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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. ​

An estimated $2000 million in development proposals were planned for Tweed Shire. ​

The Ocean Blue proposal for Fingal led to an ICAC inquiry in 1989, exposing corruption among local officials. ​ 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.

We would like to draw your attention to our webpage about the agenda item, and to some of the other posts to do with plastic in the environment.

As well as the more obvious issue of disposal, We Are All Ingesting Plastic.  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.

The MPs said it was costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars a year to destroy ecologically valuable forests, despite the potential for jobs in plantations. 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.

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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.

Timber production and financial results remain below expectations
The ongoing depression in new housing construction was reflected in below average timber sales during the reporting period, particularly for the high quality softwood timber that is predominately used to construct house frames. Expenditure control measures continued to be effective, however financial returns remained well below previous years. Hardwood timber production also continued to be constrained by regulatory changes reducing timber supply in coastal native forests as well as wet weather and protest disruptions. Force majeure notices were issued to customers in northern NSW due to the impacts of changes to regulatory protocols that prevented harvesting in koala hubs 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

The EPA appeared before a Budget Estimates hearing.

Former independent member of NSW Parliament and spokesperson for the Forest Alliance Justin Field said: “the Alliance and the community welcomes the decision to prosecute.”  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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Blackbutt Lookout Picnic Area

“Blackbutt lookout picnic area in Border Ranges National Park is a popular picnic area next to a scenic lookout offering views of Tweed Valley.

“Please note: Consider having reasonably full fuel tanks before arriving as there are no service stations near the park. The closest fuel is at Kyogle, Nimbin or Mount Burrell. This park is in a remote location, so please come well-prepared, and tell a family member or friend about your travel plans.

Note other safety recommendations for the Blackbutt Lookout Picnic Area, link: https://www.nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/locations-and-attractions/blackbutt-lookout-picnic-area

“While visiting Border Ranges National Park be sure to stop by Blackbutt lookout picnic area to enjoy a dramatic vista across a spectacular geological formation. This popular picnic spot sits on the Tweed Caldera escarpment edge, with a lookout platform offering incredible views out over Wollumbin-Mount Warning and the whole Tweed Valley from the edge of the Tweed Caldera escarpment. Tweed Caldera is one of the biggest erosion calderas in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest in the world. It’s also one of the few places on earth where the erosion process can be seen all the way down to the underlying pre-volcanic sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, providing geology enthusiasts with a wonderful opportunity to test their knowledge of geological processes. Take a virtual tour of Blackbutt lookout picnic area captured with Google Street View Trekker.” read more

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Cudgen Nature Reserve

“Escape the Tweed Coast crowds and head to Cudgen Nature Reserve. Great for school excursions, with opportunities for fishing, canoeing, picnicking and birdwatching.

“Visit Cudgen Nature Reserve and you’ll quickly leave the hectic Tweed Coast behind, as you surround yourself in a mosaic of beauty and contrasting landscapes. It’s a modest reserve, but it’s packed full of things to see and do for the whole family. Indulge in picnicking at Cudgen picnic area and admire the dramatic backdrop of Wollumbin Mount Warning. It’s also a great spot for birdwatching and home to some of the last remaining koalas on the Tweed Coast, so keep a lookout in the trees around the lake and near Round Mountain. Go sailing on the lake or explore the shorelines and birdlife by kayak or canoe. And if that’s not enough, the beach nearby also offers great fishing and surfing.” read more

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Wollumbin-Mount Warning National Park

“In the hinterland, between Tweed Heads and Byron Bay, World-Heritage-listed Wollumbin National Park is a great place to walk or picnic.

“Wollumbin, which rises from World Heritage-listed Wollumbin National Park to a height of 1,157 metres above sea level, is a remnant central vent of an ancient volcano. Formerly known as Mount Warning, this spectacular peak can be viewed from a range of vantage points in the surrounding massive crater (caldera), including Cudgen Nature Reserve, Border Ranges National Park and Nightcap National Park, Cape Byron Lighthouse and various settlements. It’s highly significant to Aboriginal people, particularly the Bundjalung nation, as a place of sacred ceremonies linked to traditional law and custom. Wollumbin National Park is great for family visits. Head off on the Lyrebird track for a short walk through the lush rainforest, then make your way to Korrumbyn Creek or Breakfast Creek picnic areas for lunch. Wollumbin (Mount Warning) Summit track and Aboriginal Place will remain closed. Decisions about the future of the summit track will be made by Aboriginal custodians, represented by the Wollumbin Consultative Group (WCG), which represents a range of Aboriginal groups and families, including men and women with a connection to the site. Wollumbin is highly significant to Aboriginal people, particularly the Bundjalung nation. Visitors are asked to respect their wishes and not climb the summit track. read more

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Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk

Where: Chowan Creek.

“Experience the remarkable Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk, a 42km multi-day adventure through the Tweed Byron Hinterland on Bundjalung Nation. Weave through the ancient volcanic landscape and Gondwanan rainforest of Mount Jerusalem National Park, Whian Whian State Conservation Area and Nightcap National Park on this 3-night, 4-day walk. Marvel at the magnificent scenery of mountains, caldera peaks, lush rainforest and plunging waterfalls in this spectacular pocket of Northern NSW. Choose a self-guided package and camp along the way or join a guided tour for extra support. You can also tackle shorter sections of the track at your own pace. Gidjuum Gulganyi means ‘Old People’s Track’ in local Bundjalung language. The walk traverses the ancestral lands of the Widjabul Wia-bal and Minjungbal people from the Bundjalung Nation, who have lived in the area for many thousands of years.” read more

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The Caldera Rim Walk

NSW.gov have created “a master plan for the Caldera Rim Walk in Wollumbin National Park.

A proposed 8km (return) half-day bushwalk and associated facilities in Wollumbin National Park.

The walk is a Grade 4 hiking track in accordance with the Australian Walking Track Grading system, offering a challenge to bush walkers, climbing over 500m in elevation to the top of the inner Tweed Caldera, through rainforest, wet sclerophyll and drier eucalypt forest, showcasing spectacular views of the Wollumbin summit and surrounding caldera.”

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‘GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE’ (SS4C) – 20th September Rally At Pottsville Beach

School students around the world are taking the day off to join in a ‘Global Climate Strike’ three days before the United Nations Emergency Climate Summit.


There will be a ‘Global Climate Strike’ rally  in the Tweed Shire at Ambrose Brown Park  on the Tweed Coast Road Pottsville Beach at 11am on Friday, 20 September 2019.


This is one of many strikes which have been initiated by the student Greta Thunberg of Sweden to demonstrate to governments that people are demanding effective action on climate change.


Students are inviting everyone in Tweed  Shire and beyond, hoping for a large number of people to attend to really make an impact.
Ambrose Brown Park is on the Surfside busline public transport bus route 603 which runs between Tweed and Pottsville. read more

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Invitation to Tweed Water Alliance mailing list

You may want to get on the mailing list of the Tweed Water Alliance. Here’s an invitation from them:

Re: Stop Tweed Water Mining

You may want to stay informed, please pull up our website (https://tweedwateralliance.org) and sign up to our emailing list. Scroll down to the bottom and you’ll find the link. On a computer it’s in the right hand side panel.

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