Environmental protection
Councils left begging for funding to protect their coasts
Just over half of a $73 million funding program to curb coastal erosion and restore estuaries has been dished out over the past five years.
- by Matt O'Sullivan
Latest
VicForests win appeal against Leadbeater’s Possum logging case
A landmark judgment that enforced federal environment laws on state-run logging agencies has been overturned by the Federal Court.
- by Mike Foley
‘Living giants’: Conservationists urge government to protect oldest and largest trees
Forest areas close to some of the largest trees in Australia will be logged by VicForests and conservationists say these changes could damage or kill the trees.
- by Miki Perkins
‘The house smells like a toilet’: Sydney suburb hit by stench, recycling plant told to clean up its act
Recent significant rainfall is believed to be a factor behind the increase in odour, while temperature changes across the Sydney Basin in autumn can trap smells close to the ground.
- by Sarah McPhee
Humans affected most of Earth 12,000 years ago, but not to environment’s detriment
New modelling has found humans impacted two-thirds of the planet over 10,000 years ago but land use only recently intensified.
- by Stuart Layt
Nationals senator’s logging bill chops down Environment Minister’s powers
Bridget McKenzie has made the unusual move of lodging a private members bill that would limit her colleague’s power to protect the environment from logging.
- by Mike Foley
‘Disincentive’: State sabotages koala protection with rates bill
The NSW Government is undermining a key platform of its koala protection policy by removing financial incentives for conservation on private properties as part of a bill to help harmonise council rates.
- by Angus Thompson
Men sought after ‘endangered powerful owl’ shot dead in state forest
Victoria’s conservation watchdog is seeking information about two men who were filmed allegedly killing native wildlife, including the endangered powerful owl.
- by Miki Perkins
Analysis
Matt Kean
Green-hued Kean tries to turn tide on Coalition’s dismal conservation record
The state government’s 10-year environmental record includes not only landmark successes in climate policy, but also vast land clearing and the memory of dead fish.
- by Nick O'Malley and Peter Hannam
Finding Nemo: citizen science discovers new spider
Meet Maratus nemo, the pint-sized peacock spider known for its vibrant colours and dancing displays.
- by Miki Perkins
‘We are pro-forestry’: Minister rejects call to enhance threatened species protections
Jonathon Duniam says he’ll be guided by the forest industry on threatened species law, despite a statutory review’s warning the law was failing wildlife.
- by Mike Foley