Mulga country graziers struggle to understand new land clearing laws
Graziers in south-west Queensland are scrambling to understand changes to tree and land clearing laws before they are passed through Parliament.
News
Pearl Jam invests in Amazonian reforestation to offset emissions from current Brazil tour
By: New Ground
March 21, 2018
Rock band Pearl Jam is voluntarily offsetting the carbon emissions of its current tour in Brazil.
The band has partnered with Conservation International (CI) in purchasing carbon offsets for the estimated 2,500 tons of carbon dioxide emissions that will be generated by its Brazilian tour dates taking place this month.
Queensland’s vegetation management legislation is changing again – what you need to know – 16 March 2018
By: New Ground
March 21, 2018
Vegetation clearing laws are again in the spotlight, with the Queensland Government introducing the Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 (the Bill) into parliament on 8 March 2018. The controversial Bill contains many components of the previous vegetation clearing “re-instatement” bill, introduced in 2016, which was defeated on the floor of parliament. The Bill re-establishes controls on regrowth vegetation and targets broad-scale clearing associated with agricultural activities.
Queensland’s new land clearing bill will help turn the tide, despite its flaws
By: New Ground
March 21, 2018
ueensland’s Labor government this month tabled a bill to tighten the regulation of land clearing. Queensland is by far the worst offender in this area, following a litany of reversals of vegetation protection.
After a period of tightened laws between 2004 and 2013, the Newman government set about unwinding key reforms during its 2012-15 term.
NSW government reinstates land clearing laws ruled invalid
By: New Ground
March 14, 2018
The Berejiklian government has reinstated land clearing laws hours after they were ruled invalid, in what environmental advocates have described as “callous indifference to nature”.
The Land and Environment Court on Friday declared the code was invalid because Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair did not follow due process.
Govt must deliver Koala Strategy: Opposition
By: New Ground
March 14, 2018
The Ballina upgrade of the Pacific Highway through core koala habitat has been listed as one of many reasons the iconic species appears doomed if the NSW Government fails to deliver its long-awaited Koala Strategy.
Dr Rebecca Johnson, wildlife forensic scientist and director of the Australian Museum Research Institute
By: New Ground
March 14, 2018
The woman pioneering conservation research, genetic and forensic science and the stamping out of illegal trafficking of wildlife.
As one of the 2017 ‘Superstars of STEM’ (a Science and Technology Australia initiative to break down gender assumptions among the science, technology, engineering and mathematics research industries, by celebrating dynamic female minds), Dr Rebecca Johnson is one of our most important wildlife forensic scientists.
Can Queensland Labor end broadscale land clearing, as promised?
By: New Ground
March 14, 2018
Last week, the Queensland government tabled a highly anticipated bill seeking to implement its promise to “end broadscale clearing in Queensland”.
Queensland is responsible for more tree clearing than the rest of the country combined, so making good on that promise would go a long way to halting Australia’s growing land clearing crisis.
Transport hub gets green light provided rare plant gets protection
By: New Ground
March 14, 2018
Plans to convert a defence site into a freight hub in Sydney’s south-west can proceed, provided developers implement strict conditions to protect a rare flowering plant, the Land and Environment Court has decided.
Port of Cairns upgrade given environmental approval
By: New Ground
March 14, 2018
The $120 million Port of Cairns upgrade is closer to completion following the Queensland Government’s approval of the Environmental Impact Statement.
Indian mynas are on the move – to Ballarat
By: New Ground
March 14, 2018
AN UNWELCOME IMMIGRANT
Small, brown birds with a black head and a bright yellow beak, legs and eye patch; notoriously aggressive and quarrelsome; thought to compete with native species of birds and mammals for food and nesting space.
Maules Creek offsets still not secured, five years after land clearing approved
By: New Ground
March 14, 2018
Five years after the controversial Maules Creek coalmine in north-east New South Wales was given approval to clear critically endangered native ecosystems, Whitehaven Coal has still not secured the biodiversity offsets demanded by the federal government, receiving a second extension in February.
‘World’s ugliest animal’ found off Australia
By: New Ground
February 28, 2018
IT’S one of the most inaccessible and unexplored places on the planet. Now Australian researchers have managed to haul in creatures from the deepest, darkest depths of the ocean, rarely seen by humans.
Second stage of second crossing edges closer
By: New Ground
February 28, 2018
WORKS are about to start on the second stage of the $280 million Echuca-Moama bridge project, closing Warren St from early March 2018 to mid 2019.
‘‘We need to close Warren St between the Murray Valley Hwy roundabout and the Campaspe River bridge,’’ a project spokesperson said.
Invest in science for the full picture
By: New Ground
February 28, 2018
Since 1988, the Queensland Government has been using satellite imagery to analyze reductions in woody vegetation and report their findings via the Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS).
More science needed on vegetation management says AgForce
By: New Ground
February 28, 2018
FARMERS are calling on the Palaszczuk Government to equip scientists with the resources they need to examine how much vegetation is growing in Queensland, not just how much is being cleared.
Farmers: Time to end divisive debate on vegetation laws
By: New Ground
February 12, 2018
FARMERS say land management plans with defined environmental and agricultural production outcomes agreed to by both farmers and the Queensland Government will help end the divisive debate over vegetation laws.
Chevron LNG project facing emissions row
By: New Ground
February 4, 2018
The WA Opposition claims the state government is risking investors’ dollars with an environmental review into greenhouse gas emissions from the multi-billion dollar Wheatstone natural gas project.
Plan to carve up beach drive view
By: New Ground
February 1, 2018
A proposal to clear one of Noosa’s best known coastal views at Castaways Beach for subdivision has seen Mayor Tony Wellington invoke the 1990s protest spirit used to halt development of the Marcus high dune.
More than 20,000 hectares of land to be cleared in largest single permit issued for Northern Territory
By: New Ground
February 1, 2018
The decision to grant a permit for a Top End cattle station to clear 20,432 hectares of land has been heavily criticised by an environmental lobby group.