Murray Cod makes his first appearance with the Nannas, while the other Murray, the new federal Environment Minister, ignites a carbon bomb. NSW suffers a flood disaster and the government approves two coal mines. Go figure!
Water Action
Nanna Elizabeth’s latest creation, Murray Cod, did his first photo shoot in Macquarie Street on 29 May. The River Yarners’ knitted river was there too, to draw people’s attention to the plight of NSW’s inland rivers. More information coming soon.
While Nannas helped raise awareness of the importance of river connectivity in the centre of Sydney, the three little Nannas visited Narrandera Fisheries Centre, an education, research and breeding facility.
The health of our native fish in the rivers is as important as our beloved koalas and wallabies on the land. Keep the water flowing, maintain habitat and take your rubbish with you.
Along with Nanna Anne, the three little Nannas were on their way to volunteer with Bush Heritage in Victoria. More news next week.
Woodside’s North West Shelf – A Carbon Bomb
During the mid-north coast floods on 23 May, the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, acknowledged “that whilst Australia has always had extreme weather events, the science told us that those events would be more frequent and would be more intense”. (The Guardian)
By 27 May, rumours were spreading that an announcement on the extension of a highly controversial gas project, Woodside’s North West Shelf in WA, was imminent. A Snap Rally – Labor Don’t Fail Us – was organised by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition for 29 May at Albanese’s office in Marrickville. The rally’s aim was to call on Prime Minister Albanese to protect climate and reject Woodside’s North West Shelf gas extension.
The day before the rally, the new federal Environment Minister Murray Watt, provisionally approved Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project. If Woodside agrees to the conditions the plant will have approval to produce gas until 2070. (ABC News)
Over 100 people turned up to the rally at the Prime Minister’s Marrickville office, including the Nannas. It was heartwarming to see and hear from the many young people there. The young people are back!
The provisional approval of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project produced more attention than has been seen for an environmental issue in a long time, both in mainstream and online media. The PM has responded with the usual industry spin that we need more gas to support the transition to net zero by 2050 and to ensure stable power as coal plants close.
These arguments are not cutting through to anyone but the Murdoch media, which Labor’s election win demonstrated has lost much of its influence. It has been widely reported that minimum gas from this project will go to WA, and the rest will be exported overseas.
The Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act does not allow for major projects to be assessed on their impacts on the climate. Labor needs to fix the laws now!
Coal approvals and court cases
The NSW Labor Government made some unpopular announcements too last week, with the approval of a fifth and sixth coal mine since coming to power.
Glencore’s Ulan Coal Mine expansion (Mod 6) approved
As record floods raged, NSW Government quietly approved an expansion of Glencore Australia’s Ulan Coal Mine expansion near Mudgee on 26 May. (ABC News)
This underground mine has subsidence issues for nearby escarpments and is very close to the Drip Gorge.
Mudgee District Environment Group
NSW Planning portal – all docs
NSW Government Assessment Report
Tahmoor expansion project
The Minns Government also approved the MOD 3 Longwall coal mine, 25km from Campbelltown in the Wollondilly Shire on 27 May. (Lock the Gate)
NSW Planning Portal – all docs
Yancoal AGM
Yancoal is currently seeking approval for a proposed expansion of the open cut Moolarben coal mine, on Wiradjuri country around 30 minutes north of Mudgee. Nannas supported our friends at the Save Wollar Action group and joined many environmental groups at a rally outside the AGM in the CBD on 28 May.
Threatened species include koalas and the critically endangered regent honey eater (300 left).
We also protested about Moolarben’s approved underground mine, which has plans to put longwalls close (100m) to the unique ecosystem of the Drip Gorge.
A minimum buffer zone of 2km is needed between the mining activity, the national park and Goulburn River. Better still, no more new mines or mine expansions. Write to Ministers Scully, Sharpe and Premier Minns. See here for how to take action now
Supreme Court: DAMS HEG vs Mt Pleasant coal mine
Nannas joined Wendy Wales and Tony Lonergan, members of Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group (DAMS HEG Inc), on 26 May to listen to their legal challenge in the Court of Appeal. The case is a judicial review of the Independent Planning Committee’s (IPC) approval of MACH Energy’s Mt Pleasant Coal Mine. This project is a huge expansion, doubling the production rate and extending the production time to 2048.
DAMS HEG Inc contested the IPC’s approval saying it failed to meet two Environmental Planning Authority (EPA) guidelines.
(a) “failing to consider whether conditions could be imposed to minimise Scope 3 emissions; and
(b) the likely impacts of that development, including environmental impacts on both the natural and built environments, and social and economic impacts in the locality,”
SC Naomi Sharp made the case in seven steps. Then Mr Emmett, MACH’s representative, attempted to disassemble the logic. It all became surreal to us, when Justice Ward and Mr Emmett agreed that there was no quarrel that CO2 caused climate change, and climate change meant extreme catastrophic weather events, like fires and floods, but the IPC failed to consider it locally when the Act says both locality and NSW! This was pretty clear evidence that the local impacts from Scope 3 emissions were not considered, as required.
The EPA Act at 4.15 (1) b – requires consideration of the impact of climate change from Scope 3 emissions on the locality. Mr Emmett declared, “It hasn’t been called for, ever, before!”
So, this case helps bring the legal relationship of approving fossil fuel projects to the consequence of local climate catastrophes.
This case is occurring as much of NSW is suffering record-breaking floods in which five people have died.
Forests
Some Nannas went from the Yancoal AGM to the Bob Brown Foundation Forest Vigil in Martin Place, near Parliament House. There, we met Peter Elzer, a forest protector who is fasting for forests outside Parliament for 12 days. Nanna Jill from Coffs Harbour was there to support Peter.
Greens MLC Sue Higginson gave a rousing speech. Jill and Peter sang a beautiful song about the proposed Great Koala National Park – “if the government holds out 20 years, we’ll hold out One Day More”.
Peter will be in front of Parliament House from 8am to 5pm from 26 May to 6 June. He will consume only fluids for 12 days. He has the support of numerous conservation groups. Nannas have been checking in with him in between rallies and court hearings near Parliament House. There is a roster for people to sit with Peter, so he is not alone. Peter Elzer’s statement
Clouds Creek Forest Update
In February, three forest defenders from the Blicks River Guardians were found guilty of obstructing Forestry Corporation, and had criminal convictions recorded against them. They appealed their convictions in the Coffs Harbour District Court on 28 May. The Judge found there had been an error in the earlier case, finding that the charge of ‘wilfully obstruct access’ was not proven and the charges were dismissed. At the closure of reading his findings the judge said “I’ve been up there, I know the area well, it’s beautiful country”. Background information
Sorry Day Community Gathering
Nannas attended this moving event in the Botanic Gardens’ Native Australia Flora Garden on 25 May. The day featured cultural performances, interactive workshops, community stalls and speeches. Survivors of Coota Girls Home and Kinchela Boys Home are leading the campaign for implementation of the 1997 Bringing Them Home Report which documented the experiences of stolen generations and their families. Nannas were impressed by the incredible respect shown to the Elders by all present.
Keep Space for Peace
Nannas attended an action on 27 May against the 4th Space Summit at Sydney’s International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour.
The protest was called by Liz Remmerswaal from Aotearoa NZ and a board member of World Beyond War. Alison Broinowski spoke in her role as a former diplomat and as a member of World Beyond War.
This action was supported by the Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition, some members of the Solidarity Choir, Knitting Nannas, Pax Christi and the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition.
Crocheted white poppies were worn as a symbol of peace and remembrance for all victims of war.
Seeing Earth from space
Private companies are rocketing amateur astronauts into outer space. Australian Eric Philips was gifted one of these out-of-this-world opportunities and didn’t expect it to affect him so emotionally. ABC 7.30 Report
Nannas are watching
Watch where the Macquarie River runs River Runner API
Nannas are reading
Gomeroi ready to fight Santos Gas Project any way possible, says Elder Maria ‘Polly’ Cutmore (Sydney Criminal Lawyers)
Forthcoming Events