Category: Biodiversity

To help community understand the NSW Govt draft Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals (IFOAs)  the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) will hold an information session in Murwillumbah on Wednesday 6th June, 6-8pm at the Tweed Valley Uniting Church Hall, 2 Byangum Road.  Refreshments provided.

Speakers: Sue Higginson, Dailan Pugh, Rob Kooyman, Sam Dawson

***National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) – https://npansw.org/what-we-do/our-work/campaigns/end-native-forest-logging/

***NSW government website – https://engage.environment.nsw.gov.au/forests

The North East Forest Alliance is shocked that NSW Government agencies have cancelled an inspection of State Forests along the Richmond Range to be shown the dire consequences that their new logging rules will have for logging dieback, Koalas, logging intensity and oldgrowth forests.

NEFA spokesperson Dailan Pugh said that on Wednesday night the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) rang him to say that a party of bureaucrats responsible for writing the new logging rules agreed to attend a site inspection on Monday 28 May.

“NEFA had refused an invitation to attend a consultation meeting in Lismore on Monday over the new logging rules with the EPA, Premier’s Department, Natural Resources Commission, Forestry Corporation, Department of Primary Industries, and a Commonwealth representative. read more

Message from Nature Conservation Council of NSW:

Last week, the NSW Government released its draft Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals (IFOAs).  These IFOAs regulate how logging of our native public forests takes place and what impacts logging has on our environment and wildlife.

The National Parks Association of NSW has been leading the analysis of the IFOA along with other NCC member groups. This work shows that sweeping retrograde changes are proposed that prioritise timber extraction over environmental protection, including:

• Increasing logging intensity throughout public native forests, including allowing high-intensity logging in 140,000ha of coastal forests between Taree and Grafton, enabling virtual clear-felling of areas up to 45ha in one go. This will convert biologically complex, natural forests into monocultures of blackbutt – which was articulated clearly in the expert scientific panel report.
• Permitting logging in stream buffer zones that are currently out of bounds for logging. These areas are the most important refuges for threatened species left in many forests, including gliders and quolls, and contain some of the most ecologically important trees in production forests.
• Opening previously protected old-growth forest to logging by remapping these high-conservation-value areas to make up timber shortfalls. Old-growth forests are rare and provide vital refuges for threatened species, including large owls and gliders.
• Permitting the logging of trees up to 140cm in diameter, and 160cm for blackbutt and alpine ash, and remove the need to protect recruitment trees (the hollow-bearing trees of the future) in logging operations.
• Replacing the need to look for koalas with a habitat model that will require the retention of a maximum of 10 feed trees of just 20cm diameter per hectare in mapped koala habitat.

The Government is undertaking public consultation on the draft IFOA commencing this week with a series of invitation only information sessions starting in Sydney and then moving to the regions – the north coast next week and then the south coast the following week. It is likely that they will also offer meetings to obtain stakeholder feedback. Closing date for written submissions is 5pm on 29 June 2018. We won’t be participating in the information or any feedback meetings but we will be making a submission. We strongly encourage you to do the same. read more

Australia’s nature laws are failing to protect our unique birds and landscapes. The very laws designed to protect our precious natural environment are insufficient and continue to be undermined by loopholes and exemptions. Join BirdLife Australia in pushing for strong nature laws and independent institutions that will protect the birds and places we love.

Learn more at https://www.actforbirds.org/

Local Land Services has assumed responsibility for approvals and advice services for private native forestry as of 30 April. This gives landholders a single point of contact for private native forestry advice, approvals and extension services. Read more.

Sydney Morning Herald – 8 April 2018 – 5:33pm

The NSW government has shifted some of regulatory oversight for native forestry on private land away from the Environment Protection Authority, a move that could weaken protections for forests.

The government has gazetted the transfer from April 30 of authority for private native forestry to Local Land Services (LLS), an agency under the Department of Primary Industries.

“Private native forestry makes a substantial contribution to the supply mix for the NSW native timber sector and plays an important role in our vision for the NSW forestry industry,” he said.

An EPA spokeswoman said the agency would “continue to perform its regulatory and compliance role for both private and public native forestry”.

But Chris Nadolny, a former senior ecologist with the Office of Environment and Heritage, pointed out that Mr Toole’s statement includes a plan for the LLS, and not the EPA, to “review the Private Native Forestry Codes of Practice later in 2018″. read more

From EDO newsletter..

Last Friday, the NSW Land & Environment Court made an order that “on and from 24 August 2017, the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code 2017 has been invalid and of no effect.”

This extraordinary order stemmed from a legal error made by the NSW Minister for Primary Industries in the making of the Code. The Minister had a legal obligation to obtain the concurrence of the Environment Minister before making the Code, which he failed to do.

Following the Court order, our CEO David Morris stated, “In conceding that they failed to follow due process, the Government gives the strong impression of making laws on the run. This is not simply a matter of incorrect paperwork. Ecologically sustainable development is not just another box to tick – the Environment Minister has a legal responsibility to protect biodiversity in this state.” read more

from the National Parks Association of NSW

Have Your Say: RFA Review Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) are agreements between the State and Commonwealth Governments that permit the logging of public native forests. Under the RFAs forests and wildlife have suffered through intensive logging for the past 20 years. Help end native forest logging by making a submission to the RFA review. NPA has prepared a quick submission letter and a more detailed submission guide for organisations/ individuals who would like to write there own submissions. Submissions close 23 February 2018 Send a quick submission View our detailed submission guide Lord Howe Island conservation holiday package Message from Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR)… Please consider this very special opportunity for eco-tourism on the World Heritage Lord Howe Island, to participate in the Rodent Eradication Project, and other projects to restore the amazing and unique biodiversity of LHI. But don’t delay as the offer closes soon.  Details below. Lord Howe Island Conservation Travel Package Offer 2018 Eco tourism activities 2018 Final Draft Rural Land Strategy presentation There will be a drop-in session at Murwillumbah Civic Centre’s Canvas and Kettle Room, Thursday February 1 from 7pm to 8:30pm.  The session will cover the more than 140 proposed actions in the Draft Strategy which will shape the future of rural land use in Tweed Shire.  Draft Rural Land Strategy on exhibition until 28th February. Journey to Stop Adani frontline A journey to the front line is being arranged by the Northern Rivers Stop Adani Group leaving on January 13 and returning on January 21. Living costs for the week on the front line are $250 and include everything.  For more information look up the Stop Adani Byron Shire Facebook page. You can also post questions and ask someone to contact you on the Facebook page. A social night on January 9 at Mullumbimby Commons, 91 Main Arm Road from 6 to 9pm will help inform the community about what is taking place as well as provide information on the upcoming journey and encourage people to get involved.  Alternatively every Monday at 6.30pm a strategy meeting is held upstairs at the Middle Pub in Mullumbimby to discuss how to effectively move the campaign forward. read more Frontline Action on Coal Ways to help from home http://www.frontlineaction.org/get-involved To join the frontline action http://www.frontlineaction.org/pledge/ VICTORY. Downer drops Adani! This is HUGE!! Downer quietly dropped to the stock exchange this morning that they will no longer build or operate Adani’s Carmichael mine. Adani are pretending that it’s ‘mutual’, that they can build the mine themselves. But Adani have never built a mine in Australia and never built a mine this big. They simply can’t do it without huge delays, massive costs and extra risk to investors. We’ve led the campaign to get Downer out of bed with Adani. Hundreds of citizens have blockaded Downer industrial sites day and night, bought shares, protested, donated and even got arrested. Please honour their efforts and celebrate this victory by: Sharing this news story Sharing our Facebook post, excited video and Tweet Donating to our fighting fund so we can target Aurizon, Gina, Macmines or whoever is next Thank you for your ongoing support. Together we will win! read more EDO Fact Sheets Private Land Conservation Clearing Vegetation on Rural Land Clearing trees on urban land and in environmental zones North Coast Koala Survey This survey is part of a research project to identify where you see koalas in the North Coast region and to learn your preferences for future koala management and conservation.  Take the survey at www.northcoastkoala.net Stand with the Wangan & Jagalingou people At any moment, the Queensland Government could extinguish Wangan and Jagalingou native title rights in the Galilee Basin – the land Adani wants to build their Carmichael mega mine on. [1] The Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) Family Council have already said NO to Adani four times and are in the midst of a court battle to protect their country. [2] It’s urgent: in the last few days, the newly elected Queensland Government was asked by W&J to give assurance that they would not extinguish native title until the Federal court case, but the Queensland Government has refused to make this commitment. [3] This means they could trample Indigenous rights at any moment. Can you stand with the Wangan and Jagalingou people and make a phone call to tell the Queensland Government not to extinguish native title under any circumstances? Read more on the W&J website. read more NCC takes govt to court on land clearing laws The Nature Conservation Council of NSW has launched legal proceedings in the Land and Environment Court seeking to overturn land-clearing codes made under the Local Land Services Act earlier this year. You can read more about the case and donate to help fund the case on the NCC website here. Grounds of the case: Failure to adequately consider the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development The Primary Industries Minister and the Environment Minister had a legal duty to consider the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development when making the land-clearing codes. That includes proper consideration of internationally recognised legal principles such as intergenerational equity, the precautionary principle, and conservation of biodiversity. Documents obtained under freedom of information laws suggests the Ministers failed to do so. read more Limpinwood logging Logging on a property of high ecological significance at Limpinwood is causing grave concerns for locals and all people who care about native wildlife, habitat for rare and threatened species, cultural heritage, and corridor connectivity to World Heritage Areas. Unauthorised works happened on this property in 2014.  Read the back story. On 7 September 2017 Council resolved to call on the state government to investigate the logging activities on the property and to consider revoking the Private Native Forestry licence.  Memo to Mayor.  Council meeting minutes. Echo article 13 September  Limpinwood logging destroying koala habitat Echo article 14 September  EPA stops logging at Limpinwood for inspection read more Ballina, Byron and Tweed Councils E zones The North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) is calling upon Ballina, Byron and Tweed Councils to remain resolute in the face of yet another concerted effort by NSW Farmers to stop far north-coast Councils from being able to establish Environmental Zones. “Environmental Zones (E zones) are the only way that local communities can over-ride the State Government’s new draconian land clearing laws, apply reasonable constraints on logging, and limit inappropriate developments in our most important remnant vegetation”, according to NEFA spokesperson Dailan Pugh. “The far north coast has been identified as both a national and international Biodiversity Hotspot because of its high number of endemic species and the threats of excessive land clearing. read more Draft Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan 2017 On exhibition until 20 December.  The full exhibition material, including mapping and fact sheets and information on community sessions, is available on the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage page of Council’s website. Draft Crown Land Community Engagement Strategy On exhibition until 26 November.  http://www.crownland.nsw.gov.au/about_crown_land/publications/exhibition_and_information/information/draft-community-engagement-strategy Draft Flying-Fox Camp Management Plan On exhibition until 28/10/2017.   https://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/OnExhibition Draft Biodiversity Development Control Plan On exhibition until 01/12/2017.    Also the Draft Flying-Fox Camp Management Plan is on exhibition until 28/10/2017. https://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/OnExhibition Stop Adani Big Day of Action Cabarita Oct 7 Page 4 of 6 « 1 2 3 4 5 6 »