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Australia Swelters as Koala Numbers Soar!
14 Dec
Summary
- Western Australia faces extreme heat, with Perth reaching 39C.
- New rules aim to curb excessive grocery pricing by large retailers.
- Koala population estimates in NSW dramatically increased.
Severe weather is currently impacting Australia, with Western Australia enduring a significant heatwave. Perth is forecast to reach 39C, with surrounding areas potentially exceeding 40C. This contrasts with cooler fronts moving through the eastern parts of the country.
In response to cost of living concerns, the Australian government has introduced mandatory changes to the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct. These new rules prohibit very large retailers from setting prices that are disproportionately high compared to their supply costs and a reasonable profit margin.
Additionally, innovative survey methods using heat-detecting drones and acoustic recorders have provided a surprising update on Australia's iconic koala population. In New South Wales alone, an estimated 244,000 koalas were identified, a figure substantially higher than prior estimates ranging between 15,000 and 30,000.
