During Covid lockdowns, Sydney Knitting Nannas and Friends had weekly Zoom meetings to generate ideas for campaigning from home and to check that everyone was OK. These sessions proved to be very informative and productive so they have continued. The following was discussed at our last meeting on Friday morning.
Coal
Sydney Nannas were thrilled to hear on Tuesday that South 32 have abandoned the extension to their Dendrobium coal mine under Sydney’s water catchment. Along with many other people the Nannas had written submissions and many letters objecting to the extension. We discussed the importance of many groups working together to oppose the mine, with special mention of the Illawarra campaigners and Lock the Gate.
Move Beyond Coal campaign launch is on Saturday 17 September in Petersham 2-4pm – reserve your spot. Or online 22 September 6pm. RSVP here
Climate Emergency Declarations by Councils
Sydney Nannas had a special zoom meeting with Councillor Helen Healy from Mildura Rural City Council last Friday. Helen convinced her conservative Council to make the declaration because of their accountability and the possibility of being sued. Then she followed through on the required actions to reduce emissions.
Although many Sydney Councils have made the declaration, Nannas found the information very helpful for following up with their councils to ensure they are taking action too.
Koalas
This week the Nannas Koala Team wrote to the new Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, requesting she not approve both Lendlease’s Mount Gilead development Stage Two at Campbelltown, and the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan.
Members of the Nanna Koala Team will be at the Lane Cove Coal & Gas Watch stall at Lane Cove Plaza on Saturday 3 September from 9.30-12.30. We’ll be chatting about koalas and native forest logging, and asking people to help get signatures on the petition to save Campbelltown koalas.
.The Stop Logging petition debate will be held on Thursday 15 September in the NSW parliament commencing about 4pm. Activists are coming from north and south to an event outside the parliament starting at 2.30pm. There are 100 seats in the parliament for those wanting to listen to the debate.
The Koala Campout at Smith’s Creek will be held 17 and 18 September, organised with Bob Brown Foundation and Save Sydney Koalas. It’s possible to come for one day if you can’t camp over. Sign up sheet here
Climate Rallies
Sydney Knitting Nannas, along with many other groups are organising Climate rallies leading up to COP27 in November. 35 groups were involved in a rally in August and more groups are encouraged to join the next on 24 September at Sydney Town Hall at 1-3pm. An open meeting to broaden support will be held on Wednesday 7 September 6pm – probably at UTS.
Gas
The cost of the Kurri Kurri Gas Plant has blownout. Snowy Hydro boss Paul Broad resigned amid tensions with Chris Bowen on Friday. In an ABC radio interview he said using hydrogen is not feasible for at least another 10 years and the gas plant is needed to firm the grid when Liddel Power station closes [April 2023]. Equipment has been purchased and contracts signed. Other energy experts say this gas plant is not needed and is a waste of money. Sydney Morning Herald
The approved Hunter Gas Pipeline has been acquired by Santos and Applications to Survey have been sent to landholders along the pipeline route from Narrabri to Newcastle. The pipeline goes through productive farmland, hobby farms, coal mines, stock routes and koala habitat. Stock routes are being considered in spite of their importance to biodiversity – rare indigenous grasses and wildlife corridors.
Nannas discussed writing to their ALP MPs about the Federal Government’s recent decisions to expand gas and oil exploration and production:
– Approval of offshore storage using CCS, which companies “think will work”
– Offshore gas and oil exploration licences
– Kurri Kurri – waste of money see above
– Beetaloo gas and Scarborough petrochemical plant.
Peace
Discussion about military emissions, US arms manufacturing, and the recolonisation of Australia by the US – with military facilities everywhere, and the recent helicopter purchases.
AUKUS One Year Anniversary rally on 16 Sept – candle light vigil 5.30pm
Article by Nick Dean in Pearls & Irritations
The AUKUS rally will start the Raising Peace Festival and will be followed by more actions over the next 4 days.
WHAT NANNAS ARE READING
Book
Rigged – how networks of powerful mates rip off everyday Australians by Cameron K Murray & Paul Frijters.
Waste
Both waste and climate change should be the responsibility of industry and governments, not individuals ABC News
Alex Greenwich (Ind MP for Sydney in NSW lower house) made a speech about waste recently.
Greenwashing
Activist investors expand Santos lawsuit – we like to see photos of us in the news too Michael West Media
Sydney Knitting Nannas and Friends 