Brisbane City Council would introduce a half-price infrastructure rebate for new residential and commercial buildings.

International Energy Agency (IEA)  reported, ‘buildings are responsible for 40 per cent of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions worldwide, taking climate action in buildings is the most cost-effective’

‘Buildings that Breath’ encourages energy efficient sustainable designs, the incentive will go before the council next week for approval.

A report analysing Australia’s upcoming bushfire season highlights large areas of eastern and northern Australia will endure a wet spring, but southeast Queensland will still be faced with bushfire risks.

Although there is evidence of some wet weather for eastern parts of Australia, south-east Queensland is expected to receive above-average possibility of fires in the upcoming spring season. 

There have been two new cases of coronavirus in Queensland reported overnight.

The two new cases are a 37-year-old nurse at Ipswich hospital and an 18-year-old student at Staines Memorial college. The college was closed immediately and tests for all the students have commenced. 

There are currently 28 active cases in the state.

The Northern Territory is allowing fruit pickers and seasonal workers from the Pacific to enter and recommence work. 

It has been described as a relief by the workers to be able to return and regain a consistent income, as their communities are lacking job opportunities due to COVID-19.

In NSW, Premier Gladys Berejiklian will announce the ease of restrictions to commence on Friday for those on the NSW-Victorian border.

Victorian border residents who have permits to enter NSW will now be able to stay within a 50 kilometre zone, instead of the 2.5 kilometre that is currently enforced. 

These permits are to authorise locals within the border region to access NSW for specific reasons such as paramount goods and services, care or compassionate means, and work or education.

German chancellor Angela Merkel has declared there is not enough effort being put into the fight against climate change. 

At the annual summer news conference Merkel pledged to employ more focus into the issue, and stated the European Union needs to alter the current climate goals in place for 2030. 

This new goal is aimed for a 50 to 55 percent emissions decrease against 1990 levels, instead of the initial goal of 40 percent.

China has detained Australian news reporter Cheng Lei, who has been in custody for over two weeks without charge. 

It is reported Lei is being guarded under “residential surveillance at a designated location” - a type of detainment which permits authorities to keep and investigate suspects for up to 6 months without officially arresting them.

There is no reason yet provided for her detainment.