Zedlines 9 April 2009

Prominent Indigenous leader Noel Pearson held a press conference today in Cape York to fight against the Bligh Governments proposed land changes.

Last Friday, the Government announced that there were now 13 Rivers that would be labeled Wild Rivers, whereas originally there was only one.

The Wilderness Society’s Wild Rivers campaign said protecting wild rivers is significant in protecting the environment, and will encourage sustainable fishing.

Development can interfere with irrigation systems, fish migration and plant habitats.

Bligh also announced to create 100 new jobs for the local Indigenous community to act as rangers to protect the rivers.

But the proposal has outraged several members of the community. Traditional owner Richie Ah Mat said the decision would stop economic development in Cape York and entrench welfare dependence for another generation of indigenous residents.

He said the decision will impact prospective farmers and it will restrict employment, business and economic development for Aboriginal people.

Mr Pearson has accused Bligh of appealing to the Greens Party.


There could be further outbreaks of toxic blue-green algae along the Murray River.

NSW Water Minister Philip Costa said the 800km stretch of land, between Albury and west of Swan Hill, had been classified as a "red alert" area and was potentially toxic.

He said the river is currently at a very low flow rate and the temperatures are high, which is perfect conditions for the algal bloom to grow.

The initial outbreak of algae occurred at the end of March when the main channel of the river dropped below 5% and blue-green algae stretched across nearly 600 kilometres of the waterway.

The minister has advised visitors not to swim in the river over the Easter break. The algae can cause skin irritation and consumption can cause illness.


A new camera has been developed to give instant images of sun-damaged skin.

The only one in Australia at present, the camera provides images of the lower layers of skin, showing damaged areas that will turn into wrinkles, spots and blemishes.

14-year-old students who had their faces photographed for sun damage at Queensland University of Technology‘s new health centre will think twice about staying out in the sun unprotected in future.

Associate Professor Michael Kimlin of QUT's AusSun Research Laboratory said he was surprised to see that some of the students already had the skin age of a 25-year-old, highlighting the importance of sun protection.


Brisbane market goers are horrified at the Brisbane City Council’s decision to hand over the running of the much-loved West End markets to Sydney-based company Blue Sky Events.

Peta Hackworth, who has run the Green Flea markets in West End for 6 years, is concerned the new organizers will treat it like a business and not as the community hub that it is.

Ms Hackworth said Blue Sky Events has already proposed to tidy up the markets making them more compact.

In January 5000 people signed a petition to keep the sprawling market as it is, with local councilor Helen Abrahams agreeing that it was the total chaos that made the West End markets so wonderful.


China has reopened Tibet to tourists again, now that a month of highly sensitive anniversaries is over.

Chinese authorities had sealed off Tibet to tourists and journalists at the beginning of March in the lead up to the 50th year anniversary of the failed uprising against Chinese rule that led to the exile of Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

Protests by Tibetan communities last year ended in violent clashes with Chinese authorities, killing around 200 Tibetans.

However, after a number of more peaceful demonstrations this year, the Chinese government is allowing tourists to apply for permission to visit the area again.

Reported by Ez and Danielle
Blogged by Ellie