Latest news with #AustralianConservationFoundation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Locals spot 'fantastic' detail as Aussies share photos of bizarre traffic light trend
As Australia's population grows, so too does the demand for essential infrastructure like roads. But this expansion often comes at the expense of natural habitats, raising concern among environmentalists. Much of our development has taken over land that was home to native wildlife for centuries, but every now and then, nature finds a way to adapt. In Newcastle this week, residents were delighted to see a couple of native birds making themselves at home in quite an unlikely spot — the pair of corellas were perched contentedly inside traffic lights. "Corellas are turning Newcastle East into some sort of red light district with their amorous goings on," a local joked online. What started as a single post quickly attracted an onslaught of replies, with other east coast residents sharing their photos of similar scenes they'd captured. From NSW to Queensland, the quirky occurrence appears to be relatively common. "There must be something extra good about the red lights," one person commented. "Nice and warm in there," said another. "They have been doing that for months now," wrote a third. Others suggested the birds simply evolved due to a lack of "hollow trees". "We need to make homes for them and hang them around the city," a woman suggested. In reality, there's a simple reason red lights might be so appealing to these birds — it is for warmth. The LED globes inside traffic signals generate heat, making them cosy nesting spots during cooler months. Combined with the enclosed casing and elevation off the ground, they provide a safe, weatherproof hideaway that mimics the natural tree hollows many birds are struggling to find in today's urban environments. Bold plan to reintroduce wild animals into Australia's major cities 'Dangerous' problem sparked by city's continuous urban sprawl Photographer surprised by cheeky corellas living inside traffic lights It's not the first time corellas, a type of cockatoo, have been spotted in their cosy makeshift cocoons, with red lights in particular the most attractive to the little birds. Back in 2023, another pair of corellas got the internet talking after they were photographed nesting in a set of traffic lights in Manly, Sydney. Peta Bulling from the Australian Conservation Foundation said it's "truly incredible" that bird species can adapt so well to urban areas. "[Another] great example of that is that is the gang-gang cockatoo. It's endangered… but you wouldn't necessarily realise if you were walking around the suburbs of Canberra because you see them relatively often and have a distinct call,' she had earlier said. "But these cockatoos really like the same sort of habitat we do. They like mature trees, and they're not disturbed by humans as much as some other animals." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
West Australian
3 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Clean energy, environment unity ticket on nature laws
Environment groups and the clean energy industry have found common ground on long-awaited nature law reforms, joining forces to urge the federal government to hurry up and finish the job. The unprecedented alliance between the Clean Energy Council, Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Marine Conservation Society and others is bound by the shared belief that existing environmental protections are failing both biodiversity and the energy transition. "We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-shape the law to tackle Australia's climate and nature crises," Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said. The federal laws designed to kick in when renewable energy, mines and development threaten vulnerable species and other "matters of national environmental significance" are widely considered ineffective and in need of overhaul. The federal government has promised reform but failed to complete the task in its first three-year term. In the meantime, existing regulations have failed to stop projects destroying critical habitat at the same time as cumbersome environmental assessments have delayed the clean energy rollout. Clean Energy Investor Group chief executive Richie Merzian said the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act was the number one concern for renewable energy investors and developers. Projects were taking nearly twice as long to secure approval and the assessment backlog was growing, Mr Merzian told AAP. "We want to see faster yeses and faster nos," he said. The alliance, which also includes the Electrical Trades Union, Re-Alliance, WWF Australia and Biodiversity Council, agree on key pieces of environmental reform including legally-enforceable standards to prevent subjective ministerial decision-making. Setting up an independent "cop on the beat" Environmental Protection Agency was also backed by the coalition, as well as more resources for departments to keep projects moving through the process. Better planning should further help solar and wind developers identify "regions we should and shouldn't be working in". Mr Merzian said the "nature versus climate" narrative was false. "We can and should be doing both," he said. Electrical Trades Union national secretary Michael Wright said delayed environmental assessments were making it hard to train workers for future jobs. "The uncertainty of the assessment process means there is no reliable pipeline of work for communities or to train apprentices on anywhere close to the scale we need," he said. New environment minister Murray Watt has already indicated that legislating a federal environment watchdog will be one of the top priorities for the returned government. It's not been the only pressing matter competing for his attention, with the minister opting to greenlight Woodside's proposal to extend its North West Shelf project in Western Australia after years of delays. The expansion has been granted commonwealth go-ahead despite concerns about its emissions burden and impact on sacred rock art.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Clean energy, environment unity ticket on nature laws
Environment groups and the clean energy industry have found common ground on long-awaited nature law reforms, joining forces to urge the federal government to hurry up and finish the job. The unprecedented alliance between the Clean Energy Council, Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Marine Conservation Society and others is bound by the shared belief that existing environmental protections are failing both biodiversity and the energy transition. "We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-shape the law to tackle Australia's climate and nature crises," Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said. The federal laws designed to kick in when renewable energy, mines and development threaten vulnerable species and other "matters of national environmental significance" are widely considered ineffective and in need of overhaul. The federal government has promised reform but failed to complete the task in its first three-year term. In the meantime, existing regulations have failed to stop projects destroying critical habitat at the same time as cumbersome environmental assessments have delayed the clean energy rollout. Clean Energy Investor Group chief executive Richie Merzian said the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act was the number one concern for renewable energy investors and developers. Projects were taking nearly twice as long to secure approval and the assessment backlog was growing, Mr Merzian told AAP. "We want to see faster yeses and faster nos," he said. The alliance, which also includes the Electrical Trades Union, Re-Alliance, WWF Australia and Biodiversity Council, agree on key pieces of environmental reform including legally-enforceable standards to prevent subjective ministerial decision-making. Setting up an independent "cop on the beat" Environmental Protection Agency was also backed by the coalition, as well as more resources for departments to keep projects moving through the process. Better planning should further help solar and wind developers identify "regions we should and shouldn't be working in". Mr Merzian said the "nature versus climate" narrative was false. "We can and should be doing both," he said. Electrical Trades Union national secretary Michael Wright said delayed environmental assessments were making it hard to train workers for future jobs. "The uncertainty of the assessment process means there is no reliable pipeline of work for communities or to train apprentices on anywhere close to the scale we need," he said. New environment minister Murray Watt has already indicated that legislating a federal environment watchdog will be one of the top priorities for the returned government. It's not been the only pressing matter competing for his attention, with the minister opting to greenlight Woodside's proposal to extend its North West Shelf project in Western Australia after years of delays. The expansion has been granted commonwealth go-ahead despite concerns about its emissions burden and impact on sacred rock art.
ABC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Reforming Australia's environmental protection laws immediate priority
The new federal environment minister Murray Watt says passing legislation to reform Australia's environmental protection laws is an immediate priority for the re-elected Government. In its first term, the Albanese government tried but failed to get an agreement to produce a new oversight and enforcement body. Business groups remain frustrated at the lengthy delays at getting decisions. Meanwhile environment groups are angry that there's still no improvement to environment protection. The Minister told Radio National Breakfast yesterday that he wants the reforms to reflect the spirit of the recommendations made by public policy expert Graeme Samuel five years ago. Guest: Kelly O'Shanassy, CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation Producer: Flint Duxfield
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Leader gives Green light for return to key party issues
The Greens are pledging to get back to their "core business" under the fresh leadership of Larissa Waters. Strong action on climate change and social justice policies will be priorities for the party after it was forced to find a new leader following the shock defeat of Adam Bandt at the federal election. "I commit to you that as a former environmental lawyer, as a proud feminist, that I will always work for equality, and I will always work for nature and for the community and to help people," Senator Waters said in Melbourne after her elevation to the top job on Thursday. Environmental groups welcomed the comments after the Greens were accused of straying from their party roots and getting distracted by other progressive causes. "We think this is a welcome sign that the Greens are getting back to core business, which is protection of climate and the environment," the Australian Conservation Foundation climate and energy program manager Gavan McFadzean told AAP. "In terms of their campaigns and their public work, I think it would be good for them to have a stronger focus on climate and environment this term." The Queensland Senator's bid for the top job was uncontested at a party room meeting on Thursday. NSW senator Mehreen Faruqi will remain as deputy leader. Senator Waters promised to keep "calling out a genocide" in reference to the Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza after the Greens were accused of being side-tracked by the war. The minor party was also faced accusations of obstructing key policies put forward by the Albanese government to tackle a housing crisis, losing its housing spokesman who was defeated by Labor at the election on May 3. The Greens lost three lower house seats at the election and failed to pick up any extras. But buoyed by the party holding the balance of power in the upper house, Senator Waters issued an ultimatum to the government. "The Labor Party have a choice," she said. "They can work with us and help people and protect nature, or they can choose to work with the coalition."
