Archived Industry News for Water Professionals - August, 2013
The Lismore City Council has decided to stop adding fluoride to local water supplies, with other regional councils now considering following suit.
Audit to check Sydney Water funding flows
An independent review has been launched to see whether budgetary controls at Sydney Water are ship-shape.
Barriers make coral reef fish better, more varied
A study of various types of coral reef fish has highlighted the barriers they face in evolution; barriers which define species and help create new ones too.
Fuel to run on the fumes of algae
A Spanish company is making moves towards the energy future, growing their first crop of algae which will be used to manufacture bio-fuel.
GhostNets re-appear with funding confirmed
The Federal Government has re-enlivened support for a conservation group which removes deadly abandoned fishing nets from Australian seas and waterways.
Nano-filter to help keep millions bug-free
Researchers at CSIRO have developed a new technique which paves the way for the next generation of portable potable water devices.
Popular swimming hole to serve humans again
A crocodile in Queensland may have its holiday extended, with a plan to restore safety to a popular swimming and watering hole.
Shadow of doubt spilled over WA's forecasts
Members of the West Australian Government’s opposition party have accused the state’s Premier of going back on a pledge on water charges.
Strange find in study plotting flotsam
Items washed out by floods travel in the opposite direction to garbage dumped at sea, according to new research from the Central Queensland University.
Water Corp buy-out bargaining continues in QLD
Ongoing negotiations over the future of the Wide Bay Water Corporation threaten the reputation of the entire region, according to a local MP.
Russia braces for big-rouble flood bill
Weeks of flooding in Russia has left the giant nation with an equally-sized damage bill, reportedly in the neighbourhood of one billion roubles.
Native title fishing rights awarded
A landmark case has been decided which will see indigenous Torres Strait Islanders gain native title to operate commercial fishing activities in the ocean expanse between Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Big dump protests port digging
Protestors angry at plans to massively expand Queensland’s Abbot Point Coal Port terminal have dumped a skip-bin full of sludge at Kevin Rudd’s office in Brisbane.
Glitch awakes fluoride debate
Brisbane’s water supply will be fluoride-free while the local water authority determines what caused a sudden spike in concentration.
Nuclear leak continues to disturb the Pacific
The devastated Fukushima nuclear plant is back to a state of emergency, with on-going leaks of radioactive water now threatening to spill even further.
Opinions sought on dumping laws
The Federal Government is calling for feedback on proposed changes to biosecurity measures around water vessels’ ability to dump ballast and sediment as part of operations.
Plans to ease pressure on Perth's pipes
Some Perth homes will experience a distinct drop in water pressure next year, as the local Water Corporation enacts a plan to save drinking supplies and fix leaks and burst pipes in its ageing network.
Speak up on NSW bulk water plan
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is calling for community opinion on a pricing proposal for bulk water supply in the New South Wales Murray-Darling Basin.
Storm-saving win in wine country
A stormwater recycling plant has been completed which will save up to 726 megalitres of precious drinking water per year for some South Australian residents.
Warming oceans lead to more marine migration, reproduction
Scientists at CSIRO are reporting evidence that suggesting marine life spawns sooner and is moving to cooler areas as oceans become warmer.
Widespread concern over Wild Rivers retraction
Queensland Natural Resources Minister Andrew Cripps has said the government will not release more water for irrigation, winding back Wild Rivers declarations in Queensland’s Channel Country.