New climate reporting reforms for a stronger financial system: Chalmers
The draft legislation amends the Australian Securities and Investment Commission Act 2001 and the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) to introduce standardised, internationally-aligned reporting requirements for businesses, to ensure they are making high quality climate-related financial disclosures ... Consultation for the draft legislation released today [12 January 2024] is now open and submissions will close 9 February 2024.
Disaster assistance for flood-impacted communities in Victoria: Symes
Jointly funded disaster assistance has been activated for communities impacted by the Victorian Floods and Storms that commenced on 24 December 2023, under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
BoM, El Niño and La Niña
For an organisation that invests a considerable portion of their half a billion dollar budget predicting what’s going to happen in 100 years’ time, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has fallen short on the all-important, short term forecasts ... Farmers want less climate change lecturing on the doomsday predictions of global warming, and more lectures on the complexity of the dynamic system that actually influences the day to day, week to week, and month to month rain and temperature that impacts their annual production.
Washing the decks
When ministers drop media statements in the days leading up to Christmas, it’s usually a sign that they want to wash the decks of bad news. One such release was by WA Water Minister, Simone McGurk, who issued a carefully worded statement that ‘water priorities reset to focus on practical measures.’
Where have all the mussels gone?
Margrit Beemster. Research has been conducted in the Yallakool Creek and upper Wakool River near Deniliquin to find an easier way to detect adult freshwater mussels and to better understand why mussels are no longer as plentiful as they once were.
Hot and dry or wet and steamy?
Predictions of the nation’s weather holds tremendous weight. In September, the BOM’s El Nino predictions and the subsequent media hysteria saw cattle and sheep markets collapse as growers responded to the best available computer modelling ... the monthly rainfall predictions took until January 3 to predict a wetter than average month.
Proposed park increases fire risk
The Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria (MCAV) is warning that bush users will not sit by and watch the creation of a Great Forest National Park, as recently recommended by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC). The VEAC report suggests converting around 75 per cent of the Central Highlands region into "a large protected area such as a national park."
Watching grass dry can keep you safe
The CFA is calling on Victorians to become ‘citizen scientists’ to help contribute critical information about the state’s fire risk. The 2023-24 fire season is expected to be hotter and drier than recent years and grassland curing observers play a vital role in collecting ground information.
Storms lash Allora
On New Years Eve storm cells built up between Clifton and Allora with the most damage happening in Allora. On the corner of Forde and Warwick Streets two huge old gumtrees were torn out of the ground, roots and all.
Common-sense prevails in Federal Court decision on Regional Forest Agreements: Forestry Australia
Forestry Australia President Dr Michelle Freeman has today welcomed the Federal Court’s decision to uphold a Regional Forest Agreement in New South Wales ... “Forest managers, growers, scientists and workers will breathe a sigh of relief that the challenge by the North East Forest Alliance to the Regional Forest Agreement covering North Coast NSW native timber harvesting operations has been dismissed."
Fight to save Gulmarrad wildlife corridor
A Gulmarrad wildlife corridor that is one of the last remnants of habitat for the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo in the Clarence Valley which is at risk due to a nine-lot subdivision determined in 2007 has seen a new approach, bringing together the landholder and conservationists to attempt to preserve the habitat and wildlife.
More disaster assistance rolls out for SEQ: Miles, Boyd
The Albanese and Miles Governments are delivering further disaster assistance to help South East Queensland recover from recent severe storms ... announcement will support local clean-up efforts, invest in specialised recovery staff and provide grants to primary producers, small business owners and non-profit organisations...
Triple measure to cut shark attacks
Michelle Daw. A shark behaviour specialist believes a three-pronged approach is needed to reduce the likelihood and impact of shark attacks. Professor Charlie Huveneers is a marine ecologist at Flinders University and a keen surfer.
White sharks “vulnerable”
Michelle Daw. Reports of increased numbers of white sharks are not scientifically supported, according to the state government, and it has rejected culling as a response to recent attacks. Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven said many South Australians were understandably concerned about recent shark attacks across the state.
End of an era for timber harvesting
Gippsland's hardwood industry is now largely gone, with harvesting of timber from native forests on Crown land no longer permitted. Gippsland's native forest is part of the vast swathe of forest that stretches along the Great Dividing Range from the Dandenongs to behind Brisbane. It’s integral to Australia having the seventh biggest forest estate in the world ...
Helicopter winch operations
Suzie Christensen. The first summer helicopter winch operation has concluded, with the Helitreck helicopter departing the Island Sunday, 10 December ... LHIB staff and external contractors successfully completed over 2,000 person hours of priority Weed Eradication Program...
Orchid for December
Ian Hutton. This month’s orchid is aptly named the Christmas orchid because its flowers are often out around Christmas ... Calanthe australasica is a tall evergreen herbaceous plant, with a rosette of four to nine dark green leaves...
Lord Howe Island Tourism Association News
Pia Funch & Trina Shepherd. It has been a busy year for Lord Howe Tourism! Lord Howe Island received a lot of media coverage through our familiarisation program in 2023.
On the lookout for fires
On days of high fire danger, you’ll find Rob Howe in the cabin on top of the Mount Tarrengower tower, on the lookout for fires. This is his first year as the designated tower operator on top of Mount Tarrengower.
“No long-term plan”
How do we fix Naracoorte’s drainage problems? This is the question we asked former mayor David Hood, as the recent rain event put the township’s drainage systems under immense pressure. Mr Hood claims the “drainage problems” had been expanded through the years by the Corporation of Naracoorte...
Hour of horror
It was an hour of horror. That’s how many have described the severe storm that hit the western edge of Millicent ... In an hour’s time, the storm had uprooted trees, tore down power lines, blown roofs off, and caused widespread devastation...
Forests, fires and burns – still no consensus
Is this really how harvested forests are left? Australian Rural & Regional News looks into recent statements that highlight continuing conflicting and confusing information in the public domain about connections between forestry operations and bushfires and whether prescribed burns reduce bushfire risk.
