Latest news with #Wilkins
ABC News
3 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Murray-Darling Basin Plan report card finds water reform working
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has released the findings of a comprehensive evaluation of water reform in the country's largest river system. The review comes 13 years after the adoption of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which aimed to improve the health of the system and strike a balance between the environment and water users, including irrigators. Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) chief executive Andrew McConville says it is clear the basin is better off now. "When you look across the environmental indicators, the farm productivity indicators and continuing growth in the overall value of the economy of the basin, things are moving forward overall quite well." The 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation is the most extensive review of the water reform to date. Mr McConville said "environmental conditions are better now than would have been without " the basin plan, with improvements to waterbird habitat and breeding and vegetation. The report shows that more than 2,100 gigalitres of water per year have been recovered to support the environment. That has come from upgrades to infrastructure and water buybacks from farmers. However, Murray Darling Conservation Alliance does not share MDBA's positive sentiment. Its national director, Craig Wilkins, said the ecosystems were in decline. "Without bold action to recover more water, rivers that sustain life across south-eastern Australia potentially face collapse," he said. "At best, the audit indicates that we are winning very slowly, because the river is already sick and climate change in biting. Mr Wilkins said the plan had only delivered two thirds of the water that was promised. "To be frank, that original water target was an artificially low political one, well below what scientists were saying at the time," he said. "It's a bit like trying to fight to feed a big family with only two thirds of the minimum wage. However, Mr Wilkins said there was some good news to take away from the reports. "There's small recoveries in some places, and the good news is environmental water does work," he said. In high irrigation communities like Shepparton in the Goulburn Valley, the basin plan has long been a hot topic. Goulburn Murray Irrigation District Leadership Group member, David McKenzie said the plan had caused negative socio-economic impacts. Mr McKenzie said the evaluation of the basin plan by the MDBA was the authority 'marking their own homework', and was not reflective of what was truly happening across the basin. "When it's a negative impact, particularly socio-economic impact, they're quick to say there's a lot of things going on and it's not just the basin plan, " he said. "But when there's any win anywhere, whether it's a cultural, social, economic, environmental outcome, they'll claim it for the basin plan." Data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, shows that total milk production in northern Victoria has fallen by about 40 per cent since 2000. Murrabit Dairy farmer and chair of the Victorian Farmers Federation Water Council, Andrew Leahy, said his community had shrunk over the past 12 years. "We've gone from about 40 dairy farms back to about six," Mr Leahy said. "We don't see that in the reports — there's obviously less people in the district." Mr Leahy said water prices had tripled over the past decade and farmers had been forced to adapt to growing fodder with less water. "We've changed our ways dramatically," he said. "How we farm to cope with the less amount of water and that obviously adds a cost." The MBDA evaluation acknowledged the authority needed to improve support for the values and cultural water uses of First Nations people. Water law and policy expert at the University of Melbourne Erin O'Donnell said the relationship between First Nations Peoples and the MDBA was slowly getting better. "It's quite heartening to see that in there because that is a step towards the truth-telling that is so important, but it also tells you a lot about the relationships that exist." With the review of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan due in 2026, Dr O'Donnell said the MDBA needed to recognise First Nations leadership. "This evaluation consistently talks about things like consultation, fatigue. Of course, people are tired of being consulted because being consulted is nowhere near enough." Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, a confederation of First Nations from the southern part of the Murray Darling Basin, declined to comment.
New York Post
7 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Raiders releasing Christian Wilkins one year after signing him to $110 million contract amid injury drama
The Raiders are releasing standout defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in a shocking move after he completed just one year of the five-year, $110 million contract he signed in 2024, the team announced. The release is with the designation of terminated vested veteran, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported, and the Raiders are voiding the remaining $35.2 million off the guaranteed money that he has left on his contract. Wilkins filed a grievance with the NFLPA on Thursday over the decision. The decision was made due to the way Wilkins was treating the rehab for the foot injury that cost him all but five games last season. Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Minneapolis. AP The Raiders and Wilkins had been at odds over whether or not to have surgery on the foot, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported. Las Vegas had been urging him to, while Wilkins had declined several opinions, according to the report. Wilkins is a six-year NFL pro and has played in 86 career games, which include 82 starts. He had recorded 372 combined tackles, 22.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, but failed to make the impact Las Vegas had hoped for due to his foot injury. Wilkins had been injured during a Week 5 loss to the Broncos. The defensive tackle had 11 solo tackles last season and two sacks. Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) looks on during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, Aug 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. AP Wilkins had been placed on the PUP list last Friday and it was unclear when he would be able to return. 'It's still uncertain,' Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said during a Tuesday press conference. 'We sort of have to wait it out.' Wilkins had been recently spotted wearing a walking boot, according to Pro Football Talk. He had been expected to be a big part of the Raiders' defensive scheme going into 2025 alongside defensive stalwart Maxx Crosby.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raiders release Christian Wilkins after one season. Why?
Twelve months ago, the Las Vegas Raiders made defensive tackle Christian Wilkins one of the highest-paid defenders in the league with a huge deal in free agency. One year later, the two have parted ways. The Raiders have released Wilkins, they announced Thursday night on social media, one year into the five-year, $110 million deal they signed him to last offseason. Wilkins suffered a Jones fracture in his foot in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos last season and missed the rest of the year. He had surgery to repair the fracture and was placed on the reserve/PUP list on July 18. Less than a week later, the franchise released him. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Wilkins and the Raiders disagreed on another surgery to repair his foot. Las Vegas reportedly wanted him to have that done while Wilkins declined. "We have decided that it is in the best interests of the organization to move on from Christian Wilkins and he has been informed of his release from the team," the Raiders said in a statement. "The franchise has a commitment to excellence on and off the field. With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organization to move forward and prepare for the new season." Las Vegas has already paid Wilkins nearly $22 million of the $57 million in guaranteed money included in his contract signed last offseason. The Raiders voided the remaining $35.2 million of his contract in June, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, but Wilkins has filed a grievance with the NFL Players' Association over that. Raiders DT depth chart With Wilkins now out, here's a look at the rest of the depth chart at defensive tackle for Las Vegas: Adam Butler Leki Fotu Zach Carter Tonka Hemingway JJ Pegues Jonah Laulu Tank Booker Treven Ma'ae The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Christian Wilkins news: Raiders release DT after 1 season
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Clemson star Christian Wilkins released by Raiders in a shocking, sticky situation
Just over a year after making Christian Wilkins one of the highest-paid defensive linemen in the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders are moving on. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Raiders have released Wilkins with the designation of a terminated vested veteran—voiding the remainder of his guaranteed money in the process. Wilkins signed a four-year, $110 million deal with Las Vegas in March 2024, with the expectation he'd anchor their defensive front. But after suffering a Jones fracture in his foot just five games into last season, he never saw the field again. Initially projected to be healthy before the team's 2025 offseason program began, Wilkins experienced a setback in his recovery that kept him out entirely and ultimately landed him on the Physically Unable to Perform list for the start of training camp. The Raiders took issue with how Wilkins managed his rehab, and last month voided the remaining $35.2 million in guarantees on his contract. Wilkins has now filed a grievance with the NFL Players Association to challenge that decision. "This is a situation that is far from over," Schefter noted. Much could depend on the language in Wilkins' deal, particularly regarding rehab obligations and medical care. In six NFL seasons, Wilkins has played in 86 games (82 starts) and tallied 372 total tackles, 22.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. Despite being sidelined for most of 2024, the 28-year-old still has plenty of prime years left—making this an unusual and potentially messy end to what began as a marquee signing. At Clemson, Wilkins was a three-time All-American who became the fifth unanimous All-American in school history. The National Champion ended his career with the Tigers, recording 250 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, 56 quarterback pressures, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries in 2,441 snaps over 59 games, with 49 starts. Whether another team takes a chance on him soon may hinge on how his foot progresses—and how this contract dispute plays out. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions. This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Christian Wilkins released by the Raiders due to a contract breach
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Business
- USA Today
Raiders release Christian Wilkins after one season. Why?
Twelve months ago, the Las Vegas Raiders made defensive tackle Christian Wilkins one of the highest-paid defenders in the league with a huge deal in free agency. One year later, the two have parted ways. The Raiders have released Wilkins, they announced Thursday night on social media, one year into the five-year, $110 million deal they signed him to last offseason. Wilkins suffered a Jones fracture in his foot in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos last season and missed the rest of the year. He had surgery to repair the fracture and was placed on the reserve/PUP list on July 18. Less than a week later, the franchise released him. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Wilkins and the Raiders disagreed on another surgery to repair his foot. Las Vegas reportedly wanted him to have that done while Wilkins declined. "We have decided that it is in the best interests of the organization to move on from Christian Wilkins and he has been informed of his release from the team," the Raiders said in a statement. "The franchise has a commitment to excellence on and off the field. With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organization to move forward and prepare for the new season." Las Vegas has already paid Wilkins nearly $22 million of the $57 million in guaranteed money included in his contract signed last offseason. The Raiders voided the remaining $35.2 million of his contract in June, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, but Wilkins has filed a grievance with the NFL Players' Association over that. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
