‘Getting worse’: unsafe water plagues remote residents
Remote communities are excluded from data about Australia's water quality, which experts warn could be contributing to serious health issues.
water
Police seek help to find scuba gear in death probe
Queensland police have enlisted the public's help to locate scuba gear that might have washed up along the southeast coast as they investigate a man's death.
Talks spring hopes of path forward on water
Despite two days and hundreds of voices from along the Murray Darling Basin, the future shape of the basin plan is as clear as mud.
Climate poses risk to Murray-Darling Basin: authority
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has identified a drying climate as a key risk factor for Australia's largest river system and the people who depend on it.
$14m Murray Darling ads under fire for Turkey image
Senators have attacked a $14 million advertising campaign about water in the Murray Darling basin, suggesting it is alarmist and deceptive.
Calls for federal carbon capture ban after Qld decision
Queensland's decision to ban carbon capture and storage projects in the Great Artesian Basin has sparked calls for the federal government to follow suit.
Toilet humour: campaign to flush out loo-blockers
Fatbergs are on the rise, prompting a campaign to remind people not to flush items down the toilet that could cause blockages in Sydney's sewer system.
agriculture
environmental issue
environmental politics
government
government departments
natural resources (general)
water
Carbon capture project rejected over groundwater fears
Potential impacts on groundwater resources has led to the rejection of Glencore's carbon capture storage project in the Great Artesian Basin.
At the coalface: traditional owners demand protection
Traditional owners are pursuing a legal challenge involving Adani's Carmichael mine, seeking to force the Queensland government to protect a sacred site.
Father, grandfather drown trying to save toddler
An Easter tragedy has unfolded on the Gold Coast with a father and grandfather dying while trying to save a toddler who fell into a pool.
Heartbroken community rocked by double drowning tragedy
The drowning deaths of a father and grandfather on the Gold Coast have been called "a pain for every family" in their their Sikh community.
Two men drown in Gold Coast pool
A double drowning has occurred in a pool at an apartment complex at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.
Controversial water plan sparks fears for rare shark
A rare speartooth shark population has been discovered in the Northern Territory's Roper River but a water allocation plan has sparked fears for its future.
Drownings headed for triple figures in ‘tragic’ summer
Royal Life Saving Australia has called for greater water safety awareness as the summer drowning toll nears 100.
Water trigger ‘too vague’ to stop onshore gas expansion
Tweaked environmental laws remain too loose to safeguard water supplies and tackle threats to food growers and country from onshore gas wells, research shows.
Dodgy dam to be rebuilt after repair hopes hit the wall
A $1.2 billion dam in Queensland is set to be rebuilt after experts said an existing wall had too many issues and could not be repaired.
Labor strikes deal to pass Murray-Darling changes
The Albanese government has secured the support of the final crossbench senator it needs to get its contentious Murray-Darling Basin laws over the line.
‘Very high’ risk of major summer fish kill in Darling
It's likely another mass fish kill will occur at Menindee, the NSW government says, as state and federal Labor move to protect Darling River animal inhabitants.
First Nations group takes action over groundwater plan
A First Nations group is challenging approval of the NSW Murray-Darling Basin Fractured Rock Water Resource plan in court, saying it wasn't properly consulted.
Town’s water ‘safe’ after toxic chemical discovery
Low levels of PFAS chemicals have been found near a water supply in regional NSW, but authorities say there is no risk to health.
Government seeks refresh on Murray Darling plan
The government wants to push back its plan to remedy the Murray Darling Basin after the environment minister admitted it could not meet its impending deadline.
Andrews, Plibersek silent on Vic Murray-Darling snub
Victoria's refusal to sign up to the new Murray-Darling Basin plan has set the scene for an awkward joint press conference between two Labor governments.
Concerns Murray-Darling could run dry ahead of drought
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek says the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is in "trouble", after timelines to return water to the system were extended.
Deal waters down Murray-Darling Basin Plan timeline
The timeline to recover water for Australia's most complex river system has been pushed back with the government on track to miss the initial deadline.
World-first clean energy deal taps deep local knowledge
With traditional owners already responsible for looking after country, it makes sense they're at the heart of a $3 billion East Kimberley clean energy deal.
Water theft laws so bad only ‘morons’ are at risk
Australia's water inspector has railed against holes in laws meant to safeguard the resource, calling them rubbish and saying only morons are at risk.
Father and son drown in Queensland waterfall tragedy
Family and friends are mourning a Melbourne father and son who drowned at a popular swimming spot while holidaying in far north Queensland.
NSW winery accused of stealing water during drought
NSW authorities have charged a border-region winery after it allegedly stole 161 Olympic pools worth of irrigation water via an illegal pipeline.
Qld man drowns at popular NSW surf spot
A Queensland man has become the 51st person to drown in Australia this summer after he was pulled unconscious from the water on the NSW mid-north coast.
Drowning risk spikes on Australia Day
Swimmers are four times more likely to drown at coastal beaches on Australia Day than any other time due to a range of factors.
New way to rid water of toxic chemicals
University of Queensland researchers have worked out how to harness the power of magnets to strip toxic PFAS chemicals from contaminated water.