Ben Langford
Illawarra Mercury
Australia
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Past articles by Ben:
Endangered Illawarra-only shrub a thorn in side for Boral quarry expansion
Boral's plan to expand its Dunmore quarry will likely have to go through the Commonwealth Environment Minister because it would involve the removal of about 900 of an endangered shrub only found in this area. → Read More
China turns tap back on for Australian coal imports
China has relaxed its unofficial ban on importing Australian coal for both energy and steelmaking, as relations between the two nations continue to thaw. → Read More
BlueScope's Port Kembla plan for berths upgrade has support
BlueScope has support for its plan to upgrade its raw materials berths at Port Kembla Harbour, which the... → Read More
Potato shortage: how to make your own perfect hot chips
How serious is the potato chip shortage which has hit the east coast? Serious enough that some fish and chippers are staying closed in the summer holidays. Serious enough that supermarkets can't say when they'll have stock back. → Read More
Christmas beetles spotted in Illawarra but few and far between
Reports of the occasional Christmas beetle sighting have been trickling in over the past few weeks, after several years in which we have noticed the sharp decline in what was once a Christmas tradition. → Read More
Wollongong council workers say they won't collect fees at tip, leisure centres
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on. → Read More
Wollongong council workers say they won't collect fees at tip, leisure centres
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on. → Read More
Wollongong pools close, tip services reduced: council workers walk off in snap strike
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on. → Read More
Buy nothing new for baby's first year, was Monique Velaso's plan ahead of her first child
With prices rising much faster than incomes, a pandemic not going away, and her first baby with all its expenses coming soon, Mt Keira mum Monique Velasco decided to try to not buy anything new. → Read More
Heritage PitchFest demeans history with reality TV-style decision-making
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on. → Read More
Christmas tree sales fast and furious amid fears of shortage
Floods and persistently wet weather have caused those connected with the growing industry to warn prices may spike... → Read More
BlueScope biochar steelmaking trial hindered by lack of supply in Australia
Finding a reliable source to deliver large quantities of biochar has been identified as the challenge looming for BlueScope as it explores the use of burnt organic matter to potentially replace some coal in its processes. → Read More
'Sports Rorts' report shows need for ICAC: Wollongong lawyer
The release of the full report into the "Sports Rorts" affair shows the need for a federal anti-corruption body that is public, the Wollongong lawyer who fought for the report to be made public has said. → Read More
Port Kembla drain pollution shown after local mum forces EPA action
Ten months of testing water quality in a Port Kembla drain has confirmed the fears of the local resident who sparked the investigation, and led to one industrial acid producer stopping discharging waste into the waterway. → Read More
Bureau of Meteorology's ill-advised rebrand attempt BoMs after launch
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on. → Read More
UCI Wollongong showed how governments can fix roads when they want to. We'll be waiting.
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on. → Read More
Helensburgh coal pollution was so bad it was 'not possible' to see creek bed
Coal miner Peabody has been directed to take the next series of steps to clean up the pollution from coal spillage into a creek which flows into the Royal National Park, after the pollution was revealed to have initially been so bad it was "not possible" to see the creek bed or rocks beneath the water. → Read More
SES Wollongong HQ faces cloudy future with partial RFS merger
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on. → Read More
Veterans suicide rates made worse by compensation system, Royal Commission found
A Wollongong former SAS commando, now lawyer for returned service members, says the way veterans are dealt with... → Read More
Port Kembla Energy Terminal should be able to start pumping gas earlier next year, say advocates
Action should be taken to fast-track the commencement of the Port Kembla Energy Terminal when the nation's energy... → Read More