Ecosystem collapse could put Melbourne's water supply at risk
Melbourne is at risk of a reduced water supply due to decades of bushfires and logging in the highlands of central Victoria, which contain the majority of Melbourne’s water catchments.
The number of hollow-bearing trees in the area has been cut by more than half since 1997, which causes the land to draw more water than in an established forest.
Professor David Lindenmayer said immediate action must be taken to prevent the collapse of the ecosystem.
Ipswich to resume recycling but must reduce contamination
Ipswich signed a short-term contract with a recycling operator Tuesday following failed negotiations in April which caused the city council to announce it would send all recycling to the landfill.
The negotiations broke down in April because non-recyclable materials placed in yellow-top bins reached 52 per cent.
The new contractor will reject loads of recycled materials if Ipswich does not get the contamination rate below 25 per cent.
Queensland government commits $550 million to survivors of sexual abuse
The Queensland government has committed to a $550 million scheme to support survivors of sexual abuse in government-run institutions.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said five thousand Queenslanders are expected to be eligible for the scheme.
Despite the royal commission recommending a cap payment of two hundred thousand dollars, the Queensland government will give compensation payments of up to $150,000 and will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Review: Meditation, Lullaby and Waltz
It is always enjoyable hearing the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in the Concert Hall at the QPAC, either in an event of their own, or accompanying Ballet or Theatre. However, the best way to get the true QSO experience is at one of their more personal concerts in the QSO Studio. Rather than the musicians being hidden in a pit, or perching behind the conductor, at the QSO Studio you are introduced to the musicians and hear the low-down on which pieces they enjoy playing or find incredibly difficult to master.
Review: The Crucible- Brisbane Arts Theatre
Written by Arthur Miller in 1953, at the height of the McCarthy Communist ‘witch-hunts.’ It is set during the Salem witch trials in a small Puritanical town in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during 1692-93.
11am Zedlines
Your 11am Zedlines with James and Hassan.
Image source: Pixabay
Aussie-first drug testing trial deemed a ‘success’
Canberra's Groovin the Moo festival held the nation's first illegal pill-testing trial over the weekend.
Out of the 128 participants, 85 samples were tested. Half of them were pure MDMA while the other half included, lactose, sweetener and paint. Despite this, 2 samples were found deadly.
Chief Executive of the Ted Noffs Foundation, Matt Noffs, says this is a big step in taking back control and making our kids safer.
Migrant caravan rallies at US-Mexico border
Hundreds of people from a Central American migrant caravan have united at the US-Mexico border, with some going as far as climbing the border wall, ahead of making formal asylum claims that could land them in detention centres.
The month-long caravan which gathered 1,500 immigrants from countries such as Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador drew the wrath of US President Donald Trump, but were welcomed by Mexican towns along their journey.
Syrian Democratic Forces repel government attack
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have reclaimed government territory in the Deir Az Zor province in the east of Syria.
The Kurdish led SDF fought against government forces to push them away from several villages that line the Euphrates River.
The SDF and Syrian government have rarely come into conflict in the last few years as they both continue to fight ISIS in the region.
Make over for Aussie schools needed now more than ever
Federal education minister Simon Birmingham commissioned a report concluding Australia’s education system has “failed a generation” of school children.
Lower grades in maths, science and English over the past 18 years has led the Turnbull government to pass “Gonski 2.0”, a school funding plan late last year.
Gonski 2.0 has been reviewed by businessman David Gonski. Gonski states that Australia needs to overhaul its “industrial model” of school education, declaring it no longer helps students maximise their learning growth.