Blu no more
The blue Macaw Species featured in the animated movie ‘Rio’ has recently been classified as ‘extinct in the wild’
The Brazilian Spix Macaw is one of 8 species added to the list of extinct or highly likely to be extinct by new statistical classifications by researchers.
This bird joins glaucous macaw and Pernambuco pygmy-owl who owe their heavily declined numbers to continental deforestation within South America.
Adani back at it again
The Queensland Government has charged coal miner Adani for allegedly releasing sediment water eight times over the allowed limit into the Great Barrier Reef.
The Department of Environment and Sciences has charged the Adani-owned Abbot Point Bulkcoal with breaking a temporary emissions license over the discharge at the Abbot Point coal terminal during Cyclone Debbie in 2017.
The matter is set to be heard in the Bowen Magistrates Court on October the 23rd. The maximum penalty is $2.7 million.
Slow down hotshots!
The Brisbane City Council will introduce lower speed limits around dozens of shopping centres and dining precincts in Brisbane to 40km/hour.
Sunnybank and Stones Corner will be among the first areas to benefit from this change.
Unlike 40km/hr school zones which operate during certain hours on certain days, these slow zones will be in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ultra Material: Cosmic Anti Stuff
- Ultra Material are a quintessential shoegaze band. If you like that type of sound -which I sure as hell do- then you will love their new album, Cosmic Anti Stuff.
It’s the band’s second full-length album, so I’d also suggest that if you haven’t previously heard music by Ultra Material, you should also check out their earlier album and the EPs this Brisbane based outfit have putting out since 2015.
Various Artists: Antipodean Anomalies
- Melbourne’s ever-reliable Left Ear Records are just about to drop a compilation of bizarro music from New Zealand and Australia called Antipodean Anomalies. Ever ones for the archival release, they have proven themselves to be one of the best reissue labels in Australia – along with Dual Planet and Efficient Space - re-releasing little known home-grown gold. Most recently I reviewed their compilation of Peter Westheimer tracks. Antipoden Anomalies is a different kettle of fish entirely.
Best New Arrivals - September Pt 1
Local
sleepclub: Slow Down (Single)(Independent) Slow Down is the latest single from Brisbane's very own Sleepclub. The trio have once again delivered, with a catchy slice of dreampop that'll have you hooked from the get-go. Give it a listen. (Harry Bain)
Slow Down by sleepclub
Review: Playhouse Creatures
Written by April De Angelis and directed by Jordan Best, Playhouse Creatures shines the spotlight on five actresses in a disturbing and poignant study of the evolving roles of women in theatre during the momentous restoration period.
11 am Zedlines
This is Taylah and Erin with your 11 am Zedlines.
Image source: wikipedia
South-East Queensland’s public transport plummets
New government data shows Queensland’s south-east has seen a 6 per cent drop in bus and ferry patronage, while rail patronage has virtually flatlined.
Public transport advocacy group Rail Back on Track says while the population grew by almost 6 per cent between 2012 and 2016, there was no corresponding growth in public transport usage.
Robert Dow of Rail Back on Track believes Queensland commuters were shunning public transport because it is not meeting the community’s needs.
Queensland taxi drivers call for rideshare ban
Queensland taxi drivers are calling for the State Government to impose a one-year ban on the rideshare services pushing them out of business.
The value of a Queensland taxi licence has collapsed by 77 per cent since 2012 due to the growth in services such as Uber.
Queensland Taxi Council Chief Executive Blair Davies said the government’s lack of action is appalling and encourages cabbies to lobby in order to take back Brisbane streets.