Archived Industry News for Water Professionals - February, 2014
Environmentalists are celebrating a decision by building giant Lend Lease to pull out of the planned expansion of a Queensland coal port.
Back-flip ignites anger over coastal mine plan
The approval of a coal mine on the New South Wales central coast has become embroiled in controversy; accusations of corruption and broken promises.
Coca-Cola to continue funding sugar supply improvement
A surprising allegiance has continued between environmentalists, the Federal Government and Coca-Cola, which is aimed at reducing cane farm chemical run-off into the Great Barrier Reef.
Crabs back after hot run but scallops stay low
Tough times for parts of Western Australian aquaculture, with reports that some scallop farms will face another year of nothing.
Dredge conflict claims cleared, questions over Reef assessment
Two members of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority board have been cleared from conflict of interest accusations, after approval for dredge dumping was given by men with links to mining companies.
Fish fight in the Pacific sees locals muscled-out
Tuna fishing zones in the Western and Central Pacific are being slammed by international fleets seeking the swimming gold.
Funding taps opened to break the strain of drought
The Federal Government has announced the details of its long-awaited assistance package for drought-affected farmers in Queensland and NSW.
Leaks and spills in the past, Japan plans tomorrow
Japan is beginning to turn a corner after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, releasing its first energy policy since the event and allowing some residents to return to their homes in evacuated areas.
Locals to help BHP assess water levels for coal plan
Some of the strongest opponents to coal mine developments have agreed to work with mining giant BHP Billiton on exploration assessments.
Narrabri CSG finds itself in fast-lane
The New South Wales Government has fast-tracked approvals for a proposed coal seam gas project at Narrabri.
SA MP asks why the flow of efficiency funds has slowed
A stoush is unfolding in South Australia, where the Opposition has called on the State Government to explain why it has not secured around $100 million for farmers.
Small towns' meter savings begin to stack up
Several New South Wales councils have reported good results from a high-tech upgrade to their water meters, pushing more locals to get into digital monitoring.
AECOM gets huge fund to fix nation's flow
One of the world’s largest engineering firms has secured a contract to re-design the water infrastructure of an entire country.
Carbon tax scenario shows cost of delay
The seemingly imminent repeal of the carbon tax is being prevented while Labor and the Greens hold the balance of power in the federal Senate, and new research has investigated how the efforts to end the carbon price may be hurting energy investments.
Fires and quagmires from SA's fickle switch
A reversal of events means some South Australian farmers are now battling floodwaters just weeks after their properties were burned in bushfires.
Fish-following boosted by rolling battery design
Engineers have created a tiny battery and sensor, no bigger than a grain of rice, which holds enough power to track the long migratory path of salmon.
Minister storms toward new northern farms
Queensland’s Minister for Natural Resources says he will not slow down in his push to release more water to the state’s north.
Ocean-going gourd spotted across the Atlantic
The bottle gourd has revealed itself to be a globe-trotting explorer, crossing the Atlantic Ocean several times to find work as a water-carrying device for early humans.
Power-saving water-cleaner sees desert success
A trial site has seen successful tests for a new way to desalinate water, making it drinkable for about half the cost of traditional methods.
Solicitation claims drop names around Australian Water
Corruption investigations have led to the director of the NSW government-owned State Water Corporation stepping down.
Water moves improved by oceanic android
Researchers are working on a highly-mobile new robot with some astounding aquatic abilities.