Climate in High Court, glider spotting in Tallaganda Forest, forest defenders win an appeal, Nature Laws Forum… Nannas were there.
High Court Climate Case
Will the High Court uphold the NSW Appeal Court decision that the impacts of climate change on the local area must be considered in the assessment of fossil fuel projects? Nannas travelled to the High Court in Canberra this week to hear the legal arguments in this landmark case.
Community group, Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group (DAMS HEG), were in the High Court to defend their successful appeal in the NSW Appeals Court against the approval of the Mt Pleasant coal mine.
If the Appeals Court decision is upheld, it will set an important national precedent for how fossil fuel projects are assessed. If the mine operator’s appeal is upheld, the Mt Pleasant mine will be permitted to double its production and extend its operations until 2048. This would make it the biggest open cut coal mine in NSW.
Outside the High Court hearing, people who live near coal mines spoke to a large supportive crowd about how they have been impacted by climate change. Fiona Lee’s house burnt down on the NSW Mid Coast in November 2019. She explained how her local council has had to apply 16 times for disaster relief in the last six years. Parents for Climate told of fears for their children’s future. Wendy Wales, representing DAMS -HEG, spoke powerfully of climate impacts in the Hunter.
The hearing concluded in one day and now we all have to wait for the High Court’s coming decision!
High Court hears bid to overturn block on 22-year Mount Pleasant coal mine extension (ABC News)
High Court of Australia mulls impacts from coal mine expansion in its first climate case (Climate in the Courts)
Implications of the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on Climate Change for directors’ duties in relation to climate-related risks (Johnson Legal)
Glider Spotting in Tallaganda Forest
Nannas joined over 30 citizen scientists doing the work of Forestry NSW in the Tallaganda State Forest, west of Batemans Bay, in the evenings of 8 and 9 May. In just two evenings, 23 greater glider dens were recorded, and many more gliders were seen in their feed trees after they had left their dens!
Every greater glider spotted emerging from their den at dusk was recorded by the citizen scientists and this prevents Forestry from logging within a 50-metre radius. This method has saved a total of 19 hectares from the logging machines.
Nannas met ecologists, members of the Tree Veneration Society, members of the local community and volunteers from across the state on the spotting expedition.
Many were welcome to camp on a kind local’s land, while others stayed nearby in Braidwood accommodation. The organisation of the weekend was fabulous, and we thank Doro from the Bob Brown Foundation for all the work involved in planning such a successful event.
During the day on Saturday, we heard excellent talks from Kate, an environmentalist who showed us all the different creatures we might see or hear in the forest, many of them endangered.
Charmaine, a wildlife carer, who specialises in bats, gave a great talk about the many unique and different bats and their habitats and specialities. Nanna Jos spoke of the great campaigns to save forests on the south coast, including the work to save ‘Big Spotty’, the tallest spotted gum in the world, and her forest.
Quote from Brook, artist and volunteer: “This was so uplifting to be in the forest, with wonderful, dedicated people, doing something so worthwhile. I feel privileged to be here and see greater gliders in their element and it is something I look forward to doing again. I would recommend to everyone to come greater glider spotting to help save their forests, and for an experience of a lifetime!”
It’s time to end native forest logging!
In August 2025, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) filed 29 charges against Forestry Corporation for illegal logging in Tallaganda State Forest. (ABC News)
Images: Heidi of Wilderness Australia and other volunteers.
Forest Defenders win appeal
Forest Defenders win appeal
The first group of Orara East Forest Defenders attended the Coffs Harbour District Court on 13 May to appeal the criminal charges and fines imposed on them by a magistrate.
The Judge dismissed the charges with no conviction and no fine. Before walking out of the court room, the Judge said… “It’s beautiful country out there.”.
Background
Around 30 people took part in a peaceful community ‘walk-on’ to protest the logging of Orara East State Forest in June 2025.
Despite complying with directions from police and a Forestry Corporation officer to leave, protesters were detained at the site and issued on-the-spot fines of approximately $1300 each.
Ten people chose to challenge the fines in court, arguing the response was excessive and not in the public interest. Eight appellants continued the appeal process.
The appellants pleaded not-guilty to three forestry offences. Police later offered to withdraw two of the charges if the group pleaded guilty to a single fine-only offence.
The defendants accepted the compromise plea on the understanding that similar matters involving peaceful protest and first-time offenders have historically resulted in Section 10 dismissals with no conviction recorded.
Instead, the magistrate imposed criminal convictions and $650 fines against the defendants, including first time offenders, prompting this week’s appeal. There were no allegations of violence, property damage or harm to forestry workers or police.
The protest took place less than three months before the NSW Government announced the Great Koala National Park and halted logging operations in the area through a moratorium.
Nannas have learnt a few things from this case:
- determine if the Forestry Corporation officer is an ‘authorised officer’ under the Act. If not, they have no authority to direct you to leave,
- the Act requires that an ‘authorised officer’ reads out the precise direction to the protesters,
- how best to plead at the first hearing –
– a guilty plea facilitates the work of the Court and can be used as an argument for leniency in sentencing,
– a not-guilty plea enables a defence argument to be presented and, more importantly, the Police Prosecutor must present a well-argued case,
- paying the fine up front, without challenge, has proved to be great for consolidated revenue, but not for the activists,
The group was represented by Climate Defenders Australia.
Protest is vital to Australia’s democracy (Australian Human Rights Commission)
Nature Laws Forum
A Nature Laws Forum was held on 3 May in Katoomba, hosted by Resilient Blue Mountains. It was well attended, showing the strong community interest in the new laws.
On the panel were Susan Templeman, Federal MP for Macquarie and Blue Mountains, Mayor Mark Greenhill, Annette Cam, Senior Vice President of Blue Mountains Conservation Society, Dr Brad Smith from NSW Nature Conservation Council and Martin Mansfield from Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF). Unfortunately, local NSW MP, Trish Doyle, was unable to attend.
It was evident from their pitches and responses to questions that, while the Blue Mountains Council and Mark Greenhill make strong statements about the strength of our environment custodianship in the Blue Mountains, they have lost any leverage in advocating for improvements to the nature laws. Susan and Mark nodded sagely in agreement with each other and referred to their friendship and support of each other. This was profoundly disappointing, and it cemented the concern that residents’ voices are not being heard for the din of the Labor policy machine.
Martin Mansfield spoke powerfully about research the ACF has done into ways to scope, implement and develop projects that are nature positive, and enable sound land use for agriculture. Questions were submitted about the right of the minister to intercede, how national significance is defined and the devolvement of decision making to the states.
National Environmental Standard for Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) – the federal government is asking for feedback on a key part of Australia’s new environment laws. Submissions close Friday May 29. Environmental Justice Australia submission guide.
Nannas are watching
The Australia Institute webinar Phasing out fossil fuels: what role for Australia and the Pacific? has some encouraging news about the first conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels. There’s also some plain speaking about the massive gap between the Australian government’s talk about reducing emissions and their policies – what they are actually doing.
Unpacking the 2026 Budget: And what the hell is going on with gas? (The Australia Institute)
Nannas are reading
How Australian gas giants are using Singapore to reduce taxes (ABC News)
China is dominating the energy transition with astonishing result, while fossil fuel fascists in the US try to turn back the clock (The Guardian)
Six properties purchased to create 7,000 hectare refuge for threatened species in the Great Dividing Range west of Port Macquarie (Great Southern Land Conservancy)
Small robots used to help students consider careers in renewable energy (ABC News)
‘Fossil fascism’ is a political concept describing the alliance between extreme right-wing, ultranationalist movements and the fossil fuel industry. It argues that, as the climate crisis worsens, far-right groups will protect existing fossil-fuel systems through authoritarianism, racism, and strict border controls to maintain the privileged status of certain populations over others. (White Skin, Black Fuel: On the Danger of Fossil Fascism)
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