Great Australian Bight: parties soften stance as voters protest over drilling

A last-ditch effort to win votes in key seats in South Australia and Victoria has prompted both major parties to make changes to their policies on oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight.

Protests against offshore drilling in the Bight have forced
the Coalition and Labor to shift ground in the 2019 Australian election

The resources minister Matt Canavan – who has previously said offshore oil exploration should be a national priority – said on Thursday a re-elected Coalition government would commission an independent audit of the oil regulator’s consideration of exploration in the Bight.

Canavan and the environment minister Melissa Price said in a statement they recognised “the Great Australian Bight and the surrounding region are important to local communities, and the fishing and tourism industries”.

Read the story from The Guardian by Lisa Cox - “Great Australian Bight: parties soften stance as voters protest over drilling.”

Warning over extreme heat, wind predicted across Victoria on Saturday

Extreme temperatures predicted for Saturday have prompted a health warning from Victoria's chief medical officer.

With extreme heat and a northerly wind predicted, there are concerns
 fires could be started by spontaneously combusting hay bales. 

The Country Fire Authority is also on alert, with strong winds predicted and concerns over a spate of spontaneously combusting hay bales across the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts Melbourne will reach a top of 41, Geelong, Bendigo and Shepparton will hit 42, Ouyen and Swan Hill 43, and Mildura will be 44.

The Chief Health Officer has issued a health alert for the North Central weather district, while four other districts are near the threshold for an alert.

Read the story by Amber Schultz in today’s Melbourne Age -  “Warning over extreme heat, wind predicted across Victoria on Saturday.”

Electricity grid operator hits emergency button to avoid system overload

Victoria's heatwave has prompted the electricity grid operator to activate its emergency plan to avoid the risk of blackouts on Thursday evening.

Victoria's heatwave prompted emergency action.

A lack of reserve capacity in the state's electricity grid has prompted it to make the rare move.

It is the first time in several years that the Australian Energy Market Operator has taken this step in Victoria as a way to avoid the risk of involuntary load shedding caused by overwhelming demand. 

The action comes after months of warnings that Victoria's energy reserves would be stretched tight this summer, following the closure of the Hazelwood coal-fired power plant in March.

Read Adam Carey’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Electricity grid operator hits emergency button to avoid system overload.”