Land & environment

Following the cancellation of Shenhua’s plans to mine on the Liverpool Plains, work is underway to regenerate the land for the benefit of the community and the environment ... While some land has been sold to farmers, a 6,300ha parcel of land has been kept in public hands and is being managed by Local Land Services under a biodiversity project known as The Waratah Project.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has welcomed announcement by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on plans for a new desalinisation plant, saying it could free up existing infrastructure and water supplies for industrial and agricultural use and provide water security for our population growth. Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said while the Premier’s announcement wasn’t specifically about water security for the Lockyer Valley and Somerset regions, the overall SEQ water plan put the local project in a favourable light.

The Sunshine Coast faces one of its most threatening fire seasons but now has a world-leading tool to help safeguard people, properties, and our natural assets. Developed by local company exci (formerly Fireball International), this AI-assisted program analyses satellite images and on-ground cameras to swiftly spot heat and smoke.

It is the author’s belief that Australia is not adequately prepared for upcoming bushfires.   To be frank, we as a society have learnt very little following 2019/20, especially in regards to bushfire mitigation. Communities, firefighters and the ecosystems are highly exposed over the coming El Nino period and a lot of bushfire skills have been lost.   Disaster and insurance costs are going up every year and will continue to go up with current adapted approaches.

Robert Onfray. I am not sure many people are fully aware of the massive engineering changes currently underway in our rural landscape. The changes are on a scale never attempted in this country before, and it is swallowing obscene amounts of money for minimal benefit and, indeed, no proof it will improve the climate ... Australian Rural & Regional News will open a page for discussion on this comprehensive and provocative article on the renewable energy transition.

The new South Australian Wild Dog Management Strategy 2023-2033 has just been released! The Strategy aims to eradicate wild dogs inside the dog fence, stop incursions through the Dog Fence and maintain dingoes for their ecological and cultural roles outside the Dog Fence (whilst protecting the cattle industry and the public).

The Victorian government has not replied to the RFA Major Event Review 18 months after it was submitted despite its 37 recommendations on forest management after the devastating 2019-20 bushfires ... Dr Tony Bartlett AFSM, as a science adviser to Forestry Australia, took the fight to the National Bushfire Preparedness Summit in Canberra last week.

The third national survey of pests and weeds shows 85 per cent of land managers spent on average around $21,950 in 2022 on pest and weed species management ... “Land managers reported that feral animals continue to cause considerable impacts on their properties in 2022,” Dr Greenville said.

Farmers rely on good weather to grow crops and sustain livestock, so when the Bureau of Meteorology issues an El Niño warning, it’s a bitter pill to swallow given that so many farmers and rural communities across Australia are still reeling from recent floods. Now, researchers at the UniSA are hoping to connect with farmers who have been affected by the 2022-23 floods to better understand their first-hand experiences and how they would like to be supported to regain optimal wellbeing.

A DA for a 36-lot subdivision at Orion Drive, Yamba, over an area that is predominantly water, has been deferred for one month by Clarence Valley Council to allow consultation with the Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation ... this was the second time the DA had been on public exhibition ... the initial DA was lodged in September 2020.

Nhill Lake is looking fantastic at the moment. This photo was taken by I See You Photography on the weekend, the lake is looking amazing thanks to a lot of work by the Nhill Lake Committee and volunteers. President of the Nhill Lake Committee Stuart Bone said, "The blueness of the Lake is ‘enviro dye’ to cut the UV rays getting to the weeds." ... Don’t forget there are a number of fish at a catchable size that were stocked in the lake late last month.

The 2022 official audit of VicForests has found an average 96 per cent compliance with the state's forestry environmental standards ... This audit was conducted according to four themes: environmental values in State forests, conservation of biodiversity, operational planning and record keeping, and coupe infrastructure for timber harvesting operations.

The $2m project being carried out in Grandchester and Flinders Peak will include activities like planting koala-friendly trees, removing weeds that prevent koalas moving between existing koala habitat and are a fire risk, reducing livestock grazing on habitat to facilitate natural regeneration, and protecting existing koala habitat through fire management. The project will be delivered by Healthy Land and Water, and will support landholders to better protect koalas on their land.  

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has welcomed a one year extension to the Wild Dog Management Plan after calling for its renewal in recent weeks ... “It just made sense to extend the highly successful Wild Dog Management Plan”: VFF Livestock Group Vice-President and Tallangatta farmer Peter Star.

Evans Head locals have captured pictures of the dramatic fiery sky as flames light up the darkness. This evidence of  554 hectares of national park burning south of Evans Head is worrying. Fortunately, the fire continues to travel south which is good news for the seaside town.

Richmond Valley Council has refused the development application at 59 Rileys Hill Road, Broadwater ... “This  development  is not in the public interest and is not suitable for development due to flood risk”: Jemma Donnelly. During the floods in February–March last year, the site was underwater.

A volunteer firefighter, who attended both the 2019 Yanchep and 2021 Red Gully bushfires, has returned from fighting wildfires in Canada. Gingin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service captain Nikki Woods said fighting wildfires in Alberta, Canada was completely different to fighting bushfires back home.

Suzie Christensen. The Checkpoint program conducted in July 2023 has found no sign of rats or mice on Lord Howe Island for over two years, signalling a significant milestone in the Rodent Eradication Project ... More than 950 detection device checks were undertaken using 140 tracking tunnels, 32 trail cameras, and 300 wax tags and chew cards, along with sweeps with detection dogs.