Implementing the Basin Plan – commencement of ACT Water Management Legislation

Commonwealth Government legislation comes into effect today that transfers to the ACT Government responsibility for all water abstraction in the ACT. “The ACT Water Management Legislation is an example of one of the many ways in which our Government is improving governance of water within the Murray-Darling Basin,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary of…

Waterproofing Western Adelaide

A new stormwater harvesting and reuse project in Adelaide will save more than 500 million litres of Adelaide’s drinking quality water per year. Through the construction of significant infrastructure, including 23 kilometres of mains pipelines, Waterproofing the West – Stage One will use treated stormwater to irrigate parks and gardens in the City of Charles…

$1 million boost for River Torrens

The Australian Government is delivering on its election commitment to improve the health of the River Torrens with a $1 million injection of funding under the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme. Federal Environment Parliamentary Secretary and Senator for South Australia, Simon Birmingham, today officially launched the River Torrens Recovery Programme, saying the funding will be…

Constraints work moves to next phase

The annual progress report on the constraints management strategy has been released today, pointing the way forward to the next phase of this important part of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan. “Local information provided by basin communities form the backbone of the report’s findings,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment. “The good work…

Fresh approach for Kakadu’s threatened species

The Australian Government is ramping up action to bring threatened species back from the brink of extinction in Australia’s largest national park, Kakadu. As thousands gather in Sydney ahead of World Parks Congress, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Senator Simon Birmingham released Kakadu’s Threatened Species Strategy today, a major change in Kakadu’s approach to threatened…

Darwin weather radar upgrade complete

The Bureau of Meteorology has completed the construction of a replacement weather watch radar in Darwin today, with real-time imagery now available on the Bureau’s website.  “The upgrade will improve the reliability of the radar, benefitting those living and working in the Northern Territory. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment Simon Birmingham. “The…

Long-term environmental water monitoring programme for the MDB

A new five year monitoring plan for the Murray-Darling Basin announced today by the Commonwealth Government will provide unprecedented knowledge into the effectiveness of environmental watering. “Localised teams of experts from Australia’s leading regional universities and research institutions will undertake projects in key areas of Commonwealth environmental water delivery,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary…

Bush Blitz – discovery and beyond

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…

MetEye offers a forecast service for all Australians

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…