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Photographs of Sellafield nuclear plant prompt fears over radioactive risk

The Guardian - Thu, 2014-10-30 04:57

Nuclear safety expert claims there is ‘significant risk’ due to poor condition of storage ponds containing highly radioactive fuel rods

Previously unseen pictures of two storage ponds containing hundreds of highly radioactive fuel rods at the Sellafield nuclear plant show cracked concrete, seagulls bathing in the water and weeds growing around derelict machinery. But a spokesman for owners Sellafield Ltd said the 60-year-old ponds will not be cleaned up for decades, despite concern that they are in a dangerous state and could cause a large release of radioactive material if they are allowed to deteriorate further.

“The concrete is in dreadful condition, degraded and fractured, and if the ponds drain, the Magnox fuel will ignite and that would lead to a massive release of radioactive material,” nuclear safety expert John Large told the Ecologist magazine. “I am very disturbed at the run-down condition of the structures and support services. In my opinion there is a significant risk that the system could fail.

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Categories: Around The Web

Proposal to extend maximum approval time frames

Department of the Environment - Wed, 2014-10-29 14:19
Proposal to extend maximum approval times for Australia’s commercial fisheries - call for public comments open 31 October 2014 until 28 November 2014.
Categories: Around The Web

Minister decides not to list a key threatening process

Department of the Environment - Mon, 2014-10-27 17:50
'Biodiversity decline and habitat degradation in the arid and semi-arid Australian rangelands due to the proliferation, placement and management of artificial watering points’ not listed as a Key Threatening Process.
Categories: Around The Web

WA abandons shark culling program, but reserves right to kill again

The Guardian - Fri, 2014-10-24 13:11

Western Australia’s premier, Colin Barnett, announces application for baited drum line approval has been withdrawn

The Western Australian government has conceded defeat over its plan to systematically trap and kill large sharks near popular beaches, after scrapping a proposal to implement the strategy over the next three years.

Colin Barnett, the WA premier, confirmed on Friday that WA had withdrawn its application to the federal government for the shark culling to go ahead.

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Suspicious death of rare Tasmanian devil prompts zoo investigation

The Guardian - Wed, 2014-10-22 01:16

New Mexico zoo increases security and offers $5,000 reward for information on death of endangered marsupial named Jaspar

The killing of a rare Tasmanian devil on loan from Australia has prompted beefed-up security at a New Mexico zoo and a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo is adding more guards and surveillance cameras following the death of the animal named Jasper at the zoo last week.

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Meet the next generation of environmental engineers - Wed 22 October at UQ

Newsletters QLD - Mon, 2014-10-20 19:40
Meet the next generation of environmental engineers - Wed 22 October at UQ
Categories: Newsletters QLD

Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum communique twelfth meeting - October 2014

Department of the Environment - Mon, 2014-10-20 14:37
Members of the Lake Eyre Basin (LEB) Ministerial Forum have agreed that a key focus for governments over the coming two years will be to review and reset the underlying policies which govern the cross border management of the Lake Eyre Basin.
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Has Lockheed Martin really made a breakthrough in nuclear fusion technology?

The Guardian - Fri, 2014-10-17 05:44

Lockheed’s announcement has generated a lot of publicity, but experts point to the lack of details or results, suggesting fusion power is still a long way off. Karl Mathiesen investigates.

Let us know your thoughts. Post in the comments below, follow Karl Mathiesen’s Facebook page, email karl.mathiesen.freelance@guardian.co.uk or tweet @karlmathiesen

Scientists have responded with scepticism to the announcement of a breakthrough in nuclear fusion by Lockheed Martin.

The arms manufacturer announced on Wednesday that it was “working on a new compact fusion reactor (CFR) that can be developed and deployed in as little as 10 years”. But Lockheed’s four paragraph press release and accompanying video are heavy on hyperbole and light on detail.

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Romanian politician calls for the army to help control bear population

The Guardian - Thu, 2014-10-16 22:24

Csaba Borboly has called for military assistance and for culling quotas to be lifted following a spate of cases involving brown bears damaging property in Romania

In the depths of Transylvania, Romania, a war against one of Europe’s largest brown bear populations is looming.

Following a string of cases involving damage to private property from bears in recent months, Csaba Borboly, a senior politician from the Transylvanian region, has called for the army to be brought in. “The [bear] problem needs the involvement of specialised state institutions such as the police, the paramilitary and even the army.”

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Why cycling is great for everyone – not just cyclists

The Guardian - Thu, 2014-10-16 19:48

Mass cycling could save the NHS £17bn in 20 years, cut 500 road deaths a year and reduce smog, says a new study for British Cycling

At some point during most discussions about promoting cycling the question crops up: “Yeah, but some people don’t want to cycle or can’t cycle – how are bike lanes any use for them?”

The answers are many and overwhelming. However, they can be hard to pin down. Luckily, someone has just done just that in a thorough and easy to follow way.

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Categories: Around The Web

SENG Victoria News - October 2014

Newsletters VIC - Thu, 2014-10-16 14:30
SENG Victoria News - October 2014
Categories: Newsletters VIC

National Heritage Listing for Koonalda Cave's outstanding Aboriginal heritage

Department of the Environment - Wed, 2014-10-15 16:13
Today the Australian Government placed the Nullarbor Plain’s Koonalda Cave on the National Heritage List in recognition of its rare Aboriginal archaeology and heritage.
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Reef Trust Tender - Wet Tropics

Department of the Environment - Tue, 2014-10-14 09:19
The Expression of Interest stage for the Reef Trust Tender - Wet Tropics Programme is now open - Expressions of Interest close 2pm [EDST] Thursday 18 December 2014.
Categories: Around The Web

20 Year Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan

Department of the Environment - Mon, 2014-10-13 14:54
The 20 Year Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan provides a blueprint for Australia’s future engagement in the region and options to expand Tasmania’s role as a leading Antarctic science and logistics hub.
Categories: Around The Web

Draft assessment report on the import of Scleropages formosus (Asian arowana) and Scleropages inscriptus (Myanmar arowana) to Australia

Department of the Environment - Fri, 2014-10-10 14:00
Draft assessment report on the import of Scleropages formosus (Asian arowana) and Scleropages inscriptus (Myanmar arowana) to Australia. The public consultation period will be open until 5 December 2014.
Categories: Around The Web

Supporting recreational fishing while protecting our marine parks - Ministerial Media Release

Department of the Environment - Fri, 2014-10-10 10:27
The Coalition Government is delivering a key election promise by scrapping Labor's plan to lock out recreational fishers from key coastal areas around the country. We are protecting the marine reserves but rejecting the flawed plans. Download...
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Review of Commonwealth Marine Reserves begins - Ministerial Media Release

Department of the Environment - Fri, 2014-10-10 10:19
The Australian Government is delivering on its election commitment for an independent review of Commonwealth Marine Reserves with the chairs and terms of reference for the Expert Scientific Panel and Bioregional Advisory Panels announced today. ...
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Why is Antarctic sea ice at record levels despite global warming?

The Guardian - Fri, 2014-10-10 01:29

While Arctic sea ice continues to decline, Antarctic levels are confounding the world’s most trusted climate models with record highs for the third year running. Karl Mathiesen investigates.

Let us know your thoughts. Post in the comments below, follow Karl Mathiesen’s Facebook page, email karl.mathiesen.freelance@guardian.co.uk or tweet @karlmathiesen

Antarctic ice floes extended further than ever recorded this southern winter, confounding the world’s most-trusted climate models.

“It’s not expected,” says Professor John Turner, a climate expert at the British Antarctic Survey. “The world’s best 50 models were run and 95% of them have Antarctic sea ice decreasing over the past 30 years.”

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Categories: Around The Web

Police commissioner proposes ID for cyclists – but can't explain why or how | Peter Walker

The Guardian - Fri, 2014-10-10 00:52

Katy Bourne explains why she thinks cyclists wearing identification numbers might be a good idea

The issue of cyclists being obliged to wear some sort of identification has been raised once again.

It’s one of those peculiar notions which can sound initially appealing to some but would, in reality, bring pretty much no benefits while creating huge negative consequences (I run through all this below). As such, it’s arguably most useful as a political barometer: you can safely assume that anyone who suggests it has no grasp at all of the issues.

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Categories: Around The Web

Build on your CPD by learning about engineering Soft Skills

Newsletters QLD - Wed, 2014-10-08 18:30
Build on your CPD by learning about engineering Soft Skills
Categories: Newsletters QLD

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