Latest news with #MurrayWatt
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Science
- The Advertiser
World's largest batch of endangered seahorses released in Port Stephens
A school of more than 1200 endangered seahorses has been released into artificial habitat at Port Stephens in the world's largest event of its kind, as part of a state and federal effort to protect the species. The habitats - colloquially named seahorse 'hotels' - are metal crates, designed to rust away as they are covered in sponges, corals and seagrass, providing a haven for the seahorses, the population of which has been devastated by loss of natural habitat. State estimates say that more than 90 per cent of the soft coral and sponge habitat has declined in Port Stephens, where the seahorses were once abundant, destroyed by boat anchors and moorings and sand inundation. The school of White's seahorses - known for their distinctive and varied colours - were bred in captivity in a $600 million program funded by the federal government and led by the state's Department of Primary Industries. "White's seahorses are one of 110 species prioritised for recovery under the Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan," Environment Minister Murray Watt said. NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the release gave "real hope for the future of this iconic species". White's seahorse is endemic to the Australian east coast and was named for the surgeon general on the First Fleet, John White. It is one of four species of seahorses known to NSW waters, and lives in shallow estuaries. Numbers are said to be most abundant around Port Stephens and Sydney, but the species has been found in eight estuaries along the coast. "Port Stephens prides itself on our stunning waterways and rich marine life, so it's very special to see more than a thousand tiny baby endangered seahorses being released into our estuary," MP Kate Washington said. The habitats were built and decorated with biodegradable materials by local schoolchildren who have joined the recovery efforts and are learning about threats to the species. "It's wonderful to see so many of our young people interested in hands-on conservation, helping shape a future where our unique marine life can thrive," Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said. Further releases are expected later this year in Botany Bay. A school of more than 1200 endangered seahorses has been released into artificial habitat at Port Stephens in the world's largest event of its kind, as part of a state and federal effort to protect the species. The habitats - colloquially named seahorse 'hotels' - are metal crates, designed to rust away as they are covered in sponges, corals and seagrass, providing a haven for the seahorses, the population of which has been devastated by loss of natural habitat. State estimates say that more than 90 per cent of the soft coral and sponge habitat has declined in Port Stephens, where the seahorses were once abundant, destroyed by boat anchors and moorings and sand inundation. The school of White's seahorses - known for their distinctive and varied colours - were bred in captivity in a $600 million program funded by the federal government and led by the state's Department of Primary Industries. "White's seahorses are one of 110 species prioritised for recovery under the Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan," Environment Minister Murray Watt said. NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the release gave "real hope for the future of this iconic species". White's seahorse is endemic to the Australian east coast and was named for the surgeon general on the First Fleet, John White. It is one of four species of seahorses known to NSW waters, and lives in shallow estuaries. Numbers are said to be most abundant around Port Stephens and Sydney, but the species has been found in eight estuaries along the coast. "Port Stephens prides itself on our stunning waterways and rich marine life, so it's very special to see more than a thousand tiny baby endangered seahorses being released into our estuary," MP Kate Washington said. The habitats were built and decorated with biodegradable materials by local schoolchildren who have joined the recovery efforts and are learning about threats to the species. "It's wonderful to see so many of our young people interested in hands-on conservation, helping shape a future where our unique marine life can thrive," Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said. Further releases are expected later this year in Botany Bay. A school of more than 1200 endangered seahorses has been released into artificial habitat at Port Stephens in the world's largest event of its kind, as part of a state and federal effort to protect the species. The habitats - colloquially named seahorse 'hotels' - are metal crates, designed to rust away as they are covered in sponges, corals and seagrass, providing a haven for the seahorses, the population of which has been devastated by loss of natural habitat. State estimates say that more than 90 per cent of the soft coral and sponge habitat has declined in Port Stephens, where the seahorses were once abundant, destroyed by boat anchors and moorings and sand inundation. The school of White's seahorses - known for their distinctive and varied colours - were bred in captivity in a $600 million program funded by the federal government and led by the state's Department of Primary Industries. "White's seahorses are one of 110 species prioritised for recovery under the Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan," Environment Minister Murray Watt said. NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the release gave "real hope for the future of this iconic species". White's seahorse is endemic to the Australian east coast and was named for the surgeon general on the First Fleet, John White. It is one of four species of seahorses known to NSW waters, and lives in shallow estuaries. Numbers are said to be most abundant around Port Stephens and Sydney, but the species has been found in eight estuaries along the coast. "Port Stephens prides itself on our stunning waterways and rich marine life, so it's very special to see more than a thousand tiny baby endangered seahorses being released into our estuary," MP Kate Washington said. The habitats were built and decorated with biodegradable materials by local schoolchildren who have joined the recovery efforts and are learning about threats to the species. "It's wonderful to see so many of our young people interested in hands-on conservation, helping shape a future where our unique marine life can thrive," Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said. Further releases are expected later this year in Botany Bay. A school of more than 1200 endangered seahorses has been released into artificial habitat at Port Stephens in the world's largest event of its kind, as part of a state and federal effort to protect the species. The habitats - colloquially named seahorse 'hotels' - are metal crates, designed to rust away as they are covered in sponges, corals and seagrass, providing a haven for the seahorses, the population of which has been devastated by loss of natural habitat. State estimates say that more than 90 per cent of the soft coral and sponge habitat has declined in Port Stephens, where the seahorses were once abundant, destroyed by boat anchors and moorings and sand inundation. The school of White's seahorses - known for their distinctive and varied colours - were bred in captivity in a $600 million program funded by the federal government and led by the state's Department of Primary Industries. "White's seahorses are one of 110 species prioritised for recovery under the Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan," Environment Minister Murray Watt said. NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the release gave "real hope for the future of this iconic species". White's seahorse is endemic to the Australian east coast and was named for the surgeon general on the First Fleet, John White. It is one of four species of seahorses known to NSW waters, and lives in shallow estuaries. Numbers are said to be most abundant around Port Stephens and Sydney, but the species has been found in eight estuaries along the coast. "Port Stephens prides itself on our stunning waterways and rich marine life, so it's very special to see more than a thousand tiny baby endangered seahorses being released into our estuary," MP Kate Washington said. The habitats were built and decorated with biodegradable materials by local schoolchildren who have joined the recovery efforts and are learning about threats to the species. "It's wonderful to see so many of our young people interested in hands-on conservation, helping shape a future where our unique marine life can thrive," Paterson MP Meryl Swanson said. Further releases are expected later this year in Botany Bay.
ABC News
2 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
A solar farm approved in weeks shows how renewables rollout could be sped up
A solar farm in Nationals heartland has been given federal approval after just 30 business days, which Environment Minister Murray Watt says is evidence of how the renewables rollout could be dramatically sped up if ageing environment laws were rewritten. The government is also using the speedy approval of the 90-megawatt Summerville solar farm in Nationals deputy Kevin Hogan's seat of Page to twist the knife into the opposition, as the Coalition fights over its commitment to net zero emissions. But the green-lighting of the 244-hectare site in the Richmond Valley in northern NSW also highlights how other energy projects have sat in the queue for years waiting for environmental approval, under outdated laws that business, environment groups, the government and opposition all say are no longer working. Analysis by the Clean Energy Investor Group last year found the average solar project in NSW took 705 days to win approval — with wind farms taking on average almost a decade — a pace that would make it very difficult for Australia to meet its climate targets. "If you get the system right and everyone is working cooperatively, it is possible to get much faster approvals while also generating environmental gains," Senator Watt said. "Unfortunately, while there are these sorts of good examples to point to, we aren't seeing these in as many cases as we should, and that is one of the reasons we do need to reform our environmental laws. The minister said the Summerville solar farm and battery, which will generate enough energy to power 36,000 homes, was a case study in how carefully selecting sites could lead to energy projects being delivered faster. Senator Watt said early cooperation had allowed for design changes that preserved energy generation while being more sensitive to the environment — which also avoided delays from an intensive environmental assessment. Those early negotiations led to changes in how the panels would be laid out, limiting their environmental impact, as well as the panels being lifted to allow for land to still be used for grazing. "It does show, despite what some politicians claim, it is possible for agriculture and renewable energy to coexist and deliver more jobs and more investment for our regional communities," Senator Watt said. The minister said reforms he was developing would allow for earlier engagement more often, and avoid projects having to be assessed twice by both state and federal agencies. Senator Watt has been tasked with making another attempt to modernise the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, which governs environmental approvals for major projects, but has been little changed for more than two decades. Successive governments have failed to pass reforms to the EPBC Act since an independent review concluded the laws were no longer working for business or the environment. Ahead of a productivity roundtable, former Treasury boss Ken Henry named it the single most important item for reform, adding the degradation of Australia's environment proved it was failing to protect wildlife. The now-chair of the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation is among a chorus of voices who have expressed their frustration that the laws have still not been updated — a promise made last term that was shelved in the face of fierce resistance from West Australian Premier Roger Cook. Senator Watt acknowledged last month that much of the government's economic agenda, including housing and productivity, depended on fixing the laws. Shadow Environment Minister Angie Bell said last week she had met with Senator Watt on moving EPBC reforms forward. "I think if Labor were to go in partnership with the Greens on EPBC reform, that would be disastrous for, again, livelihoods, for industry. It would decimate thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of jobs around the country. And so, I think on EPBC reform, we need to strike a balance," Ms Bell said. "And that balance needs to be minimising red tape, of course, and approvals, but also protecting our environment." The latest project approval comes as the Coalition debates how it will respond to climate change, after its nuclear proposal was rejected by voters at the federal election. Half a dozen Nationals MPs stood on the lawns of Parliament House yesterday morning in support of their colleague Barnaby Joyce, who introduced a bill to parliament to repeal several laws that relate to renewable energy. Despite the Coalition saying it has not decided a position on its current commitment to pursue net zero emissions by 2050, with two internal reviews underway, a number of Nationals have ignored that process to openly advocate for the net zero commitment to be dumped. While Mr Joyce's bill has no chance of passing, the government intends to allow the parliament to debate it without limits, as it seeks to exploit divisions within the opposition. Senator Watt said the government was continuing with its renewables rollout. "At the very same time the Albanese government is getting on with delivering cleaner, cheaper energy and jobs for the Northern Rivers, the Member for Page Kevin Hogan is engaged in Coalition squabbling over the science of climate change," Senator Watt said. This morning, Mr Hogan told Sky News it was good that Mr Joyce introduced his private member's bill to repeal net zero, saying he was representing millions of Australians who agreed with him. "We're not a croquet club down here. We are a very important legislative body here in Canberra. Views need to be articulated," Mr Hogan said. He said the majority of the Nationals party room supported the Coalition reviews of net zero.
ABC News
23-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Breakfast Wrap: What's in the government's childcare safety legislation
Today the federal government will introduce legislation to crack down on childcare centres that fail to keep children safe. The legislation is yet to be released publicly, but the government has flagged how it could target operators who have serious safety breaches. The Breakfast Wrap will hear from the federal minister for early childhood education. Then, South Australia's toxic algal bloom outbreak continues to deepen and cause division within federal parliament. Environment Minister Murray Watt has pledged $14 million to assist the state, but has stopped short of declaring it a natural disaster, triggering a call from the Greens to examine what criteria is used to declare these events. And the UN says more than a thousand people have been killed by Israel's military while attempting to get food since the U-S and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation system began in late May. It comes as one veteran Israeli journalist claims there's evidence building that Israel has a clear and deliberate plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza. Recap the morning's news, politics and global affairs with the Breakfast Wrap
News18
22-07-2025
- Climate
- News18
Australia's Algal Bloom Declared ‘Natural Disaster': What's Behind The Toxic Sea Crisis?
Last Updated: A massive algal bloom off South Australia's coast has turned the sea toxic, killing over 400 marine species and devastating local industries. A massive algal bloom off the South Australian coast has turned vast stretches of sea into a toxic green soup, killing marine life by the thousands and devastating local industries. Here's what we know. What Is An Algal Bloom? An algal bloom is a rapid and often toxic increase in algae population in a water body. While algae are a natural part of marine ecosystems, in excessive quantities they can deplete oxygen, block sunlight and release toxins- thus turning the water harmful for both marine creatures and humans. In this case, the algal bloom stretches from Coorong to the Yorke Peninsula, spanning an area twice the size of the Australian Capital Territory. How Bad Is The Crisis In Australia? So far, the bloom has reportedly killed over 400 species of marine life, including large numbers of fish, shellfish and other coastal organisms. Beaches have been lined with rotting carcasses and the normally pristine waters have taken on a sickly green hue. What's Causing Algal Bloom In Australia? Experts have said that the crisis is being driven by climate change, which has led to a combination of rising sea temperatures, excess nutrient runoff from agriculture and urban sources as well as prolonged drought conditions. These factors have created ideal conditions for algae to multiply rapidly. Yes, at the state level. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas declared the bloom a 'natural disaster" and criticized the federal government for hesitating to do the same. He said, 'This is a natural disaster and should be acknowledged as such. I think politicians do themselves a disservice when they get caught up in technicalities." The federal government has committed AUD $14 million for relief- including clean-up, research and support for affected industries. The South Australian government matched that funding, bringing the total response package to AUD $28 million. However, federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has so far refused to classify the event as a natural disaster. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Herald
22-07-2025
- Climate
- The Herald
Toxic algal bloom off South Australia devastates marine life, tourism
The toxic bloom has been caused by overgrowth of the Karenia mikimotoi algal species, which affects fish gills and sucks oxygen out of the water as it decomposes, the state's environment department said. Contributing to its growth was a marine heatwave that started in 2024, when sea temperatures were about 2.5°C warmer than usual. The bloom has affected tourism and forced oyster and mussel farms to temporarily shut due to a waterborne toxin caused by the algae, local media said. More than 13,850 dead animals, including sharks, rays and invertebrates, have been recorded by the public on the iNaturalist app. Federal environment minister Murray Watt said on Monday the algal bloom was a 'serious environmental event', but stopped short of declaring it a national disaster, which would allow greater federal support. Reuters
