Port Stephen beaches hit with waves of rubbish
A beach community in New South Wales is still cleaning up the rubbish caused by a Liberian freight ship on Friday night.
Port Stephen locals describe the clean-up as overwhelming, as morning tides keep washing more waves of rubbish to the shore.
The ship was heading from Taiwan to Sydney when rough seas knocked off 83 shipping containers 30 km away from Port Stephen.
Uniting Church joins national redress scheme
The Uniting Church plans to join the national redress scheme for victims of child sexual abuse.
The President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Stuart McMillan, has apologised to victims abused in church institutions.
The Western Australia Synod says they will also participate in the redress scheme, on the condition that the Western Australian government also engages with the program.
Brisbane City Council takes action against feral deer
The Brisbane City Council has introduced high pitched sonar signals as a way of keeping hundreds of feral deer away from traffic.
The virtual fence covers a 940-metre stretch of Rafting Ground Road in Brookfield, installed every 25 metres.
Since July 2016, the Brisbane City Council has received 140 reports of feral deer sightings in Brisbane's Western suburbs and has captured roughly 180 deer in the same period
Ipswich City Council to ban single-use plastics
Ipswich City Council is to follow Brisbane City Councils example in the ban of plastic items.
The council will decide on the new policy in July and if passed, helium balloons, single-use straws and water bottles will be banned from council-sponsored events.
Brisbane City Council had introduced the same ban last month, proving to be effective.
The President of Springfield Lakes Nature Care, Luise Manning, stated that it is encouraging to see the environmental movement catch on.
8am Zedlines - Tuesday, June 5
Your 8am Zedlines with Natalie & Patrick. Image credits: Wikipedia
Barnaby Joyce is being urged by his colleagues in the National Party of Australia to provide clarity about his political future in the Federal Parliament.
His colleagues are calling for a ‘fresh start’ for the party and for Joyce to bow out prior to next years Federal election.
This followed his television interview with Vikki Campion on Sunday, which party members criticised for being ‘distracting.’
Kirra Beach Caravan Park residents face eviction
The Gold Coast City Council has warned the permanent residents of the Kirra Beach Caravan Park they would have to move out to make room for more tourists.
However, Queensland Housing Minister Mick de Brenni is not convinced, stating that there is actually more income generated from the permanent residents than there is from the peak holiday periods.
Suspicions circulating the council’s motivation towards the eviction include future development plans for the park.
Brisbane’s $100 million flood mitigation budget to include robot
$100 million will be allocated in the Brisbane City Council’s 2018-19 budget for flood mitigation services and resilience measures.
These services will include flood-resilience incentive programs, stormwater drainage pipes and a robotic dredging device.
The robot would be unique in Australia and custom-built to move through Brisbane’s drainage network while completely submerged.
Screenwriter Tony Morphett passes away
Award-winning screenwriter, Tony Morphett has passed away over the weekend at the age of 80.
He contributed to screenplays for drama series Blue Heelers, Packed to the Rafters, The Sullivans and Water Rats.
Morphett will be remembered for his numerous contributions to the Australian film and television industry.
US Supreme Court favours baker who refused to make a wedding cake for same-sex couple
The United States Supreme Court has ruled in favour of a baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.
The Supreme Court says the ruling is limited and does not represent an official religious exemption to anti-discrimination laws.
Similar cases of refusing service to same-sex couples also await appeal.
Guatemalan volcanic eruption has killed over 62 people
An eruption of the Fuego volcano in Guatemala has killed dozens of people.
Over 62 people are confirmed dead and 300 injured after an 8km stream of lava covered several communities.
Hundreds of people are still missing.
This is the most violent eruption in more than four decades.