Byron Bay sand erosion crisis could be no longer

Byron Shire council says the worst of the sand erosion is over. 

This comes as new satellite imagery shows sand gradually moving back over to the region. 

Biodiversity and sustainability coordinator, Chloe Dowsett says, “we’ve been tracking it for a while now… it's been quite slow.” 

Ms Dowsett says while the sand is returning, a lot more is needed to return the beaches to their former glory.

 

New shark deterrent device significantly reduces chances of attack 

New data from Western Australia shows this device reduces the chances of being bitten by a shark by 66%.   

The device works by emitting an electric field around the surfer, which scientists say is not harmful to sharks. 

Shark expert Dr Daryl McPhee said there has been an increase in shark attacks and personal mitigation equipment is imperative.

 

New program will introduce girls to trade careers

A program named “Women who Weld,” is set to introduce schoolgirls to careers in trade.

Australia’s skills shortage in male-dominated trades could be solved by women as a new program emerges to encourage girls into these careers.

Girls from the age of 14 are being introduced to job opportunities in the manufacturing, mining and construction industries, brightening the future of trades.

Last year women made up 16.6 % of trade workers in Australia, a significant boost from 14.7% in 2018.

3 Polish regions are scrapping anti-LGBT resolutions

The resolutions were initially passed in 2019 with local authorities viewing campaigns for gay rights as an attack on Catholic views and values.

Almost 100 other regions passed similar resolutions which were said to violate discrimination laws. The European commission urged for them to be scrapped, threatening to block funding for their local governments for failure to do so.

Whilst the resolutions were mainly symbolic and unenforceable, they have fuelled Poland’s increasingly tense culture war.

 

Celebrations for Olympic & Paralympic athletes in Brisbane

Brisbane will host a celebration to officially welcome Australia’s 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic athletes back to the country. 

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the move aims to acknowledge and honour the athletes for their exceptional performances in Tokyo.

Preparations for Brisbane’s own 2032 Olympics are underway across the South East, despite concerns about the cost to the state.

 

Australia's vaccine rates rank near the bottom

Australia is slowly rising in world vaccination rate rankings.

Currently Australia is fifty-eighth in the world for full vaccination coverage, but among the O-E-C-D nations, Australia ranks near the bottom. 

However, Australia is currently the fourth fastest country in the world for vaccine administration, and is likely to overtake the full vaccination rate of the US in October.

 

QLD rail accused of racial discrimination

Two First Nations women are suing Queensland Rail in the wake of racial discrimination

The women were forcibly removed from a Spirit of Queensland train in January whilst a white passenger was permitted to stay.

The family were then left stranded in Mackay, 300km from home with no money and little knowledge of the area.

A staff member claims they called police to have the women removed following alleged threats to staff.

 

Young Queenslanders leading vaccination rates

Queensland teenagers are getting vaccinated more than any other age group right now. 

One in five teenagers have received their first dose in under a fortnight. 

An analysis of recent vaccination data shows the 12-15-year-old age group are on track for 80% to receive their first dose by the second of November. 

Federal Health minister Greg Hunt indicated this high take up rate could be the driving force to potentially push Australia’s entire vaccination rate above 80%.

 

WA fire brigade setting the standard for gender diversity

A Western Australia fire brigade is setting the standard for gender diversity in volunteer firefighting services.

In Merredin, 12 of the 26 volunteer support staff and firefighters are female, a figure not yet seen in any other volunteer fire service in the state.

Lieutenant Sheree Lowe has been striving to get more women involved since she joined the brigade seven years ago, recruiting many female volunteers after an international women’s day celebration she hosted at the fire station.