Archived Industry News for Water Professionals - July, 2015
Antibiotic resistance genes are spreading to Australian wildlife, including captive sea lions and rock wallabies, and the little penguins of Sydney Harbour.
Government signs on to fight illegal fishing
The Federal Government says it is taking stronger action against illegal fishing.
Humpback uptick brings reclassification call
Studies on the recovery of Australia’s humpback whale populations have revealed that they are increasing at a remarkable rate, among the highest documented worldwide.
New Murray flows peak this week
The MDBA says River Murray communities between Hume Dam and Yarrawonga Weir can expect varying flows in late July and early August.
Reef workers trained as watchers
Queensland tourism staff are being upskilled to get more eyes on the Great Barrier Reef.
Spill responders watching oily tide
The Queensland Transport Department is scrambling to deal with an oil spill along a 10 kilometre stretch of water in the ocean south of Townsville.
Unmanned advance gets eyes on nature
Local research engineers have developed a flotilla of robot boats to monitor the effects of major weather events and provide early warning on potential environmental disasters.
Gas firm won't frack one WA site
Conservationists are celebrating an oil and gas company’s decision not to hydraulically frack a well in Western Australia's Mid West.
Desal deal could see payments pushed
Negotiations are underway which could see a largely-dormant desalination plant take an extra thirty years to pay off.
GABSI goal backed by new money
A new agreement between the Federal and New South Wales Governments is aimed at ensuring more water savings for the state’s Great Artesian Basin - one of the largest underground water reservoirs in the world.
Green groups mourn loss of Reef hero
Conservationists and authorities around Australia are mourning the loss of one of the environment’s fiercest defenders.
Kiribati man's climate refugee bid fails
A Kiribati man faces deportation from New Zealand, after failing in his bid to become the world’s first climate refugee.
NASA's groundwater accident still helping
An experimental NASA satellite is providing some exciting and useful data on Australian groundwater, but it has all happened by accident.
Shorten drops new renewable deal
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is pushing for half of Australia's large-scale energy production to come from renewable sources within 15 years.
Water worries whitewashed in quest for Shenhua
A former member of the expert committee behind the approval of the Shenhua Watermark coal mine says it comes with big risks to water supplies.
Slow wage talks push specialists to strike
Public servants at Murray Darling-Basin Authority have voted to strike over their ongoing pay and conditions battle.
Dam backers welcome new Federal view
Lobby groups say the Federal Government’s focus on Northern Australia could reinvigorate their campaign for the Urannah Dam in North Queensland.
Farmers' fears doused in NSW
A respected hydrologist has told New South Wales farmers that they have nothing to fear from coal seam gas (CSG) operations in the Pilliga forest.
Politicians claim Murray plan not to blame
There is disagreement between green groups and government bodies as to whether rising water prices in the Murray River system are the result of the basin plan.
Resilience review rolls to NT rivers
Researchers in the Northern Territory will assess the resilience of freshwater fish in the region’s rivers.
Study shows cuttlefish plan scuffles
Research has revealed an intriguing behaviour displayed by the cuttlefish – it sizes up a counterpart and adjusts its fighting style before battle.