Boaties sailing close to the wind
Shaun Hollis. One third of South Australian boats checked by marine authorities across the summer did not comply with safety regulations, seemingly throwing caution to the wind. Marine Safety SA conducted close to 2200 checks across the state in December, January and February, including more than 400 in Yorke Peninsula coastal waters.
Buffel grass management enters next stage: Worden
The Territory Labor Government has determined the next step to reduce the impact of buffel grass in Central Australia. The Buffel Grass Technical Working Group (TWG) was formed in 2023 to address environmental concerns around buffel grass, which makes wildfires more intense and impacts biodiversity.
Lower river levels expected for Easter break: MDBA
Following several years of significant rainfall and higher river levels in the Murray during Autumn, river users can expect a return to lower levels this Easter. The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is reminding river users to check conditions and advised communities downstream of Hume Dam that the river may be lower than in recent years over Easter.
Minister approves new koala management plan for timber plantations on KI: Close
Harvesting of Tasmanian blue gums on Kangaroo Island can now resume after the State Government approved a new koala management plan submitted by timber company, AAG Investment Management (AAGIM). Regulations introduced by the Government following the release of footage showing koalas being killed and injured within the plantations mean timber companies on the island cannot fell blue gum plantations without an approved koala management plan.
Eat local seafood this Easter: Moriarty
The NSW Government is urging NSW residents to choose local fresh seafood this Easter and not only enjoy the best fish and prawns from the state’s top producers but support the economy as they sit down for a seasonal feast ... North Coast residents and visitors to the region in particular are encouraged to support the Clarence seafood industry by choosing local prawns and seafood this Easter.
Premier promises faster funding of disaster recovery
What is the Tripartite Agreement? It is a new arrangement between the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Transport for NSW and local councils to roll out reconstruction funds after floods, fires or other natural disasters as fast as possible.
Learn how to make your home climate resilient with new workbook
Mount Alexander Shire Council is proud to be one of the supporters of a new resource to help people learn how to make their home or property ready for extreme weather events. The Castlemaine Institute and Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, in partnership with ADAPT Loddon Mallee, have developed the ‘Home Upgrades for Climate Resilience Workbook,’...
Campaspe Shire Council invites expressions of interest for new Murray-Darling Basin Plan Community Reference Group
Campaspe Shire Council is inviting representatives of business, agriculture, tourism and other industries, as well as the wider community to consider lodging an expression of interest to join the new Murray-Darling Basin Plan Community Reference Group (MDBP CRG). Campaspe Shire Mayor Cr Rob Amos said Council resolved to establish the group in response to ... Water Amendment (Restoring our Rivers) Act 2023...
IGA works to keep food security high during road closures
The recent weather conditions in Tennant Creek have led to multiple road closures which may cause concerns about potential food shortages. To address this issue, Tennant Creek IGA is taking proactive measures to ensure that food supplies remain stable.
Slaughter to the lambs – dingo protection: Bev McArthur
"This retrograde choice will take us back to the bad old days, of savage attacks, extensive stock losses, and financial and mental anguish for the farmers who just want to protect and care for their sheep. While entitled animal justice warriors claim the ideological high ground wearing their ‘save the dingoes’ badge, they fail to acknowledge the animal welfare of sheep, especially lambs, family pets and small wildlife": Bev McArthur, Member for Western Victoria.
Ocean users cautioned
Ocean users in the South-East have been asked to exercise extra caution following the spread of abalone viral ganglioneuritis (AVG) in South Australian waters for the first time. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) said AVG has been confirmed in wild abalone in waters south of Port MacDonnell, and restrictions are now in place from the Southend to the South Australian-Victorian border in the east.
Avoiding seed damage at planting: Incitec Pivot Fertilisers
Better than expected summer rain across key winter crop growing areas has set up a favourable window for 2024 winter crop planting ... Incitec Pivot Fertilisers (IPF) technical agronomist Clint Sheather explains while the last thing growers want to do when applying fertiliser at planting is delay or reduce plant emergence, there is potential for seed damage when fertiliser is placed with the seed.
Local rural fire funds to stay local
Fire Minister Nikki Boyd has reassured rural fire brigades that local funds and assets will stay local following legislative change currently being considered through a committee process ... "The policy framework will make it clear that local assets like trucks and local funds will continue to solely benefit those local brigades and be accessed by local brigades for local purposes."
Priority burns planned locally
Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) intends to take advantage of favourable weather and forest conditions across the state to reduce the risk of bushfires on the community and environment ... This year 111 planned burns covering an area of 56,486 hectares are prepared and ready for ignition in north east Victoria.
Group calls for new ads to provide Basin balance
Ongoing community outrage at misleading Australian Government advertisements has led to official complaints by a leading rural organisation. The Murray Regional Strategy Group (MRSG) has submitted formal complaints to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACC) and the Commonwealth Ombudsman. Its complaint relates to Murray-Darling Basin Plan advertisements, amid numerous claims they are inaccurate and misleading.
All ages effort to boost cockatoo numbers
Patricia Gill. Denmark school students are part of a landscape-scale move to re-establish the breeding of black cockatoos in the region. To spark their students’ enthusiasm, environmentalist Simon Cherriman visited four schools recently and helped the students build four nesting boxes at each school from recycled materials ... The Denmark Men’s Shed will build 40 nest boxes ...
Balloons identified as major threat to marine wildlife
A CSIRO study recently identiï¬ed balloons among the top three most harmful pollutants threatening marine wildlife, along with plastic bags and bottles ... Plastic Reduction Denmark has been providing an alternative for the past ï¬ve years – ‘borrow and return’ bunting is made from pre-loved fabrics in many colours and designs to suit every occasion.
Celebrating International Day of Forests 2024: VFPA
“Under the bark of trees are powerful solutions”. This year’s International Day of Forests celebrates the role of trees in providing powerful solutions for a better world.
Half a million PET bottles of drinking water avoided in NSW schools: SOURCE Global
In the lead up to World Water Day on March 22, SOURCE Global has reported on the success of its partnership with the NSW Department of Education, which installed 100 SOURCE ®Hydropanels across 10 drought-impacted schools to provide accessible drinking water for children and teachers, in compliance with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Experts query wind plans costs and timing
The state government is accelerating planning approvals for renewable projects as several energy experts have predicted that Victoria's wind energy will be more expensive and will take longer to meet targets than the government has estimated. The Premier, Jacinta Allan, last week announced renewable projects will be eligible for an accelerated planning pathway under the Development Facilitation Program (DFP).
Setting the record straight – yet again: VicForests
Monique Dawson. Recent public commentary about the closure of VicForests has included numerous false and misleading claims. VicForests knows there are individuals and organisations who are opposed to native timber harvesting who will be celebrating VicForests’ closure ... The most offensive category of false claims being made is the suggestion VicForests is “rogue” or a “cowboy agency”.
Not in my backyard – a resounding no to proposed wind farm
Enthusiastic city-driven support for renewable energy infrastructure is in direct contrast to the majority feeling in the Allora district where a public meeting on Thursday night demonstrated strong opposition to any idea that a wind farm should be established in the Goomburra Valley area.
