Murray-Darling Basin Authority chairman Craig Knowles has advised he will finish in the role when his four-year term expires in January 2015. Federal Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Senator Simon Birmingham, said that Mr Knowles had played an extremely valuable role in working towards a balanced and consultative approach in the development of the Basin…
Remote communities will benefit from the Australian Government’s announcement of $15.9 million to extend the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI) for a further three years. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the program provides funding support to repair uncontrolled bores that threaten the long-term viability of the…
The unknown microorganisms in our water table will be under the microscope this week, as the Bush Blitz team surveys Bush Heritage’s Carnarvon Station Reserve in central Queensland. “A dozen scientists from around the country have descended on Carnarvon, 200 kilometres south of Emerald. The reserve includes a river valley flanked by steep escarpments and…
The findings of a review of tropical cyclone warnings will be announced in Brisbane today, with an increase to hourly updates for Category 2 tropical cyclones in the coming season, additional warnings as tropical cyclones approach and cross the coast and flash warnings for unexpected change in the forecast track or intensity of a tropical…
A major upgrade to Bureau of Meteorology forecast and warning services for the Northern Territory will see many locations receive 7-day weather forecasts for the first time from today. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment Simon Birmingham said the Next Generation Forecast and Warning System (NexGenFWS) would see 96 locations in the Northern…
Today some Members of Parliament will sign a hollow union pledge promising to advocate for “all naval ships and submarines to be designed, built and maintained in Australia”. This pledge is meaningless because it ignores the involvement of international companies that has been essential for all of Australia's recent major shipbuilding projects. The Collins Class…
The Productivity Commission will take on the role of monitoring and auditing Australia’s progress in achieving water reform. “By allocating these roles to the Productivity Commission, industry and customers will benefit from the Commissions reputation for independence and expertise,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment. “The Government is confident that the Productivity…
The Australian Government will commence a new water purchase initiative in the Queensland Condamine-Balonne catchment. “Interested license holders have until 5pm on Thursday 30 October 2014 to make an offer,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment. “The Australian Government is committed to restoring the Murray-Darling Basin to health while ensuring the…
Lake Eyre Basin management was singled out as the winner of the 2014 Australian Riverprize amid a highly competitive list of outstanding projects around the country. “This award recognises the commitment and efforts of a coalition of diverse individuals, groups, organisations, institutions and governments who, over a long period of time, have worked to protect…
A 2000km project designed to help native fish species travel up the River Murray has been launched at Waikerie today. Federal Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Senator Simon Birmingham, and South Australian Minister for Water and the River Murray, Ian Hunter, today officially launched the Sea to Hume fishway program near Waikerie in South Australia’s…