Environment
Australian ag tech is helping save endangered species
18 January
On a farm in southern Queensland’s Darling Downs, a koala lazes in a poplar box tree, resting from the heat. Around its neck, the marsupial carries a tracking collar. It’s one of dozens being followed across the cropping region as researchers...[Read More]
Banana farmers seek retail support after flooding, rain
17 January
A month of devastating weather is set to impact banana quality and supply from far north Queensland, a veteran farmer has warned. But Diane Sciacca, who has grown bananas for almost 40 years, hopes consumers will understand and support the industry...[Read More]
Legal bid to put wind up 100-turbine island farm plan
10 January
A contentious 100-turbine $1 billion-plus wind farm proposed for a remote island in Tasmania is facing a legal challenge from a community group. The Robbins Island project was in November given permission to operate year-round after a requirement...[Read More]
Asian toad pest found in Victoria a ‘serious threat’
3 January
A deadly Asian toad poses a serious threat to wildlife and pets after it was found thousands of kilometres away from home in Victoria. A resident of Melbourne’s southeast was walking along the Djerring Trail near Huntingdale train station on...[Read More]
Heavy rain, flood threat dampen start to new year
3 January
The threat of dangerous flooding has returned as heavy rain continues to batter parts of southeast Queensland and northern NSW in a wet start to the new year. Intense falls in some areas from Gympie south to the NSW border could lead to...[Read More]
Rainfall records likely as storms batter the east coast
27 December
Severe weather is battering Australia’s east coast with thunderstorms and flash flooding expected to continue across NSW, Victoria and Queensland. After some centres likely had their wettest Christmas Day on record, more thunderstorm warnings have...[Read More]
Google links solar farm deal to help big data go green
20 December
A business-critical data centre specialist and a global renewable energy provider are teaming up with tech giant Google to build new generation capacity in Australia’s energy grid. Data centre firm AirTrunk, Swedish energy giant OX2 and Google on...[Read More]
Australia won’t sign ‘death certificate’ climate deal
13 December
Australia will not sign the “death certificates” of small island nations, after COP28 discussions produced a draft climate deal that omitted the demands of many countries for a phase-out of fossil fuels. As the 2023 United Nations Climate Change...[Read More]
Lamb on the menu in up and down outlook for farmers
13 December
Lower retail prices will see increased appetite for lamb while farmers can expect prices to strengthen in 2024, fresh insights from Rural Bank suggest. The bank’s Australian Agriculture Outlook found while lamb prices will remain well below levels...[Read More]
Nature repair bill passes after Greens agree to deal
6 December
Land owners will be able to be paid to improve the environment on their properties after the Greens struck a deal with the government on its proposed nature repair market. Under the scheme, which passed the Senate on Tuesday, businesses and...[Read More]
Australia yet to shine using solar in agriculture
29 November
A lack of clear policy and planning around the use of solar energy for agriculture has left Australia lagging in the field of agrivoltaics, according to a new report. The report “Pursuing an Agrivoltaic future in Australia” saw dozens of...[Read More]
Digging in to improve Australia’s poor soil health
29 November
A national action plan to improve Australia’s poor soil health will include a country wide soil monitoring program. Agriculture Minister Murray Watt launched the plan on Tuesday that sets out to improve Australia’s poor and declining soil...[Read More]
Low-interest loans for farmers as drought grips
22 November
Low-interest loans of up to $250,000 will be made available to NSW farmers struggling to cope as drought conditions hit more than half of the state. The $250 million state government-backed Drought Ready and Resilient Fund will go towards making the...[Read More]
Sea dumping legislation passes the upper house
15 November
Changes to Australia’s sea dumping laws will allow carbon dioxide to be stored under the seabed after legislation cleared the upper house. The government pushed the sea dumping bill through the Senate on Monday evening, with the support of the...[Read More]
Threatened species list grows as bushfire season looms
9 November
A chubby frog, eight kinds of crayfish and a river fish with no scientific description have been added to the growing list of threatened native wildlife. As the nation tackles its worst bushfire season since the 2019 Black Summer blazes, the federal...[Read More]