The Local Land Services Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2020 is likely to be voted on in the Upper House on 11th November. This bill will be the final nail in the coffin for our Native Forests and Koalas. There are three members who could change the outcome if we contact them now. They need to know…
From NEFA [North East Forest Alliance]: The changes to the LLS Act passed by the NSW Lower House will go to the Upper House in November. So there is still time to lobby Upper House MPs to vote it down – such as Catherine Cusack, Ben Franklin (who seems to have already sold his soul),…
“The story of teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg is told through compelling, never-before-seen footage in this intimate documentary from Swedish director Nathan Grossman. Starting with her one-person school strike for climate action outside the Swedish Parliament, Grossman follows Greta — a shy student with Asperger’s — in her rise to prominence and her galvanizing global…
The Draft Private Native Forestry Code of Practice have been open for public submissions. We have read the Draft Codes of Practice, and highlighted the bits of the document for you to read quickly, to focus and save time. It is ‘A permission-booklet for ecologically significant native forests destruction on privately held land.’ For further…
The pretence of our ‘soloutions’ exposed. The movie was blacklisted by those protecting big industry. .
Information regarding the areas which burned and the status of the fire ground biodiversity.
The world is ‘doubling down’ on fossil fuels despite the climate crisis. “Between 2020 and 2030, global coal, oil, and gas production would have to decline annually by 11%, 4%, and 3%, respectively, to be consistent with a 1.5°C pathway. But governments’ plans and projections indicate an average 2% annual increase for each fuel. “Continued…
‘Saving our Rainforests from Fire’ – Expert panel discussion: Big Scrub Landcare invited the community to listen to experts who were involved in fighting the fires and assessing their impacts on the Nightcap discuss these critically important issues in two online panel discussions, facilitated by Kerry O’Brien and Mick O’Regan. This free online event…
The genesis of this proposal was the finding of exceptional densities of Koalas at a number of localities and widespread Koala usage. The Koalas appeared to be increasing as the forests recovered from past logging, with good future prospects if the forest was allowed to age and provide increasing resources over time. This proposal is…
On a Day of Action to Save our Koalas, August 16th, individuals and community groups across NSW organised small ‘pop-up protests’ and virtual actions to attempt to cause nsw.gov to act now to implement the recomendations of the NSW Govt. Inquiry Report: ‘Koala Populations and Habitat in New South Wales’. Tweed representatives took the day of…
National Parks, directed by nsw.gov, for economic reasons, are to increase national park use tourism, especially here in the Caldera. Eg is a 4 day 45km walking trail starting at Mt Jerusalem to Minyon Falls. Marketed to the early adopters. The DA for the day 1 part of the track (‘Unicorn Falls’) closed for comments…
Government has prioritised the commercialisation of Crown Lands and misses both The Ecological Importance of Crown Lands and the need to move towards First Nations stewardship and co-management. Crown Land is our land, it belongs to the people of NSW and should be managed in the way we believe is appropriate. We have highlighted the interesting bits for…
Make your voice heard at the Independent Planning Commission, here’s how, …
Dear Friends of the Environment. The NSW Natural Resources Commission (NRC) is undertaking a Review, including submissions from the public, of the existing Tweed Water Sharing Plan (WSP) which expires next year. Currently there is a Clause 48 (1) that prohibits the building of a dam at Byrrill Creek. 10 years ago Save Byrrill Creek…
Council has prepared a draft Towards Zero Waste policy and is seeking feedback on or before Tuesday 21 July 2020. The CEC would like to encourage public endorsement and adoption by Council. The towards zero waste concept means designing and managing products to reduce the volume of waste and materials, to conserve and recover all materials where…
The inaugural Caldera Environment Centre ‘Ecological Arts For Information Merit Award’ has been awarded to the 1 minute duration video information unit: “If this, ….”. “If this, … ” is an awardee of The Caldera Environment Centre ‘Ecological Arts For Information Merit Award’. The Caldera Environment Centre. . .
From Nimbin EC: “There’s a bit of reading here, but it is well worth it ……………………………………… You will recall that Council had deemed the Nobbys Creek water extraction expansion application would be refused, so Appleby lodged an appeal in the Land and Environment Court. As part of the court process, Council was required to formally…
The Nature Conservation Council and the Australian Forest and Climate Alliance have made the following joint submission to the ARENA Bioenergy Roadmap: “Exclude forest derived biomass.” FDB is not a credible or desirable energy source or route out of fossil fuel dependence. We call on ARENA to contribute to responsible action on the climate crisis by…
I write to advise you that the Tweed Local Environmental Plan 2014 Amendment No. 28 – to remove the enabling ‘Clause 7.15 Water Bottling Facilities’ – has been legally made, effective Friday 29 May 2020. The outcome of this amendment is that water bottling facilities are now a prohibited land use in the RU2 Rural Landscape…
Agenda for the Council Meeting – 18 June 2020 on Thursday, 18 June 2020 3:00 PM. The Meeting will be held remotely via Lifestream. Click here to View the Meeting Agenda. Especially noteworthy: 17 REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENT 1. Climate Change Emergency Report Report Note: A revised Climate Change Management Policy is attached to…
The NSW Government has recommended approval of an 850-well coal seam gas field in the Pilliga forest wilderness and farmland near Narrabri. The Pilliga is the largest temperate forest we have left in the state. Turning it into an industrial gas field will poison groundwater, carve up the forest with roads and pipelines, endanger koalas…
Zoom in, to raise funds for the Climate Council! It’s an online auction of art items contributed by fabulous artists from Tweed and Byron Shires. All proceeds will go to The Climate Council. Barry Firth is raising funds for the Climate Council, after joining “Tassie Trek 2020”, a week-long trip through the Tarkine Wilderness, that…
The new koala protection guidelines rely heavily on the “Koala Development Application Map”. However, land clearing for “logging operations” on private lands” are exempt from these guidelines, as these operations do not normally require DA approval. For logging on private lands Koala protection is supposed to be based on local “Comprehensive Koala Plans of…
The government’s own logging corporation has been caught red-handed cutting down giant trees that were earmarked for protection in Wild Cattle Creek State Forest near Coffs Harbour. This outrageous destruction shows NSW Forestry Corporation can’t be trusted to obey already weak forest protection laws. It’s clear we need to end native forest logging. This is…
Stop the pollution of the air, it is horrible, stop it. And stop burning “biofuel” for goodness sake. “Bio-Fuel”: Feeding Forests Into Furnaces To Make Electricity. “Bio-Fuel” is burned in furnaces and the pollution released into the air. They lie that biofuel is an ‘ecologically sustainable’ furnace fuel. “Bio-Fuel” is a fraud, a lie, “Bio-Fuel”…
The Caldera Environment Centre (CEC) strongly supports the Draft Climate Change Policy – Net Zero 2030. This draft policy builds on the framework of the Tweed Shire Council Community Strategic Plan 2017-2027 – in particular regarding its goals of decreasing the carbon footprint of the Tweed Shire, progressing toward 100% self sufficiency in renewable energy…
Beyond Zero Emissions https://bze.org.au/the-million-jobs-plan/ The Million Jobs Plan is the framework to restore our economy. We’ve mapped out how we can rebuild our nation through practical projects that can restore our economy, modernise our industry, reskill our workforce and deliver a bright and secure economic future. We’ve identified seven key sectors across our economy where…
The level of clearing confirmed by expert report shows that rather than helping the environment our laws are now operating to put greater stress on native landscapes that are already suffering the impacts of climate change, drought and bushfires. Instead of building resilience and ensuring healthy and productive country, our laws are degrading the land.…
A community event held by Extinction Rebellion Tweed Valley. We are living through difficult times that have only gotten harder the last six months as we face regular new waves of social and environmental crises. In this time we are witnessing immense growing social injustices and the sixth mass extinction of life on Earth. Many…
The NSWG Plastic Plan speaks of redesign laws and fairly lightweight ban promises, not very impressive given the situation we are now in regarding plastic. “If this, … “If this, … ” is an awardee of The Caldera Environment Centre ‘Ecological Arts For Information Merit Award’.
. https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0PG4Tcsm8QKYf . . . . . .
>15,000 hectares of NSW previously protected old-growth and high-conservation-value public forests are to be logged. More than 29,000 hectares of previously protected old-growth forests on private land have already been opened up to logging in recent years. These rare and important forests have been protected for almost 20 years. They store huge amounts of carbon…
Dear Invitee. David has asked our [CEC] attention and interest, he has provided the 9 minute Pre Film Preview and requested feedback regarding the degree of interest shown. … Northern NSW native forests are to be fed into European furnaces as fuel to make electricity. Here is the 10 minute Pre Film Preview – Gondwana…
The UN has declared “It’s Time for Nature” as the theme for this year’s World Environment Day. To explain the theme the UN says, “The foods we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the climate that makes our planet habitable all come from nature. Yet, these are exceptional times in which…
“… the renewable energy directive … amend the present directive … avoid expansive harm to the world’s forests and the acceleration of climate change. “The flaw in the directive lies in provisions that would let countries, power plants and factories claim credit toward renewable energy targets for deliberately cutting down trees to burn them for…
The NSW Govt Audit Office report found the clearing of native vegetation on rural land is not effectively regulated and managed. “The processes supporting the regulatory framework are weak and there is no evidence-based assurance that clearing of native vegetation is carried out in accordance with approvals.” https://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/our-work/reports/managing-native-vegetation
The North East Forest Alliance is calling for an immediate halt to land-clearing in the light of the Natural Resources Commission’s damning review showing that land-clearing has skyrocketed, the promised off-setting is not being implemented, Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value are not being protected, the regulatory map has not been released, and that land-clearing represents a…
Our annual Festival has been postponed till further notice. The CEC shop in Queen St Murwillumbah is closed till further notice
The Climate Council is at the forefront of studies aimed at getting a “green recovery” after the epidemic. We are therefore facilitating opportunities to join with them in this endeavour. Australia’s economic response to the coronavirus crisis is being decided. Right now, we have an opportunity that we didn’t have before, to craft the future we…
TSC Draft Climate Change Policy targets net zero by 2030 Tweed Shire Council is stepping up its response to climate change by laying a firm policy foundation for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting the Tweed to the impacts of climate change. Mayor of Tweed Councillor Katie Milne said the Tweed needed to respond to the…
Dear Independent Review of the EPBC Act.
Tweed Local Strategic Planning StatementOn exhibition from Tuesday 3 March 2020 to Friday 3 April 2020Local residents and visitors to the Tweed are invited to have their say on the Tweed Local Strategic Planning Statement ‘the Statement’ which sets out the 20 year vision for land-use planning in the Tweed. The Statement describes the special…
Australia’s 2019-20 bushfire season is shaping up as being the worst on record. Already, New South Wales and Queensland have su ered more property damage and forest loss than in any previous fire season, with the worst fire danger period yet to come for Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. This guide sets out the facts…
8 min. duration. Produced by the Bob Brown Foundation with the support of Patagonia. . .
A number of groups have appeared before the NSW Legislative Council inquiry into Koala populations and habitat in New South Wales and have requested the committee actively call on the NSW Government to put in place a moratorium on logging koala habitat across public and private lands as an emergency response to the loss of thousands…
November 15, Lismore, Tweed Water Alliance are convening a meeting of key people with a view to thinking through the mess of legislation and regulation around groundwater. “We are keen to protect our groundwater stocks and wind back this ridiculously greedy industry. Of course we will let you know the outcome and urge you to…
Justice Pain gave Karlos a belting. The Tweed Shire Council didn’t come out of it too well either. It’s a litany of either wrong or misconstrued advice, miscommunication and in our view, askewed interpretation of the local government act. That act and others around water were written to favour business and life has changed since…
The Caldera Environment Centre encourages those who care about the conservation and recreational use of the Tweed River estuary to forward a submission in support of the Plan to Tweed Shire Council. The Plan has introduced the concept of Character Zones in two locations, Stotts Island (high conservation significance) and upstream of the Commercial Road…
The Tweed Sustainability Awards: Public voting is now open.Vote across the three categories of: Regenerative Agriculture, Wildlife and Habitat Conservation and Tweed Sustainability. Read more about the nominees …, a chance to find out about the inspiring people and projects helping to protect and enhance our natural environment. The CEC has nominated Claire Masters and World Environment Day…
NEFA (North East Forest Alliance) have identified a nationally significant population of Koalas on the Richmond Lowlands, with core breeding habitat in Braemar, Carwong and Royal Camp State Forests. The Forestry Corporation are proposing to log the Koala high use areas in Braemar State Forest. NEFA need your help to stop them. “The rules used…
PRESS RELEASE The Pottsville Global Strike for Climate rally was attended by 1580 people who marched along the main Street to make their point – that Climate Justice is needed now. The count was taken as the attendees filed out from Ambrose Brown park. Welcome to Country was spoken by Claude Williams of the Tweed…
At its meeting on 19th September, Tweed Shire Council adopted a motion put by the Mayor, Katie Milne, to declare a Climate Emergency. Speeches addressing this motion were made in the Public Forum by Jasmine Cook, a member of Council’s “Youth Advisory Committee”; and by Barry Firth, a member of CEC. The motion was adopted…
We are facing an unprecedented global emergency. We are at ecological, economic and social tipping points right now, as you read this text. Australia is currently headed for a 4°C rise in global average temperature from preindustrial times, this amounts to a catastrophic loss of life. We are calling on everyone, regardless of your political…
The Annual General Meeting of Caldera Environment Centre will be held at 5.30pm on 5th November 2017 at 4 Queen Street Murwillumbah.
We need the biggest crowd ever ( including as many students as possible) at the Council meeting in Murwillumbah at 4.30pm on 19 September to send the conservative Councillors an overwhelming message that we want them to vote with Greens Mayor Katie Milne and declare a CLIMATE EMERGENCY!!! The meeting will start at 5.30pm however members of the community…
The new water regulator (Natural Resource Access Regulator) is now handling Tweed Water Alliance’s complaints to the Department of Water. They have asked the Office of Water for the metering records – they’re going to find out soon enough that they don’t exist. They’ll then have to get documents from the operators and with any…
7 [NOM-Cr K Milne] Climate Emergency Declaration NOTICE OF MOTION: Councillor K Milne moves that Council: 1. Declares that we are in a state of climate emergency that requires urgent action by all levels of government, including by local councils. 2. Notes that on 14 August 2019 Council’s Youth Advisory Committee proposed that Youth Council,…
There is to be a world-wide Global “Students’ Strike for Climate” (“SS4C”) on Friday, 20th September.
Tweed Shire residents are requested to support this world-wide action by attending a rally at Pottsville, at 11 am that day.
The global SS4C movement was started by Greta Thunberg, a Swedish school student, now an international celebrity.
The demands of the Strikers in Australia are as follows:
It is envisaged that adults will join this strike, which is already supported by some businesses and trade unions.
Here is what the students have to say:
We are in the thick of the climate crisis. Yet our Government wants to open the floodgates to new coal, oil and gas projects that put all of us at risk.
We are already hurting from the impacts of climate change. If we don’t act now to transition fairly and swiftly away from fossil fuels, this will only get worse. It’s going to take all of us working together to succeed.
Join people everywhere on September 20 – three days out from the UN’s Emergency Climate Summit — by taking the day off school, uni or work to show our politicians that we’re serious about climate justice for all. The world isn’t waiting so neither are we.
Where: Ambrose Brown Park, Pottsville
When: Friday, September 20 2019, from 11:00 am
The rally is being held at the Rappville turnoff from the Summerland Way, 24 km south of Casino. The North East Forest Alliance has welcomed the postponement of logging of core Koala habitat in Braemar State Forest as an opportunity for the community to increase pressure on the NSW Government to protect extant populations of…
Have your say before 4pm Tuesday 17 September. In response to community concern, Council is proposing to remove a clause in the Tweed Local Environmental Plan 2014 that enables Water Bottling Facilities in the RU2 Zone. Existing water bottling facilities will remain permitted on the land where they are currently located. Have your say before 4pm Tuesday…
Email: TSC@tweed.nsw.gov.au Subject: Draft Planning Proposal PP18/0004 Main points to make (in your ow words): > Water belongs to the community and should not be used for private profit. > Given concerns over negative environmental impacts of water extraction, the precautionary principal should be applied. > With more and more heavy vehicles transporting extracted water…
School students around the world are taking the day off to join in a ‘Global Climate Strike’ three days before the United Nations Emergency Climate Summit. There will be a ‘Global Climate Strike’ rally in the Tweed Shire at Ambrose Brown Park on the Tweed Coast Road Pottsville Beach at 11am on Friday, 20 September…
