Regional Knitting Nannas met on Monday 2 February 2026 to talk about recent activities and plans for the coming year. There’s a lot going on in the regions.
Hunter
On 3 February, Hunter Nannas welcomed back their pollies, leaving letters of concern in the offices of Pat Conroy, Yasmin Catley and Greg Piper about these issues:
On the Central Coast, Chain Valley is NSW’s third most emitting coal mine. Delta Energy wants to consolidate Chain Valley operations with neighbouring Mannering coal mine and extend operations for two years, going deeper under Lake Macquarie and pumping an extra 25 million tonnes of additional CO2 emissions into the atmosphere until 2029. All this without any thought of climate change and its impacts, or the health effects for locals.
Hunter Nannasare coordinating with the Nature Conservation Council (NCC) on the campaign to stop the extension of Chain Valley mine.
Delta has already been found responsible for a massive fish kill near the Vales Point power station in 2022.
Read NCC submission guide to find out how to make a submission to object to the Chain Valley Colliery Consolidation Project before Thursday 26th February.
Hunter Nannas are also working on and support the following:
– Submissions objecting to the Moolarben coal mine near Mudgee
– Local campaign to save the Link Road Forest near Newcastle
– March in March for Forests (Bob Brown Foundation)
– Gomeroi people in their fight against Santos in the Pilliga
– Hunter Landholders objections to the Hunter Gas Pipeline on their land.
– Reclaiming the right to protest.
Also, they are keeping a watch on the Redbank waste-to-energy proposal near Singleton.
Toowoomba
We were pleased to welcome Nannas from the newest Knitting Nanna Loop to tell us about the planned expansion of coal seam gas mining in their region. Arrow Energy wants to expand its coal seam gas project on the prime agricultural land of the Cecil Plains, and Origin Energy wants to increase the number of gas wells at Tara. Residents across the region are organising against these developments and the damage they would do to water resources and land.
Toowoomba Knitting Nannas hold a Knit-in every Friday outside the office of their local MP David Janetzki, the Queensland Treasurer and Resource Minister. As the office is located on a major road, they get lots of positive feedback from the public. They appeared on Channel 7 News on the second week of knit-ins.
They met with David Janetzki and put their arguments to him. “He gave us a copy of his ‘Energy Roadmap’ and said we would not like it. He was right, we don’t!” said Nanna Rhonda.
They have 18 women on their email list, and an average of 6-8 nNannas come along each week to the knit-in. Numbers are growing as word about the Nannas’ work spreads through the city.
Toowoomba Nannas are working with other like-minded groups – the Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC), Save our Darling Downs and Lock the Gate.
They attended Parliament House in solidarity with farmers from the Cecil Plains. They travelled to Cecil Plains to meet with affected farmers and were given a tour by Russell and Natalie Bennie, who have been fighting against Arrow Energy for many years.
Future moves for 2026 in Toowoomba area:
- Meet with Megan O’Hara Sullivan for a chat on her podcast ‘Big Little Small Talk’
- Meet with farmers on the 20 February at our knit in. David Janetski to be invited.
- Go to Brisbane for knit-in outside Santos with Lismore Knitting Nannas
- Further meetings with farmers on land at Cecil Plains and outside Arrow Energy at Dalby.
- Attendance at AGMs of companies trashing our home.
- Order t-shirts and improve signage. We’re on the lookout for good slogans. CSG Sucks is a favourite. Please send any others.
- Encourage other worried nannas in the state to start their own loops.
Toowoomba Knitting Nannas Against Coal & Gas on Facebook
Lismore
Lismore Nannas are meeting in the quad in town to talk to people. “It’s really good to connect with the public, it’s like going back to our roots,” said Nanna Judi.
They’re signing petitions, writing letters and talking to the Toowoomba Nannas who they will join in Brisbane to do an action outside the Santos office. The website is also being updated.
Lismore Nannas believe the proposal for a waste incinerator in the area has been halted, but are concerned about the plan to turn an old quarry into a facility for waste from Coffs to Tweed Heads.
An 80 year old man is the only resident of Acland in south-east Queensland. The town was taken over by the New Hope Coal Mine and they are now going to dig up the last road to the town. Nannas have attended the annual Anzac memorial service in Acland but this year will probably be the last.
The village of Drake is fighting mining plans in the district, together with the Clarence Valley Catchment Alliance. Miners are drilling to see if gold, silver, antimony, and or other minerals are in the area.
Coffs Harbour
There is new information about the boundaries of the Great Koala National Park from the NSW government. Coffs Harbour Nannas are very concerned that two koala hubs have been taken out and travel corridors are at risk.
They are still concentrating on the Jetty Foreshore development. Local State Member Gurmesh Singh doesn’t listen to arguments against building high rise developments on the beach front. At the 2024 Council elections 68.8% of the community voted against high and medium high rise on the foreshore.
Nannas are also working with The Greens on the toxic blueberry production in the area.
Central West
Central West Nannas are waiting for results of the Section 10 court case (where Regis Resources challenged a Heritage Protection Order given by then federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek. Re a tailings dam near Blayney, and an Aboriginal dreaming story). The hearing was held in December 2025.
Nannas are watching politicians, for example, Andrew Gee – the local federal member for Calare. He was in the National Party, and is now an Independent. He says he doesn’t want any industry on agricultural land, not even renewable energy projects.
Illawarra
Illawarra Nannas plan to focus on coal and water catchment issues this year, and build Nanna numbers.
Yass
A new nanna living in Yass is doing citizen science, and talking with local farmers. She has reported that water levels are low in both dams and bores.
Nannas who know of potential Nannas in the Yass area please contact us. It may be possible to establish a Virtual Nanna Loop for Nannas in regional and remote areas or for those who can’t get to gatherings. Discuss further.
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