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:

  1. 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

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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. read more

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Repower NSW Week of Action

The Nature Conservation Council is calling on us to sign the petition to Repower NSW with clean energy. 

CEC stall at Murwillumbah Farmers Market Wednesday 22 November.

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Repower Week

To celebrate Re power week
Come and speak to the Caldera Environment Centre team members at this Wednesday’s Farmers Market between 7 and 11 am at the Murwillumbah showground.

our climate and our democracy is in crisis. The Turnbull Government is pushing a coal energy target to keep our addiction to burning coal for energy. It’s outrageous. All while we have the renewable energy solutions to stop climate change and bring down power prices.

I’m more sure than ever that the only thing that is going to overcome the influence the coal lobby has on our democracy is people power and smart solutions. read more

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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. read more

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2017 Green Globe Awards

Inspirational projects including local business Stone & Wood and Enova Community Energy.  http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-support/awards-and-recognition/green-globe-awards/awards/2017-winners

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Koala Mapping and Sighting Records

Tweed Shire Council interactive koala habitat restoration mapping is now live!

Links to the mapping and to report a sighting can be found on Councils website  http://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Koalas

You can assist by sending in your sighting including a photo if taken. These sightings can also be viewed by the public.

It is important for the conservation of Koalas that information on their whereabouts is recorded.

Your input is valuable.

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Draft Crown Land Management Regulation 2017

Future protection, management, use, transfer or sale of our publicly owned Crown Lands will be defined by the draft Regulation now on exhibition.  The Regulations underpin the Crown Land Management Act 2016 (NSW).

Comment can be made until midnight on Sunday 15 October 2017.

Documents that explain the Draft Regulation and inform submissions are:

Draft Crown Land Management Regulation 2017 – See Highlights

Key points for submissions – Crown Lands Alliance

EDO submission

Tweed Shire Council submission read more

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Limpinwood logging – Private Native Forestry – Hewittville Pty. Ltd.

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. read more

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Stop Adani Big Day of Action Cabarita 7 Oct

11am – 1pm.  Norries Headland, Cabarita.  Join forces with the Stop Adani campaign to create human signs at iconic locations across Australia.

At the local event there will be photos at the headland followed by a picnic, so please spread the word, wear red, bring a picnic rug and something to eat.

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Transport Forum 25 September Murwillumbah

How do you feel about the future of public transport in our region?

A Public Forum will be held on Monday 25th September, 6 pm – 9 pm at Murwillumbah Community Centre.

Speakers:

Katie Milne – Tweed Shire Mayor
Dr Mehreen Faruqi – NSW MP & Transport spokesperson
Geoff Reid – Northern Rivers Railway Action Group

Event poster

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Protecting our paddock trees

Paddock trees are big, old, majestic native trees that often stand alone like sentinels from another time. They graciously provide shelter for stock, nectar for honeybees, hollows for nesting, and places of rest and safety for weary wildlife.

Studies have shown economic and environmental benefits from keeping paddock trees and small patches of native trees in a rural landscape.

Share a story about your favourite paddock tree at http://www.yoursaytweed.com.au/PaddockTrees

This page honours the humble paddock tree and aims to assist these valuable giants outlining how they can be protected. read more

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New solar bulk buy

Community partnered bulk buy information sessions – Sept 12-14th: Tweed, M’bah, Ballina, Lismore, Byron.  The first “Farming the Sun” bulk buy round was fully subscribed. Bulk buys save 20-29% on retail prices.

The “Farming the Sun” group is up front with all their pricing and offers. Also included are prices for Reposit systems. The scheme focuses on tier 1 equipment but only one installer.

RSVP to an information session here

Lismore (Main Launch event)

  • Tuesday 12 September
  • 12.15pm for 12.30pm start to 1.30pm
  • Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre, 16 Carrington Street

Ballina read more

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Living for the Future Home Expo

Saturday, 16 September 2017

A free, family-friendly event offering a one-stop-shop of stalls and practical workshops to help people embrace sustainable living principles, find out more about smart housing designs and renovations to help create more affordable and environmentally-friendly homes and lifestyles in the Tweed.

Be inspired and informed:

  • See the winners announced for the 2017 regional Sustainable House Day ‘Build It Local’ design competition awards and view the design entries on display.  More information at http://www.sustainablehousedaynr.org/
  • Join in workshops such as building with bamboo, bee keeping, easy food gardens in small spaces, and practical, inexpensive ideas for sustainable living.
  • Sample delicious food from chef Daniel Lange as he shares tips to save up to $1,000 per year in food costs.
  • Go in the draw to win fantastic prizes

Visit local trade stalls, community groups and talk to Council for all you need to know about smart, sustainable living in the Tweed.

Enjoy delicious food and local coffee, and make the most of free kids activities available all day. read more

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Draft Wildlife Protection Areas Policy

This is a great initiative by Council to protect and improve high conservation value public land by reducing threats to wildlife from the impacts of domestic cats and dogs.

Draft Wildlife Protection Areas Policy

The draft Policy is on public exhibition until 12 September 2017.  Community is invited to comment by 26 September 2017.

Submissions can be made in writing to: The General Manager, Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816, Murwillumbah NSW 2484 or by email to tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au.

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Sunlight and Seaweed

Sunlight and Seaweed , the most recent book by Tim Flannery is a must-read book for all who want to look straight ahead at climate change and its effect on our planet and our lives. Importantly it is a book that presents hopeful solutions in the face of these challenges. Flannery believes we cannot now avoid the 2% warming level but he goes on to show that already there is innovative technology and initiatives which, if embraced in time, can mitigate the legacy we have created.

Central to the solution is a new and much more powerful method of collecting sunlight and one that allows storage of heat despite the disappearance of the sun each night.  Access to such clean and abundant power, along with other developing technologies, can  solve many urgent problems. For example, it will allow the cleanup of the swaths of polluted and unusable soils on the planet and of the mass of toxic rubbish in the ocean as well as giving access to unlimited  use of desalinated water from the sea.  Flannery also predicts  that food production in the future will rely on extensive use of hydroponics as well  large scale seaweed farming, the latter being also a way to substantially reduce carbon in the atmosphere. Each of the initiatives presented is already in operation and the book gives accessible detail about methodology and current development stage. read more

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Kings Forest – proposed modification 

The modification request seeks approval to:

  • Implement a revised Koala Plan of Management (KPOM) which includes changes to the location and quantity of koala habitat offsets within the site;
  • Remove the requirement to plant koala food trees on a 27hectare parcel of land within the Cudgen Nature Reserve;
  • Revise the ‘commencement of works’ definition to provide consistency with the approval issued under sections 130 and 133 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Approval 2012/6328);
  • Revise the locations of the koala fencing and fauna underpasses, and amend the timing for the construction of this infrastructure;
  • Remove the requirement to provide traffic calming devices to manage potential koala movements across the site; and
  • Remove references to the KPOM dated August 2012 and insert references to the revised KPOM.
    • read more

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    Gold Coast Airport ILS

    Gold Coast Airport (GCA) ILS development facilitates provisions for increased runway operational length south. 

    Attached is the final design of the ILS development footprint on the NSW Crown Reserve for Public Recreation/Conservation with construction to commence shortly. The additional element in the footprint on the Reserve immediately adjacent to the GCA’s southern boundary that has never appeared before and perfectly aligns to the runway speaks volumes.

    The final design now confirms there is an additional approx.150m development footprint on the Reserve than required for the ILS. All documentation through the entire ILS process including approval is that the localiser antenna is to be located 300m from runway 14 end. Runway 14 is 2,342m with a Runway End Safety Area (RESA) and runway strip of approx. 150m beyond runway 14 end. The additional development footprint (clearing/earthworks) on the Reserve allows for the increase in the operational length of the runway as detailed in GCA documents, “the southernmost part of the runway itself functions as a defacto RESA, thus reducing the runway’s operational length for takeoffs to the south. The implementation of the RESA on land to the south will improve that operational length”. The additional clearing on the Reserve under the guise of the ILS also facilitates the proposed relocation of the runway 32 landing threshold approx. 300m south re the new Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) that will be required. read more

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    Build it Local Design Competition

    Build it Local challenges entrants to design a family home in a typical suburban context, using approved and/or non-approved materials sourced from our collective backyard in the Northern Rivers region to reduce the embodied footprint of the build.

    The theme also extends to using local labour, an owner builder model or a combination of the two.

    Sourcing and using local building materials and labour greatly reduces a building’s embodied energy footprint. Given the diversity of our region, with ready access to recycled materials, plantation timbers, bamboo, straw bale, rammed earth and mud brick building systems, combined with a multitude of building component manufacturers, the Northern Rivers can supply everything needed to design and build fantastic, environmentally responsive houses. read more

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    National Tree Day Sun 30 July

    Tweed Shire Council is hosting the National Tree Day planting this year at Pat Smith Park, Dulguigan.

    The site is located on Dungay Creek at the confluence of the Rous River, one the major tributaries of the Tweed River. We are aiming to restore riparian habitat and beautify the park.

    Time: 9:00am to 1:00pm

    Directions: If travelling from Murwillumbah along Tomewin Road, turn into Dulguigan Road before Dungay – Pat Smith Park is located on the right immediately after crossing Dungay Creek.

    Suitable for Children: Yes     Accessible for disabled: Yes read more

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    EDO workshop – environmental law and policy relating to koalas

    Sunday 2 July 2017, 2-4pm.  Friends of the Koala Inc. will host a free EDO NSW workshop in Lismore explaining key environmental laws and policies that impact koalas.

    The workshop will cover development assessment processes under NSW planning law, and the new biodiversity and land clearing laws. Participants will also receive guidance on how to participate in a range of decision-making processes, as well as how to monitor and enforce compliance with legal protections for koalas.

    WHERE: Room Z181A, Southern Cross University, Rifle Range Road, East Lismore
    RSVP: 02 9262 6989  or www.edonsw.org.au/koala_2017 read more

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    Cultivating Murder Saturday 3 June Regent Cinema Mbah

    On the 29th July 2014 Glen Turner a compliance officer with the Office of Environment and Heritage was shot four times by a farmer and died on the side of an isolated public road in NSW, 40 kms from Moree.

    Cultivating Murder tells the story of what happened and follows the murder trial to discover why it happened. It is an unusual murder case. The mystery is not “Who did it?” but “Why did he do it”? The accused is a wealthy New South Wales farmer. The circumstances of the shooting are shocking and perplexing. Glen Turner’s family friends and colleagues want to see the full weight of the law applied. read more

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    Boomerang Bags Sewing Bee Sunday 28 May

    With 8 million tonnes of plastic entering our oceans annually, affecting our food chain, killing off ecosystems, marine mammals, fish and seabirds, as well as clogging up our landfill, Let’s Waste Less believes we can’t ‘waste’ time waiting for the NSW government to act. We want Murwillumbah to get on the plastic bag ‘ban’ wagon.

    As part of our ‘breaking bag habits’ campaign we are introducing the Boomerang Bags ‘borrow and bring back’ model to Murwillumbah. These free bags provide a safe and sustainable alternative to plastic bags and are made by  the community using reusable, environmentally friendly recycled materials. read more

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    How does Aboriginal culture relate to bush regeneration? Tues 23 May

    This free workshop is suitable for those who do bush regeneration either professionally or as a volunteer.

    How does Aboriginal culture relate to bush regeneration? Good question! It’s not just about what to look out for but what protocols need to be followed.

    Come along to a free workshop to find out why Aboriginal Cultural Landscapes are not only important to Aboriginal people but also the wider community and what role the bush regenerator can play.

    When: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Tuesday 23 May 2017 read more

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    The fungi photography of Steve Axford

    Nimbin Bush Theatre – Sunday 21st May – 11am  

    Entry by donation – Hosted by Nimbin Bushwalkers Club

    For this special event Steve Axford gives a presentation on his time lapse photography of fungi and mushrooms sourced from our local rainbow region rainforests and used in the acclaimed David Attenborough BBC documentary film – Planet Earth 2.

    Axford, from Lismore, is known around the world for his unique interest in nature and in particular, Fungi. Living in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, he considers his photography as an avenue into the natural world. His work has taken him around the world from Moscow to China and he has been published in global publications such as NatGeo and New Scientist. More recently he has developed a keen interest in Fungi time-lapse. read more

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    Keep speaking out against Adani

    A message from GetUp..

    Since we last spoke, we’ve had two huge wins against Adani. The momentum is palpable.

    First, after almost 8,000 of you chipped in to run a huge marginal seats campaign, another Coalition MP has publicly defied Turnbull over the $1 billion dollar Adani loan. 

    The campaign is now in full swing, with newspaper ads, billboards and rallies saturating key marginal electorates. If we can get more MPs to speak out, this could become a full backbench revolt.

    Then, on Friday, Westpac refused to finance Adani! read more

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    World Environment Day Festival 2017

    The Caldera Environment Centre’s annual World Environment Day Festival will be held on Sunday 4 June at Knox Park, Murwillumbah from 10am-3pm.

    Be entertained by the Pitts Family Circus, Hoopla Kids Circus, children’s activity space and music by Taraf Tambal – Balkan Gypsy Band, Monkey and The Fish and Broadfoot, who put a smile on everybody’s face.

    Listen to speakers – the CEO of ENOVA, the Tyalgum Energy Project and Greg Reid from Tweed CAN and hear the latest news about renewable energy and how you can be part of the change to this clean technology. read more

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