Media Releases

Recent releases

• Gippsland Lakes algal bloom declining

  23 Feb, 2012

  Monitoring of the blue-green algal bloom in the Gippsland Lakes has shown that some parts of the bloom are declining to levels that are no longer harmful to human health, allowing a return to safe recreational water use in most areas.

• Water Corporation boards seeking applications

  23 Feb, 2012

  Expressions of interest are now open for 55 board director positions, including seven chairs, for the 19 regional and metropolitan water corporation boards.

• No change in Lake Connewarre and Barwon Estuary blue-green algae bloom

  17 Feb, 2012

  Ongoing monitoring of the blue-green algae bloom in Lake Connewarre and lower sections of the Barwon River Estuary shows no change.

• Seals wear out their welcome at Apollo Bay boat ramp

  17 Feb, 2012

  The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is reminding beach users to keep their distance from seals and not feed them after Australian Fur Seals have been reported at the Apollo Bay boat ramp.

• Iconic Alpine track cleared

  16 Feb, 2012

  A 25 kilometre section of one of Australia’s most rugged and remote walking trails has been reopened thanks to the hard work of Heyfield DSE crews.

• Closure of Wildlife Wonderland Park near Bass

  16 Feb, 2012

  The Wildlife Wonderland Park near Bass in South Gippsland has been forced to close due to offences against the Wildlife Act 1975 and the eviction of the operator by the landlord.

• ‘Cod Squad’ turns sky-high snaps into new snag maps

  15 Feb, 2012

  Researchers from the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s (DSE) Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) are using high definition aerial photography as part of a project assessing instream habitat such as snags across Victorian rivers and streams.

• 10,000 Victorian beachgoers enjoy a good Summer by the Sea

  14 Feb, 2012

  The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) has wrapped up another successful Summer by the Sea program with around 10,000 people taking part.

• Not such a gray area - New research solves a fishy migration mystery

  13 Feb, 2012

  Research by the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s (DSE) Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) has used modern technology to provide groundbreaking insights into the migration and breeding habits of the mysterious and threatened Australian grayling (Prototroctes maraena) fish.

• Penguins need you: call for members of Phillip Island Nature Park Board

  10 Feb, 2012

  Expressions of interest open on 11 February for vacancies on the Phillip Island Nature Park Board of Management.

• Young platypus rescued on Marlo beach

  09 Feb, 2012

  Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) Biodiversity staff were alerted to the plight of an exhausted young platypus found on the beach near the Marlo Estuary in East Gippsland on Wednesday February 1.

• Suspected algae bloom in Port Phillip Bay update

  03 Feb, 2012

  Testing of samples taken from the suspected algal bloom in the bay have not found any harmful substances..

• Spotted Tree frogs hop back to top spot

  02 Feb, 2012

  260 captive-bred Spotted Tree Frogs are being released back into the Mount Buffalo National Park in Victoria’s north east in an effort to re-establish the species in a former stronghold.

• Blue-green algae alert still current for Lake Connewarre and Barwon Estuary

  02 Feb, 2012

  Results from water sampling undertaken earlier this week show that the blue green algae situation remains unchanged, with low numbers still present in the lower sections of the Barwon River Estuary.

• Suspected algae bloom in Port Phillip Bay update

  31 Jan, 2012

  Rough weather on the bay today has had a dramatic effect on the size and extent of the suspected algal bloom in Port Phillip Bay.

• Beauty is in the eye of the bat-holder for Victoria’s tiniest bug controllers

  31 Jan, 2012

  Victoria’s tiniest bats are enjoying a fantastic feast with the warm wet weather’s boom in insect numbers. And while you may not be aware of it, these little microbats are actually playing an important role in controlling bug numbers.

• Multi agency response to suspected algae bloom in Port Phillip Bay

  30 Jan, 2012

  The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is co-ordinating the response to a suspected marine algal bloom in Port Phillip Bay on behalf of the Victorian Government.

• Blue-green algae alert remains current for Lake Connewarre and Barwon Estuary

  27 Jan, 2012

  Regular monitoring of Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve and sections of the Barwon Estuary continues to show blue-green algae presence at concentrations exceeding recreational health alert levels.

• Algal bloom spreads to Lake Wellington and Lake Victoria

  27 Jan, 2012

  Recent testing of water in Lake Wellington and Lake Victoria has detected levels of blue-green algae that are high enough to warrant the installation of signs warning people not to come into contact with the affected water.

• Flooded observation bores get pumped out

  25 Jan, 2012

  The Department of Sustainability and Environment has completed the first stage of repair works to 371 bores impacted by last year’s floods in the Loddon, Avoca, Campaspe, Goulburn, Wimmera and Murray catchments.