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This is Australia

(82 Posts)
Platypus Sun 15-Aug-21 14:28:50

Thought I’d make a place to discuss all things Australian and answer any Australiana questions. Various Aussies on here have been asked for news from Australia or to answer questions about it’s goings on, so maybe we can do it all here in the once place.

Callistemon Sun 22-Aug-21 18:01:13

EkwaNimitee

Well, think how much more solar power Australians could generate than the Spanish then

How do you suggest getting it from the Red Centre to the cities?

I know wind power is popular - 150 wind turbines had been erected in a local area where we stay last time we went.

Callistemon Sun 22-Aug-21 18:02:21

As of March 2021, Australia's over 2.77 million solar PV installations had a combined capacity of 21,352 MW photovoltaic (PV) solar power,[1] of which at least 4,082 MW were installed in the preceding 12 months. In 2019, 59 solar PV projects with a combined capacity of 2,881 MW were either under construction, constructed or due to start construction having reached financial closure.[2][3] Solar accounted for 9.9% (or 22.5 TWh) of Australia's total electrical energy production in 2020.[4]

nanna8 Mon 23-Aug-21 01:50:56

Solar doesn’t work that well if you have big trees like we have though. For us it hasn’t been worth it really. It seems to have got cooler in our part of Australia, not hotter and the long, hot Summers we used to have seem to have disappeared. We get odd very hot days but nothing sustained which suits me I have to say. We also get slightly more rain, better than the 10 year drought we had a few years back when all my tree ferns died.

EkwaNimitee Tue 31-Aug-21 11:44:29

I spoke with my son in Sydney yesterday. He thinks the winter there has been colder than usual so I thought to ask if that had killed off the mouse plague. He tells me they are on the go again already, this time not from a standing start as enough have survived the winter to cause a bigger problem this year.
What are you to do about them? Are any of you affected directly? I saw TV film of them and it all looked horrendous. My son isn't affected of course, being in Sydney though they did cause him and his mates to cancel a motorbike tour earlier this year.

Spice101 Wed 22-Sept-21 03:03:09

Sitting at my computer this morning there was suddenly a strange rumbling which appeared to be coming from the roof. It was hard to pinpoint it but the noise increased dramatically and continued on for about 40 seconds.

Turns out it was an earthquake. The epicentre located about 150 kilometers from Melbourne but was felt over pretty much the whole of Victoria and even into New South Wales and South Australia. Apparently at a magnitude of 6 on the scale it is the strongest earthquake in Australia on record.

Fortunately no damage to our property but it was very scary.

SilverSheen Wed 22-Sept-21 06:16:35

It certainly was a huge earthquake Spice101. At first, the whole house jolted and then continued to shake and rumble loudly. Hubby and I went outside, thinking it was safer to be out of the house in case it got worse. We could still feel it under our feet in the yard with the house and pergola rattling away. All up lasted maybe 30 seconds, it’s the biggest and longest quake we’ve ever known here. Thankfully no damage to our home, nor to any we could see when we went for a walk later on. More importantly, no reports anywhere of injuries or fatalities.