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Latest news: Water

Wave of water-related rescues sparks safety warning

Wave of water-related rescues sparks safety warning

A sixfold increase in water rescues in the first week of 2025 has triggered a safety plea to beachgoers as police warn of increased patrols.

Evolving world water cycle threatens Australia, Pacific

Evolving world water cycle threatens Australia, Pacific

Evolving world water cycle threatens Australia, Pacific

Evolving world water cycle threatens Australia, Pacific

Floods and droughts are among the deadliest threats, scientists warn in a report calling for better preparedness as climate change alters the world water cycle.

'Be careful': safety plea following holiday drownings

'Be careful': safety plea following holiday drownings

'Be careful': safety plea following holiday drownings

'Be careful': safety plea following holiday drownings

A spate of drownings during the festive season has left authorities urging Australians to prioritise safety around the water during the summer holidays.

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Drowning deaths claim two tourists and swimmer

Drowning deaths claim two tourists and swimmer

Two tourists have died at a dangerous beach and a man was unable to be revived after being pulled from the water as the summer drowning toll continues to rise.

Fears summer drownings could double during Christmas

Fears summer drownings could double during Christmas

The week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day is the worst time for drownings in Australia, lifesavers warn, with an average of 15 lives lost annually.

Mission to save Murray-Darling Basin edges forward

Mission to save Murray-Darling Basin edges forward

The next step to save Australia's biggest river system has been unveiled, but conservationists warn it amounts to a drip-feed.

Safety warning after worst beach tragedy in decades

Safety warning after worst beach tragedy in decades

Swimmers are warned of risks at beaches and waterways this summer after a coroner handed down findings into a state's worst beach tragedy in almost 20 years.

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Town to 'flourish' with fix for brown, smelly water

Town to 'flourish' with fix for brown, smelly water

Town to 'flourish' with fix for brown, smelly water

Town to 'flourish' with fix for brown, smelly water

Rural residents who have dealt with brown, smelly drinking water for decades say government funding will help their town prosper.

Vision plea as police step up deadly yacht crash probe

Vision plea as police step up deadly yacht crash probe

Vision plea as police step up deadly yacht crash probe

Vision plea as police step up deadly yacht crash probe

Police are calling for witnesses to a yacht crash on Sydney Harbour that killed a sailor.

Environment agency heads deny blame for chemical spread

Environment agency heads deny blame for chemical spread

Environment agency heads deny blame for chemical spread

Environment agency heads deny blame for chemical spread

The NSW authority responsible for water pollution has been grilled about the spread of cancer-linked chemicals throughout water supplies in a fiery exchange.

Water quality decreasing in largest river system

Water quality decreasing in largest river system

Water quality decreasing in largest river system

Water quality decreasing in largest river system

Regional towns are experiencing more frequent water restrictions or drinking water problems as researchers paint a damning picture of the Murray-Darling Basin.

Man fights for life after leg amputated in river rescue

Man fights for life after leg amputated in river rescue

Man fights for life after leg amputated in river rescue

Man fights for life after leg amputated in river rescue

A man is fighting for life and his leg has been amputated after he became stuck in rapids in the Franklin River while out on the water with friends.

Water alert as lifesavers try to stem record drownings

Water alert as lifesavers try to stem record drownings

Water alert as lifesavers try to stem record drownings

Water alert as lifesavers try to stem record drownings

Lifesavers are calling on Victorians to be prepared and brush up on water safety before they go swimming, as they launch their summer patrol season.

Police probe deaths of mother and two children in river

Police probe deaths of mother and two children in river

Police probe deaths of mother and two children in river

Police probe deaths of mother and two children in river

A mother and her two children have died after they were seen in distress in a waterway in Sydney with police trying to determine exactly what happened.

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Elusive platypuses detected swimming close to city

Platypuses has been traced to dozens of waterways in Greater Melbourne after a water company analysed DNA left in creeks and rivers.

Calls for fish pond fencing after toddler drowns

The drowning death of a 23-month-old boy has prompted fresh calls for tighter safety requirements around residential fish ponds.

'Getting worse': unsafe water plagues remote residents

Remote communities are excluded from data about Australia's water quality, which experts warn could be contributing to serious health issues.

'Waterways are drying up': plea for environmental laws

Traditional owners say their way of life is under threat if environment laws are not changed to protect crucial NT water sources from over-extraction.

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Call for 'big shift' in energy use to water down demand

Smarter hot water systems could be the biggest and cheapest way to slash household power bills by shifting peak demand from pricey, carbon-intensive evenings.

Southern Murray Darling Basin water markets sag $1.9b

Shifting weather patterns have fuelled volatility in water allocation markets along the lower Murray Darling Basin, with decreased prices expected to persist.

Dangerous swell before fatal boat capsized

One man is dead and another has been injured after their boat capsized in dangerous swell off the coast of NSW.

Exploring a mysterious art forest by a sewage plant

Intrepid explorers will be able to wander through a mysterious piece of world-renowned land art at a sewage plant as part of a major Australian design program.

Talks spring hopes of path forward on water

Despite two days and hundreds of voices from along the Murray Darling Basin, the future shape of the basin plan is as clear as mud.

Reflections reveal climate risk to Murray-Darling Basin

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has identified a drying climate as a key risk factor for Australia's largest river system and the people who depend on it.

$14m Murray Darling ads under fire for Turkey image

Senators have attacked a $14 million advertising campaign about water in the Murray Darling basin, suggesting it is alarmist and deceptive.

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