Community meeting re PFAS contamination at Gold Coast Airport
Northern Rivers solar & batteries community bulk buy
Love clean renewable energy as much as we do? Here’s an opportunity to be a part of the uptake of renewables right here in the Northern Rivers.
This April, the Northern Rivers will have it’s very own community bulk buy for solar and batteries – making the process easy and accessible, at lower prices.
Find out more, and RSVP to attend your free local event here: https://www.suncrowd.com.au/bulk-buy/northern-rivers-2017?aff=calderaenvironmentcentre
‘A Plastic Ocean’ screening in M’bah 29 April
Don’t miss this award-winning film that Sir David Attenborough calls ‘The most important film of our time’, which focuses on the impact of plastic in our oceans, marine life and our own health.
To reserve your tickets, please visit the Demand Film Event Page here: https://tickets.demand.film/event/1601. Unlike a traditional movie showing, my Demand Film screening requires that 50 more tickets be reserved in the next 39 days for the screening to go ahead.
We have a full evening of entertainment in store, including ocean-inspired art installations, music and luscious locally made morsels courtesy of JuJus and New Leaf. Drinks, including Stone & Wood ales, will also be available for purchase and we have some amazing sponsor-donated prizes to win.
New report into biodiversity offsetting
A message from the Nature Conservation Council of NSW
Dear Members,
As you may have seen in the news, at the Nature Conservation Council we’ve just released a new report into biodiversity offsetting schemes in NSW. The report, titled ‘Paradise Lost: The weakening and widening of NSW Biodiversity offsetting schemes, 2005-2016’ is a thorough analysis of existing offsetting schemes and an assessment of how they do (and usually don’t) meet best practice standards, putting nature at risk.
Understanding North Coast Soils Workshop 8 April postponed
A one day workshop in Murwillumbah. Postponed due to flooding. Management factors to enhance soil health will be covered in addition to elements of importance for soil biological function and microbiol activity.
To register and for more information on program and venue contact Judi Earl on 0409 151 969 or email judi@aimsag.com.au
NSW Planning Law Changes 2017
The Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill 2017 is on public exhibition until Friday 31 March 2017.
EDO Briefing Note – Six big changes to the Planning Act in 2017 (and three missed opportunities).
Northern Rivers Railway Action Group – Film Screening Night 13 March
Proposed NSW Koala Strategy
Concert for Koalas 11 March at Pottsville Beach
Ambrose Brown Park at the mouth of Mooball Creek. 10am-1pm.
Climate Emergency Declaration Petition
Calling on the Australian Parliament to declare a climate emergency and to mobilise resources to restore a safe climate. http://climateemergencydeclaration.org/petition2/
Steve Posselt is a Northern Rivers man kayaking to Canberra where he will deliver the signatures on Feb 26. More about Steve’s trip at http://districtbulletin.com.au/steve-posselt-climate-change-kayak/Sky Scout – Drones Against Deforestation
A Wilderness Society crowdfunding campaign. https://pozible.com/project/sky-scout
Australia is in the grips of a deforestation crisis. In Qld alone, an area the size of the MCG is cleared every three minutes. Not so long ago, we had stronger state laws against devastating mass deforestation. But those laws recently came undone. Deforestation typically takes place in remote locations and in secret. If Australians could see the extent of it, they wouldn’t stand for it.
Mass deforestation isn’t limited to the developing world. It doesn’t only happen in the Amazon. In fact, Australia has one of the most severe deforestation fronts on the planet.
Review of State Environmental Planning Policy 44 – Koala Habitat Protection
Conservation of Beach-nesting Birds: Volunteer Monitoring Workshop
24th January. 1.15pm – 3pm. Field trip 3pm – 4.30pm.
Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre.
Improving the conservation outlook for beach-nesting birds is incredibly challenging. Volunteers make an amazing difference to the future of these species by monitoring breeding beaches, reporting and protecting nests, and educationg other beachusers.
This workshop will focus on the methods used to safely monitor beach-nesting birds and you’ll learn how to interpret the quirky behaviours of the birds by going on the beach walk.
Have your say – Draft Coastal Management SEPP and Coastal Maps
There is still time to have you say on protections for our sensitive coastal environments – the submission deadline has been extended until Friday 20 January 2017.
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DOPE) is undertaking public consultation on a Draft Coastal Management State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) and Draft Coastal Mapping. The Coastal Management SEPP and maps will underpin the new Coastal Management Act 2016 that was passed earlier this year (but is yet to commence operation).
North Coast Energy Forum 2016 – It’s a wrap!
Welcome to the final NCEF newsletter for 2016, and for a while thereafter.
First of all, a huge thank you to everyone involved in this year’s forum – the sponsors, speakers, organising committee, and of course all of you who attended. As with previous years we had over 100 people there, despite a paucity of local media interest (thanks especially to the local World Rally Championship the weekend prior). And a special thanks too to the battery suppliers, some of whom came a long way to showcase the technology that is already transforming the energy sector (and it can’t come quick enough!).
Defend Democracy Press: Letter on the need for urgent measures to avert a nuclear war
Baird’s ‘koala extermination program’ condemned
Echonetdaily 21 November 2016
‘Stand up for koalas or they won’t survive in the wild’ is the warning call from the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA).
‘The NSW Government is carrying out a koala extermination program. It really can’t be seen as anything else. It is gutting protections for koalas in all the relevant legislation’ said NEFA spokesperson Dailan Pugh.
Mr Pugh was speaking out after the state government’s contentious Biodiversity Conservation bill passed parliament last week.
Solar citizens – Northern Rivers 100% Renewables Forum
Tuesday 29th November, 6:30-8:30 pm (doors open at 6pm). Lismore City Hall, 1 Bounty St, Lismore, NSW. RSVP here.
This event is part of our 100% Renewables Roadshow, with forums in towns and cities across the country. It will feature a presentation of the Homegrown Power Plan — a comprehensive policy road map designed by some of the brightest minds in the business which shows how we can upgrade Australia to 100% renewable power by 2030 — as well as other incredible guest speakers. List of speakers.
Laws passed – Baird condemns wildlife to bulldozers
Premier Baird just gutted the land-clearing laws that have been saving the lives of thousands of native animals like koalas, pygmy possums and squirrel gliders every year.
After several fiery hours of debate, it took just a few minutes for the final vote to seal the fate for our endangered wildlife. It’s a decision that will weigh heavily in the hearts of everyone who values our incredible wildlife, bushland and sustainable farming.
Chip in to help us hold Mike Baird to account for the destruction his laws will cause.
Community Tree Planting Day 4 December
Catalyst – The Anthropocene: a new age of humans
Human impacts on the way our planet functions have now become so extreme many scientists are claiming the Earth has shifted out of the Holocene state and into a new geological epoch.
They’re calling it ‘The Anthropocene’, the new age of humans, because millions of years after we are gone, the scar of our existence will be visible in the rocks of tomorrow.
In this episode we look at how the last 60 years of socio economic growth has transformed the human race into a geological force to rival nature.
The Bentley Effect – Regent Cinema – 18 November
When the coal seam gas industry staked aclaim on the Northern Rivers region of Australia, alarm bells rang out. A critical mass of people from all walks of life – activists, farmers, landowners, mums, dads, scientists, etc – organised themselves to rally against the unconventional gas invasion. Despite the enormous public opposition, the gas industry and the State Government were determined to see their gas plan through. A series of dramatic blockades ensued, before the final battle lines were drawn in the peaceful farming valley of Bentley. Thousands of people flocked to the site to stare down the threat of 850 riot police, ordered in to break up the protest.
NSW Crown Land corruption to be referred to ICAC – I just signed this petition — will you?
sign the petition
To: Premier Mike Baird & Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian
1. Bring about the immediate referral to the Independent Commission Against Corruption of the serious and systemic mismanagement of Crown land in NSW, including the cases of King Edward Park (Newcastle), Talus (Willoughby), Yasmar (Haberfield), Stuart Park (Wollongong) and Paddington Bowling Club.
2. Defer the commencement date of the Crown Land Management Act 2016 until after ICAC has investigated and reported on the matters.
Why is this important?
The Crown Land Management Bill – rushed through Parliament by the NSW Government on 9 November – was the Government’s response to years of allegations of systemic mismanagement and cronyism in its Crown Land Department (“Crown Lands”) and by local councils.
Liberal politician breaks ranks over land clearing
This morning the unimaginable has happened. A Liberal politician has broken ranks with his own party to raise serious concerns about Premier Baird’s new land clearing laws.
Bruce Notley-Smith, Member of Parliament for Coogee said:
“I am very concerned that these reforms could lead to further irreversible land degradation and endangerment of native wildlife habitat.”
Bruce is right and we need more MPs to stand up for nature. Will you take a minute to thank Bruce Notley-Smith for taking a stand by emailing him on coogee@parliament.nsw.gov.au or leaving a message on his facebook page here.
National Parks Association of NSW – Iconic status won’t be enough to save koalas unless Baird changes tack
What does it mean to be an icon in NSW? Not much apparently. Unless the Baird government has a complete rethink of its environment policy the iconic koala faces a bleak future says the National Parks Association of NSW.
Koalas are one of just six of the 1000-odd threatened species put on an ‘iconic’ pedestal in the NSW government’s Saving our Species (SOS) programme. According to the government, “iconic species are important socially, culturally and economically, and the community expects them to be effectively managed and protected”. 1
Survey about Tweed River Estuary Coastal Management Program
Give your feedback on the management of the Tweed River by completing the community online survey.
NSW Climate Change Policy Framework released
The policy sets two aspirational objectives:
- Achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
- NSW being more resilient to a changing climate.
The NSW government has also announced a $500 million funding package and released two draft climate change and energy savings documents for public consultation:
- Draft Climate Change Fund Strategic Plan
- A Plan to Save NSW Energy and Money
Visit the site to read the documents and register for a webinar briefing.
The submission form and information on how the community can have a say is available on the Make a submission page. Public submissions are due by 16 December 2016.
*** Read the Environmental Defenders Office discussion paper Planning for climate change: how the NSW planning system can better tackle greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientist Hugh Possingham quits over Baird government’s land-clearing plan
Sydney Morning Herald article
Conservation of Beach-nesting Birds Workshop
2016 North Coast Energy Forum
Theme: “The local energy revolution: Solar plus batteries plus us”.
Friday, 25 November, 2016
The North Coast Energy Forum was established in 2010 to drive the shift to a sustainable energy system for the NSW North Coast. Every year over 100 representatives of industry, government and the community come together to plan how to make this shift happen, strengthen the regional economy; and increase our regional energy security as well as lowering greenhouse emissions.
For the fifth time since the first Forum in Bellingen in 2010, we will bring together decision-makers from government, business and the community to work on creating a sustainable energy system for our region.
Magic for Mens Shed is the only one
Tweed Shire Council has approved the granting of a licence for the Men’s Shed at Black Rocks Sports fields.
The granting of the licence is currently open for public comment, closing 20th October.
The Lot 3 Centennial Drive location is a far more suitable location due to close proximity to the village centre and adjacent to the Rural Fire Services, SES and pre-school facilities.
Please take a few minutes to write to Council tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au requesting a deferral of the granting of a licence to the Pottsville and District Men’s Shed at Black Rocks sports field site until the newly elected council makes a decision on the use of part of the Lot 3 Centennial Drive site or adjacent sites as a permanent location for the Men’s Shed.
Koala Information Day – Saturday 5 November
NSW Land Management and Biodiversity Conservation Reforms – Summary of submissions report
97% of Crown Land leases go to those in the know, says Auditor General
Media release 8 September 2016
The Baird Government is grossly mismanaging the Crown Land estate and the community is being frozen out of decision-making, according to a report from the NSW Auditor General into the Sale and lease of Crown land.
This report confirms what the Greens and members of the public have been saying for years, that public parks, reserves and foreshores lands are being sold and leased at alarming rates with no transparency and minimal oversight. Urgent reform is needed to protect our precious public land estate.
Home Expo – Living for the Future 2016
Saturday 3 September 2016 from 9am – 2pm, Seagulls Club, Gollan Drive, Tweed Heads West. A one-stop-shop of local suppliers and inspirers with ideas and solutions for more sustainable living in the Tweed.
The Expo aims to help people:
- save costs
- be energy and water efficient
- reuse resources and reduce waste
- enhance the local environment
- cut greenhouse gas emissions
- move towards food and energy self-sufficiency
- improve your health and wellbeing
- support local suppliers
Cultivating Murder – global warming, land clearing and cold blooded murder.
Cultivating Murder is both a personal story of those affected by the murder of NSW environmental officer, Glen Turner in 2014 and an exploration of the wider political implications of the murder, in the context of proposed changes to Australia’s environmental protection laws.
You may wish to pledge a contribution to help get the film finished and released.
Focus on tiny homes in sustainable house design competition
Imagine a sustainable house that can bring the ability to live debt-free, with utility bills as low as $10 a month.
It’s not just a dream – the tiny house movement is a reality more Australians are adopting as a means of achieving freedom from debt, minimal environmental impact, and the opportunity to live simply.
For that reason, the focus for the Northern Rivers Sustainable House Day Design Competition this year is Tiny Homes. The competition is now open to residents, architects, designers and young people in the Northern Rivers.
Update from Enova Energy
Save our Tweed – No Runway Extension
The approval of the ILS has also secured an increase in the operational length of runway 14 unlawfully.
MDP Table 2.1: ILS components – A localiser antenna located 300m from runway 14 end (pg.15), currently 2,342m (Master Plan 2011, pg.85).
However, the antenna is located 300m from just inside the airport southern boundary giving runway 14 a length of 2500m (a longer take off length to the south).
Under the Airports Act a MDP is required for altering a runway (s.89 (ba). The approved ILS MDP made no reference to increasing the runway 14 length.
Seeking sustainable homes to open for Sustainable House Day
CEC submission to Upper House inquiry into Crown Land
Read CEC submission here.
CEC submission to NSW Biodiversity Law Reforms
Read CEC submission here.
Parliamentary Inquiry into Crown Land
Public lands should be held on trust for the people of NSW; managed by the Government with management directed at identifying and protecting the diverse values of public lands. The NSW Government is proposing significant changes to the way Crown land is managed in NSW.
The NSW Upper House is currently conducting an inquiry into Crown Lands in NSW. The inquiry will look at:
a) the extent of Crown land and the benefits of active use and management of that land to New South Wales,
b) the adequacy of community input and consultation regarding the commercial use and disposal of Crown land,
NCC’s joint submission to Biodiversity Legislation Review
Read the joint submission here
EDO submissions on NSW Biodiversity Law Reforms
Read the submissions on EDO NSW site.
EDO on NSW Biodiversity Reform
Stand Up For Nature
Visit http://www.standupfornature/resources to read the submission guide and more information about the proposed changes to our conservation and biodiversity laws.
Submissions will be accepted until 5pm on Tuesday 28 June 2016.
Festival Cancelled
Hi All
It is unfortunate that we are cancelling Sunday’s Festival due to predicted heavy rain and possible floods for the Tweed Valley, yet again.
On analysis of many weather predictions it is evident that the deluge will peak on Sunday with possible falls of up to 100mm. We are sorry for the inconvenience to you. It would be pointless to attempt the festival, as much as we would like to. We were prepared for moderate rain but not for rain as severe, as is predicted. We delayed postponing, to the last minute last time, as the accurate predictions were for a sunny Sunday which it was. The floods beat us then. This time it looks like Sunday Floody Sunday.
NSW biodiversity reforms: 6 things you need to know
EDO NSW has identified six key issues with the NSW Government proposed legislative and policy package.
http://www.edonsw.org.au/the_2016_nsw_biodiversity_reforms_6_things_you_need_to_know