State intervenes on Dunoon Dam
Rous County Councillors voted 5–3 to keep the Dunoon Dam out of the region’s future water strategy and instead tap into ground water aquifers in Alstonville and Tyagarah ... “The community feedback on the council’s strategy was overwhelmingly in favour of the Dunoon Dam project with more than 10,000 of the 13,000 submissions received supporting the dam being investigated as a future water project. It is outrageous that the majority of elected councillors have completely ignored the community consultation process and Rous County Council staff recommendations”: NSW parliamentary secretary for Water Infrastructure, Sam Farraway.
Bellingen council back’s CVC’s anti mining stance
Geoff Helisma. Bellingen Shire Council is the second council to support Clarence Valley Council’s anti-mining stance ... "So, this is asking that we don’t mine areas of high rainfall where there is a chance that it will have lasting effects on the environment and our economic opportunity. We do protect those things that are so valued in our community, so I have no qualms about putting this motion up to support what the Clarence Valley councillors have put” : Bellingen mayor, Dominic King.
Development of the modern air battery
With today's technological advances and some insightful design, Leaper Innovate Green Energies have developed and patented the LiGE Air Battery. A zero-emissions CAES system that can be hooked up to the electricity grid or to renewable energy sources to provide clean energy as well as clean water.
New NT water licence portal to make doing business easier
Easily accessible information about ground and surface water licences is a key priority to ensuring business keeps moving in an environmentally sustainable way. From today, the new water licensing portal will open – making it a one stop shop for water licensing questions.
Water deficiency declarations revoked in the Shire of Esperance
Improved water availability has allowed Western Australia's two remaining water deficiency declarations to be revoked in the Shire of Esperance.
Rural Funds goes nuts, raising $100m to buy macadamia orchards
Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF) has launched an equity raising, as the group bets on macadamias, cattle and water in central Queensland. Rural Funds Group is looking to raise $100 million, at an issue price of $2.47, through a fully underwritten 1-for-8.4 accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer.
Increase fines for big irrigators who haven’t installed pump meters: Greens
Revelations that nearly half of New South Wales’ biggest irrigators have made no effort to install compliant meters six months after the deadline is yet another example of the National Party’s special treatment of corporate irrigators and shows that the penalties for non-compliance aren’t tough enough, says Cate Faehrmann Greens MP and water spokesperson.
Splash of Colour to brighten electrical cabinets and pump station in Yanchep and Mandurah
Water Minister Dave Kelly today celebrated the work of local artists who have brightened three electrical cabinets and a wastewater pump station in Yanchep and Mandurah as part of Water Corporation's Splash of Colour Program.
Now there’s water in Menindee Lakes, what can we do to keep it there?
Maryanne Slattery. At long last, the big lakes at Menindee are more than cracked dirt and emu prints. Flows into Menindee have subsided after the March rains in the north this year. The reflection of blue skies and thousands of ducks on the Lakes are a welcome sight for locals and all of us watching from afar.
Major overhaul to keep Wivenhoe pumping
Queensland’s largest hydro power station will undergo a $14 million overhaul to ensure it continues to pump cleaner, cheaper energy for years to come. Major maintenance works will start at the publicly-owned Wivenhoe Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Station this month, creating 100 jobs under the Palaszczuk Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
Kayak launch opens up Loddon River exploration
Kayakers and those wanting to explore the Loddon River around Kerang will have greater opportunities to do so following the recent installation of a kayak launch within the Kerang Regional Park.
‘Floating Cities’ Project supports Lake Eildon houseboat industry
Murrindindi Shire Council is thrilled to announce the completion of the Lake Eildon ‘Floating Cities’ Project. The project has delivered important upgrades to the entrance road to the Lake Eildon Marina, off Sugarloaf Road, which will make access for houseboats much easier. It has also delivered a new, environmentally-friendly wash-bay facility, which will accommodate minor houseboat maintenance, mandatory houseboat inspections and allow easier access for larger houseboats.
Farmers praise important environmental reform in Federal Parliament this week
The National Farmers’ Federation commends the passage of two important pieces of environmental reform this week: the Inspector-General of Water Compliance Bill and the Standards and Assurance Bill. "The Standards and Assurance Bill is the first step towards reform. The Bill will establish a framework to develop national environmental standards consistent with the Samuel review of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity (EPBC) Act," NFF CEO Tony Mahar said.
Politics, say no more …
Barnaby Joyce is once again leader of the federal National Party and is the Deputy Prime Minister. Does that statement cause joy, tears or disbelief? For me, personally, I am probably leaning towards disbelief, and that is based on his recent behaviour alone, including: Approval of the sale of $80 million of water licences for a Cayman Islands based company established by Energy Minister Angus Taylor, Eastern Australia Irrigation – the very same licences that were valued at zero between 2008 and 2010.
Be Crocwise in the Top End
With the dry season in full swing and school holidays just around the corner, Territorians and visitors are being urged to be Crocwise when exploring the Top End. So far this year, crocodile management teams have removed more than 160 crocodiles from Top End waterways.
Dunoon koalas: Water Northern Rivers explores local koala population
Nan Nicholson. The Dunoon Dam koalas are even more important than first thought. They can help other koala populations to recover robust genetics. New information has been revealed about the local population of koalas which would be impacted by the proposed 15ML dam at Dunoon.
Mayor Otto welcomes water funding – State Budget
South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Brett Otto has welcomed the State Budget announcement regarding funding availability for local water infrastructure, saying it is the first step in protecting the community from an impending water crisis ... “We are seeking meetings with Minister Keith Pitt to highlight the importance of water infrastructure for our region. I think when it comes to water infrastructure and protecting and growing our communities, we need a holistic approach which involves all levels and all sides of government,” he said.
Reflect on this
Last week, Griffith hosted the first annual Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) River Reflections conference. It was with much reluctance that I headed up to the event, but I am glad I did because the gospel, according to the MDBA, appears to be more rooted in propaganda than guiding the whole basin to a prosperous future ... The high ranking officials included MDBA Chair, Sir Angus Houston; Federal Environment Minister and Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley; Minister for Water, Keith Pitt; MDBA Chief Executive, Phillip Glyde; MDBA River Operations, Andrew Reynolds; and Acting Head of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Hilton Taylor.
Shannon Creek Dam on track to reach maximum storage
Water extraction from the Nymboida River is on track to see Shannon Creek Dam reach its maximum storage capacity ... “Frequent heavy rainfall events in the Nymboida catchment throughout the summer continued to cause issues with river water quality and delayed the refilling of Shannon Creek Dam. We also experienced issues with extraction infrastructure which further limited the amount of clean water which could be taken from the Nymboida River to replenish water levels in the dam,” says Greg Mashiah, Manager for Water Cycle at Clarence Valley Council.
Government heads visit local environment
CMEFG. Over the last two weeks Central Murray Environmental Floodplains Group has engaged on-ground managers of federal and state government departments responsible for the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, federal and state environmental water and its delivery, and the North Central Catchment Management Authority ... Passionate community angst was voiced continually throughout the day about present management of the forest contra to what has been publicly written and posted by government departmental staff.
We cannot shoulder this alone – Mayor Otto says we are in water crisis
South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Brett Otto revealed he is getting desperate for a permanent water solution for Kingaroy, saying he has called on the state government to help make a case for federal funding ... “We all need to get on the same page with this issue or we will end up trucking water and that is not sustainable for us or for the Queensland Taxpayer,” he said.
Moulamein to Menindee
The final Get Set in the Basin celebrations were held over the weekend. The concerts, funded through Lloyd’s Walk for Water, the Australian Horizon Foundation and BEEFitUP Australia, had toured four rural communities for a night of music and comedy. Headlining the shows were Aria Award winning lead singer of TAXIRIDE, Jason Singh, along with musician, Huc Richards and comedian, Flemmo.
