Latest news with #Great Barrier Reef
SBS Australia
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Journeys with heart: the rich stories of 'Great Australian Road Trips'
"I'm feeling a little bit emotional, to be honest... You can't help but be swept up by what it is to be human, what it is to witness the way we connect," says Melissa Leong, after witnessing a desert choir in a stunning natural ampitheatre in central Australia. It's just one of many special, and sometimes almost life-changing, experiences that Leong, and fellow travellers Claudia Karvan, Steph Tisdell and Nazeem Hussain, experience in heartwarming docuseries Great Australian Road Trips . And they weren't the only ones making discoveries along the way. "Directing this new road trip series was an extraordinary journey, both professionally and personally, made even more impactful through collaboration with an incredible crew and cast," says series director Jodi Boylan, whose past projects include War on Waste and award-winning SBS documentary Osher Günsberg: A Matter of Life and Death . "From the outset, I envisioned this project as more than just a travelogue series – it became a vibrant exploration of identity, connection and the human spirit, brought to life through the unique perspectives and contributions of our fabulous four." The six-part series sees the four hosts travel to stunning parts of Australia, from the scenic Great Barrier Reef Drive in northern Queensland to Tasmania's windswept west coast. The series kicks off in episode one with food writer and TV host Leong and comedian Nazeem Hussain heading out of Alice Springs along the Red Centre Way; along with a camel ride adventure, the pair enjoy views of Tjorita, the stunning West MacDonnell Ranges, which inspired artist Albert Namatjira. They visit Stanley Chasm, where Mel introduces Naz to bush food expert Rayleen Brown, and then, heading on to Ormiston Gorge, hear a performance by the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir. Later episodes see the pair travel from Darwin to Ubirr via Arnhem Land, and also down the West Coast Wilderness Road in Tasmania. Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir and guests performing. Credit: Great Australian Road Trips In other episodes, actor Claudia Karvan and writer/performer Steph Tisdell pair up to travel Grand Pacific Drive along the New South Wales coastline; venture into the lush rainforests and laid-back towns of Queensland's Tropical Way; and visit the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Steph Tisdell and Claudia Karvan at Lake Barrine in Queensland. Credit: Mint Pictures "Working with Steph, Claudia, Melissa and Naz enriched every aspect of the series. Each of them brought their own authenticity, wisdom and energy, shaping the journey in ways I could never have anticipated," Boylan says. "Steph's humour and heart made every interaction memorable, Claudia's depth as a storyteller added profound insight, Melissa's ability to connect through the senses brought warmth and flavour to our narratives, and Naz's charm and cultural insight gave the series a truly global perspective. From laughter-filled moments to deeply moving reflections, we explored themes of race, culture, identity and first-hand experiences weaving them into a narrative that felt as authentic as the journey itself. Director Jodi Boylan (centre) with Toby Ralph (DOP, left) and Jeremy Ashton (Sound) at work in the Red Centre. Credit: Mint Pictures Making the series in such diverse landscapes threw up some challenges for the cast and crew. Filming through the sweltering heat of the Northern Territory, the team faced temperatures soaring above 40°C; in some locations, quick changes had to be made to filming plans, as flash floods closed roads in Queensland and arctic conditions made it challenging to paddle across a lake in Tasmania. "Collaboration was the beating heart of this project. As director, I prioritised fostering a creative environment where every voice was valued. The contributions from the cast and expertise of the crew were instrumental in shaping the tone and texture of the series, ensuring it reflected the diversity and richness of our experiences. Together, we hope we have created a series that inspires audiences to embrace the adventure of hitting the open road," Boylan says. These trips are as much about the journey, and the stops along the way, as the destination, as Tisdall, a proud Yidinji women, notes in episode 2, as she takes Karvan on a trip on the Great Barrier Reef Drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulations. "It's the detour, not the destination I'm most excited about," she says, the detour in this case being a visit to Yidinji Country in the Atherton Tablelands. Likewise in Tasmania, where Leong and Hussain stop to see the dramatic view of Horse Tail Falls, and visit the harbourside town of Strahan to learn more about the realities of Tasmania's convict history. Nazeem Hussain, Melissa Leong and kayak maker Anthony O'Hern at Dove Lake, Tasmania. Credit: Rachel Frankenbach / Mint Pictures Later, taking on a chilly but scenic journey on wooden kayaks across Dove Lake, surrounded by views of Cradle Mountain, the pair are in awe of their experience. "I can't believe we're actually doing this... feels like you're kind of in a dream," Hussain says. Leong is similarly impressed. "I think sitting here in the middle of a lake alone with you, I'm really struck by the insignificance of us. You know, we are so tiny in the scheme of time and space and just such gratitude for being able to see a place this pristine." Karvan says in the show, "If you really want to experience this great southern land, you've gotta hit the road." If you can't actually do that right now in person, joining this adventurous foursome for Great Australian Road Trips will give you another great way to visit roads and towns (and scenic lakes!) and meet people, right across the nation. Great Australia Road Trips airs weekly on SBS from 7.30pm Thursday 31 July. Episodes will also be available each week at SBS On Demand. Great Australian Road Trips
The Guardian
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Adani claims its export program helps contribute to sustainable energy – but experts say that's ‘wilful disinformation'
An Adani claim that its Australian export program, whereby coal is sent through the Great Barrier Reef's shipping channels, is advancing the United Nations' sustainable development goals has been denounced by leading scientists. Adani's Queensland export site claims its operations 'ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all', which is one of the UN's 17 sustainable development goals. Australia, along with other UN members, adopted the goals in 2015, designed to address global challenges including poverty, justice, environmental degradation and climate change. The relevant UN goal is chiefly concerned with providing affordable and clean energy, which it says requires a substantial increase in renewable energy. Adani's North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT) near Bowen has the capacity to export 50m tonnes of coal a year. In its latest sustainability report, NQXT says it supports the UN goal by 'enabling the export of high-quality Australian coal to the world'. One of Australia's leading experts on the development goals, Prof John Thwaites, said the word 'sustainable' in the UN goal was key. 'I would argue that to 'support the advancement of the sustainable development goals', energy and port operations need to support sustainable energy,' said Thwaites, the chair of the Monash Sustainable Development Institute. 'Simply exporting coal is not achieving or supporting the sustainability objective of the goals.' Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton's Clear Air column as a free newsletter He said there were also numerous references in the UN goals for the need to take action on climate change, and that 'simply exporting coal which will be burned and produce greenhouse gas emissions overseas' is not supportive of this. Another leading expert on the UN agenda, Dr Cameron Allen, said the intention of the energy development goal was to 'focus on sustainable energy and clean energy and I don't think fossil fuels or coal falls into that'. 'I don't think anyone would agree that it's in line with the aims of that goal,' said Allen, from Monash University. 'Exporting coal isn't in line with the sentiment … or the language of the goal, which includes the word sustainable. The international climate change agreements also make it clear that burning fossil fuels is not sustainable.' Guardian Australia has been scrutinising various claims made by Adani after finding that its Carmichael coal operation has paid zero corporate tax in more than three years of operation, and may never do so. The Indian conglomerate had pledged to plough billions of dollars into the Australian economy through taxes and royalties when it was going through the contested approvals process to establish an open-cut coalmine in the Galilee Basin. In response to questions about how its operations advance the UN sustainability goals, a spokesperson for Adani's Australian mining business, which is branded Bravus Mining and Resources, said coal exports helped combat poverty. Sign up to Clear Air Australia Adam Morton brings you incisive analysis about the politics and impact of the climate crisis after newsletter promotion 'Developing nations in the Asia Pacific region use coal from the Carmichael mine alongside renewables to provide reliable and affordable energy solutions that help reduce poverty and power growth,' the Bravus spokesperson said. Adani's port facility website also says its operations align with a UN goal to protect terrestrial ecosystems by managing its water on-site next to neighbouring wetlands. Traditional owners have raised concerns over the threat posed by the coal operations to the nearby Caley Valley, in claims rejected by Adani. In 2017 and 2019, flood waters were released from the port into the wetland. In the 2017 incident, the Queensland government later found the water that turned areas of the wetlands black from coal dust had not caused a widespread impact. Adani's Carmichael mine, rail and port operation is among the most politically divisive projects in Australia, given it has opened up new fossil fuel reserves in a sensitive location at a time the country has pledged to transition to renewables. Claire Snyder, director of watchdog group Climate Integrity, said the NQXT claim amounted to aggressive greenwashing. 'Framing coal exports as a contribution to sustainable development undermines global climate goals, misleads the public, and uses the authority of the UN to legitimise ongoing harm,' Snyder said. 'Given what we know about coal's role in driving climate breakdown, this is wilful disinformation and meaningless sustainability waffle to protect the social licence of coal.'
ABC News
13-07-2025
- ABC News
Group of 18 people fined after illegal cabin found in Curtis Island National Park
A group of 18 people have been fined thousands of dollars after an unauthorised cabin was built, partly with illegally harvested trees, in a national park on a central Queensland island. Queensland's Department of Environnment says the group holidayed regularly at the hut in a remote part of Curtis Island National Park over a period of months before they were detected. The national park is on the east coast of Curtis Island, 16 kilometres from Gladstone, and is within the southern Great Barrier Reef, making it part of the World Heritage area. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers noticed unusual activity in the park and carried out compliance patrols in the area, before uncovering the hut in August last year. "It's really disappointing that people have undertaken this activity," said Tina Alderson, QPWS's Great Barrier Reef and Marine Parks regional director. Twenty-two fines, totalling $7,606, were handed to 18 people. The cabin was complete with a barbecue area and verandah. The Department of Environment says the group would drive to the cabin with guns, a boat, fishing equipment and pet dogs. Surveillance footage shows different vehicles towing dinghies and trailers, people standing on ute trays, all-terrain buggies, and motorbikes being driven in restricted areas. Some of these vehicles were found to be unregistered. Other illegal activities included lighting fires and bringing domestic dogs into a protected area, and hunting with guns. The activities are illegal in protected areas under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Nature Conservation (Protected Area Management) Regulations 2024, as they put rangers, neighbours and park users at risk and impact the environment and native wildlife. Trees were illegally cleared and harvested to build parts of the hut. Ms Alderson said investigations were ongoing as to when the hut was constructed, but it appeared it was done over time and added to bit by bit. "It's hard to fully determine that," she said. "But certainly there are parts of the hut that were built fairly recently as some of the trees that have been used in part of the structure have only recently been cut down." A seizure notice was published by the Department of Environment in January about the structure and for the owner to come forward. It will be removed by rangers but they have been delayed by wet weather. "Once the hut is removed, we'll be able to have a good look at the site and see what works or rehabilitation or revegetation might need to be undertaken at the site," Ms Alderson said. Curtis Island is the third largest continental island in Queensland and is made up of sand dunes, beach ridges and salt flats. The park is home to the Capricorn yellow chat, a critically endangered bird. Threatened flatback turtles also nest on the island's beaches, along with migratory wanderers and other significant wetland species. In 2023, the state government purchased a 1,500-hectare property, Spadely Station, on the north of the island for $12 million, with plans to look into ecotourism opportunities.
