Environmental Impact

Murray Watt warns the Coalition and Greens not to "obstruct" environment laws being introduced to parliament on Thursday, while assuring a special power in the bill would not allow him to intervene on behalf of coal or gas projects.

Conservationists say wombats on Victoria's Bass Coast are under threat from off-leash dogs that have been spotted entering their coastal burrows.

Winter weather has exposed ancient tree stumps on an Esperance beach.

Optimism that a deal can be found to amend Australia's environment laws fades, as the Coalition raises concerns over details just days after parts of the legislation were shared with stakeholders.

A "climate trigger" that could be used to block coal and gas projects has been formally excluded from the government's overhaul of Australia's environment laws, minister Murray Watt confirms.

As Sydney prepares to swelter, the city's beaches have been graded — and two local government areas dominate the list for cleanliness.

The WA government is foreshadowing the introduction of legislated "climate targets" next year but refuses to clarify what those targets will be.

A creek in northern Tasmanian known to be home to the endangered giant freshwater crayfish has sustained "serious environmental harm" from land clearing and earthworks, the Environment Protection Agency has advised.

A resurgence of rabbit populations following recent rainfall is driving experts to urge for increased control measures. 

Victor Harbor was one of the first areas affected by SA's harmful algal bloom. Now its citizens are funding and supporting research into rebuilding native mussel populations as it looks to the future.

Fire authorities warn of above average fire season in NSW despite previous modelling showing a wet summer.

Friday the pelican evaded capture for weeks. But a long-overdue bath is for her own good.

The Federated States of Micronesia's biggest tourism asset has become one of its largest threats, with as much as 22 million litres of oil from World War II shipwrecks slowly leaking into the ocean.

The devastating algal bloom impacting South Australia's coastline remains stubbornly in place, particularly along Adelaide's beaches. 

Residents are getting creative in their fight to save a "magnificent" 130-year-old Algerian oak tree from being felled for a controversial transmission line project in western Victoria.

Santos's Darwin gas plant is set for a new lease of life despite a major methane leak. The company told federal officials the risk it could be forced to meet best practice on carbon emissions was "intolerable". 

The World Meteorological Organization says carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are increasing at rates that have tripled since the 1960s, and emissions from human activities and more wildfires have helped fan a "vicious climate cycle."

A gas company operating in the Northern Territory has been accused of breaching environmental laws by an NT government department, which decided against prosecution in favour of a formal letter encouraging "behaviour change".

South Australia's Premier has questioned the use of the word "toxic" to describe the state's ongoing algal bloom, despite the word being used in government advice and by scientists researching it.

An international report from climate scientists suggests tipping points for coral reefs have been reached, putting them at risk of dieback.