Environment
Conservation
A national park would be good for koalas. What about the humans?
In the stretch of coast and hinterland from Kempsey to Grafton, the fates of thousands of people hinge for better or worse on the NSW government’s imminent decision about the Great Koala National Park.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Latest
Analysis
Endangered species
Plibersek made a vow on environmental reforms. Albanese has put that at risk
It appears the prime minister has put Labor’s political survival ahead of the survival of Australia’s endangered species
- by Nick O'Malley and Bianca Hall
The 99-year-old artist and the $4.9 million roadblock: Breakthrough for Sydney coastal walk
Ellen Waugh loved her home so much she wanted others to enjoy the nearby coast and views, but she was determined to keep on living there until the end.
- by Julie Power
‘Chaos’: Parks Victoria under review as national parks promises broken
Speculation is rife within the sector that, at the end of the review process, Parks Victoria could be folded into the environment department.
- by Bianca Hall and Benjamin Preiss
Record fine for farmer who illegally bulldozed woodland
The NSW Land and Environment Court has imposed $2.1 million in fines for eight offences, with half to be paid by high-profile farmer Ron Greentree.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Exclusive
Gas
‘Doesn’t pass the pub test’: Push for moratorium on seismic blasting
More than 2000 seismic surveys have been conducted in waters off Australia since the 1960s, as companies map the seabed to prospect for new oil and gas reserves.
- by Bianca Hall
Why one area of Sydney has been swarming with mosquitoes
The mosquito numbers in south-west Sydney are two to three times higher than usual, while the rest of the city is just dealing with a regular spring surge.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
‘Beacon of hope’: World’s largest coral discovered in Solomon Islands
“Just when we think there is nothing left to discover on planet Earth, we find a massive coral … pulsing with life and colour,” said explorer-in-residence Enric Sala.
- by Bianca Hall
Exclusive
Brumby cull
Total removal of feral horses planned for some national parks
In Kosciuszko National Park, the government must by law retain 3000 brumbies. But in other national parks in NSW and Victoria, the goal is zero feral horses.
- by Bianca Hall and Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Exclusive
Forestry
The government promised a koala national park. Then the loggers moved in
Forests on the North Coast are earmarked for a national park to protect “the best patch of koala habitat in the world”, but the area is still being logged in epic proportions.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Why so many dead birds are being washed up on Australian beaches
Authorities on the alert for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu have tested dead shearwaters, also known as muttonbirds, in NSW and Victoria.
- by Bianca Hall