Land & water
Gippsland Lakes - No Monitoring of Toxicants into Australia's Largest Freshwater Ecosystem
“There is little recent published information on water quality in the rivers of the Gippsland Lakes catchment. Although data may be collected through a range of routine monitoring programs, it has not been consolidated or analysed. This provides little information on water quality trends in these river systems. The small amount of published information is related only to salinity, water clarity and total nutrient concentrations. There is no information on nutrient dynamics, and very little on toxicants in rivers and streams.” EPA Victoria. Gippsland Lakes and catchment literature review Report Publication 1585 February 2015.
Land & water
Mafia Gunfight Over Control of Rinehart Concession in Ecuador
Media reports from Ecuador are highlighting a recent gunfight near the the community of Buenos Aires located in the north of the country. Reports suggest that rival mafia interests are fighting over control of a massive illegal mining operation that is located on a mining concession owned by the Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart.
Land & water
PFAS and other chemicals released back into the environment via recycled water and biosolids
Recent research has highlighted issues concerning waste water and other products from waste water treatment facilities which contain a range of contaminants including PFAS (Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances).
Land & water
Glyphosate Inconsistencies Continue
Recent news articles regarding Glyphosate, have been getting prominent media coverage in Australia over the past few days. Lead story for the Sunday Age June 2 2019 revealed that the Victorian State Government is reviewing the use of Glyphosate throughout Victoria. Victoria is the first such state to hold a review into Glyphosate. Friends of the Earth believes that the review is a step in the right direction, but will most likely fall short on a number of grounds.
Land & water
Talisman Saber 2019: Defend the environment from Defence
In July this year, Australia will once again host huge joint US – AUS military exercises primarily along the Queensland coast, mainly within or traversing the Great Barrier Reef.
Land & water
Drinking Water Concerns in the Northern Territory
Friends of the Earth has ongoing concerns regarding drinking water problems in the Northern Territory. A number of remote communities continue to source drinking water with high levels of substances such as E.coli, Sodium, Fluoride, Uranium, Nitrate, Selenium, Lead and Barium.
(Photo: Laramba in Central Australia - a drinking water uranium "hotspot")
Land & water
Hinchinbrook Island open for business
By Ingrid Marker
Queensland state tourism minister Kate Jones has announced she is opening Hinchinbrook Island, Great Sandy Strait and Coolum National Park for business. Hinchinbrook is precious to north Queenslanders. Its wild coastal beaches and crocodiled creek crossings are a coming of age for wilderness bush walkers up here. It's the land of the Girramay people.
Land & water
Rinehart Encounters Big Problems in Ecuador
A subsidiary of the Gina Rinehart owned Hancock Prospecting is encountering a number of problems in Ecuador. The subsidiary known as Hanrine Ecuadorian Exploration and Mining SA set up offices in Ecuador in 2017.
Land & water
Joint Statement from Environment groups calling for Lynas Corporation clean up its toxic radioactive mess in Malaysia
Friends of the Earth Australia and Stop Lynas Campaign Australia stand in solidarity with all Malaysians calling for Australian-owned rare earth miner Lynas Corporation to stop polluting Malaysia with its toxic radioactive waste and to start cleaning up the mess it has created.
Land & water
Outrage as the WA Government signs 20-year logging plan
WA Forest Alliance Statement: Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan has renewed WA’s 20-year bilateral Regional Forest Agreement (RFA).