Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, Senator Simon Birmingham, and the NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, today announced a funding agreement of up to $800,000 for the NSW Government to undertake project planning, stakeholder consultation and detailed design work for a water savings project to reduce average evaporation at the Menindee…
Geoscience Australia has identified new potential groundwater resources beneath the Darling River floodplain near Menindee Lakes in far western New South Wales (NSW). The potential groundwater resources and aquifer storage options were identified in the 7,500 square kilometre study area at depths of 25 to 100 metres below the ground. Between 2,100 and 4,400 gigalitres…
The Government will remove unnecessary environmental red tape by disallowing two ecological community listings in the Murray-Darling Basin, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Senator Simon Birmingham announced today. “These listings were made by the previous government the day prior to entering caretaker mode,” Senator Birmingham said. “They immediately provoked extensive concerns across affected communities. “As…
The delivery of up to 600 gigalitres (billion litres) of environmental water from the River Murray system, the Goulburn and Murrumbidgee Rivers into South Australia is underway and will continue into January 2014. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, Senator Simon Birmingham said the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder has made available over 500…
As we head into the festive season, International Volunteer Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of volunteers who selflessly dedicate their time, skills and other resources to the service of the community. There are more than 5000 rainfall observers, 2000 storm spotters, 300 river height observers and more than 70 ships in the…
One of the nation’s biggest living treasures now houses a garden paying tribute to the heart of our country – the Red Centre. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment Simon Birmingham today opened the Red Centre Garden at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. “This garden has been three years in the…
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment Simon Birmingham welcomed State and Territory Ministers to Canberra today to discuss management of the Murray Darling and water reform matters at the Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council meeting. The meeting was attended by Hon Peter Walsh MP (VIC), Hon Katrina Hodgkinson (NSW), Hon Andrew Cripps (QLD), Hon…
The First Creek Wetland launched today will provide the Adelaide Botanic Garden with a new water supply, reducing reliance on the River Murray. At the wetland opening in Adelaide, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment Senator Simon Birmingham said the project was a fantastic example of communities addressing water scarcity issues by…
South Australia's irrigation districts will receive a major investment in their future with $240 million of Federal Government funds to begin flowing into the these areas. Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, today announced that he had approved the guidelines for key components of the South Australian River Murray Sustainability…
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment Simon Birmingham today begins three days of meetings in the northern Murray-Darling Basin as part of a program of community engagement and consultation. Senator Birmingham will meet with community representatives in Moree, St George, Goondiwindi and Narromine on his first visit to the northern Basin since…