Tasmania mining talks collapse

David Wroe Tasmania's Tarkine wilderness is set for a Franklin Dam-style showdown after talks between green groups and unions over disputed mining projects collapsed yesterday.

Murray plan to launch a new wave of brawls

David Wroe, Tom Arup The Gillard government faces a fresh brawl with the eastern states over its Murray-Darling basin plan after yesterday placating South Australia with a $1.

Reduced irrigation key to river quality

David Wroe The ailing Murray-Darling basin could get a bigger than expected injection of water after fresh modelling found the river system would be much better off if irrigation volumes were cut by more than...

Super trawler caught in legal net

David Wroe The controversial Abel Tasman super trawler faces a two-year ban on fishing in Australian waters under planned changes to environmental law that have been hailed by recreational fishers but will cost...

Netherlands raises trawler ban with EU

David Wroe The Dutch government has raised its concerns about the last-minute ban on the controversial Abel Tasman supertrawler with the European Union, potentially inflaming the international backlash against...

Trawler firm takes legal path, facing loss from ban

David Wroe, Lenore Taylor THE Australian operator of the controversial super trawler facing a two-year ban by the federal government has given the strongest indication yet it will take legal action, insisting it will not...

Risks of net gain

David Wroe, Nicky Phillips and Ben Cubby What makes the issue of a super trawler in our waters a powerful one is that - like coal-seam gas - it brings together groups that have traditionally been at odds with one another - in this case,...

Super trawler ban may go to court

David Wroe and Lenore Taylor The Australian operator of the controversial super trawler facing a two-year ban by the federal government has given the strongest indication yet that it will take legal action.

Murray-Darling rescue not out of the water yet, says frustrated minister

David Wroe NSW has warned there are still major hurdles to be overcome before an agreement can be reached to save the ailing Murray-Darling river system, as the clock ticks down on finalising a deal this year.

Undersea kelp beds listed as endangered

David Wroe They are the mighty rainforests of the ocean, towering up to 25 metres from the seabed. And as with many forests on land, the giant kelp jungles in the waters off southeast Australia are threatened...

Burke ready to go over state heads

David Wroe, Adam Morton, Tom Arup Water Minister Tony Burke has vowed he will press ahead with a plan to rescue the ailing Murray-Darling river system this year even if it means brushing aside states that refuse to sign up.

River ultimatum to states: with or without you

David Wroe, Adam Morton and Tom Arup Water Minister Tony Burke has vowed to press ahead with a plan to rescue the ailing Murray-Darling river system this year even if it means brushing aside states that refuse to sign up.

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Fed, Qld govts at odds over reef impact

David Wroe Gina Rinehart's $6.4 billion Alpha coal mine faces delays after becoming caught in a ''green tape'' battle between the federal and Queensland governments over the protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

Mine threat to Barrier Reef: PM

David Wroe Gina Rinehart's $6.4 billion Alpha coal mine faces delays after becoming caught in a 'green-tape' battle between the federal and Queensland governments.

Ministers meet over coalmine stand-off

David Wroe THE Queensland government warned yesterday the stand-off with the federal government over Gina Rinehart's $6.

One week limit for coalmine decision

David Wroe QUEENSLAND and the Commonwealth have a week to resolve their differences over environmental approvals of major projects, as the final clearance on Gina Rinehart's $6.

Massive marine reserves created

David Wroe Australia is to establish the world's largest network of marine reserves, which will ring the country and cover more than three million square kilometres of waters to protect reefs and marine life,...

Fishermen may get second reef payout

David Wroe Fishermen who were paid millions of dollars just five years ago to change their fishing operations because of the Great Barrier Reef marine park could now be paid again to shut down altogether.

Compensated fishermen may now be paid to close

David Wroe FISHERMEN who were paid millions of dollars just five years ago to change their fishing operations because of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park could now be paid again to shut down altogether.

Details missing in basin consultation

David Wroe Critics from both sides of the controversial draft plan to save the Murray-Darling Basin are branding the 20-week public consultation a farce because important pieces of information needed to...