World Environment Day Festival Success, with Expert Speakers, Live Music and Community Action, Well Done to all concerned!


The festival on 13 July celebrated biodiversity and climate solutions in the Northern Rivers.

The World Environment Day Festival returned to Murwillumbah on Sunday 13 July, bringing together the community for a day of environmental education, live music, and collective action from 10am to 3:30pm.

Hosted by Tweed Landcare and the Caldera Environment Centre, this year’s free festival shone a spotlight on the region’s unique biodiversity while promoting practical solutions to climate and conservation challenges facing the Northern Rivers. read more

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TSC: 1000 trees community tree planting for National Tree Day, Byangum, Sunday 27 July, and, Grants of up to $4,000 for Tweed farmers for sustainable land management.

TSC Tweed Link:

1000 trees community tree planting for National Tree Day! Col Wiley Park, Byangum,Sunday 27 July, from 9 am to 12 noon to help improve water quality, protect wildlife and reduce river erosion.

Also, grants of up to $4,000 for Tweed farmers for sustainable land management for projects that improve soil health, water management, biodiversity and more.

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NPWS: Border Ranges 360 degree experiences

“Discover some of the rare and remarkable animals, plants and habitats that make Border Ranges National Park special, with our [NPWS] interactive 360-degree images.

The Border Ranges is a special place where primitive plants and animals have evolved and landscapes have barely changed in millions of years. As a refuge for many threatened species, some areas in the park have been declared Assets of Intergenerational Significance, giving them extra protections. 

Swipe, zoom and click the popup pins to explore each 360 experience. read more

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Meeting with Premier and cabinet – July 30 Tweed Heads

TSC residents can attend a special local meeting with Premier and Cabinet on July 30 Twin Town Club 12 noon -1:15 to talk about Tweed issues.. (People have to register.)

It could be a chance to ask for koala protection across the whole state not just on the coast, permission for Council to have an environmental levy, or more funding for Devils Fig and not just for the top weeds, for changes to zombie developments that have environmental protections no longer allowed or whatever else residents want. read more

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Great Koala National Park

Open letter to Premier Minns and the NSW Government
January 10, 2025.

IT IS PAST TIME FOR THE MINNS GOVERNMENT TO STOP LOGGING THE GREAT KOALA NATIONAL PARK. THEY MUST HONOUR THEIR COMMITMENT TO PROTECT IT.

The Minns’ Government was elected on a promise to save Koalas and create the Great Koala National Park, but instead they have increased logging, 21 months later they have logged 7,185 hectares of the park, 8.4% of its loggable area, and refuse to stop. This likely encompasses the homes of over 500 Koalas, along with another 37 Threatened Species.
read more

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NSW Parks: Sounds of nature: Border Ranges Gondwana Rainforest

“Listen to our (NPWS) Gondwana Rainforests soundscape on the NSW National Parks, to be transported to this incredible part of Australia.

Border Ranges National Park forms part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, which stretches past Newcastle to south-east Queensland. The Gondwana Rainforests are globally recognised as home to the most extensive areas of subtropical rainforest in the world, plus most of the world’s Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest. These extraordinary areas contain ancestors of ancient and primitive plants and animals.” read more

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Plastic Reinforced Paper Tea Bags: We are ingesting millions of nano particles of plastic per cup of tea

We are all becoming more aware of unwanted ingestion of plastic molecules and the retention of these molecules in our bodies.

The paper of many popular brand tea bags are strengthened with plastic because otherwise the paper tea bag would fall apart in the hot water.

When a plastic strengthened tea bag goes through the temperature change of being immersed the hot water when making a cup of tea, thousands of micro and millions of nano sized plastic molecules fracture and fragment away from the plastic of the plastic strengthened paper tea bag into your cup of tea. [Source: (link).] read more

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ReUse: $4 Refill Tablet for household cleaning spray containers, at the CEC.

Plastic production reduction – don’t buy a new plastic spray bottle of cleaner each time, instead use an empty plastic spray bottle or get a glass spray bottle from us, then add the refill tablet, and then add water.

The refill tablets are available at the Caldera Environment Centre, $4 each.

“The tablets are 100% natural. Made with essential oils and plant-based ingredients.”

“Easy to use, Lovely Scents, Effective Cleaning, Safe for sensitive kids”

Not dwelling on the subject here, but plastic spray bottle production and disposal is a literal ecological nightmare for the very near future. You want it all to change, but it won’t. read more

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Caravan Park at Pottsville refused by NSW.gov, as per Community and TS Council Recommendation.

Tweed Link #1400 4 June 2025:

“The Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP) recently announced their decision to refuse the application (DA 25/0011) at Pottsville. The Development Application for 1183 Cudgera Creek Road, Cudgera Creek included the building of a caravan park containing 267 long term sites and 12 short term sites, clubhouse, outbuildings and associated roads.

The NRPP was the deciding body for the application as it was valued at more than $30 million dollars, a higher amount than can be approved by Tweed Shire Council. read more

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FoodAware Murwillumbah , this July’s Daring Dialogue at the Kambucha Cafe

“FoodAware Murwillumbah is a community project that has been set up to share with the community the knowledge needed to make informed food choices in the light of recent findings on the links between climate change, deforestation and animal farming, the leading driver of climate change, arguably of greenhouse gases as well, and to spell out the urgent need for a demand-driven transition to plant based agriculture.

“A FoodAware Murwillumbah community project team member is Gerard Wedderburn-Bishop,
A leading analyst of global warming causes, a former principle scientist with Queensland’s Natural resources Department,  Executive Director of the World Preservation Foundation and author of ‘Eating Our Way to Extinction’ on which the internationally premiered film of the same name is based. read more

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The Mount Nullum Development Proposal and the Genesis of the Caldera Environment Centre (CEC) 1987-1990

This document discusses the development proposals in Tweed Shire during the late 1980s, focusing on the controversial Mt. Nullum project and the impact of the ICAC inquiry on local politics and environmental activism.

Development Proposals in Tweed Shire

During the late 1980s, Tweed Shire faced numerous development proposals, including the controversial Ocean Blue project and Doug Moran’s Mt Nullum resort. ​ These proposals sparked significant community opposition due to concerns over environmental destruction and lifestyle changes. ​ read more

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Dear Tweed Shire Councillor, et al.

We reproduce below a recent CEC correspondence to the Tweed Shire Councillors regarding an upcoming agenda item to do with in our opinion not only issues of disposal, but also with our ingestion of micro and nano plastic molecules emitting from plastic in the environment.

Dear Councillor <name>.

Wednesday’s public access Council Meeting has an item on the agenda to do with plastic in the environment, namely the plastic lawn of a leisure facility and the Council’s Strategic Plan for Holiday Parks. read more

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[nefanews] Forestry Corps Losses

NEFA: “Following the NSW Forest Alliance putting out a media release that was run by the Guardian, cross-benchers have now piled on with a story in the Sydney Morning Herald (see below).

SMH: “MPs call for state government to end its ‘fiscally irrational’ logging.

“A powerful group of state government crossbenchers has again called on the state government to end its loss-making logging of native forests after the Forestry Corporation’s hardwood division posted a $14.9 million loss in its latest half-year results.

In a letter sent to Treasurer Daniel Mookhey on Friday, the 12 MPs described public native forest logging as “one of the most fiscally irrational and environmentally destructive practices currently being maintained by this government. read more

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Tweed Regional Art Gallery: Spiders of Paradise

10 May – 3 August 2025, Maria Fernanda Cardoso: Spiders of Paradise presents the artist’s ongoing photographic series featuring the tiny Australian Maratus spider. It includes new works from this series as well as Cardoso’s acclaimed video work On the Origins of Art I–II (2016). Bringing together science, art and nature, this exhibition celebrates the beauty of the natural world and reveals the sophisticated lives of creatures that are not usually witnessed. Maria Fernanda Cardoso: Spiders of Paradise is an exhibition developed and toured by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. read more

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Forestry continue to haemorrhage money

From the North East Forest Alliance, NEFA News:

“Forestry Corps have declared a half year normalised earnings loss of $14.9 on their hardwood logging, in part blaming  protests, protection of Koala hubs in the GKNP, the new Greater Glider protocols and having to assess the unique and special wildlife values in plantations. The claimed significance of these beggars belief, when their core problem is that their royalties don’t even cover the costs of cutting down the trees and transporting them to the mills. read more

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Environmental Protection Agency .gov Prosecutes Publicly Owned Logging Authority for Environmental Non-Compliance – Again.

The Forest Alliance NSW has welcomed the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA’s) decision today to prosecute Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) for 29 charges. The charges related to illegally logging of critical Greater Glider habitat in Tallaganda State Forest on the NSW South Coast.  

The EPA alleges these actions contravened conditions of the Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approval (CIFOA), the Forestry Act 2012, and the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Further information available here read more

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Tweed Shire Council > Strategic Plan for Holiday Parks > Concerns about Plastics In The Environment.

Note that the Tweed Council 15th May Monthly Meeting Agenda Items includes: “Synthetic Grass in Tweed Holiday Parks”, submitted to the meeting by the Director of Sustainable Communities and Environment.

The agenda item reads:

“At the Ordinary Meeting held 18 July 2024, Council resolved to endorse the Tweed Holiday Parks 2023 -2034 Strategic Plan. Within this resolution, Council required the General Manager to finalise and bring back a report on potential risks associated with the use of synthetic grass in Holiday Parks, alternatives to its use and a detailed asset management plan to best manage the use of synthetic grass in the Holiday Parks to mitigate the risk of microplastic and Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution and to ensure recycling at the end of life of the product. read more

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[nefanews]: Axe falls on loggers’ plan to avoid battle over gliders

[Caldera note: A recent court case determined that private people or entities could not take legal action against logging operations carried out in breach of regulations, and that only government entities had that right. The current court case has over-ruled that finding, opening the courts to individuals and groups to pursue legal action against logging operations which are in breach of regulations. This is important as the NSW Government has been protective of logging operations and has refused to take action against breaches of regulations.] read more

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Welcome to the new CEC location 

Now, after two years without a premises, the Caldera Environment Centre and Shop is back in Murwillumbah.

As before, the centre and shop is operated by volunteers and is open week days and Saturday morning.

Drop in to our centre about the environment, or to shop for environment books, for adults and children, and we have a great selection of locally indigenous rainforest trees for planting, including bush-tucker food trees, lomandras, birdwing butterfly vine plants and more, and a range of selected merchandise, all natural and friendly. read more

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CEC Movie Club – ‘ALBATROSS, A Love Story’

A highlight of the movie is the slow motion footage of the albatross mating ritual, turning a chaotic cacophonous flurry into an elegant and choreographed mating dance.

Also, the National Parks guide pushes away the grass growing through the nests, revealing the skeletal remains of the chick in the nest, the small pile of plastic in its stomach reveals the cause of death, nest after nest.

The movie ALBATROSS, a film by Chris Jordan.

“… a poetic guided tour into the depths of your own spirit. read more

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The Literal End of the Shearwater Ocean Birds because Plastic

This the end of the Shearwater ocean bird species, et al, in our lifetimes, because plastic.

ABC News have reported on the Shearwater birds nesting on Lord Howe Island feeding their chicks in their nests with plastic which they mistake for food, so much so that 20% of the chick’s bodyweight is plastic, and one can feel the plastic in their stomachs. Such is the killing effect of plastic in the environment.

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“If this, …



“If this ocean bird of this species, … then every ocean bird of this species.”

“If this ocean bird species, … then every ocean bird species.” ect.

A one minute duration information unit about the Collapse of the Ocean Ecology because plastic in the environment.

“If this, … ” is an awardee of The Caldera Environment Centre ‘Ecological Arts For Information’ Merit Award.

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NEFA: Koala claims are yet more false information by loggers

“The loggers are once again spreading false information in their attempts to stop the Great Koala National Park (GKNP), this time by claiming that the assessment of Koalas was based upon Koala scat searches when they know it was based upon comprehensive drone surveys that identified actual Koalas.

For the GKNP repeated night time drone surveys were undertaken using infrared at 169 59ha sites to identify individual Koalas, involving 4,000 kms of drone flight by a team of 26 drone pilots.  read more

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Which Land Sites for Development? The Tweed Shire Council Draft Options Paper for the Growth Management and Housing Strategy: Councillors Request Clarity

The TSC ‘Final Options Paper‘, nominating 69 sites to be proposed for development or further development, was on the agenda of the December ’24 Tweed Shire Council Public Meeting.

It was noted by Councillors however that the ‘Final Options’ presented by Council staff has combined several previously separately identified sites, clouding clear identification of environmental and other site constraints of these sites.

Concerns raised regarded flooding, lack of infrastructure and, most important for our organisation, environmental loss which may be the result of the sites chosen, notably in the rural areas and greenfield areas of the Tweed. read more

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Birdlife Northern Rivers speaks prior to the 20 February Council Meeting pertaining to the letter in its earlier post. Council approves a motion as stated below.

1. That Council approves the advertising of its intention to dispose of the properties at 39 and 41 West End Street in Murwillumbah (Lots 5 and 6 in DP1303298) by Public Auction in accordance with Council’s Policy for the Disposal of Land v1.3 and invites written submissions on the proposal be made within 28 days from the date of advertisement.  

2. That Council recognises the biodiversity of Lot 4 and the neighbouring WWTP, and that any future work takes this into consideration and includes appropriate community access, including a walkway on the road reserve that links Rous River and Murwillumbah township. read more

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Birdlife Northern Rivers: “Council’s Plan for area including 39 West End Street Murwillumbah”

“Mr Troy Green
General Manager
Tweed Shire Council
PO Box 816 Murwillumbah NSW 2484

Dear Mr Green

REF: Council’s Plan for area including 39 West End Street Murwillumbah

I am writing to enquire into Council’s plans following the purchase of the property at 39 West End St and completion of the pumping station adjacent to the Murwillumbah Sewage Treatment Works (STW).

Birdlife Northern Rivers (BLNR) is a community group comprising local people concerned with the protection of native birds and their habitats. As a local branch of Birdlife Australia, the nation’s leading conservation organisation for birds, we are part of an Australia-wide network of members, volunteers and supporters working towards a sustainable future for our native birds. read more

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Gondwana Going, Going…Gone?

The David Bradbury video, it’s about the fight to protect NSW native forests from logging, it’s about NEFA et al. From Bulga to Gibberagee.

“For activists and forest lovers to spread the word about how NSW state forests (and forests throughout Australia) are being so over-logged and trashed by the NSW Forestry Corporation and private contractors. So that very endangered wildlife, unique to Australia, is being pushed over the Edge.“

34 minutes.


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Tweed Shire Climate Action Cafés

TSC: “Tweed Shire Council’s Climate Action Cafés are workshops that will bring people together to explore, connect and deepen ideas to reduce the impacts of climate change. We already have a palette of possibilities – now it’s time to prioritise these projects and commit to action.

“Choose one of these events to attend:

“The Tweed Shire is one of the most climate vulnerable locations in Australia. Many of us know first-hand the impact of extreme weather events on our homes, businesses, natural environment and personal wellbeing. And many of us also know the generosity, ingenuity and can-do attitude that’s part of our local essence. It’s this essence and willingness to roll-up our sleeves and act, that Council is seeking to support at two climate action cafes.  read more

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Dear TSC: 18.1.Hastings Point Wastewater Treatment Plant Performance Upgrade Options Peer Review

Birdlife Northern Rivers: “Dear Councillors,

Regarding Hastings Point Wastewater Treatment Plant Performance Upgrade Options Peer Review.

Birdwatchers frequent Tweed Shire Wastewater Treatment Plants (Hastings, Banora, Chinderah and Murwillumbah).

Birdwatchers often enjoy visiting wastewater treatment plants because they provide a rich and readily available food source for birds due to the nutrient-rich water, attracting a diverse range of bird species, often including migratory birds, while offering a relatively undisturbed habitat with ample open water and often shoreline areas to forage and roost. read more

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NEFA: “Forestry Corporation retrospectively slash timber yields by 28%”

NEFA: “The Forestry Corporation has reduced yields from public native forests in NSW by 28%, though they are only doing so by dramatically reducing the volumes of products they previously claimed to have obtained in each of the past 3 years, according to the North East Forest Alliance.

The Forestry Corporation is legally required to prepare annual Biomaterial Reports that detail areas of native forests logged, and volumes of products obtained, on a compartment basis.

We welcome the Forestry Corporation admitting gross errors in their reporting of timber products by releasing revised Biomaterial Reports for the past 3 years, though we are flabbergasted that they have retrospectively reduced volumes by 28% from what they previously certified they obtained, said NEFA spokesperson Dailan Pugh.  read more

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Tweed Shire Council to report on possible adoption of Single Use Plastics and Materials Policy

Motion to TS Council Meeting, Dec 24, by Councillor Nola Firth (Greens):

“That Council bring back a report on issues involved in adopting a Single Use Plastics and Materials Policy similar to the one that was recently implemented by Byron Shire Council.”

“The (neighbouring) Byron Shire has recently implemented a strong Single Use Plastics and Materials Policy that addresses single -use items on Council owned land or buildings. The policy includes single use items such as plates, food containers, cutlery, bottled water, drink ware (including coffee cups and lids), masks (excluding P2, P3), individually wrapped food items such as soy sauce, tea bags, coffee pods and chocolates. A ban on these single use products applies to all council-run activities and in 6 months time it will apply to all activities held on council land including leases and sponsored events.  read more

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We’re Back!

The Caldera Environment Centre and Shop are, thankfully, back with a premises in town again.

Looking forward to seeing you all again and anew.

2/43 Wollumbin Street, Murwillumbah

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Fridays4Forests

Today at the second weekly Fridays4Forests session, opposite the Murwillumbah post office, three members of the CEC, collected a good number of signed petitions to the premier and local federal member, to stop logging native forests.

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Great Koala National park

Why We Need a Great Koala National Park.

The countdown is on, the assessments are complete or nearly so, and a decision on the GKNP will be made this year – though might not be announced until next year. So we need a concerted lobbying effort over the next month to maximise the outcome for the GKNP. If we get a good outcome for it we have more chance of stopping all logging of public native forests early next year.

 https://assets.nationbuilder.com/ncec/pages/19/attachments/original/1731279148/Why_we_need_a_Great_Koala_National_Park.pdf?1731279148. read more

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The Windfarm Threat to The Great Dividing Range

The Great Dividing Range

is a magnificent series of connected mountain ranges that form the backbone of eastern Australia. Stretching over 3,500 kilometres from the tropical north to the temperate south, this ancient landscape is home to some of the most ecologically significant habitats on Earth. Sadly, this natural wonder is facing severe threats from major alternative energy developments. Already, deforestation, urban expansion, and unsustainable resource extraction are affecting the integrity of this vital ecosystem.. read more

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CEC Movie Club: The Forest

The story of an ecologist with a plan to save the world by restoring the planet’s forests. His original work was hijacked by corporations and politicians with disastrous effect. Now he’s using science to fight back. Includes a segment with Professor David Lindenmayer, author of The Forest Wars, available from the NEW Caldera Environment Center and Shop, next door to the Fresh Wholefoods store. 43/2 Wollumbin St Murwillumbah.

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/forest

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Landcare field day

Tweed Landcare invites you to attend a free Landcare field day in focused on balancing property management for cattle and biodiversity conservation. 

Presented by North Coast Regional Landcare, Tweed Land Care Inc. and the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, the session will demonstrate the benefits of balanced land management for farmers.

The field day, held on Bundjalung Country, will include a range of speakers and a farm walk and talk tour of Rhonda and Greg James Cudgera Creek property, including through high-value conservation bushland. Local graziers and others will present on ways of balancing conservation efforts with grazing and what financial and technical supports are available to landholders to undertake conservation work on their properties.  read more

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