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Environmental Management

Government flags massive expansion of Antarctic marine park for 'untouched' Heard and McDonald Islands

The marine park that includes the subantarctic Heard and McDonald Islands is set for a massive expansion, with the federal government planning to protect an extra 300,000 square kilometres of ocean.
Four king penguins on a wide pebbly expanse in front of icy mountains. Two are standing, one is lying down and one is grooming

Why enough sewage to fill 180 Olympic-sized swimming pools poured into a Queensland river for three months

The worst sewage spill in Queensland history was caused by corrosion and a local government’s over-reliance on the public and another council to detect leaks, an independent investigation has found.
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Groups of people stand in a muddy field.

Spare a thought for national parks staff who have to scrub and vacuum caves every winter

It can take up to two weeks and is exhausting work, but these specialised staff feel "houseproud" after cleaning out Tasmania's public caves. So, what's involved?
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A woman wearing ear muffs vacuums the path alongside massive limestone and crystalline rock formations inside a cave.

'Against all scientific advice': Perth council looks set to press ahead with plan for industrial park near wetland

Conservationists' efforts to protect a swathe of significant wetlands in Perth's south-east take a hit with a local council looking set to push on with plans for industrial park, despite concerns raised by the Environmental Protection Authority.
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Drone shot of Greater Brixton Street Wetlands

Mataranka hot springs 'at risk' in planned water carve-up, water economist warns

A leading water economist and traditional owners warn the iconic Mataranka thermal springs may be under threat if a controversial water plan — now closed for consultation — proceeds as drafted.
Man reads maps printed on A4 paper

Pilbara traditional owners call for inquiry into Andrew Forrest's Solomon Hub

After years awaiting compensation, Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation has called for an inquiry into the lucrative Solomon Hub iron ore mine claiming the it operates "below the current standard of industry regulation".
An outback landscape.

Another shiny monolith has popped up, this time in Las Vegas. What's going on?

A strange monolith found jutting from the rocks in a remote mountain range near Las Vegas has been taken down by authorities.
Shiny monolith stands tall in las vegas

Coorong fishers call for action over ailing South Lagoon in largest fish kill in 40 years

Commercial fishers say fish are dying "left, right, and centre" in the South Lagoon and they are sick of waiting for governments to make a decision on how to fix the degraded environment.
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Dead and decaying fish scattered on the shoreline of a lagoon

River stink no cause for alarm as ecosystem strengthens to bring exciting new life

The River Murray is expected to emit an unpleasant odour this week but experts say it has been years since they have seen it so healthy.
Surface scum in the Murray River from the blue green algae outbreak in April 2016.

Sharks caught on camera taking fishers' catch raises concern about increased interaction

A professional fisherman says he is "racing" sharks almost every time he brings in his catch, and that shark numbers are making it almost impossible to fish in certain areas.
A shark comes within metres of a small fishing boat off the coast south of Perth.

Scientists plan to build new generation of 'super trees' to tackle climate change

More than 10,000 leaves from 60 plant species found between Far North Queensland and southern NSW are being propagated in a bid to increase the genetic diversity of rainforests.
Big Scrub rainforest

In one of the world's most fire-prone regions, 'cutting edge' techniques are protecting precious habitat

Indigenous fire management methods being used in WA's Kimberley are drawing international acclaim, as rangers say they are making a big difference to the health of the tropical savanna landscapes.
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Man tends to large fire in bushland

Communities are crying out for help to protect their coastlines. Sand nourishment is one solution being considered

Beaches around Australia are at risk of disappearing. As climate change brings about more severe storms and the sea level rises, many communities are looking to solutions such as sand nourishment to address the issue.
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Two teenage girls in surfing wetsuits next to their surfboards on Wamberal beach.

'A few full bellies': Large saltwater croc shot in Top End river, cooked in community feast

A saltwater crocodile almost 4 metres long seen stalking residents and dogs in the remote Northern Territory has been removed from a waterway in the territory's west.
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A photo of saltwater crocodile is moved into police UTE.

Less than 120 iconic birds left at Penguin Island, as race to save species ramps up

Rockingham locals call for the state government to take action over the rapidly declining population of little penguins on Penguin Island, with just 114 birds remaining.
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Little penguin

He's the greenie fighting windfarms. In coal country he's found an unlikely ally

This one-time Greens candidate, who is waging war on wind turbines, has found an unlikely ally — and a receptive audience — in Queensland's coal country.
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A man in hiking gear squats, he's on a clearing, high above bushland. It stretches out in the distance behind him.

Australia's ski fields are on a downhill slope, but scientists show there's an off-ramp

Away from the sunburnt beaches, hot dusty gums, and red deserts, news for Australia's ski fields hasn't been good for years. But new research shows while the snow season is getting shorter, there's hope to turn things around.
Skiers look over to the opposing mountain ridge

US gas company Tamboran receives approval to expand fracking in Beetaloo Basin

Tamboran has received approvals to drill 15 new gas wells at its Shenandoah South project, as environment groups call on the federal environment minister to ensure the fracking plans are scrutinised.
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an aerial photo of a gas well.

Abandoned oil platforms to be left off WA coast by energy giant Chevron

A plan by oil and gas giant Chevron to leave five decommissioned oil platforms off Western Australia's Pilbara coast draws the ire of unions and green groups.
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An oil platoform in the water

Back from the brink, hairy-nosed wombats settle into ready-made new home

The success of conserving and breeding one of the world's most endangered animals, the northern hairy-nosed wombat, has seen the species move to a third location for the first time in decades.
A wombat

This remote island was returned to Aboriginal people in a 'terrible' state. Rewilding it is proving a challenge

Indigenous land managers are hoping to repatriate ecologically and culturally significant species to lungtalanana, or Clarke Island, but feral cat predation and a lack of funding are standing in their way.  
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Bass Strait wombat, Bennett's Wallaby and Long-nosed Potoroo composite image

Arrest warrant issued for Tasmanian Aboriginal elder but 81yo says he doesn't recognise 'colonial' courts

An 81-year-old Tasmanian Aboriginal elder says Australian courts hold no jurisdiction over Indigenous people and he will not participate in the court process after being charged at a native forest protest. Now a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
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A man wearing Aboriginal colours and wide brim hat stands and smiles at camera with pile of logs behind him

Could climate change be behind the increase in air turbulence?

Passengers on a flight that experienced significant turbulence as it travelled from London to Singapore last week are still coming to terms with what happened.
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ABC News Current
Duration: 5 minutes 30 seconds

Queensland government to outlaw carbon capture and storage in Great Artesian Basin

Premier Steven Miles says his government will legislate to permanently ban carbon capture and storage activities within the expansive region.
Map of the Great Artesian Basin

Macquarie Island "flourishing" 10 years after pest-free status

Scientists say the World Heritage-listed area is returning to its former glory, with a resurgence in vegetation allowing nesting seabirds to flourish.
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Pest Free But Threats loom, Macquarie Island: Wild tussocks of grass blow on a ridgeline looking out to the ocean.
Duration: 1 minute 43 seconds