Climate and Natural Resources

The Murrumbidgee Valley Water Efficiency Feasibility Project examines the business case for saving significant amounts of water, and to identify ways of boosting regional productivity and environmental quality with the savings. This report is the record of these investigations and the findings. The project - the first of its kind in Australia - ....

The Basin Plan aims to balance the water needs of the environment and other uses, through the establishment of new limits (known as sustainable diversion limits, or SDLs) on the volumes of water use. Drawing on the best available information and advice, the Authority has: • assessed flow regimes at 122 environmental sites throughout the Basin ....

The town of Lake Boga in northern Victoria experienced the loss of its lake in early 2008 due to ongoing drought conditions. This lake was central to the town's recreation and tourism industry and formed a defining point of identity for residents and visitors. The town was chosen as a research case study by the Vict ....

This research project examines some of the effects that implementing the Endangered Species Act has on a rapidly growing community. This case study focuses on the eastern Nebraska saline wetlands near Lincoln in the Little Salt Creek watershed - home to the endangered Salt Creek tiger beetle. With the listing of the Salt Creek tiger beetle o ....

To fulfil its emission reduction target pledged in the Copenhagen accord, the Australian Government has determined to introduce a carbon tax from July 1st 2012. This paper simulates the effects on the environment and on the economy of a carbon tax of A$23 per tonne of carbon dioxide proposed by the government with, and without, a compensation pol ....

This book describes and analyses the complex reasons for the economic and social decline of Australia's country towns. The authors discuss the plight of country towns and rural communities from various perspectives, with economic considerations often balanced by the issues surrounding environmental sustainability and the use of nat ....

Article raises concerns about the 'greenmailing' of primary producers by environmental non-governmnet organisations by the processes of costly certifications.  Report Locationhttps://quadrant.org.au/magazine/2013/1-2/the-greenmailing-of-primary-producers/ ....

This report examines how drought affects educational access and provision in rural and remote areas, drawing upon interviews with affected communities. The report considers the effects on primary school students, secondary students, tertiary students, and Indigenous students, and the use of allowances, home tutoring, township accom ....

Report Locationhttp://archive.treasury.gov.au/documents/817/HTML/docshell.asp?URL=03_article_2.asp ....

The performance of the resource sector in Queensland is a key driver for growth at the regional, state and national levels. The purpose of this study was to use a partnership approach between three Regional Development Australia entities and CQUniversity to better identify, understand and plan appropriate responses to issues relating to resource ....

Global climate change modelling has identified south-east Australia as a 'hot spot' for more frequent climatic extremes. Rural landholders may be vulnerable to the risks climate change presents. Australia's rural landholders are considered highly adaptable, with a history of responding to climatic uncertainty and variability. Yet it is possible t ....

As a Regulation, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan was ‘made’ by Water Minister Tony Burke in November 2012. Sure, it was a disallowable instrument (either House of Parliament could disallow it) but that was highly unlikely to occur. As a result, the Parliamentary process was something of an anticlimax after several years of high profile national ....

The practices and public reputation of mining have been changing over time. In the past, mining operations frequently stood accused of being socially and environmentally disruptive, whereas mining today invests heavily in 'socially responsible' and 'sustainable' business practices. Changes such as these can be witnessed internationally as well as ....

The mining boom: impacts and prospects examines the fears some Australians have about the potential adverse consequences of the 10-year mining boom. People worry about the damage caused by the high dollar, the impact of the boom on non-mining regions and the risk Australia will turn into a quarry economy. These are understandable concerns but the ....