Last week Sydney Nannas enjoyed a Picnic for Nature at Garrison Point and some kayaking on Sydney Harbour in preparation for the Rising Tide Blockade.
Tabiea Picnic for Nature
Nannas attended the Tabiea Picnic for Nature organised by the Nature Conservation Council (NCC) and the Arab Council Australia at Garrison Point, Georges Hall on 20 October to listen and learn.
The Arab Council Australia aims to bring together different Arabic speaking groups that are not necessarily in touch with each other. A new group is being established called Tabiea, the Arabic word for nature.
Nannas had some lovely conversations, and fantastic food. Participants were deeply concerned about their relatives and the events in the Middle East.
Consultations are happening on the environmental concerns and issues in and around Western Sydney. It will take time to build the group but this was a good start.
Picnics for Nature are an annual NCC event happening over one weekend across NSW.
Rising Tide Picnic and Paddle
Nannas Cathy, Janet and Marie enjoyed kayaking on Sydney Harbour on Saturday 19 October in preparation for the Rising Tide Blockade in Newcastle. They felt very safe in the inflatable kayaks which were well balanced with no chance of tipping over, even on the choppy water. Best tip of the day – to get into the kayak, put your bum in first, not your feet.
The full Rising Tide program has been released for 19-28 November. There are lots of events leading up to the main event – See the Rising Tide Calendar
Water Team Report
In response to the horrific Menindee fish kills, the Connectivity Expert Panel’s Final Report, was released in July to provide advice to the NSW government. It shows how to create enough flows for the Darling/Baaka River by adjusting how much water can be taken out and when, from the Border Rivers – the Gwydir, the Namoi and the Wambuul/Macquarie catchments.
The proposed rule changes would mean the Darling Baaka River would receive:
· A base flow most of the time
· A small flush every year
· A larger flush every second year
All that would be required is a 4% reduction in water extraction across the north, and 6% in the Border Rivers, Gwydir and Namoi. The Connectivity Report also recommended an independent oversight of the modelling to support the proposed rule changes.
The Government has announced an independent oversight panel and the NCC will provide an updated submission guide for their email campaign.
Bulga State Forest
The Bulga Forest defenders have started a Chuffed fundraiser to cover legal fees and fines for arrestees such as Nanna Bron. The earliest court case will be held around 12 November. Fines are expected to be hefty.
Aaron Crowe, scaled a bamboo bipod over logging machinery in Bulga State Forest on 23 October. Aaron, an architectural designer, was the eighteenth forest protector to be arrested. https://savebulgaforest.org/
No Fibs Podcast: Ken Henry’s plan to protect NSW State Forests from logging
Ken Henry and Margo Kingston reside in Comboyne, a village north of the Bulga Plateau. Ken’s father was a logger and he grew up in Taree before becoming Treasury Secretary for Peter Costello and Paul Keating and chairman of the NAB.
Ken, his wife Naomi, and Margo joined citizen scientists in the Bulga State Forest twice to spotlight for endangered greater gliders before NSW Forestry Corp began logging. Their findings forced Forestry to exempt the gliders tree dens and surrounds from logging. The Corporation had surveyed for greater gliders by day, despite knowing that gliders emerge from their dens after dusk.
Crafternoon
The Nannas held one of their craft afternoons on 26 October, a time to relax and chat in a context of craft, upcoming events and letting ideas percolate and skills build, interrupted from time to time by another cup of tea, biscuit or a slice of cheesecake. On this occasion, we were busy sharing knitting and crochet skills, discussing costumes and props needed in coming weeks, checking the final tasks to do to make a coal monster head. We planned a strategic opportunity to speak with a politician about the plight of koalas. It was a good catchup about what’s going on for us personally and with environmental issues.
Whitehaven Actions
Wednesday 30 October – Whitehaven AGM
Move Beyond Coal Action 9.30am at the Fullerton Hotel, 1 Martin Place. Gather where shareholders enter at the Pitt Street entrance. Halloween theme, speakers, sea shanties, dancing.
Key messages – Whitehaven coal plans are terrifying – However, we are not scared of you – we are standing up to you, – we will stop you. Expansion plans will lead to mass koala deaths, mining pollution, more prevalent climate change, any involvement with coal is risky business. RSVP here
Thursday 31 October – Whitehaven Sentencing
9.30am, meet outside Land and Environment Court in Macquarie Street. Go into the court where the judge will announce the penalty imposed on Whitehaven for four charges they were recently found guilty of.
Sunday 3 November – National Action Rallies for the Forests
12:00 – 1:30pm Sydney Town Hall RSVP or Volunteer here
Wear costumes and bring placards.
Organised by Bob Brown Foundation with rallies around Australia. https://rallyforforests.org/
Nannas are Watching
Tim Winton talks about his new book Juice about Northwest Australia “which is already tough, already extreme, and already changing rapidly. So all I did really, I was following the scientific modelling, and just concentrated on a landscape I know very well, and the people that I know very well, and just turned the oven up.”
Watch on IVIEW https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NBKC2023104512076
Sydney Knitting Nannas had a wonderful time at the 1 Million Women Festival in July. Here is the official video –
Nannas are Reading
Matt Kean lambasts ‘wild fantasy’ of former Coalition colleagues to extend coal power and build nuclear plants (The Guardian)
Gas industry in damage control as landmark study finds LNG ‘worse than coal’ for the climate (ABC News)
New Ember report with graphics on methane emissions from coal mines (Ember Energy)
A life-saving ‘escape hatch’ for koalas has been developed, trialled and 16 are now operating beside roads in the Moreton Bay region. (Moreton Daily)
Forthcoming Events