Long-term environmental water monitoring programme for the MDB

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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…

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Bush Blitz – discovery and beyond

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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…

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MetEye offers a forecast service for all Australians

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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…

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Basin Plan on track to be delivered in full and on time

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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…

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$125 Million available for NSW irrigation efficiency

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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…

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Review of Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme announced

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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…

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Dredging to start at the Murray Mouth

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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,…

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New parklands, more public access and spectacular Harbour walkways in final stage of Headland Park

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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…

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Improving water reform outcomes in New South Wales

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The Australian and New South Wales Governments today announced a $350 million package of new irrigation efficiency projects across New South Wales.  “The Australian Government is contributing an extra $125 million of funding to the revised package, bringing total Australian Government funding for New South Wales to nearly $1.5 billion,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary…

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