This month’s news comes from Nannas in Coffs Harbour, Lismore, South Coast, Albury Wodonga, Gloucester, the Hunter, and the Central West.
Coffs Harbour
Great Koala National Park (GKNP)
Ashley Love, who conceived of the GKNP decades ago, has published Delivering a Truly “World Class” Great Koala AshleNational Park, an excellent publication covering the values of the regions and forests included in the park.
The critical Pine Creek Forest Bridge, which is deemed plantation, is still not protected by inclusion. The ‘Community’ Consultation Group is still negotiating boundaries with government. Legislation for the park is due 26 September.
The government has undertaken a usage survey to determine how people want to use the park. It canvasses a lot of non-passive options such as archery, a pistol club, a rifle range, mountain bike and 4WD tracks, hunting, etc. If there is demand for these activities, it’s hoped that several small regional parks will be established to cater for them.
The mining of antimony within the park boundaries remains unresolved, as are the ‘carbon credits’ nonsense that Minns wants established.
Sydney Nanna, Gill, joined Coffs Harbour Nannas at their weekly Friday rally on 6 March. Gill was delighted to be introduced to Ashley Love, author of the GKNP Report published in January 2026. Ashley’s report says a comprehensive reserve assessment and selection, and urgent gazettal and conservation management are all needed.
Berry farming and pesticides
Greens MLC, Cate Faehrmann, recently gave a presentation on blueberries and pesticides. Her work on this totally unregulated horticulture industry is exceptional. Cate introduced the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Intensive Horticulture) Bill 2026 to the Legislative Council on 3 February 2026.
NSW Greens to move bill to let councils better regulate berry industry as it continues rapid expansion. (The Guardian)
Protest fines
Since Police were ordered to pay $73,000 in costs to the Rising Tide Legal team in Newcastle, the Coffs-Clarence Regional Command have dropped two charges (the $1200 and $200 fines) against the 29 people arrested in Orara State Forest last year. Only one other $200 fine remains, and the charges will be heard in Coffs in April.
Lismore
Gomeroi vs Santos
Lismore Nannas joined Nannas from Toowoomba, Balonne and Brisbane to support the Gomeroi people to protect their water from Santos on Thursday 5 March. The Gomeroi people were in the Federal Court in Brisbane for two days, appealing the Native Title Tribunal’s decision to let Santos override their rights and drill for coal seam gas.
Knitting Nanna Exhibition
Youth Week this year has the theme ‘Youth Activism’. Lismore Nannas were invited by the regional library to develop an exhibition about their 14 years of activism – from the Bentley Blockade to the present day. The exhibition is at the Lismore branch of Richmond Tweed Regional Library, the Quad, Magellan Street, Lismore. It commenced on International Women’s Day (8 March) and runs until mid-April. What a treat!
Gold mining near Drake
Legacy Minerals wants to recommence gold mining at the Carrington mine near Drake, about 100km west of Lismore. A 10km exclusion zone around the mine, includes a home belonging to a Nanna. The mine commenced operations in the early 1900s and has been idle for many years, but recent drilling shows prospects for gold, silver and copper.
South Coast
Jocelyn van de Moolan organised a Big Spotty Love-In walk on Valentine’s Day which was part of the ongoing effort to have the Big Spotty forest compartment in the North Brooman State Forest protected from Forestry Corporation’s predations.
Sydney Knitting Nannas will be mounting a Forest Action at Marrickville Markets, on Addison Road on Sunday 15 March. This will include a Big Spotty action which everyone can join in at around 12 noon. The NCC petition to save Big Spotty’s forest from logging will also be available to sign.
Albury Wodonga
Former Coalition leader, Sussan Ley’s resignation from parliament has triggered a by-election for her seat of Farrer to be held on Saturday 9 May.
The Albury Wodonga Nannas have been sitting and knitting outside Sussan Ley’s office in Albury one week and Bridget McKenzie’s Office in Wodonga the next.
With Sussan’s resignation, they moved to QEII Square when in Albury to talk to locals. There’s lots to discuss as the by-election looms, including the candidates’ approach to renewable energy.
The Nannas will take the opportunity to highlight the candidates’ views on climate, renewable energy and climate action.
With One Nation running a candidate with funds from Gina Rinehart, the community independent, Michelle Milthorpe, will face a tough battle.
Gloucester
Gloucester Nannas are still waiting on a decision by the NSW Planning Department on Yancoal’s Stratford Renewable Energy Hub (SREH), a pumped hydro project, which has been declared a state significant infrastructure. A new dam will be needed in an area which is home to threatened and endangered species (both flora and fauna). A concrete tunnel will also be required to move the water between the new dam and the existing void.
The project will require 220 workers during the construction phase and, given their experience recently when trying to hire 30 people for the rehabilitation work, along with the lack of interest from the local community, it is unlikely many will be locals. Housing for the workers is likely to create a local accommodation problem, and may affect tourism if motels, etc. are used.
The Hunter
Islington Markets
Hunter Nannas attended the Islington Markets to collect signatures in support of the Link Road Forest Campaign to create a new national park in one of the last green corridors in Newcastle.
Rising Tide
Police were ordered to pay $73,000 in costs to the Rising Tide Legal team on Friday 27 February. The legal team successfully argued for the dismissal of charges against the first four Rising Tide blockade defendants from 2024. Over 258 protestors are facing the same s214a charge, from the 2024 and 2025 People’s Blockade protests (Rising Tide).
Ride the Gasline
This 400km horse ride follows the route of the government’s proposed gas pipeline from the Pilliga to Newcastle. You can follow the Ride the Gasline on Facebook and Instagram from ‘Bollol’ on the Kamilaroi Highway near Baan Baa on Monday 16 March at 10am.
The riders will be at Breeza Hall on Sunday 22 March. From 10am till 4pm, there will be music, food, produce displays and info stalls, as well as some speakers. The event is organised by Lock the Gate, the CWA and North West Protection Alliance. The riders will depart at 3pm. Some Lismore and Hunter Nannas intend to be there too. (RSVP)
Hunter Nannas will provide support for the Millers Forest Muster, celebrating the end of the ride on Saturday 28 March at Popular Hall near Maitland from 4pm. A dinner and dance will start at 6pm. (RSVP)
Central West NSW
A class action was launched by landowners living near Newmont’s Cadia goldmine, one of the world’s biggest goldmines, 25kms from Orange. Brief arguments from both sides will be heard in the Supreme Court on Tuesday 17 March starting at 9.30am so the judge can decide if they need to set aside appropriate dates to hear more.
The landholders allege the mine has contaminated more than 2,000 properties within a 17km radius. The more people in the courtroom the more likely the judge will want to hear more, so please go if you can. The results of this case may have wider repercussions for mining in the state.
Cadia goldmine faces Supreme Court class action over contamination claims (ABC News)
Dr Ian Wright’s results prompted the EPA to do more testing.
March in March for Forests
Nannas in Sydney and the regions will join the Bob Brown Foundation’s March in March for Forests on Sunday 22 March. See the various locations here.