Afternoon Update: Toondah harbour plan rejected; Ballarat murder accused faces court; and how much coffee is too much?
Welcome, readers, to Afternoon Update.
Conservationists and community groups campaigning to protect the wetlands at Queensland’s Moreton Bay are celebrating after the environment and water minister, Tanya Plibersek, announced she would reject plans for a $1.3bn development proposed for the area.
Property developer Walker Corporation’s Toondah harbour plan would have included 3,000 luxury apartments, shops and a marina. Environmental groups had fought the proposal for nearly a decade, saying the wetlands act as a crucial habitat for several species, some of which are endangered.
Top news
Victorian man faces court over alleged murder of Hannah McGuire | Lachlan Young, 21, appeared in the Ballarat magistrates court, where he was charged with murder on Monday after the body of Hannah McGuire, 23, was found in a burnt out car at Scarsdale, about 25km south of Ballarat.
Alice Springs curfew extended until end of NT school holidays | The chief minister, Eva Lawler, told reporters that the youth curfew will run until 6am next Tuesday, the first day back at school. The two-week youth curfew was imposed on 27 March when the NT government declared an emergency after reports of escalating violence.
Trans man bullied further after X shares takedown notice over alleged hate speech | When the social media site X was told to take down cyber abuse by Australia’s internet regulator, it passed on the notice to the user who posted the alleged abuse – which led to its target facing more online bullying.
New footage shows missing Australians moments before Taiwan earthquake | Rescue efforts are still under way to find two missing Australian nationals, who have not been seen after a massive earthquake hit the island. Video the couple beginning their hike about 500 metres down the path, just 25 minutes before the quake struck.
Termination payouts for senior NSW public servants to be reviewed | The NSW premier, Chris Minns, says a review of public money spent on termination payouts is “appropriate and necessary” after Guardian Australia revealed $700,000 was paid out to former NSW police media officers.
One serving or former ADF member contacts suicide emergency service every four hours | A new study by the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research found that ADF veterans and serving members were 1.24 times more likely than members of the wider adult population to have suicide-related contact with police or paramedics.
Blow for Myanmar’s military as rebels say hundreds have surrendered | Myanmar’s embattled junta has evacuated personnel from a key border position after hundreds of soldiers surrendered to opposition groups, in another humiliating defeat for the army. The military is now on the brink of losing control of one of the most important border crossings in Myanmar.
Tenth consecutive monthly heat record alarms and confounds climate scientists | Another month, another global heat record that has left climate scientists scratching their heads and hoping this is an El Niño-related hangover rather than a symptom of worse-than-expected planetary health.
Billy Dee Williams says actors should be allowed to wear blackface | In a recent interview, the Star Wars actor revealed that he believes, “If you’re an actor, you should do anything you want to do”.
In pictures
Guess who might be joining the sub club – will Aukus need a new name?
What if Japan joins the US-UK-Australia alliance? Cartoon by Fiona Katauskas.
What they said …
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“It’s only the ninth of April and already 18 Australian women have been killed in 2024. This is unacceptable and it has to stop.” – The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, at a press conference on Tuesday, after the alleged murder of Hannah McGuire at the weekend.
In numbers
That is, large-scale batteries that can power the home, usually charged by solar – according to Australia’s annual battery market report. A record 57,000 battery systems were installed in Australian homes in 2023 as more states turn to energy storage to better manage the evolving electricity grid.
Before bed read
How much coffee is OK for me to drink in a day? I asked the experts
The morning brew has a “bad boy reputation” but is it really harmful? A breakdown of the benefits and hazards.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: CEP . You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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