Last week Nannas and many others had a win for koalas, and danced at the Fairfield Climate Fete. Meanwhile rivers were denied water and another coal mine approved.
Great Koala National Park
Sydney Nannas were ecstatic and relieved when on Sunday the Minns government announced that logging in the Great Koala National Park would be stopped immediately. Also announced was that the park will reserve the full 176,000 hectares promised.
There is a caveat though: before the park can be legislated they need to resolve the issue of obtaining carbon credits for creating it as a national park under a new federal government carbon credit scheme, which is still to be finalised.
There are also questions about what will happen in areas of the state forests that are called “plantations” but are really previously lightly logged sections of the forest now regrown into excellent habitat for koalas and other species.
Environment and forest protection groups have responded enthusiastically to the government announcement which they expect will save 12,000 koalas and protect the habitat of 108 other threatened species. Maintaining the climate benefits of intact native forests is another important aspect of securing the park.
Nannas will be following this story carefully as it unfolds. We send our thanks to the many people who’ve devoted their time and persistent work to achieving this big step.
For now we are celebrating the moratorium on logging inside the park boundaries, and also that we can expect the promised area of the park to be delivered.
Proposed Great Koala National Park boundary stops mid north coast timber logging (ABC News)
Climate Fete at Fairfield
Sydney Nannas had a stall at the Climate Fete at Fairfield on 30 August to tell our story about craftivism, and to tune in to the work of young local activists who are concerned about climate pollution and how high temperatures are affecting Western Sydney communities.
There were stalls where people could practise writing letters to politicians, make collages and signs, swap clothes and get to know one another.
Our craft works attracted attention and led to some interesting conversations. We asked attendees to write or draw on a pennant something inspired by the prompt: What do you want the world to be like in the future and/or what needs to be done to get there?
It was amazing how easily our visitors found it to do this task, and how interesting their responses were. By the end of the day, we had 18 pennants, and Nanna Elizabeth turned them into a 5-metre strip of bunting with the title ‘Voices from South-West Sydney’.
We were cheered and inspired to be with young, capable community leaders with enthusiasm for environmental and social justice.
Let the rivers flow
Click on this video taken at the Macquarie Marshes in late August to see why locals are concerned. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BCqzfjV3v
This season, the NSW and Commonwealth Environmental Water Holders have refused to release most of the environmental water needed in the inland rivers. It is very unclear how long this crazy situation will go on – so we’ve joined the Let the Rivers Flow campaign led by the Nature Conservation Council.
It’s a complicated story that starts with a legal opinion on NSW water law stating that all water that crosses from one area of the river (regulated water source) into another (unregulated water source) is considered ‘take’, and therefore if the water isn’t licenced, the river is stealing from itself. An amendment to a piece of regulation is required, which could take months.
The Wambuul / Macquarie River is in parts stagnant and unhealthy at a time when it should be flowing and full of life. The water that should be released in spring nourishes the birds and fish dependent on it in the breeding season.
In the Macquarie Marshes Private Ramsar Managers, Garry and Leanne Hall, are distraught, as the water, which is meant to sustain the semi-permanent wetland, is delayed. There is no way to ask the gathering brolgas to delay their mating dance.
“Not often do we come into a spring like this one”, said Leanne. “The Macquarie Marshes are poised to explode with life. The decision made to pause the river with fears of its legality is absolutely devastating to this already fragile environment.”
Garry added, “We are now in the perfect opportunity to build on the wet period 2022/23 and recover an increased area of wetland. The fantastic flooding of 2022/23 has given the Marshes an opportunity to experience recovery not seen for 50 years.”
Delays to environmental watering will have heartbreaking repercussions for native fish, wetland vegetation and water birds whose condition is already classified as poor and getting worse.
The head of the National Resources Access Regulator, Grant Barnes, said in budget estimates recently that they wouldn’t and couldn’t take legal action against environmental water holders for releasing environmental water. That’s why we need to apply pressure to the decision makers to release this essential water for the environment.
Please send an email today, calling for the immediate release of environmental water.
NCC Quarterly Meeting Report
New Environmental Laws
Brenden Sydes, ACF Biodiversity policy adviser on the EPBC Act, said the government won’t include a climate trigger or National Environmental Standards in the new laws. He asked us to support the following:
- Stronger upfront nature protection and rules;
- The establishment of a strong and Independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);
- Protect Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) from climate harm;
- Remove exemptions (Regional Forestry Agreements, etc.) so MNES are protected from deforestation;
Other things to push for are
- Insist companies disclose their full emissions;
- Strengthen the Safeguard Mechanism;
- Stop offsets.
Protected Matters Search Tool – Interactive map of Matters of Natural Environmental Significance MNES.
NSW Wildlife Council (NWC) is the peak body for wildlife rescuers, carers, facilities, and wildlife hospitals across NSW.
The NWC and member groups ‘Wildlife Friendly Roads’ is a statewide campaign to reduce wildlife collisions and promote safer driving.
Each year, over 50,000 native animals — including kangaroos, wombats, and koalas — are rescued on NSW roads, with incidents rising 30% in recent years. To help drivers stay wildlife-aware:
- Wildlife is about – especially at dawn, dusk, on rural roads, or near bush, waterholes, and wildlife signs;
- Slow down. Safe speeds save lives (especially in wildlife zones);
- Stay alert and scan roadsides. Spotting movement early can prevent collisions;
- Use high beams when safe. This helps reveal animals near the roadside;
- If safe, brake — don’t swerve. Swerving can cause more serious accidents;
- Report injured wildlife. Use IFAW app to call local wildlife rescue groups for assistance.
Joey Tips
Orphaned joeys often survive in the pouch. Keep joey and mama Together – If both are alive, don’t separate or touch them. Keep your distance and call a wildlife rescue group via the IFAW app for rescue advice and on how to do a pouch check.
Follow on social media: @nswwildlifecouncil #drivesafeforwildlife
The Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR) was established in 1986. It provides information, training and accreditation in ecological restoration, based on sound ecological principles.
NCC Renewables Report
No gas in new builds
More councils are getting on board 350 Australia’s campaign to get councils to electrify/ban gas in new developments, and so far there have been no appeals to the Land and Environment Court. The bans focus on the cost and emissions savings of electrification and the health risks of having gas in buildings.
AEMO Electricity Statement of Opportunities report projects that the energy reliability gap in 2027/28 is resolved, suggesting that there should be enough energy in the system to allow Eraring to close in 2027. However, there are still pricing considerations. Taking a coal-fired power station out of the system is complex; some assume that Eraring will continue to 2030.
Hunter Transmission Project’s Environmental Impact Statement has been lodged with the Planning Department and submissions are due on 24 September. This is an essential project for transmitting renewable power, but the current route goes through valuable forest.
EPA proposal regarding emissions from coal mines
The NSW EPA proposes to integrate into coal mine environmental protection licences requirements to implement:
- pre draining of gas seams or flaring of gas by 2027;
- ventilation abatement technology for underground mines by 2030;
- low carbon fuels as a proportion of diesel use by 2030.
Submissions are due on 7 October. There is no timeline for a cap on emissions.
Coffs Harbour Logging
Logging at Mount Coramba is near completion despite concerted resistance by residents in the Coramba / Coffs/Nana Glen areas. Twenty-nine forest activists walked into the forest to halt the logging and garner media coverage. Police were called, activists were arrested, names and addresses obtained in accordance with the law and then they were ‘unarrested’. Over the following fortnight fines were issued by mail: $200 for disobeying a closed forest sign, $200 for entering a closed forest and $1000 for interfering with forest harvesting machinery.
Some activists have paid the fines or have entered into work-order arrangements. Six others will defend the charges in court, with the first scheduled for 7 October. One 17-year-old will appear in the children’s court.
These arrests are unprecedented. All other walk-ons have concluded with police directing the activists to leave or be arrested. Activists leave – slowly, and that’s the end of the action.
Coffs’ Nannas with help from Bellingen Activist Network organised a fundraiser to help cover the cost for those who need financial support. Should any supporters wish to contribute the account is:
FRIENDS OF MOUNT CORAMBA BSB: 533 000 A/C: 02191748
Budget estimates
Several Nannas attended different sittings of Budget Estimates either in the NSW parliament or online. It’s a good place to listen and knit.
Here is the link to the hearings and transcripts. Scroll down to find sessions of interest then search for key words and MP.
Coal Mining
Mount Pleasant decision update
This week Nannas learnt more about the Mount Pleasant decision from an important member of the DAMS HEG community’s legal team. MACH has sought leave to appeal to the High Court, so we wait for the court’s decision on whether to allow the appeal.
This means that the Court of Appeal decision stands for now and that the impacts of climate change on the local community must be considered by the Independent Planning Commission (IPC).
The costs of climate change include council mitigation work, recovery costs and insurance. Climate impacts vary from one community to the next.
The Planning Department is getting legal advice. New coal projects in the planning pipeline may need to reassess their Environmental Impact Statements.
Mudgee coal approval and challenge
Past decisions cannot be challenged unless they were made in the last three months. Last week the federal government approved the expansion of Glencore’s Ulan coal mine until 2035, following the NSW Planning Department’s approval. The Mudgee District Environment Group is challenging Glencore and the Department of Planning on the grounds established by the Mount Pleasant ruling.
During the week of the Mount Pleasant decision, the International Court of Justice said countries failing to tackle climate change risk breaking international law. (ABC News)
Denman Decision Community Sign-On Letter is here
Nannas are listening
Murray Watt on our broken environmental laws and saying ‘yes’ to Woodside (7am podcast)
Nannas are reading
A tale of two summits: Gina Rinehart’s net zero heart-breaking siege versus renewables as a lifeline to Farming Forever (Renew Economy)
Forthcoming Events