Brisbane's participation was just above 50%, while Canberra had the highest rate in Australia with 62%. All Australian capital cities switched their lights off and about 55% of local councils participated.
CEO of conservation group WWF Australia, Greg Bourne, says he was amazed at the jump in participation from 370 cities last year to almost 4000 this year.
The launch of National Youth Week was celebrated on Saturday in Brisbane's City Area, kicking off a week of youth awareness forums and activities that will run till the fifth of April.
During this week, young people are encouraged to speak out about issues important to them, showcase talents and share ideas.
Young Australians have also been encouraged to enrol to vote, and are being reminded by the Australian Electoral Commission that they need to update details when moving.
Details of the events held this week can be found at www.youthweek.com.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne have contributed to an international study which has come closer to finding a prevention for breast cancer.
The study has identified two regions of the genome that can alter a woman's risk of cancer. Scientists scanned the complete genetic code of over 400 patients and identified variations that occurred more regularly in cancer patients than healthy women.
Professor John Hopper says the discovery is exciting because once researchers have an understanding of where to look, they can focus on genetic causes of breast cancer.
Queensland hearing centres Hear and Say, are launching their annual Butterfly Appeal today in Queen Street Mall.
The appeal aims to raise funds for twelve hearing impaired babies on a waiting list for the Hear and Say Centres where they can develop their speech and communication.
The launch will take place at the top of Queen Street Mall from 10am this morning.
The Trade Union Council is still pushing for a minimum wage rise, following the Prime Minister's refusal to support it.
Still asking for a twenty-one dollar a week rise, the council's secretary Jeff Lawrence says it would not result in unemployment, as suggested by business lobby groups.
Mr Lawrence says the minimum wage increase would still see employees getting paid under fifteen dollars an hour.
Scientist and CEO of eWater Professor Gary Jones has announced that the nation's bickering over water management is preventing reforms.
Professor Jones says a National Accord on Water Use should be introduced to enforce efficient and uniform water management.
Such an agreement in regards to water would, according to Professor Jones, empower regional communities in the debate over water control.
Queensland Rail says services on the CLEVELAND line have returned to normal... after the BURANDA station was gutted by fire...
The station building was demolished yesterday after suffering extensive damage in the blaze...
But passengers who usually get on and off at BURANDA are being encouraged to make different plans...
Earth Hour, held on Saturday, was accompanied by a protest in Victoria's Latrobe Valley at the Hazelwood Power Station.
The protest group, “Switch off Coal and Switch on Renewables”, targeted the power station, with spokesperson Louise Morris saying renewable energy should be used to really tackle climate change.
The group is lobbying for the powerstation to shut down, saying it would reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by five per cent.
Australian farmer confidence has dropped to a two-year low according to the latest Rural Confidence Survey released today.
The results show the fourth successive quarter declining in farmer sentiment, and almost half the nation's primary producers expecting the rural economy to worsen.
A biopic surrounding the notorious ponzi scammer Bernard Madoff is in production, titled “Madoff, Made off with America”.
The show's producer, Edmund Druilhet, says the film will portray Madoff's numerous betrayals and he has sympathy for those who lost their life savings in the Ponzi scam.Mr Druilhet also suggests that the Madoff ponzi scheme ilustrated the failure of world financial systems.
The legal challenge of Kevin Rudd's $900 tax bonus starts today in the High Court.
Legal academic Bryan Pape disagrees with the handouts... saying they're not within the federal government's taxation powers, but according to the Commonwealth, the plan is amply supported by the constitutional heads of power.
The hearing will run for two days.
New research shows it won't be just “battler” suburbs at risk of high unemployment and mortgage defaults... during the current economic downturn...
The Griffith University study shows suburbs like Goodna, Inala, Greenbank and Browns Plains are among those on “red alert” for unemployment vulnerability...
But the data also shows affluent areas like Chandler, Belmont and Carindale are also at risk.... because higher unemployment and falling investments will put million-dollar mortgages at risk...
Overcrowding in New South Wales' Juvenile Justice System has reached crisis point.
The Public Service Association says the system has also been thwarted by mismanagement and lack of funding.
The problem highlights the government's lack of commitment to helping youth overcome problems, says the PSA.
A 78 million dollar scheme to pipe water to drought-affected areas of Tasmania is now approved for development.
Premier David Bartlett says the plan will be complete by late 2010...
But farmers have hit back at the plan... saying it will take too long and Government irrigation schemes like the Meander Dam are too expensive.
New research shows marine sanctuaries can rebuild populations of threatened fish, resulting in a call for greater protection of marine environments.
Environmental advocates hope this research will provide the federal government incentive to expand marine sanctuaries in the south west of the country.
Less than one per cent of the marine environment is protected in this part of Western Australia.
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