Rallies against frackers, Tamboran Resources, and native forest logging have kept some Sydney Nannas busy this week while others have been writing submissions, and letters to pollies.
Tamboran Resources NT
Nannas and friends were in the city outside the meeting of Tamboran Resources on Monday 21 August to oppose shale gas fracking in the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory. We stood in solidarity with the Traditional Owners who have been actively opposing fracking for gas on their lands for over a decade. We sang about the insanity of fracking for gas with Patrick and Miguel, and handed out leaflets about the risks to water, cultural heritage and climate.
On Thursday the ABC reported that two contractors alleged they were told to keep spraying contaminated drill rig water around a gas fracking site in the Beetaloo Basin, despite the gas company, Tamboran Resources, knowing that the fluid was contaminated.
A snap rally was called for the following day at Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s office in Redfern. The Minister has committed to protecting water by implementing the water trigger for shale gas projects as part of her reform of environmental protection laws due next year, but there is no time to wait if the Beetaloo is to be protected.
After their regular Friday Zoom plotting meeting Nannas joined 350.org Australia, School Strike 4 Climate, AYCC and GetUp! members outside Plibersek’s office for the snap rally, a short but powerful demo about climate change, no need for new gas, and the need for a water trigger now. We can’t trust Tamboran and other gas miners with water and land, so putting a water trigger into environmental protection law is more urgent than ever.
Please email the Minister. There’s good info about what we need in this Getup petition. Plibersek needs to hear from thousands of people about following through on her promise to protect water in the Northern Territory, and to prioritise extending the water trigger in environmental laws.
Stop Logging Native Forests
Thursday – NSW is still logging native forests even though these forests draw down enough carbon to reach net zero emissions at the speed required. Native forests generate rain, cool the earth, clean our water and are critical habitat for endangered wildlife, such as the koala and Greater Glider.
Every NSW parliamentary sitting week the Bob Brown Foundation will hold a vigil at the corner of Martin Place and Macquarie Street and the first was on last Thursday. NSW Forestry Corporation’s Annual Report in 2022 showed a $9 million dollar loss for the hardwood division. Further dates are on the Nannas Calendar.
Knitting Nannas Coffs Harbour Weekly Friday Rally
Two Sydney Nannas joined Coffs Harbour Nannas and other forest protectors at a rally on Friday in front of the government-owned Forestry Corporation headquarters in Coffs Harbour. Ashley Love, the father of the Greater Koala National Park, arrived with the very exciting news that the loggers had pulled out early from Newry State Forest. He was hopeful that this would be the beginning of the end of the battle for GKNP.
Voice Referendum
Sydney Knitting Nannas and Friends have launched their Yes campaign for the Voice Referendum. We are voting YES for change.
Real Climate Action – no gas or coal
Nanna Elizabeth’s banner was the photograph for an article – If you are really worried about the next generation, the only thing that matters is climate change by Greg Jericho The Guardian 24 August 2023.
Nannas are listening to:
‘An intergenerational tragedy’: Ken Henry on Intergenerational Report ABC Radio National Breakfast