TSC residents can attend a special local meeting with Premier and Cabinet on July 30 Twin Town Club 12 noon -1:15 to talk about Tweed issues.. (People have to register.) It could be a chance to ask for koala protection across the whole state not just on the coast, permission for Council to have an environmental levy, or more…
Great Koala National Park
Open letter to Premier Minns and the NSW Government January 10, 2025. IT IS PAST TIME FOR THE MINNS GOVERNMENT TO STOP LOGGING THE GREAT KOALA NATIONAL PARK. THEY MUST HONOUR THEIR COMMITMENT TO PROTECT IT. The Minns’ Government was elected on a promise to save Koalas and create the Great Koala National Park, but…
NSW Parks: Sounds of nature: Border Ranges Gondwana Rainforest
“Listen to our (NPWS) Gondwana Rainforests soundscape on the NSW National Parks, to be transported to this incredible part of Australia. Border Ranges National Park forms part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, which stretches past Newcastle to south-east Queensland. The Gondwana Rainforests are globally recognised as home to the most extensive areas…
Plastic Reinforced Paper Tea Bags: We are ingesting millions of nano particles of plastic per cup of tea
We are all becoming more aware of unwanted ingestion of plastic molecules and the retention of these molecules in our bodies. The paper of many popular brand tea bags are strengthened with plastic because otherwise the paper tea bag would fall apart in the hot water. When a plastic strengthened tea bag goes through the…
ReUse: $4 Refill Tablet for household cleaning spray containers, at the CEC.
Plastic production reduction – don’t buy a new plastic spray bottle of cleaner each time, instead use an empty plastic spray bottle or get a glass spray bottle from us, then add the refill tablet, and then add water. The refill tablets are available at the Caldera Environment Centre, $4 each. “The tablets are 100%…
The Draft Hastings Point Headland Management Plan
Council sought feedback on a draft management plan for Hastings Point headland. The plan aims to improve the quality of this public open space while protecting the headland’s natural environment and cultural heritage values, both now and in the future. https://www.yoursaytweed.com.au/hastingspointheadland
Caravan Park at Pottsville refused by NSW.gov, as per Community and TS Council Recommendation.
Tweed Link #1400 4 June 2025: “The Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP) recently announced their decision to refuse the application (DA 25/0011) at Pottsville. The Development Application for 1183 Cudgera Creek Road, Cudgera Creek included the building of a caravan park containing 267 long term sites and 12 short term sites, clubhouse, outbuildings and associated…
FoodAware Murwillumbah , this July’s Daring Dialogue at the Kambucha Cafe
“FoodAware Murwillumbah is a community project that has been set up to share with the community the knowledge needed to make informed food choices in the light of recent findings on the links between climate change, deforestation and animal farming, the leading driver of climate change, arguably of greenhouse gases as well, and to spell…
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…
Tweed Landcare Video – ‘Filling the Biodiversity Gaps connecting Tweed Coast to Border Ranges’
Tweed Landcare’s highly successful signature project. Funded consecutively for the last 10 years by the NSW Environmental Trust Restoration and Rehabilitation grant program enabling Tweed Landcare to work with thirty-three landholders in key locations to bush regenerate over 250 hectares of degraded natural areas.
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…
Tweed Shire Council > Monthly Public Access Meetings > Agenda for the upcoming Thursday 19 June Meeting
[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…
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…
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…
Nature Conservation Council
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…
Tweed Shire Council > Strategic Plan for Holiday Parks > Concerns about Plastics In The Environment.
Note that the Tweed Council 15th May Monthly Meeting Agenda Items includes: “Synthetic Grass in Tweed Holiday Parks”, submitted to the meeting by the Director of Sustainable Communities and Environment. The agenda item reads: “At the Ordinary Meeting held 18 July 2024, Council resolved to endorse the Tweed Holiday Parks 2023 -2034 Strategic Plan. Within…
Event at M-Arts, Politics of Life presents ‘Now or Never, Building Resiliance in the Midst of Climate Chaos’
[nefanews]: Axe falls on loggers’ plan to avoid battle over gliders
[Caldera note: A recent court case determined that private people or entities could not take legal action against logging operations carried out in breach of regulations, and that only government entities had that right. The current court case has over-ruled that finding, opening the courts to individuals and groups to pursue legal action against logging…
Welcome to the new CEC location
Now, after two years without a premises, the Caldera Environment Centre and Shop is back in Murwillumbah. As before, the centre and shop is operated by volunteers and is open week days and Saturday morning. Drop in to our centre about the environment, or to shop for environment books, for adults and children, and we…
CEC Movie Club – ‘ALBATROSS, A Love Story’
A highlight of the movie is the slow motion footage of the albatross mating ritual, turning a chaotic cacophonous flurry into an elegant and choreographed mating dance. Also, the National Parks guide pushes away the grass growing through the nests, revealing the skeletal remains of the chick in the nest, the small pile of plastic…
The Literal End of the Shearwater Ocean Birds because Plastic
This the end of the Shearwater ocean bird species, et al, in our lifetimes, because plastic. ABC News have reported on the Shearwater birds nesting on Lord Howe Island feeding their chicks in their nests with plastic which they mistake for food, so much so that 20% of the chick’s bodyweight is plastic, and one…
Plastic Lined Cardboard Coffee Cups
Plastic in coffee cups
“If this, …
“If this ocean bird of this species, … then every ocean bird of this species.” “If this ocean bird species, … then every ocean bird species.” ect. A one minute duration information unit about the Collapse of the Ocean Ecology because plastic in the environment. “If this, … ” is an awardee of The Caldera…
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…
Shop instead at the Caldera Environment Centre for ceramic take-away keep cups.
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…
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…
Birdlife Northern Rivers: “Council’s Plan for area including 39 West End Street Murwillumbah”
“Mr Troy GreenGeneral ManagerTweed Shire CouncilPO 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).…
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…
Nature in the Balance, Bob Brown and Mandy Nolan at the Murbah Civic Centre
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: Climate Action…
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…
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…
Caldera Slideshow
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…
We’re Back!
The Murwillumbah Makers and Finders Market, Saturday 21st of December
Fridays4Forests
Great Koala National park
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…
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…
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…
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…
Silent Spring
The extraordinary story of a lowly-paid public servant who launched an environmental conservation movement and became an unlikely 1960s pop culture icon. Using a combination of lyrical writing and fact driven journalism, when Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was published in 1963 it alerted the world …19 Dec 202419 December 2024 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/search?query=theBooks that changedUs SilentSpringRachel Carson
Native Forests Rally Mullumbimby
Native Forests Rally in Mullumbimby at the Civic HallSunday 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…
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…
Find Us
The Caldera Environment Centre and Shop is at 2/43 Wollumbin Street, Murwillumbah. (Next to Whole Foods). 43a Wollumbin StreetMurwillumbah NSW 2484Australia Email: caldera@calderaenvironmentcentre.org Web: http://calderaenvironmentcentre.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calderaenvironmentcentre CEC Shop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calderaenvironmentcentreshop/ Post: PO Box 5090 South Murwillumbah NSW 2484 Australia