Tweed Shire Council August Monthly Meeting. “A Trio of Environmental Concerns”
The upcoming TSC monthly meeting is Thursday August 21st.
Note the following agenda items:
- Notice of motion for native animal friendlier night lighting on Council property.
Notice of motion to increase resources towards bushland and urban out of control weeds.
- Councillor Brinsmead – NoM: Review of Council’s Weed Management Practices.
- Note Also: Councillor Nola Firth reporting from her attendance at the NSW Weeds Conference. Cr Firth: Weeds NSW Conference Report.
- Protection of non-local mature trees. Draft Development Control Plan.
See below, Councilor Nola Firth interviewed by Johnathon Howard of the Tweed Valley Weekly on the above items.
Recommended reading.
‘Greenwashing’, Parliamentary Inquiry, “Submissions Welcome”
CEC: “Claims by government agencies that Native Forest Biomass Fuel, fuel for furnaces in the generation of electricity, is ‘Ecological Sustainable’ comes to mind as ‘greenwashing’. The Parliamentary Inquiry however is unlikely to look at the governments own inflated and misleading greenwashing claims, claims which are enabling and subsidising their policies of destruction of native forest ecologies.” And “We have lost faith in the institution of Government in its current composition to protect nature, because of their greenwashing gaslighting and deception, on, for example, the fraud of the ecological sustainability of native forest biomass furnace fuel for electricity generation.”
M-Arts Event: This Stuff Matters > ‘The Serious Role of Creative Arts in Times of Crisis’
STOP CLEARING AND BURNING FORESTS FOR ELECTRICITY, Don’t allow Redbank
NEFA: Please object to the Restart of Redbank Power Station by burning 850,000 tonnes of native forests each year, obtained from landclearing. SUBMISSIONS NEEDED BY 5:00pm on Monday 18 August 2025. MAKE YOURS NOW.
This month NSW’s Independent Planning Commission is deciding whether to approve a massive increase in landclearing in western NSW to burn 850,000 tonnes of ‘biomass’ each year into a disused coal powerplant at Redbank, near Singleton in the Hunter Valley.
This will be Australia’s first conversion of coal fired powerplant into a wood fired one.
The Independent Planning Commission is deciding Verdant Earth Technologies Limited’s proposal to restart the disused Redbank Power Station near Singleton by burning 850,000 tonnes of biomass from native forests each year. The original intent was to obtain the biomass from intensified logging operations, now they are saying it will mostly come from landclearing. This will require significant increases in the rate of landclearing, at a time when we need to stop it. There is nothing ecologically sustainable about clearing tens of thousands of hectares of native vegetation inhabited by millions of native animals, and converting it into carbon dioxide to worsen climate heating. To make matters worse they are claiming the 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 released when the wood is burnt doesn’t really exist, claiming it is clean and green because there are no emissions what-so-ever.
The Tweed River District Official Tourist Guide, Murwillumbah – The Centre of Tourist’s Routes.
pdf – Scenic Beauties of the Tweed River District, Official Tourist Guide, Murwillumbah – The Centre of Tourist’s RoutesDownload
“The Upper Tweed affords scenes of beautiful fertile valleys, lofty mountains and hills, bold cliff and rugged bluff, all having rich and varied vegetation.
“… a great wealth of choicest timber trees, including Cedar (red and white), Teak, Beach, Baligum, Sasafras, Cudgera, Black and Redbean, Rosewood, Beefwood, a large variety of Fig trees, and numerous varieties of giant scrub trees, besides the various giant hardwoods in the forest areas.
“Of this wonderful scenic district, Murwillumbah, on the Tweed River, between a horseshoe range of mountain peaks and the sea, is an ideal centre for tourists.
“Destroyed by fire in 1907 it arose from its ashes, rebuilt in improved form – the centre of fertile converging valleys.
NEFA: The North East Forest Alliance
NEFA LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FOR RICHMOND RIVER KOALA PARKS
NEFA have started a campaign for 56,200 hectares of public native forests in the southern Richmond River valley and on Richmond Range (south of the Bruxner Highway) to be created as the Richmond River Koala Reserves. This is largest stronghold of koalas in the Richmond catchment, a genetically different population from that found in the Great Koala National Park (see below). Protecting these forests will also help over 130 other threatened species and improve the health of the Richmond River.
It is proposed that 56,200 ha of State Forests in the southern catchment of the Richmond River valley and along the southern Richmond Range be created as the Richmond River Koala Parks. These parks will:
- protect the largest area of Koala habitat in the Richmond catchment and habitat of 130 other threatened species,
- help restore the health of the Richmond River by increasing stream flows in dry times and reducing flooding and sediment runoff in wet times, and
- create a regionally important wildlife corridor along the Richmond Range from Bundjalung National Park to the Border Ranges National Park.
These parks encompass 40,000 ha (5.7%) of the Richmond River Catchment, including 37,800 ha (21%) of the Bungawalbin Creek sub-catchment. The proposed parks extend from the floodplain up into the headwaters on the Richmond Range. Forests are an important part of the water cycle, recycling rainfall back into the atmosphere (cooling the land in the process), storing water and releasing surplus water into streams. As the forests recover from past logging the maturing forests will moderate streamflows, increasing baseflows in dry periods and reducing peak flows and flooding in rainfall events.
The years-long review into rodent poison killing native animals is still…
World Environment Day Festival Success, with Expert Speakers, Live Music and Community Action, Well Done to all concerned!
The festival on 13 July celebrated biodiversity and climate solutions in the Northern Rivers.
The World Environment Day Festival returned to Murwillumbah on Sunday 13 July, bringing together the community for a day of environmental education, live music, and collective action from 10am to 3:30pm.
Hosted by Tweed Landcare and the Caldera Environment Centre, this year’s free festival shone a spotlight on the region’s unique biodiversity while promoting practical solutions to climate and conservation challenges facing the Northern Rivers.
The event was MC’d by Community Advocate and Organiser Chels Hood Withey, with an impressive lineup of expert speakers addressing critical environmental issues.
The Caldera Environment Centre “Still the best Environmental Bookshop in the Northern Rivers”, looking forward to the World Environment Day event.
Cup Library at The Padock Coffee Shop
TSC: 1000 trees community tree planting for National Tree Day, Byangum, Sunday 27 July, and, Grants of up to $4,000 for Tweed farmers for sustainable land management.
TSC Tweed Link:
1000 trees community tree planting for National Tree Day! Col Wiley Park, Byangum,Sunday 27 July, from 9 am to 12 noon to help improve water quality, protect wildlife and reduce river erosion.
Also, grants of up to $4,000 for Tweed farmers for sustainable land management for projects that improve soil health, water management, biodiversity and more.
NPWS: Border Ranges 360 degree experiences
“Discover some of the rare and remarkable animals, plants and habitats that make Border Ranges National Park special, with our [NPWS] interactive 360-degree images.
The Border Ranges is a special place where primitive plants and animals have evolved and landscapes have barely changed in millions of years. As a refuge for many threatened species, some areas in the park have been declared Assets of Intergenerational Significance, giving them extra protections.
Swipe, zoom and click the popup pins to explore each 360 experience.
Meeting with Premier and cabinet – July 30 Tweed Heads
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 funding for Devils Fig and not just for the top weeds, for changes to zombie developments that have environmental protections no longer allowed or whatever else residents want.
“Tweed Community Cabinet Community Cabinet will be held in Tweed Heads on Wednesday 30 July. The Tweed community is invited to attend a Community Forum at Twin Towns Clubs and Resorts, Tweed Heads, from 12:00pm-1:15pm. At this event, attendees will be provided the opportunity to take part in a Q&A session at which they may be able to ask the Premier and Cabinet Ministers questions about topics …” Community Cabinet | NSW Government
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 instead they have increased logging, 21 months later they have logged 7,185 hectares of the park, 8.4% of its loggable area, and refuse to stop. This likely encompasses the homes of over 500 Koalas, along with another 37 Threatened Species.
In January 2015 the NSW ALP opposition leader Luke Foley first promised, if elected, to create the 315,000 hectare Great Koala National Park (GKNP), incorporating 175,000 ha of State Forests and 140,000 ha of existing reserves. This commitment was also taken to the 2019 election.
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 of subtropical rainforest in the world, plus most of the world’s Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest. These extraordinary areas contain ancestors of ancient and primitive plants and animals.”
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 temperature change of being immersed the hot water when making a cup of tea, thousands of micro and millions of nano sized plastic molecules fracture and fragment away from the plastic of the plastic strengthened paper tea bag into your cup of tea. [Source: (link).]
The plastic nano molecules we ingest accumulate in our brains, we don’t know why, however plastic accumulates in our bodies mostly in our brain, Plastic accumulates in the brain at ~10 times higher levels than in the liver or kidneys (91% vs. 4% and 4% of total plastic mass in these organs), at a rate of millions of nano particles of plastic ingested per cup of tea. [Source: (link).]
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% natural. Made with essential oils and plant-based ingredients.”
“Easy to use, Lovely Scents, Effective Cleaning, Safe for sensitive kids”
Not dwelling on the subject here, but plastic spray bottle production and disposal is a literal ecological nightmare for the very near future. You want it all to change, but it won’t.
However, for your own mental health, refill your empty spray bottle with a refill tablet and add water.
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.
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 roads.
The NRPP was the deciding body for the application as it was valued at more than $30 million dollars, a higher amount than can be approved by Tweed Shire Council.
Ultimately their determination – which was unanimous – was based on the idea that a key part of the infrastructure (the effluent dispersal area) required for the caravan park was located on land that was not zoned for such a use. However, they also considered a wide range of concerns outlined by the Tweed Shire Council in their submission to the Panel.
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 out the urgent need for a demand-driven transition to plant based agriculture.
“A FoodAware Murwillumbah community project team member is Gerard Wedderburn-Bishop,
A leading analyst of global warming causes, a former principle scientist with Queensland’s Natural resources Department, Executive Director of the World Preservation Foundation and author of ‘Eating Our Way to Extinction’ on which the internationally premiered film of the same name is based.
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 Doug Moran’s Mt Nullum resort. These proposals sparked significant community opposition due to concerns over environmental destruction and lifestyle changes.
An estimated $2000 million in development proposals were planned for Tweed Shire.
The Ocean Blue proposal for Fingal led to an ICAC inquiry in 1989, exposing corruption among local officials.
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 item on the agenda to do with plastic in the environment, namely the plastic lawn of a leisure facility and the Council’s Strategic Plan for Holiday Parks.
We would like to draw your attention to our webpage about the agenda item, and to some of the other posts to do with plastic in the environment.
As well as the more obvious issue of disposal, We Are All Ingesting Plastic.
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 the state government to end its loss-making logging of native forests after the Forestry Corporation’s hardwood division posted a $14.9 million loss in its latest half-year results.
In a letter sent to Treasurer Daniel Mookhey on Friday, the 12 MPs described public native forest logging as “one of the most fiscally irrational and environmentally destructive practices currently being maintained by this government.
The MPs said it was costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars a year to destroy ecologically valuable forests, despite the potential for jobs in plantations.
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 beauty of the natural world and reveals the sophisticated lives of creatures that are not usually witnessed. Maria Fernanda Cardoso: Spiders of Paradise is an exhibition developed and toured by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
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 these beggars belief, when their core problem is that their royalties don’t even cover the costs of cutting down the trees and transporting them to the mills.
Timber production and financial results remain below expectations
The ongoing depression in new housing construction was reflected in below average timber sales during the reporting period, particularly for the high quality softwood timber that is predominately used to construct house frames. Expenditure control measures continued to be effective, however financial returns remained well below previous years. Hardwood timber production also continued to be constrained by regulatory changes reducing timber supply in coastal native forests as well as wet weather and protest disruptions. Force majeure notices were issued to customers in northern NSW due to the impacts of changes to regulatory protocols that prevented harvesting in koala hubs
Nature Conservation Council
Links to Nature Conservation Council website, recommended.
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 Forestry Operations Approval (CIFOA), the Forestry Act 2012, and the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Further information available here
The EPA appeared before a Budget Estimates hearing.
Former independent member of NSW Parliament and spokesperson for the Forest Alliance Justin Field said: “the Alliance and the community welcomes the decision to prosecute.”
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 this resolution, Council required the General Manager to finalise and bring back a report on potential risks associated with the use of synthetic grass in Holiday Parks, alternatives to its use and a detailed asset management plan to best manage the use of synthetic grass in the Holiday Parks to mitigate the risk of microplastic and Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution and to ensure recycling at the end of life of the product.
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 operations which are in breach of regulations. This is important as the NSW Government has been protective of logging operations and has refused to take action against breaches of regulations.]
“Environmentalists have hailed a High Court decision in their battle to protect habitat for gliders.
The nation’s highest court has kept the door open for environmental groups to prosecute law-breaking loggers when regulators won’t, dealing another blow to the native timber industry.
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 have a great selection of locally indigenous rainforest trees for planting, including bush-tucker food trees, lomandras, birdwing butterfly vine plants and more, and a range of selected merchandise, all natural and friendly.
Caldera Activities: World Environment Day is back again on Sunday 1 July at The Showgrounds, Murwillumbah. There is a great line up of stalls, speakers, entertainment and displays.
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 in its stomach reveals the cause of death, nest after nest.
The movie ALBATROSS, a film by Chris Jordan.
“… a poetic guided tour into the depths of your own spirit.
… a message of life and love for nature.
… a visual journey into the heart of an astonishingly symbolic environmental tragedy.
The Midway Atoll is home to the largest albatross colony in the world. More than 1.5 million of these birds make their home there, thousands of kilometers away from any continent. A protected wildlife refuge since 1988, Midway ought to be an incredibly pristine, beautiful, natural sanctuary for these birds. Yet, like all creatures, they have to navigate today’s world.
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 can feel the plastic in their stomachs. Such is the killing effect of plastic in the environment.
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 Environment Centre ‘Ecological Arts For Information’ Merit Award.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Nature in the Balance, Bob Brown and Mandy Nolan at the Murbah Civic Centre
Bob Brown and Mandy Nolan will be at the Murbah Civic Centre on Friday 21st February, 7pm, the event is titled ‘Nature in the Balance, Keynote, conversation and Q&A.
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 Café #1, Murwillumbah RSL
Wednesday 19 February 2025, 5 pm for 5:30 start - Climate Action Café #2, Cabarita Beach Bowls and Sports Club
Saturday 22 February 2025, 12 noon for 12:30 pm start
“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.
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.
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.