Cleaner, reliable and affordable secure energy system by 2030
As part of the transition to affordable, reliable, cleaner and secure energy, the Territory Labor Government has released the Darwin-Katherine Electricity System Plan. The System Plan provides a comprehensive and credible pathway to generate 50% renewable energy by 2030 in the Darwin-Katherine Electricity System - cutting emissions in half.
Wild horse draft plan for Kosciuszko National Park
The draft plan for the management of wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park has been released for public comment. Environment Minister Matt Kean said the draft plan strikes the right balance between protecting the fragile alpine ecosystems and recognising the cultural heritage values of the wild horses ... The draft plan is open for public comment until Tuesday, 2 November 2021.
Reel in the million dollar fish and turn your catch into cash
Hooking a barra in the Territory is about to make some lucky fishos a lot richer as Season 7 of Million Dollar Fish has officially opened.
More local manufacturing being returned to WA
The McGowan Labor Government has welcomed Rio Tinto's commitment to use local suppliers to build iron ore railcars for its Pilbara mining operations. Rio Tinto's announcement includes a commitment to the initial purchase of 50 iron ore railcars, followed by an ongoing commitment of 10 ore cars a year for at least the following five years.
Fabricated myths and politics are causing the mismanagement of water in the Murray-Darling Basin
Robert Onfray. Before I started our travels, I recall hearing and reading stories about the parlous state of the Murray River and its basin. These calls are always louder when there is a drought. On our trip, I have spent a lot of time on the Murray, the Lachlan and Edward Rivers, as well as the Murrumbidgee Irrigation area. We also stopped at Wentworth to observe the mouth of the Darling into the Murray River.
Palaszczuk Government takes next steps for Southern Downs water security
Water security for the Southern Downs region is being bolstered with early works underway on projects to unlock new water sources and upgrades to critical water infrastructure.
Broadening the Australian palate with new wine grape varieties
The McGowan Government continues to support the expansion of the State's wine industry, backing the local development of three new wine varieties from the Mediterranean - two receiving a medal at a recent Western Australian wine show ... Prosecco, a sparkling white grape variety, and Nero d'Avola, a mid-body red variety, were sourced from Italy while the Mencia variety originates from Spain.
McBride to stay with Liberal Party
Sheryl Lowe. One week into a two-week time frame to decide his political future, Member for McKillop Nick McBride MP confirmed he had consulted with members of his electorate as he considered how “I can best serve my constituents and my electorate” ... Mr McBride told The News he is happy with the outcome. He has “greater lines of communication within the party” and the difficulties he experienced getting traction for important issues in the past have been removed, he said.
Daintree National Park returns to Eastern Kuku Yalanji people
The world-famous Daintree National Park has been handed back to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people, part of 160,000 hectares of land in Cape York that is again in the hands of traditional owners following an agreement with the Queensland government. The planet’s oldest rainforest joins Uluru and Kakadu as UNESCO world heritage sites under management of First Nations people.
Call for protection of farmland in race to Net Zero
NSW Farmers has called for the clear protection of agricultural land as the state moves to slash emissions by 2030. While moves to increase private sector investment, grow the economy and lower power prices were welcomed, NSW Farmers Vice President Xavier Martin said the protection of prime agricultural land had to be a fundamental part of the plan. “As they say, they’re not making any more dirt, and we need to ensure that prime agricultural land is protected because once you dig it up or pave over it, it’s gone forever ... We remain concerned about regional renewable energy zones – there is clearly scope for this sort of infrastructure, but we must ensure it does not displace food and fibre from quality land."
NSW gives nation’s biggest energy project the go-ahead
New South Wales is leading the nation’s charge towards a low-emissions energy system after the NSW Government approved stage one of a $1.8 billion transmission line that would link NSW and South Australia’s energy networks for the first time. Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said stage one planning approval had been granted for the NSW Western Section of Energy Connect, a 900-kilometre transmission line that would run from Wagga Wagga to Robertstown in SA, with a spur line to Victoria.
Murky water stirred by politics
The NSW Upper House inquiry into floodplain harvesting hadn’t even finished hearing evidence when a barrage of media releases came from the Victorian and NSW National Parties ... What caused this great flurry of excitement by the Nationals? It appears the excitement was generated by how floodplain harvesting sits as an offence under s60A of the Water Management Act. This does not mean floodplain harvesting is lawful, it just means that provision doesn’t catch it.
Proposed global scale Energy Hub one step closer for NQ
Townsville is a step closer to a huge industry and jobs boost from a proposed advanced manufacturing facility at the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct that would refine ore to produce critical materials for use in new-technology batteries. Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the proposed Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub (TECH) had been declared a prescribed project and would support North Queensland’s economic recovery.
North coast MPs seek protection from ‘70 percenters’
Geoff Helisma. Five north coast MPs – Janelle Saffin, Chris Gulaptis, Geoff Provest, Ben Franklin and Tamara Smith – have jointly written to Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Deputy Premier John Barilaro, expressing their fears that the government’s Covid 19 policy is a threat to the health of their constituents. “We are really concerned that, without policy changes, our region will suddenly become deeply vulnerable to a major influx of newly freed Sydneysiders, while we are still short of the 70 per cent safety target,” the MPs write.
NSW set to halve emissions by 2030
NSW is set to attract more than $37 billion in investment while slashing emissions by 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, under updated projections and objectives released as part of the Net Zero: Stage 1 Implementation Update. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state’s new objective of halving emissions by 2030 – up from 35 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 – shows that NSW is serious about setting itself up for the future while helping the world decarbonise.
Modular to be used for social housing in Kalgoorlie for first time
Modular will be used for social housing in Kalgoorlie for the first time, with two homes currently under construction. The homes are being prefabricated in a factory in Perth's south and will soon make the 600-kilometre trek east.
MOU to support aquaculture further offshore
The Australian and Tasmanian governments have agreed to support a framework to deliver offshore aquaculture in Commonwealth waters off the coast of Tasmania. Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries and Senator for Tasmania Jonathon Duniam and Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett said the joint agreement between the Australian and Tasmanian governments will help examine the economic, environmental and operational feasibility of offshore aquaculture.
Facial recognition drones to help save koalas
Once limited to science-fiction, drones and facial recognition technology have since become part of modern life and now the technology is being harnessed to help save Australia’s koalas. In new research being undertaken by Flinders University in partnership with conservation charity Koala Life and the SA Government, non-invasive koala monitoring techniques are being developed using drones and facial recognition technology to count, identify and re-identify koalas.
Homes to accommodate harvest jobs bonanza
Thousands of jobs are up for grabs as the South Australian agricultural industry braces for a bumper harvest. The jobs, based in regional South Australia, are typically filled by interstate or overseas workers, but due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, companies, like bulk grain handler Viterra, are calling on locals to fill these roles.
Evidence of environmental damage from floodplain harvesting disallowance: Pavey
Evidence presented this week at the NSW Upper House Select Committee on Floodplain Harvesting has shown without licencing, floodplain harvesting will increase across the state, having negative impacts on the environment. Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said evidence presented at the inquiry demonstrates the importance of regulating this activity.
NASA en route to Arnhem Land
An international contingent from NASA have been released from quarantine at the Centre for National Resilience today, to prepare for an historic rocket launch from Arnhem Land. The 27 essential personnel will travel to Nhulunbuy to undertake 40 days of work with Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA) at the Arnhem Space Centre.
Bushfires and logging debate: Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change (Vic)
There is much debate within the scientific community regarding the relationship between bushfire and forestry but what is not debated is the overwhelming impact climate change is having on the frequency and intensity of severe weather events and resulting bushfires. In the past 50-years there has been a 40% increase in very high fire danger days, and this is set to triple in some parts of Victoria by the end of the century according to the International Journal of Wildland Fire.
