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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. 

The results of this unprecedented survey intensity were extrapolated to map the density of Koalas across the GKNP, identifying a total population of 12,000 Koalas, NEFA spokesperson Dailan Pugh said. 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.

The Councillors, by unanimous decision, have instructed Council staff to provide a report which is to include an analysis of environmental loss (and flood and lack of infrastructure issues) on all of the original 83 options. 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.

Birdlife will pursue work with council for the said walkway, riparian restoration and a wildlife corridor as opportunities arise. 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.

Key reasons why wastewater treatment plants are good for birds and bird watching:

Abundant food supply:
The treated wastewater contains nutrients that support a large population of insects and small aquatic organisms, which serve as a readily accessible food source for birds. 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.

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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..

All ridges will be contoured for access roads and pads to install wind turbines.

Impact on Native Vegetation

The proposed renewable energy projects, particularly wind farms, in Queensland, pose a significant threat to the state’s high-quality, intact native vegetation. This presentation highlights the critical conservation values of these areas and the heavy price being paid in terms of the degradation of ecologically important ranges. 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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Highway to Hell: Are we stuck in a Climate Action Cul-de-sac?

With ever-increasing frequency of floods, intense storms and bushfires, we know the climate crisis is accelerating. 

We also know that the solutions are with us, the everyday people who hold the power to vote and compel decision-makers to enact the right policies for the health of our planet.  

I’m Chels Hood Whithey, Founder of House You and a local 350 Australia supporter, and I am excited to invite you to a pivotal event that will empower our community to take decisive action on climate change: Highway to Hell: Are we stuck in a Climate Action Cul-de-sac?

Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: Brunswick Picture
Cost: House Tickets $20

This isn’t just another talk about climate change. It’s a call to action, featuring renowned climate scientist Dr Joelle Gergis, lead author of IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report and The Quarterly Essay ‘Highway to Hell’. read more

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Native Forests Rally Mullumbimby

Native Forests Rally in Mullumbimby at the Civic Hall
Sunday November 3rd 10am

I am writing on behalf of the Bob Brown Foundation to ask for your involvement in the nationwide Rally for Native Forests on Sun 3 Nov at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall and Cenotaph Park.

The rally itself is from 11-12, and this is bookended by environment group networking and mask-making activities (by Save Wallum crew) from 10am with coffee and food available, then a march and live music until about 1pm. The festival atmosphere will entice people to network and socialise while standing up for the forests together.

You are invited to book an information table in the hall to let attendees know what you are up to and how people can get involved. On the stage before and after the rally there will also be opportunity for a member from your group to do a 2 min promo spot on the stage. Please let us know if you would like an information space and to give your group a spruik on stage. read more

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The Wollumbin Caldera

Text in progress, apologies.

——

A ‘Caldera’ is the geographical remnant of an extinct volcano.

… the soft red volcanic soil washed away over eons, revealing the circular landscape feature of the outer wall of the caldera, formed from a harder magna material inducted below the surface, with the central hardstone ‘plug’ of the volcano remaining as Mount Warning / Wollumbin.

A particular ecosystem existed within the geographical landscape of the Wollumbin Caldera, for eons, different from the surrounding landscape, a biosphere of unique and diverse lifeforms, a wonder to behold, almost completely destroyed for the extraction of ‘timber’ for the hardwood sleepers of the London underground railway system. read more

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Heal the Rivers

Heal the Rivers is an Indigenous-led initiative focusing on the restoration of cultural landscapes and implementing nature-based solutions for flood mitigation and adaptation across the Northern Rivers. 

Jagun Aliance website: https://www.jagunalliance.org.au

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petition to end logging of native forests

End public native forest logging

‘Rogue’ government agency Forestry Corporation of NSW accused of more illegal logging

petition to end logging of native forests.
Right now the NSW state owned logging company is logging an area larger than 10,000 football fields inside the proposed Great Koala National Park and has recently been accused of illegally logging the homes of endangered Greater Gliders – despite clear rules prohibiting logging in these areas.

The logging industry is currently writing to NSW MPs asking for their support to continue unsustainable industrial logging in our native forests including some of the last critical habitat for endangered species like the Koala and Greater Glider. read more

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Follow the Rain

World famous fungi hunters invite audiences on a unique expedition into the wilderness of Australia, where the symbiotic dance between fungi, plants and animals, unlocks nature’s greatest secrets.

We document fungi because humans are only just starting to understand how important fungi are to life on our planet and how critical they are in protecting us from the impacts of climate change. We realise now that without fungi, the world as we know it would not exist – forests would not exist, and we would not exist. Now the push is on to document as many species as possible, as fast as possible. Raising awareness about fungi is critical to achieving that goal.

Made by Northern Rivers locals. In one of the wettest years Australia has ever seen, world famous fungi hunters Stephen Axford and Catherine Marciniak, follow in the path of the rain. read more

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What the gas giants knew all along

From The Saturday Paper

The founding chair of Australia’s oldest fossil fuel industry association was aware at least as early as 1969 that burning oil, gas and coal had the potential to cause harm, according to newly recovered materials.

However, legal experts say that under Australian law it is unlikely companies will be held to account for their historical role in driving climate change, while activists and campaign groups are ever more at risk of litigation and jail time.

The relevant observations are found in an article published in the June 1969 issue of Australian Fisheries – a journal produced by the then federal department of primary industry – authored by Reg Sprigg, a geologist who helped establish Santos, served as the founding chair of the Australian Petroleum Exploration Association (APEA) and founded the oil company Beach Energy. read more

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Climate Community Convergence event!


Hi Friends of the Koala Inc,

Are you and your community free on Saturday 22 June from 10:00am – 3:00pm Rising Tide is going on Tour and coming to Bangalow for a Climate Community Convergence event!

In November 2023, Rising Tide organised The People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port, which saw over 3,000 people from across Australia come to Newcastle and blockade the coal port for over 32 hours. This incredible event saw a group from the Northern Rivers establish ‘Climate Justice Alliance Northern Rivers’ in December 2023.

Climate Justice Alliance has a vision to engage and build deep connections to country and people based on the values of justice, community and care in the Northern Rivers. That’s why on Saturday 22 June, we are hosting Rising Tide and all community groups in the Northern Rivers at a Climate Community Convergence event at Bangalow A&I Hall! read more

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