Nannas have been fighting to save our forests to reduce emissions so future generations can see in the wild our unique native animals.
Our national environment laws have failed again as the federal government approves Ozy Homes to develop 20 hectares at Manyana, one of the few NSW South Coast forests spared from the 2019/20 bushfires.
Forests
Speaking up for the Forests
Nannas supported the Bob Brown Foundation’s Vigil for Forests in Martin Place on Wednesday.
Congratulations to the Friends of Pine Creek forest for collecting 20,000 signatures on their petition to the NSW government. The petition was presented to the parliament on Tuesday by Sue Higginson.
Manyana still matters
One of the only NSW South Coast forests spared in the Black Summer Bushfires will be bulldozed for housing after Tanya Plibersek approved the development. A 20-hectare parcel at Manyana made up of endangered littoral rainforest will be cleared to make way for 153 homes.
Manyana Matters campaigners are bitterly disappointed by the decision after four years of campaigning for the forest’s protection from the Zombie DA. They have regrouped and are now trawling through the 36 conditions imposed on the approval.
The Minister approved the 16-year-old development application by Ozy Homes under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. ABC News
There are an estimated 90 more Zombie DAs in the state, approved under NSW planning laws up to 30 years ago under very different conditions from those affecting the climate, environment and native species today. We await the findings of the NSW parliamentary inquiry into historical development consents in NSW.
Koalas
Will these road signs save koalas on the Old Hume Highway north of Yerrinbool? They have been erected in an 80km per hour zone.
Koalas deserve the protection of greatly reduced and enforced speed limits on roads through their habitat.
Rising Tide Blockade in Newcastle
Next training session on new inflatable kayaks on the harbour at the Man O’War Steps near the Opera House on Sunday 6 October 10am – 12noon.
The Nannas from all over NSW met on Zoom to discuss what we will be doing at the Rising Tide Blockade in Newcastle.
A WhatsApp group has been set up to inform the Nannas going to this event. Contact us if you want to join the group.
- There will be three Nanna spaces: Friday – Sunday 22-24 November
1. First aid tent on the beach
2. Hunter Nanna tent on the beach (sunscreen, water, lost children, phone minding service, snacks, hats, change room)
3. Nanna Central on the lawn above the beach – all loops – we can decorate with our banners and crafts. This space will be the activities base: circus, flash mob singing, sit knit, teach crafts, French knit a long rope, merch sales and more.
- Sydney Nannas will co-ordinate Nannas’ media releases and socials, and liaise with the Rising Tide media centre.
- Naughty Nannas will meet online about on-water actions prior to the protestival.
- See Rising Tide Events for online and in person preparation sessions and where the film First Wave will be shown.
- Please register for the main event and for volunteering ASAP. Organisers need to know numbers.
- Highly recommended: download and read Rising Tide’s Blockade guide.
- Canberra Wave 26-28 November is on the last two sitting days of federal parliament. You don’t have to go to Newcastle to be part of this strong push against new coal and gas.
Climate Social, Sunday 15 September at Surry Hills
The Climate Social brought together climate activists from XR, Red Rebels, Move Beyond Coal, Rising Tide and the Nannas. Flags and banners for the blockade were produced and there was lots of time for discussion, reflection, and sharing of plans and ideas. Sea shanties were sung.
Next one: Gaelic Club on Sunday 20 October.
Frontline Environmental Defenders Survey
The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) has closed its legal support service for people arrested for taking direct action on environmental issues. A new independent service is planned and the next step is a Survey. The project organisers are seeking respondents who have been arrested in actions to protect the environment and climate, and others who may have been up for getting arrested but didn’t have enough info about the legal issues.
Please take a few minutes to do the survey if it applies to you. Some of the survey questions require answers and others may not apply to you. You can tick Other and write NA, and then it will let you proceed. Privacy information is inside the survey.
Water
In June the Australian Government Productivity Commission released a report recommending the “urgent need to renew the National Water Initiative due to climate change and changing water demand”. It has not been implemented.
Irrigators and the water market have been strongly lobbying to dismantle all the water management principles that were meant to ensure water flows.
Nanna Tracey went to a session with Tanya Plibersek, where she was answering questions about water resources. The Minister said her referral to the Independent Scientific Expert Committee (IESC) is the first stage to employing the water trigger in the Beetaloo Basin. Which is good if they recommend using the trigger, but meanwhile it doesn’t stop Tamboran from proceeding with fracking in the Beetaloo.
Tracey thanked the Minister for supporting the Section 10 over part of McPhillamys/Regis gold mine near Blayney.
Saturday 28 September – Blue Mountains Sustainability Festival
Several Nannas will be attending a briefing at the Katoomba Cultural Centre at 1pm on PFAS found in tap water in the Mountains. Click on the image for more info on the Festival.
Forthcoming Events