Nannas are often asked whether signing petitions and contacting politicians changes anything. Nannas reply: It’s hard to tell but what we do know is that Parliament House is crawling with coal and gas lobbyists.
Their goal is to stop any effective amendments to our environmental protection laws when changes are debated this week. So we need to keep telling pollies their job is to act for us and future generations.
Let’s give nature our best shot – there are many petitions and email campaigns going to MPs from environmental and climate groups so why not do them all and ask our friends to do them as well. Phoning and emailing personal messages to pollies is important too. This chance won’t be back any time soon, so let’s grab it.
See campaigns by ACF, Move Beyond Coal, Environmental Justice Australia, Greenpeace.
Federal Labor Knitted Report
Nanna Anne started a federal Labor knitted report on climate action at an event outside Kirribilli House on 8 May 2024. Anne and others are knitting two rows a day until we hear the Prime Minister say “coal and gas approvals? NO WAY!”
Achievements are shown in green and regresses in red, orange and purple but most days are Nanna yellow. More information here
Rising Tide Blockade and Protestival
There are preparations going on around the country for the Rising Tide Blockade/Protestival at Newcastle coal port on 19-25 November, to be followed by the Canberra Wave on 26-28 November.
There are lots of events going on to help people learn about the plan and to decide how they want to be involved. You can request Rising Tide to notify you of coming events.
Nannas have attended information sessions, film screenings and non-violent direct action training. Watch out for the next opportunities to attend these sessions. There is also a recording of a special event where there was a frank discussion about the alliance between the trade unions and the environment movement.
If you are planning to attend any of the Protestival please register now to help the organisers in their planning.
Water Team
On Thursday last week two Nannas attended the six-weekly zoom meeting of the NCC Water Working Group. The main topics were:
1. The Connectivity Report
When Nannas attended a forum that brought together campaigners from the northern basin of the Murray Darling river system last month we were encouraged to hear about the NSW Connectivity Expert Panel’s Report. The independent panel has come up with what was agreed are critical first steps to restore the rivers. The Water Minister, Rose Jackson, attended and expressed support for the strategy.
In reply to that Report, the government (DPIE Water) has produced a document Building the pathway to improved northern Basin connectivity
The Nature Conservation Council (NCC) is examining it in detail and a summary will be available soon. In the meantime Mel Gray, the NCC water campaigner, warned that there are many red flags in the document and that they will need to be strongly countered to ensure the Connectivity Report is given precedence by parliament.
2. The National Water Agreement
Arthur Buckingham, also of the NCC, attended a Round Table consultation with the government and water stakeholders (mostly big irrigators) on the Agreement. He was shocked by the discussion and his response will be available on the NCC website shortly.
3. Macquarie Marshes
The Wetlands and inner floodplains of the Macquarie Marshes are being proposed for inclusion in the Endangered or Critically Endangered category on the EPBC Act list of threatened ecological communities. The campaign for this is being run by the Humane Society and NCC will promote their submission guide when it’s available. Submissions close 14th October. Invitation to comment
4. Zap the Cap
Bev Smiles of Mudgee region is working on a ‘Zap the Cap’ document to tell the story of water flows in the Murray Darling Basin in simple terms for all of us. We look forward to it Bev.
Koala & Forestry Team
Western Sydney
As of 1 September 2024, 36 koalas have been hit by vehicles on Appin Road – 34 have died. Campbelltown and Appin koalas are the same population.
Lendlease housing development has been approved but the campaign to ensure there are adequate corridors for wildlife will be continuing. Saving the Mallaty Creek corridor is the most important action we can take at the moment. Mullaty Creek is the last intact corridor for koalas travelling to and from the Nepean River, across Appin Road to the Georges River and Royal National Park. The Walker Corporation and NSW government want to put housing along it.
Please Sign the Environment Centre’s petition to save the Mallaty Creek corridor.
Mudgee Region
Yancoal, the owners of Moolarben coal mine near Mudgee, want to expand by 675 hectares and clear 113ha of koala habitat. An ePetition to NSW parliament opposing coal mining expansions in the Mudgee region closes on 24 September. Please sign if you haven’t already and ask your friends and family to sign it too.
Coffs Harbour Region
Friends of Pine Creek have been campaigning to protect Pine Creek koala habitat for years in a myriad of ways, including having a vigil for Pine Creek Camp for over 150 days.
A petition earlier this year to put the Forest Bridge proposal in front of the politicians and permanently conserve the habitat gained over 20,000 signatures in just four months.
The petition will be tabled in the NSW parliament on Tuesday 17th September by Greens MLC Sue Higginson. We have been asked to blitz the ministers with support for the Forest Bridge by sending emails directly to:
Hon Chris Minns MP (NSW Premier) – Contact Premier
Hon Penny Sharpe MLC (State Minister for Environment)
office@sharpe.minister.nsw.gov.au
Hon Tara Moriarty MLC (Minister for Agriculture) tara.moriarty@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Hon Courtney Houssos MLC (State Minister for Finance & Natural Resources)
Contact the Minister for Finance, Natural Resources, Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement | NSW Government
Gurmesh Singh MP (Member for Coffs Harbour) coffsharbour@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Forestry
The NSW Government has established an Independent Forestry Panel to lead consultation on the sustainability of current and future forestry operations in NSW, ahead of the NSW Government developing its Forestry Industry Action Plan. The Plan is intended to outline the path NSW will take to ensure a sustainable timber industry that aligns with the government’s key environmental priorities. – Have Your Say – submissions close 13 October
McPhillamys/Regis gold mine
Nannas sent letters to crossbench Senators about the LNP disallowance motion calling for Tanya Plibersek’s decision on the tailings dam at the proposed Regis Resources gold mine to be overturned. Greens Senator David Shoebridge defended the Section 10 over the Belubula River’s sacred site. Thankfully the motion failed. The situation was escalated by the Coalition and in the media. The Coalition doesn’t want anything in legislation to stop a mine. They can’t remove the order in this parliament, but Dutton has said he will reverse it if he wins the next election.
Tuesday 17 September Webinar about McPhillamys
6.45 -8pm – NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann will host a zoom to hear from local farmers, business owners and Traditional Owners. They will tell the real story of McPhillamys Mine and just how destructive it will be if it goes ahead. Free Tickets here
Rewiring Australia – Electrifying your home
Two Nannas attended this event by NCC and Rewiring Australia, held at Kogarah. The focus was on how families can electrify their homes, ditch gas and save on their energy bills.
A follow-up action addresses the big picture in NSW. There are postcards produced by NCC so we can write to Premier Chris Minns calling on him to lead the charge to clean, cheap energy. There is also an email campaign to your local MP.
Sarah Aubrey from Electrify This at the Maroubra Eco Living Festival and Markets on September 1.
Weapons Manufacturing
Do Nannas want a manufacturing industry? Yes! Do they want more weapons manufactured in Australia? No!
Questions in Budget Estimates recently drew our attention to how NSW and Federal governments are encouraging weapons manufacturing, and a plan for production to be centred around Newcastle and Badgery’s Creek Airports. There will be $50 million in taxpayer funds to support the plans. We need to watch for mining companies transitioning into weapons manufacturing, capitalising on the Made in Australia program.
Budget Estimate recordings NSW Parliamentary YouTube channel and transcripts of each session.
Nannas are Reading
NSW Government criminal policies ensuring koala extinction (Independent Australia)
Forthcoming Events