Australia’s world-leading $22 million Bush Blitz species discovery programme will invest $1.2 million to better link discoveries with conservation outcomes. Parliamentary Secretary Simon Birmingham will announce the funding tonight at the IUCN World Parks Congress in Sydney. “By investing in the next phase of knowledge through Bush Blitz we are not only discovering new species…
The Bureau of Meteorology has today completed the national rollout of its graphical forecast viewer ‘MetEye’, delivering all Australians with access to localised seven day forecasts, satellite or radar imagery and near real-time weather data such as temperature, rainfall, cloud cover, humidity and wind speed. “With the addition of forecast information for the Northern Territory…
Today marks the two-year anniversary of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan. “There has been strong progress on the plan in its first two years of implementation,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment. “These two years have seen an impressive level of commitment and coordination between the Commonwealth and the basin state governments to…
Minister for Natural Resources, Lands and Water Kevin Humphries will today unveil a $73 million recycled water plant at Mayfield that represents a further step to drought-proofing the Hunter region by producing 3.3 billion litres of clean water a year. The state of the art recycled water plant will supply water to Orica’s Kooragang Island…
The fifth and final round of the On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program has now opened with $125 million of funding available to irrigators in southern New South Wales. The Australian Government will work together with the NSW State Government, delivery partner organisations and irrigators to deliver a programme to implement on-farm irrigation efficiency projects. “The funding…
The Australian Government today announced an independent review of the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme and its Water Efficiency and Labelling Standards (WELS) Act (2005) and other associated legislation. Due to report in June 2015, the review will pay particular attention to identifying opportunities to simplify red tape and regulatory requirements placed on…
Federal Environment Parliamentary Secretary Senator Simon Birmingham and South Australian Water and River Murray Minister Ian Hunter have announced the decision to start dredging the Murray Mouth to remove sand build-up. “It's vital that the Mouth remains open to keep the ecosystems in the Coorong healthy, as well as maintain connectivity between the River Murray,…
Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, will be leading a delegation of Australian Water Businesses to California for the California-Australia Drought Dialogue, to support Australian business and export development opportunities. Senator Birmingham will be a key speaker at a high level drought and water management roundtable being organised by the Governor Brown of…
A visit to the Australian National Botanic Gardens can soon include a touch of pampering with the establishment of Jindii EcoSpa at the Gardens. “This is a great addition to the range of visitor experiences in the Gardens, one that’s sure to bring more people to this beautiful, national institution of ours,” said Senator Simon…
The final stage of the plan to repatriate 41.4 ha of former Defence land at Headland Park, Mosman to community uses is nearing completion, Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, said today. Announcing the proposed rejuvenation of a disused former transport depot and army training and accommodation facility at Middle Head, Senator Birmingham…