy water in the Basin, with First Nations representatives to determine how that money is spent.

The whale watching season in Queensland is now officially open with 40,000 gentle giants holidaying on Queensland’s coastline from June to November. Queensland’s east coast, also known as the humpback highway, is expected to attract more than 127,000 domestic visitors. Queensland has a high association as a destination with world-class nature and wildlife experiences...

Alexandra Bull. A foggy and chilly Saturday morning did not dampen the spirits of all 201 rowers rowing in the annual Renmark Rowing Club Wharf to Woolshed Long Row. With 44 crews on the water, slightly challenging conditions marked the start of the 36km row ... Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson also jumped into the Renmark Rowing Club eight for the last 10km

Progress of research that will benefit the Basin and its communities for years to come has been shared at the third annual symposium of the Murray–Darling Water and Environment Research Program (MD-WERP). Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Chief Executive Andrew McConville said 35 projects developing Basin-wide knowledge have been completed or are progressing via the 5-year $20 million Australian Government funded MD-WERP.

PhD student Evan Curtis has reached a turning point in research investigating the use of drones, simulation studies and artificial intelligence (AI) to sustainably manage the kangaroo industry in NSW. Evan, a student at the University of Sydney, is mid-way through his project,  Determining optimal management strategies for four large macropods in NSW ...

The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and the Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association of NSW (WCRA) have released industry research outlining the dangers caused by electronic items thrown away in conventional waste and recycling streams. This research shows that batteries, both loose and embedded in electronic items, are causing around 30 fires per day across Australia’s recycling and waste facilities, injuring workers, destroying infrastructure and pushing up costs.

Affected CFA Brigades have united in a call for industrial action to achieve demands with respect to the future of their role as firefighters, in view of the Victorian State Government proposed reckless renewables expansion. We consider untenable the risks to lives and property, and irreparable damage imposed by proposed installations of High Voltage Transmission Lines and Renewable Energy Infrastructure.

Man’s best friend is being used to help identify a dangerous pathogen killing native Australian plants in parks around Perth and in conservation reserves and national parks in south west WA. Phytophthora (cinnamomi) dieback is known as the “biological bulldozer”.

These plantings are held each autumn and assist in bushfire recovery, bank stabilisation and improved water quality for us all. This year, the collective action in the Upper Murray by volunteers from around the state has led to the planting of 3,200 trees along the Nariel and Thowgla Creeks over four days.

The Towong Shire Council will hold a community celebration to recognise the vital role it has played in the recovery from the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires. After three and a half years, the funding to support the hub’s operations will cease on June and the facility will close.

Last week, local farmers, investors and Western Murray Land Improvement Group (WMLIG) celebrated the next step in their Murray Inland Delta Landscape Impact Project. With the financial world falling over themselves to get a piece of the carbon trading arena, an ambitious project has been initiated to ensure that meaningful, tangible environmental benefits can be achieved while delivering financial benefits to landholders.

The spectre of water buybacks, plus the absence of a targeted support package for Riverland grape growers, risk turning local communities into "economic wastelands", a local MP has warned. Liberal Barker MP Tony Pasin has labelled a $3.5 million federal funding package as "too little, too late" and accused both Labor governments of ignoring the crisis confronting inland wine regions like the Riverland.

Naomi Shine. Beautiful old homes, made from incredibly sturdy Big Scrub timbers, are being boarded up across the flood zone in Lismore and left to moulder. People needing shelter are moving in, and NSW Reconstruction Authority doesn’t know how to deal with the situation.