Coastal development often throws up the term ‘acid sulfate soils’. What are acid sulfate soils and why are they associated with environmental damage? Acid sulfate soils (ASS) are typically formed by bacteria interacting with vegetable matter and iron, as sea levels rose along the coast at the end of the last ice age. In an undisturbed state below the water table, these soils are harmless (and known as potential acid sulfate soils or PASS). However, when exposed to air, either by excavation or through lowering of the water table, acid sulfate soils release sulfuric acid. Rainfall following dry weather typically…

The Queensland Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning has recently released the draft ‘South East Queensland Regional Plan’ (ShapingSEQ), which represents a revision of the first statutory plan for SEQ released in 2009. ShapingSEQ provides a framework for managing the region’s growth over the next 25 years, and proposes policy directions and benchmarks for managing growth and protecting and enhancing economic, social, cultural and environmental values of the region. The plan aims to ensure that future generations of Queenslanders can enjoy all the benefits of a great SEQ lifestyle. At the launch of the 2016 Healthy Waterways and Catchments…

Tilapia were first introduced to Australia in the 1970s for the aquarium industry. Since then they have steadily expanded their range in Queensland and Western Australia, and have recently been reported from the northern rivers of New South Wales. The geographic range of tilapia in Australia has primarily been expanded by recreational fishers. However, biological and behavioural characteristics, including traits such as aggressive behaviour, broad environmental tolerances and high fecundity, have aided the spread and subsequent establishment of new populations. Many highly valuable aquatic ecosystems in Australia are at risk from the invasion and proliferation of tilapia. Consequently, preventing, controlling…

The Queensland Government cites the statistic of only a single fatality at a beach protected under it’s shark management program in the last 54 years, as evidence that meshing and drum-lining are effective in preventing shark attack. But can these shark management methods really be expected to keep our beaches safe? Both meshing and drum lining are essentially indiscriminate and consequently controversial means of ‘culling’ potentially dangerous sharks: the by-catch, often comprising endangered species (turtles, whales, harmless sharks and rays, etc) is commonly significant. Consequently, the use of these methods of shark management demand a sound scientific basis. And whilst…