It wasn't that long ago that Australia was mired in what many assumed would be the country's worst crisis of 2020.

Thousands of people were forced to seek temporary accommodation in rental properties and hotels. Many are still there, listening to daily reminders to "stay at home" to stop the spread of the coronavirus. If only they could.

Rebuilding after a bushfire can take months, if not years. Insurance assessments need to be carried out, land cleared, boundaries redrawn and essential services like electricity and water reconnected. Plans need to be drafted, costed and approved.

But most importantly, homeowners need to decide if they're willing to stay and risk losing everything all over again.

"A lot of people are coming to grips with what's happened, and the level of trauma is still very high," said architect Tim Lee, who was conducting how-to-rebuild seminars in fire-hit towns in New South Wales before coronavirus isolation measures forced everyone indoors.

Many Australians choose to live near the bush to feel closer to nature. They often live in wooden dwellings, sometimes down quiet, unsealed roads surrounded by trees.

Designed by Ian Weir and Kylie Feher, Karri House in Denmark, Western Australia, prioritizes design over land clearing. Bushfire shutters are used on a daily basis to block out light and insects. "My aim with my work is to build houses that will give extreme, very high levels of confidence so that people can leave early and the house will sustain itself without their help," architect Ian Weir said. Credit: Andrew Halsall / Ian Weir

That's because the vast majority of their houses were built decades ago, before the current building standards were introduced, and when little thought was given to fire.

But with the climate crisis producing hotter, drier conditions, architects say it's more important than ever to design for bushfires before they become more intense and even harder to control. And they say it's possible to create a fire-resistant home that doesn't resemble a bunker -- one that works with the landscape rather than adding fuel to a raging fire.

Losing a home

Merran and Peter Guest lost their home in the small Victorian town of Marysville on February 7, a day now known as Black Saturday. They left their home that morning to drive two hours to a party in Melbourne, unaware that a fire was approaching. Back then, there were no text messages or alerts warning of an imminent fire threat, as there are today. By the time they were allowed to return to their home, nothing was left.

"Everything that survived, when you picked it up it just turned to dust," Merran Guest said.

Related video: Can robots transform Chinese architecture?

However, with millions of Australian homes in moderate to extreme fire-risk areas, retrofitting them to meet current standards is all but impossible, said architect Nigel Bell of ECOdesign Architects + Consultants.

"You cannot, no matter how much money you've spent, upgrade it without demolition," said Bell. "If you've only got $5,000 or $20,000 to spend, probably one of the best things you can do is to add a water spray sprinkler system."

Kate Cotter, CEO of the Bushfire Building Council of Australia, says improving existing homes, even with simple measures such as sealing gaps and replacing flammable material, is a matter of national urgency. "Ignoring legacy property ignores the majority of the risk," she said.

A fire-resistant house built after the 2013 Blue Mountain fires that destroyed around 200 homes. The homeowners originally wanted to insert roof-windows, but were prevented from doing so due to tough regulations on "roof penetrations," according to architect Nigel Bell. They had to fit extra windows instead. Credit: nigel bell

Design as a barrier

New homes in high fire risk areas not only have to meet strict Australian building standards, but extra measures imposed by some states.

"People might not even smell smoke, and suddenly their immediate landscape around the building is on fire," he said. "In the majority of sites across the whole country, fire authorities are encouraging the management of sites, as opposed to the design of resilient homes."

Clever design can help reduce the risk of fire, without razing surrounding land, he said. For example, traditional wooden decks can be replaced with terraces, if the land is flat enough, and internal courtyards can be used to bring nature inside without compromising safety.

"We can get those kind of verandah-style spaces actually within the interior of the house," Weir said.

The panels on this prototype by architect Ian Weir are able to fold down to protect the house from flames. Galvanized steel panels cover bushfire-proof fabric. The idea is that owners should seal their house as a fire approaches -- then leave. Credit: ian weir

The prototype resembles a small oven, but the logic behind this house is that its occupants can lock it up and leave.

"Almost 50% of the wall surface area opens up to the landscape but (it) closes down to create a fully enclosed shield from embers, radiant heat and flames," Weir explained. "It is not intended to protect occupants -- instead the occupants can close it down and leave early."

The position of the house is important, too, said Bell of ECOdesign Architects + Consultants.

It should be low-set, especially the part of the house exposed to a potential firefront, and built on lower ground. "The worst thing you could do is build high on top of a hill or a mountain with bushfire-prone vegetation below," Bell said.

Fire resistant materials

New materials are also making homes more fire-resistant.

Architect Jiri Lev describes hempcrete as a "miracle material" that's both non-flammable and eco-friendly. Made from industrial hemp, a lime-based binder and water, it is squashed into a wooden frame and, once dry, creates an effective barrier against flames.

Lev says there needs to be a complete rethink of architecture in Australia, which he said has created "commodified, uniform dwellings" that are disconnected from the land and local conditions.

"It's always about building the biggest for the cheapest. Of course with that attitude and approach, you can never end up with a beautiful home or a beautiful suburb," Lev said.

His vision for bush architecture is a blanket of small townships, each flanked by agricultural land and bush that's close enough to be managed by the community to regulate the threat. Lev said it would require a change in thinking, from seeking solitude in the bush to building homes closer together to make communities safer and more efficient.

"Everyone tends to want to live like the nobleman, have their own little duchy or their own little barony, even if it's just a quarter acre or less," he said. "People naturally try to create their own little isolated universe, but it's not sustainable. And it makes no sense. In the end of there's no sustainability in isolation."

His point seems more pertinent now than ever. Designing a new home may seem exciting, but for many people who are rebuilding after a fire, it's a painful and daunting experience.

"You've got people who've been in their houses for 20 to 30 years, then all of a sudden it's gone," said Tim Lee. "There's a grieving process to go through. Many people just want their old house back."

Peter Guest inspects what's left their home after catastrophic bushfires on February 7, 2009, a day now known as Black Saturday. More than 170 people were killed and the entire town of Marysville was destroyed. The couple rebuilt on the same block soon after. Credit: Merran Guest

Merran and Peter Guest did, too. The house they lost was less than 10 years old. They still had the plans and asked the builder to construct another one -- but to make it bigger and more fire resistant.

The old marine plywood was replaced with rendered brick, all the windows were double-glazed and now the only wood in the house is the front door, made of merbau, a fire-resistant hardwood.

"Because we built the house, we knew what it cost. But many people had bought a house for not a lot, so they'd only insured it for a little bit -- and they didn't have money to build to the new specifications," Merran said, adding that if she had her time again, she wouldn't rebuild. The process was time-consuming, costly and confusing.

"If we had known what we'd go through rebuilding, we wouldn't have done it. But now we have, I'm glad we did it."

The rest is here:
The Australian architects designing homes to withstand bushfires - CNN

Upcoming Deadlines/DatesJune 30: 2020 ARCPLC ElectionJuly 15: Crop CertificationSeptember 30: PLC Yield Update

USDA Service CentersThough USDA Service Center doors are locked, they are open for business by phone and email. Field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While our program delivery staff will continue to come into the office on a rotational basis, they will be working with our producers by phone, and using online tools whenever possible. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency are required to call their Service Center first. The Allamakee County USDA Service Center is (563) 568-2148. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

April 2020 CCC and FSFL Interest RatesNew rates were issued for the month of April and are as follows: 0.750% for 3 years 0.750% for 5 years 1.000% for 7 years 1.000% for 10 years 1.125% for 12 years 1.250% for 15 years

Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Enrollment for 2020USDAs Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages agricultural producers to enroll now in the Agriculture Risk Loss (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. The deadline to enroll for the 2020 crop year is June 30, 2020. By enrolling soon, producers can beat the rush as the deadline nears.

FSA offices have multiple programs competing for the time and attention of our staff. Because of the importance and complexities of the ARC and PLC programs; and to ensure FSA meets your program delivery expectations, please do not wait to start the enrollment process. Contact your FSA county office and make an appointment soon to ensure your elections are made and contracts signed well ahead of the deadline.

ARC and PLC provide financial protections to farmers from substantial drops in crop prices or revenues and are vital economic safety nets for most American farms.

Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) - February RateThe DMC rate for February 2020 was $10.06/cwt. As a result, there will not be a DMC payment for February 2020.

Breaking New GroundAgricultural producers are reminded to consult with FSA and NRCS before breaking out new ground for production purposes as doing so without prior authorization may put a producers federal farm program benefits in jeopardy. This is especially true for land that must meet Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions.

Producers with HEL determined soils are required to apply tillage, crop residue and rotational requirements as specified in their conservation plan.

Producers should notify FSA as a first point of contact prior to conducting land clearing or drainage type projects to ensure the proposed actions meet compliance criteria such as clearing any trees to create new cropland, then these areas will need to be reviewed to ensure such work will not risk your eligibility for benefits.

Landowners and operators complete the form AD-1026 - Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification to identify the proposed action and allow FSA to determine whether a referral to Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for further review is necessary.

Marketing Loans - ReminderGrain that is under loan, or sealed as many producers call it, must be repaid or released for sale prior to moving the bushels out of storage for sale or feed use. Unauthorized disposition results in possible penalties and administrative actions. Remember to call before you haul and we can discuss your options and forms that you may need to sign. Phone the FSA office at (563) 568-2148.

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The Santa Rosa County homebuilding industry, which has enjoyed a boom in recent years,is preparing for an uncertain future as economic consequences loom from thecoronavirus pandemic.

Dozens of housing developments, both small and large-scale, are already underway throughout the county. Some are in the infancy stages of land clearing, and some are already built and ready to be shown to potential home buyers. But with unemployment soaring due to coronavirus-related closures and a recession all but certain, homebuilders and those employed by the local construction industry are bracing for the unknown.

"I am in complete agreement that in late March, the U.S. started a downhill trend toward recession, and that in the second quarter of calendar year 2020 April, May and Junewe will be in a severe recession," said Rick Harper, economic adviser for Triumph Gulf Coast. "There's no doubt about that, and it's because of the slowdown in consumer spending."

To provide our community with important public safety information, our newsroom is making stories related to the coronavirus free to read. To support important local journalism like this, please consider becoming a digital subscriber.

But Harper cautioned that due to the sudden nature of the economic downturn and the various unknowns associated with when the economy will open up again and how long it will take for things to get back to "normal," not every industry will be hit the same.

Construction, for instance, could fare better thanthe tourism and hospitality sectors in Florida, which were shut down just at the peak of spring break season.

"Being designated as 'essential' by the DHS (Department of Human Services) puts the construction industry in a very different position than the tourism industry, for example," Harper said. "But I think, relative to the other industry sectors, construction may be hit a little bit less hard. Construction workers want to stay on the job, and the DHS says they can stay on the job."

Still, the local construction industry is already experiencing impacts related to the coronavirus. Blaine Flynn, owner of Flynn Built and the 2020 president of the Home Builders Association of West Florida, said construction of new housing developments in the county has already begun to slow down in recent weeks.Flynn estimates he's seen a decrease in sales contracts of 40% to 50% for the month of March, which is typically one of his busiest months for new home sales.

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He attributes the decrease in sales to sudden job losses, people's hesitancy to take out mortgages due to the uncertain future of the economyand a slowdown in the actual construction process due to social distancing guidelines. His crews must work six feet apart from each other, and only one subcontractor is allowed to be in the house at once, whereas previously he could have multiple subcontractors HVAC, plumbing, electrical and more all in the house at the same time to speed up the process.

The slowdown in the construction process means interest rates on construction loans are building up, causing the process to cost more, which could be passed on to the home buyers.

Flynn remembers the 2008 recession well, but he said the current economic climate is one he's never experienced before, and he's not sure what it will look like on the other end.

Unemployment: Coronavirus Florida: DeSantis takes steps to fix failing unemployment system

Electricians Jason Clemons and Eric Ownby prepare to run electrical wiring throughout a new home build in Santa Rosa County on Monday, all while practicing proper social distancing.(Photo: Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj.com)

"I think the difference between the 2008recession and this (the coronavirus) is that when (2008) happened, it was economically driven from the fact of bad mortgages and it all kind of came to a head,"Flynn said. "But this is different than anyone's ever seen before. This isn't happening because the economy was bad, this is a virus that no one has any answers to. ... So to compare it to 2008, I don't know how you do that, because we were in the strongest economic growth that we've seen and this virus just hit it immediately."

Shawn Ward, the planning and zoning director for Santa Rosa County, said his office has seen a slight decrease in building inspections in March. The county typically does between 300 to 350 inspections per day, but lately they have been doing about 250 to 300.

But at the same time, Ward said hehas actually seen an uptick in building permit applications in recent weeks attributed to the economic uncertainty.

"A couple of builders have referenced that they're going to submit more because they don't know if that supply chain is going to waiver off," Ward said. "And there's also some worry about the upcoming educational impact fee."

Impact fee: Santa Rosa County could consider delaying school impact fee collection due to coronavirus

The educational impact fee is slated to go into effect May 4 to help build new schools in Santa Rosa County, though County Commissioners could decide to delay that. Homebuilders, who have been opposed to the fee since the beginning, say implementing the fee now will make it even more difficult for people tobuy homes in an already uncertain market.

Keith Furrow, a broker with Keith Furrow and Associates and a builder and partner in Gulf Coast Dream Homes, said he takes more stock with building inspections than with permits at the current moment.

"A bunch of the big builders have enough money that they can order hundreds of permits at a time, so that would give you an artificial sense that it's going to be amazing, when in reality they just might not build those right away," Furrow said. "I think the permit number applications, in this case, don't mean a lot. I think inspections mean a lot."

Santa Rosa Countys housing boom is already slowing down due to the economic impact of the coronavirus, as workers have to practice social distancing on job sites and prepare for disruptions in the international supply chain. But experts arent sure about the long-term implications of the economic downturn on the local homebuilding industry just yet.(Photo: Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj.com)

Furrow said the sudden collapse of the economy in the past three weeks has been "shockingly devastating" for the homebuilding industry. He said he's seen business partners lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash flow instantly as buyers lose their jobs and have their 401(k)s wiped out.

Still, Furrow said he's remaining "cautiously optimistic" about the months ahead and refers to the current climate as a "pause" in the market as opposed to a "dip."

"In the second quarter (April, May and June), there's going to be no doubt about it that it's not going to be as good, and the third quarter (July, August, and September) may not be good either," Furrow said. "But the fourth quarter, you never know. It's going to take a year or longer to get things even close to being back where we were. Because it takes time for people to rebuild their lives."

For Santa Rosa County residents who own homes, or are looking to buy or sell homes, the future just isn't clear, experts say.

On the one hand, the economy prior to coronavirus was strong, housing demand in Santa Rosa County was high and new inventory was constantly being built.

But on the other hand, no one knows when or if the economy will get back to normal, and how long it will take for people to get back on their feet.

"With the advent of coronavirus and the growing realization that it's a serious problem for the economy, we've seen a slowdown in mortgage finance requests applications," said Harper, the economist with Triumph Gulf Coast. "So the demand will slow for new construction because people are uncertain about the future.But the federal reserve is keeping interest rates extraordinarily low, and mortgage rates are very attractive for people considering building a new home or moving to Santa Rosa County."

Furrow speculated that some property owners could see a decrease of between 2%to 4% in their property values, but that could easily change due to the constantly changing nature of the economy. He said the fluctuations will vary depending on the value of the home.

Low mortgage rates: A 'traffic jam' hits home refinancing as owners rush to take advantage of record-low rates

He said there are so many factors that have ripple effects on the home buying and building sectors, from sales people who can't show model homes due to social distancing guidelines, to people from up north who were planning to come to Florida but can't due to travel restrictions.

"Each month there's going to be a slight adjustment, but there's no doubt that there's going to be pressure on home prices," he said.

Electrician Jason Clemons works on new home in Santa Rosa County on Monday.(Photo: Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj.com)

Gary Michaels, operations manager with the Mark Lee Team at Levin Rinke Realty, said his team's first quarter was a record in terms of sales, and they've had multiple closings last week and this week.

He said the economy has been strong prior to the sudden crash, and he's optimistic it will rebound soon but only if people follow the rules and stay inside.

"I'm optimistic that we're going to come through this, and we're going to go right back to a robust economy," he said. "I say that cautiously, because ultimately no one knows, and we need to get through this as quickly as possible. We need everybody to do their part."

Annie Blanks can be reached at ablanks@pnj.com or 850-435-8632.

Read or Share this story: https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2020/04/07/how-coronavirus-impact-santa-rosa-countys-homebuilding-industry/2954283001/

Originally posted here:
Santa Rosa County's homebuilding industry was booming before the pandemic. Now what? - Pensacola News Journal

With neighborhoods full of home-bound residents thanks to the state-wide Stay at Home order, any smoke created by recreational fires or yard-waste burning may impact a large number of people. Worse, since Covid-19 creates severe respiratory issues, anything that impacts breathing during these tense times can add to peoples stress and worry.

For these reasons, the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) encourages residents and businesses to continue working together to protect public health by reducing the amount of smoke they produce. Folks are asked to refrain from outdoor burning activities, including recreational fires, yard waste burning, and land-clearing slash burning. These voluntary restrictions should be upheld until the need for social distancing relaxes.

Residents may make use of alternatives to burning, including curbside pickup services offered by their trash pick-up providers. Compost piles can turn yard waste into valuable soil additives for yard and garden. And chipping can create good ground-cover materials.

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Residents Asked to Refrain from Burning - masonwebtv.com

With millions of jobs now furloughed indefinitely and billions in lost revenue, the tourism industry is currently grappling with the most significant challenge it has ever faced. Through the uncertainty and fear a chorus of voices is emerging, trying to give hope and encourage investment during these extraordinary times.

With more than 50 years in the attractions industry,Frank Stanekknows it better than most. The "Themed Entertainment Association Lifetime Achievement Award" winner now serves as an executive adviser for themed entertainment and attractions design firm the Producers Group. Via TPG Stanek published a white paper that has since become a rallying cry across the industry. Pointing to the numerous previous tumultuous economic shifts that have occurred over his lifetime, Stanek says now is not the time to allow fear to freeze investments in the future, adding, In fact, this is an ideal time to continue the development of well-thought-out projects" with appealing concepts, sound business plans and good execution strategy.

He goes on to say that in past cases, those who have used downturns to reinvest are at a better advantage when the economy does rebound. The social and economic activities of life run in cycles. Since the development cycle for a new project in itself is a longer term, two to 10 years, stopping development in uncertain times creates an unforced delay in the project realization.

Its not just the return of guests that is at play so is finding quality labor. In periods of uncertainty, strategic advantages can accrue to those who keep moving the project forward. Competitors less confident will slow down or stop their projects, giving you a chance to overtake and lead. Competition for resources may slow down, allowing you to achieve better pricing on project needs for construction and equipment. Turmoil may cause disruption in the labor market, which would allow you to recruit more experienced or high demand talent, executives and services.

So far, the tourism industry has flashed mixed signals. At Universal, leaders have said projects around the world are continuing to move forward. At Disney World, there seems to be a dichotomy on how to respond with construction projects within the parks paused indefinitely while Reedy Creek projects outside the parks remain active.

Drew Fisher of the tourism-focused "In the Loop" podcast and YouTube channel, who is currently furloughed from his tourism-related job, spoke to Orlando Weekly on what he expects over the next two years. Regional chains like Six Flags and Cedar Fair may choose to not invest in new attractions for the 2021 season, he said, but larger park chains like SeaWorld and Disney are likely already too far along to cancel similar projects.

As the shock of our post-coronavirus reality sets in, and as weeks of social distancing-related closures turn into months, how each company will respond will be become clearer. With tens of thousands of tourism workers already furloughed, one thing is clear: Few seem to be learning from Milton Hershey, who proudly proclaimed, As far as I know, no man was dropped by reason of the Depression. And no salaries were cut. To see who will come out ahead after this slowdown, industry leaders may be wise to look to Hershey and Stanek. So far, the only company that seems to be doing so is Universal.

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History shows now is the time to invest in tourism projects are Disney, Universal and SeaWorld listening? - Orlando Weekly

Drought, fires and land clearing have pushed Australias iconic koala to the brink of extinction, animal welfare groups warned on Sunday,with last year's bush fires killing thousands of the animals.

The groups are urging Australia's national government to classify the marsupial as endangered in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory after research from two major conservation groups revealed a dramatic collapse in the koala population in the past 20 years.

WWF-Australia found that since 2001, the number of koalas in Queensland has been cut in half, while in New South Wales numbers may have declined by up to 62 percent, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Drought anddeforestation-along with the related problem of bush fires - were the main factors driving the collapse, according to WWF-Australia scientist Dr Stuart Blanch, who added that the situation was worse than we thought.

We have gone from [koalas] not being a threatened species to [potentially] being listed as an endangered species on the east coast within a decade - I would never have thought that was possible. I never thought we would be losing them so quickly, he told SBS News.

Raising the threat level to endangered would increase the protection for forests and woodlands where koalas live, mobilise fundsand, hopefully, increase public support for the species. Koalas are the canaries of our forests. If we lose koalas, it means our forests are disappearing as well, warned Dr Blanch.

He said raising the level to endangered was inevitable but must happen as soon as possible.

The devastating bush fires of 2019-20 contributed heavily to the problem, according to the research. The report by the International Fund for Animal Welfare found that at least 6,382 koalas were killed in New South Wales between the start of the bush fire season and February 13, representing 15 percent of the region's koalas.

That added to the enormous stress on the population due to land clearing, urban development and drought, with numbers declining by up to 62 percent since 2001.

IFAW wildlife campaigner Josey Sharrad said the death toll is a conservative estimate which doesn't include the number of koalas that will die because their habitats have been destroyed by fires. The surviving koalas have nowhere to go, she said.

Sue Ashton, of the Koala Hospital in Macquarie, New South Wales, told The Telegraph that drought severely depleted the food supply forkoalas, a problem exacerbated by bush fires.

They get about 65 percent of their hydration from leaves [but] because of the drought the leaves are too dry, she said. Koalas desperate for food may venture across roads and into peoples backyards, putting them at risk of being killed by traffic or dogs.

Link:
Koalas pushed to the brink of extinction by drought and bush fires, animal welfare groups say - Telegraph.co.uk

The government notably rejected one recommendation: the commission's call for "an overarching steering committee" led by an independent chair to oversee agency coordination and implement review triggers and other action.

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Instead, the government offered support for an oversight group led by senior bureaucrats.

Rachel Walmsley, an Environmental Defenders Office NSW policy director, described the response as "totally inadequate".

"It was all a very secret process, with no action to [fix the problems] or commitment to transparency," she said.

She added the government had also "noted" the commission's call for it to finalise and release regulatory maps and to nominate areas of outstanding biodiversity value - despite the laws being active since August 2017.

The commission completed its report last July and the government released it last month following a threat of legal action from independent NSW MP Justin Field. Mr Field said the state's response to the audit - prompted by a previously secret deal between the Liberals and Nationals if land-clearing approvals topped an annual rate of 20,000 hectares - was to "kick the can down the road again and let the escalated land clearing continue".

A front-end loader removes trees on a property near Junee in the Riverina.Credit:Ashley Hermes

"The National Party keep getting away with environmental vandalism in this state and the Liberals appear unable or unwilling to hold their feet to the fire and back in the expert advice," Mr Field said.

Separately, the Herald has learned the Planning Department has ordered compliance officers to finalise all investigations related to alleged breaches under the former laws by August 25, 2020.

In some instances, such a deadline will mean the 24-month statute of limitations for bringing action against offenders from the first official warning will be cut by half a year or more.

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Social isolation limits prompted by the COVID-19 lockdown is also hindering work across the agriculture and environment departments, including compliance.

However, the government spokesman denied there was an interruption to work: "All compliance activity is currently continuing while adhering to NSW government guidelines and rules on social distancing, self-isolation where required and strict hygiene protocols to protect staff and our stakeholders.

"At this stage we do not anticipate any statute of limitations impacts because of COVID-19," he said.

The government did not respond to questions about the recommendations.

Peter Hannam writes on environment issues for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Link:
'Environmental vandalism': State's response to secret land audit blasted - Sydney Morning Herald

Land brokers who have allocated themselves huge tracts at the Yala swamp will have to share part of their portions with vulnerable members of the public, Siaya Deputy County Commissioner, Joseph Sawe has said.

Sawe at the same time ordered an immediate stop to cultivation in the swamp at night and told the management of the Lake Agro Limited not to allow unknown people into the wetland.Speaking to the media after a fact-finding mission in the wetland, the deputy county commissioner said that the 2,000 acres that the investor had allowed the locals to temporarily till should benefit the local villagers to enable them produce food for their families.He said it was a pity that a few individuals had allocated themselves huge tracts of the public land which they were leasing out to outsiders at colossal amounts at the expense of the landless locals.The public land is under lease to Lake Agro Limited, a subsidiary of the West Kenya Sugar company and it has allowed the locals to use a portion of it temporarily.Those who think that they want everything will lose. Let them share so that everyone gets something, said Sawe who was accompanied on the fact-finding tour by Siaya sub county police commander, senior superintendent Justus Kucha and the central Alego ward member of the county assembly, Leonard Oriaro.The DCC called on the residents around the Yala swamp to use the resources in harmony and avoid wrangles, warning that the government will be forced to chuck them out of the wetland on security grounds should they fail to keep order.Addressing the media, Central Alego MCA, Leonard Oriaro hailed the national government for its timely intervention in the matter and expressed hope that the ordinary citizens, who have been at the mercy of the tycoons, will finally get a share of the wetland.Oriaro said that the controversy in the swamp was occasioned by moneyed brokers who invaded the swamp with tractors and took over the small parcels that belonged to the villagers, merging them with portions that they were clearing.These people are sourcing for people from outside Siaya who pay them as much as Sh 20,000 per acre of land, said Oriaro adding that in the quest to mint more, the grabbers have been displacing the elderly, widows and other vulnerable members of the society.Oriaro said that some of the grabbers have as much as 200 acres where they have planted sugarcane and other crops.He said that villagers who dared to question the forceful acquisition of the small parcels that they had cleared have been threatened by hired goons sent to intimidate them.The MCA blamed the rising tension in the swamp on the outsiders whom, he added, should be locked out for sponsoring animosity.He welcomed the suggestion that individuals should not be allowed to own more than five acres of land in the swamp, adding that a few people must not be allowed to get richer at the expense of others.The fact-finding mission was occasioned by a protest match to the county headquarters by a group of elderly men and women who sought government intervention, accusing land grabbers of forcing them out of the land they have cultivated for decades.

By Philip Onyango.

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No tilling in the swamp at night, government orders. - Kenya News Agency

NSW EPA

Thirteen Local Aboriginal Land Councils have been awarded a total of $1,092,270 for community waste projects that clean up and prevent illegal dumping on their land, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) announced today.

Cowra, Dubbo, Worimi, Illawarra, Mindaribba, Wanaruah, Ngambri, Tibooburra, Amaroo, Cobowra and Menindee Local Aboriginal Land Councils have been awarded a total of $692,270 from the Aboriginal Land Clean Up and Prevention (ALCUP) program.

Cleaning up a heritage property, developing a bush tucker garden, revegetating a historic campground, preventing damage from feral goats, building fences, removing asbestos waste and stopping illegal access to dumping hot spots are among the planned ALCUP projects and clean-up activities.

Moree, Amaroo and Walgett Local Aboriginal Land Councils have been granted a total of $400,000 under the Aboriginal Communities Waste Management Program (ACWMP).

The three ACWMP projects receiving funding will tackle bulky waste and litter in a variety of unique ways, including cleaning out a dam to restock with fish, removing damaged cars, clearing demolished house materials, removing dumped waste from riverbanks, unblocking drains, planting native grasses, growing bush tucker medicines and starting vegetable gardens and chicken-keeping.

Aboriginal community members will be employed by some land councils as rangers or to undertake the work.

EPA Executive Director Regulatory Operations Regional Carmen Dwyer said many Aboriginal communities faced barriers to disposing of waste and rubbish due to lack of services, resources and limited access to waste management facilities.

This funding will help Local Aboriginal Land Councils tackle issues in their areas, Ms Dwyer said. Illegal dumping of waste is a common problem and these grants will help make a big difference to local communities.

The projects have been awarded grants for the positive impact they will have on each individual community. All of the grant recipients look forward to restoring and protecting their land and creating a safer and cleaner environment for their community.

Already $726,181 has been awarded to 21 recipients of ALCUP, funded through Waste Less, Recycle More.

Ms Dwyer said the program encourages community education and partnerships and incorporates cultural activities to reduce and prevent the occurrence of illegal dumping.

Previously the program has funded clean-up work, surveillance cameras, deterrence signage, education and awareness programs, and bush regeneration. Since 2006 the program has seen 6,108 tonnes of waste cleaned up, 1,344 tonnes of waste safely disposed of at landfills and 1,706 tonnes of materials recycled.

The $4 million Aboriginal Communities Waste Management Program is funded for four years until 2021.

Ms Dwyer said the successful programs had already had a positive impact on protecting cultural and natural resources from illegal dumping.

The EPA recognises the difficult and diverse challenges faced in many remote Aboriginal communities and is committed to helping local land councils improve their environment and create long-term change.

/Public Release.

Excerpt from:
More than $1 million to clean up and tackle illegal dumping on Aboriginal land - Mirage News

High court to hand down George Pell verdict, water flows into the Menindee Lakes and Victoria renews logging

As Australias coronavirus outbreak continues but with the cautious optimism of a slowing rate of infection a lot of important news has slipped under the radar.

Here are the stories you may have missed over the past week.

The high court will hand down its judgment in George Pells final appeal on Tuesday in Brisbane.

The final arguments from both sides finished up in March, and we will find out at 10am on Tuesday whether his conviction on five counts of child sexual abuse will be upheld or overturned.

The Sydney to Melbourne train that derailed in February, killing two people, was travelling at more than 100km/h in a section limited to 15km/h.

That section was part of a diversion, introduced that afternoon, from the normal route with a speed limit of 130km/h, according to the preliminary report on the crash, which came out on Friday.

Read the full story here.

Chris Dawson formally pleaded not guilty on Friday to murdering his then wife on Sydneys northern beaches nearly 40 years ago.

The former teacher and Newtown Jets rugby league player has repeatedly claimed that Lynette Dawson is still alive and several people have seen her since her disappearance in January 1982. The matter is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday.

Read the full story here.

The oldest known skull of Homo erectus was discovered by Australian researchers on Friday. The fossil has been dated at two million years old 200,000 years older than the previous record.

Read the full story here.

Late on Wednesday night, the federal and Victorian governments decided to extend five regional forest agreements that exempt the logging industry from conservation laws.

Environmental groups immediately criticised the move, given the summers devastating bushfires will already have deforested large swathes and impacted wildlife.

Read the full story here.

You may remember Alek Sigley, the Australian student (and lover of Korean literature) who was arrested in North Korea over nine harrowing days in 2019. After days of diplomatic wrangling, he was released, but wouldnt share the details of what happened.

Now, writing for Guardian Australia, he has.

I saw the black Mercedes-Benz, which had a black plastic bag covering its licence plate. Fuck, youre in deep shit now, I thought to myself.

Read the whole article here.

One in five of Australias biggest polluting sites actually increased their greenhouse gas emissions last year, above the government limit.

Under the safeguard mechanism, companies that breach their limit have to buy carbon credits or pay a penalty. But the Australian Conservation Foundation found that 729,000 tonnes of emissions went unpunished.

Read the full story here.

A year-long inquiry has concluded that Queensland should legalise voluntary assisted dying. On Tuesday, the states health committee found a majority of Queenslanders are in favour of voluntary euthanasia for terminally-ill adults.

Read the full story here.

In good news, water has flowed into the drought-stricken Menindee Lakes, the site of infamous mass fish kills last year.

For the first time in years, significant flows and water releases are under way, meaning the lower Darling River will finally reconnect with the Murray.

Read the full story here.

The New South Wales government has approved the extension of coalmining under the Woronora reservoir.

Its the first approval in two decades for coalmining directly beneath one of greater Sydneys reservoirs, and environment groups say it could affect the quality of drinking water.

Read the full story here.

An Aboriginal man, aged 30, died in Victoria last week after he was arrested and taken to a regional police station.

Police said the man was arrested on Thursday last week in Horsham. When he was taken to the police station, his condition deteriorated, and he died in hospital on Sunday.

Read the full story here.

The annual Australias Environment report came out on Monday, finally confirming something we may have already seen coming.

Unprecedented bushfires, record heat, record low river inflows, dry soil, low vegetation growth and the 40 new species that were added to the threatened species list meant that 2019 was the worst year since 2000.

Read the full story here.

In other environmental news, land-clearing approvals in NSW increased 13-fold since the Coalition government changed laws in 2016, according to a secret report provided to the state cabinet.

In an exclusive obtained by reporter Luke Henriques-Gomes, we revealed the government will refund hundreds of millions of dollars under the botched robodebt scheme.

Confidential government advice obtained by Guardian Australia revealed that the government has already privately admitted that 400,000 welfare debts worth $550m were wrongly issued.

Read the full story here.

Last Thursday, the perpetrator of the Christchurch massacre suddenly changed his plea from not guilty to guilty, after being charged with the murder of 51 people.

The shock announcement meant that Australian Brenton Tarrant was immediately convicted of all charges. He had originally been set for trial on 2 June, but that has now been called off. He will be sentenced later this year.

Read the full story here.

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Australian news: stories you may have missed during the coronavirus crisis - Brinkwire