Infrastructure delivers environmental outcomes at Hattah Lakes

One of Australia’s largest environmental works projects is demonstrating how infrastructure can be used to achieve environmental outcomes in the Murray–Darling Basin. The $32 million package of works at Hattah Lakes, in north-west Victoria, was officially opened today by Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, and Victorian Minister…

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New funding agreement for Menindee Lakes

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…

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New groundwater resources identified near Menindee Lakes

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…

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Government moves to cut red tape in Murray-Darling Basin

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…

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Environmental water on its way to South Australia

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…

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Canberra’s Red Centre Garden officially opens

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…

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