Archive for April, 2008
The Federal Government has announced the reorganization of Northern Land and Water Task Force with new staff and a broader scope. The task force, to be headed by Gary Gray, parliamentary secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, will be examining water and land issues in the development of the region. Mr Gray has already stated that the task force will not allow land and river systems in the north to degrade like the Murray-Darling.
posted by ecomedia on April 21, 2008 at 7:43 pm · filed under 
South Australian irrigator Graeme Fischer was fined $18,000 for stealing water from the Bremer River. The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation fined Mr. Fischer and instructed him to remove the offending pumping equipment. Mr. Fischer was previously fined more than $2,000 for hindering compliance officers.
posted by ecomedia on April 21, 2008 at 7:28 pm · filed under 
South Australia will benefit from $34.5 million in funding for water recycling. This week the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, formally announced funding for the “Waterproofing the South” project.
posted by seamas on April 19, 2008 at 6:03 pm · filed under
This week’s meeting of environment ministers in Melbourne failed to find any common ground on a solution to the plastic bag problem, beyond further research into biodegradable options and incentives for retailers to reduce the number of bags used.
posted by seamas on April 19, 2008 at 5:56 pm · filed under 
Recent scientific research shows the Borneo pygmy elephant may not actually be native to Borneo but alternatively, the last survivors of the ‘extinct’ Javan elephant. A new publication suggests that the Javan elephant was accidently saved from extinction centuries ago when the Sultan of Sulu transported individuals to Borneo. If this proposal turns out to be true, it will be the first elephant translocation in history and will provide scientists with critical data.
posted by amelia on April 17, 2008 at 5:24 pm · filed under 
13 people were caught illegally taking young muttonbirds from their burrows at Ocean Beach, Strahan. Tasmanian wildlife enforcement officers are now patrolling the closed muttonbird rookeries across the state. Wildlife enforcement will examine videos of the illegal muttonbirders taken by animal activists.
posted by amelia on April 17, 2008 at 5:14 pm · filed under
Tomorrow’s meeting of Australia’s environment ministers must not waste the opportunity to deal more effectively with our increasing waste problem, according to Environment Victoria’s Zero Waste campaign manager Mark Doggett. Mr Dogget urged tomorrow’s Environment Protection Heritage Council meeting in Melbourne to adopt a strategic approach to increased reuse and recycling of waste products.
posted by patrick on April 17, 2008 at 1:00 pm · filed under
Despite opposition from certain states, Peter Garrett will continue to push his agenda for the implication of national standards regarding a phase-out of plastic bags in today’s meeting of environment ministers in Melbourne. A blanket ban on plastic bags would not be effective according to Gavin Jennings, Victoria’s Environment Minister, as this would assume there are viable alternatives already available to consumers.
posted by elisabeth on April 17, 2008 at 10:46 am · filed under
A nationwide retrofit of Australian homes with immediately available technologies to cut gas, electricity and water use could produce energy savings of 30 per cent, according to ‘Energy and Equity’, a joint report from ACF, CHOICE and the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS).
posted by patrick on April 17, 2008 at 10:25 am · filed under 
The Victorian government will create a $72 million fund to assist in the progress of large-scale sustainable energy projects. A Memorandum of understanding with the William J. Clinton Foundation will also help develop energy efficiency in areas including transport and street lighting.
posted by shaun on April 16, 2008 at 12:38 pm · filed under
« later entries · earlier entries »
Mining & nuclear
Oceans & coasts
Toxics & pollution
Bookmark & Share
Email Updates
Latest News
Features & Comment
Publications, Impact Assessment & Consultation
Careers & Networking
Funding Opportunities
Events
