Traditional owner wins legal challenge to block Woodside’s seismic plans

Woodside’s seismic blasting plan for its $16.5 billion Scarborough gas project off the West Australian coast has been ruled invalid after the Federal Court found the regulator did not have the power to approve it. Mardudhunera woman Raelene Cooper was visibly emotional as the decision was handed down by Federal Court Justice Craig Colvin on Thursday morning, embracing family members, supporters and her legal team.

Temperatures are expected to soar more than 8C above average along Australia’s east coast this weekend, with Sydney forecast to reach 35C on Sunday for the NRL and NRLW grand finals and Melbourne 29C for Saturday’s big AFL clash. 

For 130 years there had been no recorded sightings of the spotted quoll in South Australia until a farmer discovered one on his property this week. Previously declared extinct in South Australia, the endangered marsupial is found in other parts of the country but with only 14,000 believed to be left in the wild. 

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Woodside’s seismic blasting approval for Scarborough gas quashed
Federal Court justice Craig Colvin found The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority did not have the statutory power to approve the oil and gas giant’s environmental plan for the blasting before it had consulted Cooper.

Temperatures to soar 8C above average as ‘heat bubble’ brings scorcher to Australia’s east coast this weekend
The high temperatures are due to a north-westerly wind dragging hot air from a heat bubble that has built up in Western Australia to the east coast, Hines said. But hotter than average ocean temperatures globally are also driving the scorching weather.

South Australia farmer catches spotted quoll in first official state sighting for 130 years
A South Australian farmer trying to protect his chickens has caught a spotted quoll – a species not recorded in the state for over 130 years.

Analysis finds extending Eraring's lifespan could cost $1.7 billion in damages a year
The cost of keeping Australia's largest coal-fired power station, Eraring, open beyond its 2025 closure date could be $1.7 billion a year in economic, social and environmental damages, according to a cost-benefit analysis based on overseas carbon pricing, which the New South Wales government recommends. 

Dugong population in decline on southern Great Barrier Reef, report finds
Dugong numbers are falling in coastal areas along the Great Barrier Reef and researchers warn floods and fishing pose an ongoing threat to the species.

Vietnamese court jails environmental activist for tax fraud, Human Rights Watch raises concerns
A Vietnamese court has sentenced an environmental activist to three years in prison on charges of tax fraud, just days after the government discussed protecting human rights with US President Joe Biden during a state visit.

As Australia's electric vehicle market expands 'exponentially', is our EV infrastructure ready for the challenge?
Among the barriers to increasing the numbers of EVs on Australian roads is a lack of supply, regulations, and, crucially, a lack of understanding about just how much Australia's electric vehicle infrastructure has increased in recent years.

Youth bring climate case to Europe rights court
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Wednesday began hearing a case brought by six Portuguese youths against 32 nations for not doing enough to stop global warming, the latest bid to secure climate justice through the courts.