Last week Nannas marched for forests, followed Ride the Gas Line and supported NSW Central West residents in court.
March in March for Forests
Knitting Nannas took to Sydney streets with the Bob Brown Foundation (BBF) and 550 other people to march for our forests on Sunday 22 March.
Nannas can’t wait and neither can Australia’s wildlife – it’s time for NSW to join Victoria and Western Australia in saying “No more native forest logging”.
Native forest logging by NSW Forestry Corporation, a state-owned corporation, is destroying forest ecosystems and biodiversity, but that’s not all we are losing. The corporation made a loss of $32m last year and fines for its repeat offending in illegal logging continue. “They commit the crime, we pay the fine,” said NSW Greens MP, Sue Higginson. (NSW EPA)
Forest ecologist Andrew Wong was a star performer in the talks after the march. His entertaining show-and-tell on the lives of Greater Gliders in Glenbog and other southern forests reminded everyone of the urgency of stopping the logging of endangered species. Andrew also reminded us of the great work being done by citizen scientists to save the gliders’ den trees.
$1.1 million logging blunder exposes taxpayer waste and illegal forest destruction (Echo)
Ride the Gas Line and Gomeroi Breeza Declaration
Nannas from Lismore and the Hunter greeted the riders, Sally, Shaz and Cassie when they arrived at Breeza Hall in north-west NSW on Sunday 22 March. They are tracing the route of the Hunter Gas Pipeline from near Narrabri to Millers Forest, near Newcastle, a 400km trek on horseback.
Gomeroi Traditional Owners, NSW Farmers, the Country Women’s Association of NSW, Unions NSW and Lock the Gate came together in Breeza to sign a landmark joint declaration opposing the Santos’ Narrabri gas project.
The declaration calls on the NSW government to withdraw support for Santos’ Narrabri gas project as tensions escalate over threats of compulsory land acquisition. The route of the pipeline was approved 12 years ago and much has changed since then. However, they don’t have a pipeline licence which is still required.
The big, fun community event held at Breeza starred Buddy Knox and other musicians. The Breeza Declaration was available for everyone to sign to show unity around land and water.
Video – Farmers and advocates fight against Santos’ Narrabri Gas Project (NBN North West News)
As the riders make their way to the Hunter, they will provide opportunities for people to sign the declaration.
Follow their journey on Facebook – Ride The Gas Line and Instagram, and have your say about the Narrabri Gas Project by signing Lock the Gate’s petition to Premier Chris Minns.
Meet them along the way or on Saturday 28 March from 4pm at Millers Forest Muster to celebrate the end of the ride at Popular Hall near Maitland. Dinner and dance 6pm. (RSVP here)
This unprecedented coalition sends a clear message to Premier Chris Minns: we will not allow the compulsory acquisition of land for a gas pipeline that threatens the Pilliga Forest, our water, and Gomeroi cultural heritage. Lock the Gate media release
Cadia Gold Mine Class Action
Last Tuesday a ‘difficulty of Nannas’ was at the Supreme Court to support people living in the area around the Cadia goldmine near Orange in the central-west. They’d travelled by bus that morning for the first hearing of their class action against the mining giant Newmont, which owns the mine. They see the court action as a last resort to get the mine to clean up its act after years of trying everything else.
The judge acknowledged the full courtroom and the public interest in this case.
One of the lead plaintiffs, Frances Retallack, spoke to the crowd outside the Supreme Court about the impacts of the mine on human health and the environment.
There will be another directions hearing in July, with the case likely to be heard in the second half of 2027.
Cadia goldmine pollution allegations lead to class action against Newmont (ABC News)
The Campaign background was reported in the Guardian.
Sunday 22 March – World Water Day
Renewable energy is not only cheaper than coal and gas, it does not have long term impacts on surface and underground water resources.
What We Owe the Water by Kumi Naidoo – This essay imagines a future where Australia stands as a courageous ally using its resources and power to build a better future rather than staying as a climate pariah, and where the Pacific becomes the lighthouse guiding the way.
Nannas are listening
Randa Abdel-Fattah and Louise Adler on the cost of speaking out in a time of division (ABC Listen)
Australia’s fossil fuel subsidies are out of control (Follow the Money podcast)
Nannas are reading
Prime minister’s department requests modelling for gas and coal tax to shield Australia from impact of war
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-20/government-explores-new-tax-for-gas-coal-to-buffer-fuel-costs/106475100
Polarisation is a Myth – “Australians want the same things. They want to be able to afford a decent life. They want healthcare and education that works. They want their kids to have a future. They want kindness and fairness. They want to know that their neighbours are OK.” (Redbridge)
Australian oil and gas lags in disclosing $44b clean-up bill. Santos’ decommissioning liability matches a quarter of its $22b value (Boiling Cold)
5m tonnes of CO2 emitted in just 14 days of US war on Iran, analysis finds (The Guardian)
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