Data centres, coal exports, wood-fired power plants, weapons manufacturing, logging — are these the industry jobs you want for your children?
Illawarra Nannas
Illawarra Knitting Nannas Against Gas (IKNAG) held a rally to protest the new NSW Coal Industry 2026-50 policy released by the NSW Resources Minister, Minister Houssos on 16 May. Nannas are particularly concerned about the potential expansion of coal mining in our drinking water catchments and the potential for it to be extended.
IKNAG was very pleased to be invited to Anti-War Enviro Fest, hosted by Wollongong Against War and Nukes on 31 May. Nannas put knitted signs up all around the venue, and performed a new anti-nuclear song with lyrics penned by Nanna Margi.
Gloucester Nannas
Nanna Carol from Gloucester was one of the speakers at a storytelling night organised by Generation Women at Surry Hills on 27 May. The theme was Nevertheless, She Persisted — Stories of Resistance, Resilience and Revolution.
Hunter Nannas
Rising Tide Events and Campaigns
Rising tide is not holding the People’s Blockade in November this year — instead, they are planning the following events.
Saturday 14 November – Paddle for the Planet in Newcastle, a one-day paddle coinciding with the UN Climate Change Conference – COP31 Turkiye. Register your interest here
15 Feb – 2 March 2027 – People’s Blockade – Register your interest here
Rising Tide are focusing on two campaigns — opposing the expansion of the Hunter Valley Operations coal mine and a campaign demanding that ANZ not provide funding for the gas pipeline from the Beetaloo gas projects in the NT to the east coast network. ANZ is the only big-four bank not to have ruled out funding the pipeline.
Webinar Tuesday 9 June 6pm
ANZ Campaign
Coal Expansions
Thursday 11 June – Coal and Climate Webinar with Lock the Gate – three huge coal mine expansions, including HVO, will be decided by the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) this year. Register here and find out what’s going on and what you can do. 5.30-6.30pm
Redbank Power Station
An appeal has been filed in the Land and Environment Court against the IPC’s decision to refuse approval to convert the Redbank Power Station from burning coal to burning biomass, waste wood residues and approved clearings. Reserved hearing of the appeal 20 to 24 July 2026 at 225 Macquarie Street.
Minns munitions
Replacing coal exports with manufacturing weapons for export continues to cause great community concern in the Hunter. Minimal information has been provided for the public. See Newcastle Weapons (Sydney Knitting Nannas)
Coffs Harbour Nannas
Nannas and Friends have been asked to write to Premier Chris Minns and Environment Minister Penny Shape to ensure that Forestry NSW shelves plans to log Compartments 32 and 33 in Pine Creek State Forest as early as 15 June. These compartments should be included in the Great Koala National Park to maintain the forest bridge for native animals.
As well as concerns about the environmental impacts, biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and broader cumulative effects associated with logging this vital wildlife corridor, it will ensure a healthy genetic breeding of koalas by linking the coastal Bongil Bongil National Park to the western tablelands of Dorrigo World Heritage National Park and beyond so the respective koala populations can meet and mix.
Contact Penny Sharpe online form
Contact Premier Chris Minns online form
More information from Friends of Pine Creek
Forest defenders had all their charges dismissed in their appeal to the Federal Court over their arrests in Coramba State Forest. The actions of 28 activists including many Nannas halted logging in Orara East State Forest which is now included in the Great Koala National Park. Fund raising covered the cost of exorbitant fines which some defenders paid immediately to avoid further court bother. Remaining funds were donated to Climate Defenders Australia who assisted with the defence.
In Brief
Albury / Wodonga: Nannas have been meeting outside Bridget McKenzie’s office developing a plan on how to deal with their new One Nation MP, David Farley.
Bathurst: Nannas have been talking to local landowners to gauge the feasibility of a class action to counteract further gold mining contamination in the area.
Grafton: Nannas delivered a letter to the office of Clarence MP, Richie Williamson, about their concerns about opening up areas for gas exploration in far western NSW.
Data Centres
Data Centres use huge amounts of electricity and water.
Plans for a $10 billion battery and an adjacent data centre near Muswellbrook in the Hunter are about to be lodged with the NSW government. Completion is expected in the next couple of years with 100-200 jobs for ongoing employees. Concerns are being raised about the volumes of water the centre would use from already constrained water sources. Climate change is already causing increased water stress, so strict regulation of water use by data centres is essential. (Newcastle Herald)
Southern Highlands Data Campus Power Station is a proposal for a gas fired power station at Moss Vale. Its main purpose would be to supply power to a proposed data centre, Southern Highlands Data Campus. The application for the controversial power station was recently listed on the NSW Planning Portal.
Bathurst Regional Council has approved an application for a Tier III Data Centre to be built on Panorama Avenue, next to Bathurst TAFE. The Bathurst Leading Edge Data Centre will be one of 14 built across Regional New South Wales. Residents are concerned because Bathurst had severe water restrictions during the last drought and they nearly ran out of water.
For more information about what government needs to do see the evidence from NCC, Greenpeace and Carbon Zero to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Data Centres.
The Nature Conservation Council’s submission to the inquiry https://www.nature.org.au/submission_inquiry_into_data_centres
The AI Race – Steve Cannane investigates the race to build ever more powerful AI systems and asks whether it is moving faster than governments and communities can keep up with. Australia is being courted as a key destination for major AI and data centre investment while communities raise concerns about noise, pollution, water and energy use. (ABC Four Corners)
Why are communities pushing back against data centres in the US? (The Harvard Gazette)
Nannas go to the movies: Earth’s Greatest Enemy
On Friday night, eight Sydney Nannas went to see Earth’s Greatest Enemy, a feature length film by American filmmaker, Abbey Martin, about the extraordinary power of the US military and its impacts on our planet.
Martin pieces together a history of military extremes — of cruelty, pollution, devastation and waste. She also highlights a hidden truth about global warming: that the US military machine is the world’s largest institutional polluter. They are not accountable for the emissions, nor the costs of the damage they inflict.
The confronting themes are relieved by interviews with brave people in different countries who are resisting the poisoning of their water and land, and the establishment of US bases.
It’s challenging to watch, so if you’re going be like the Nannas — go with friends.
The film was presented by the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) with support from the NSW Teachers Federation. Afterwards we caught up with Shahnaz, a member of NSW IPAN, who gave us the good idea of adding crocheted peace flowers to our craftivism.
Citizen Science Camps
Citizen Science Camps locate greater glider den trees and save them from loggers in forests inland from the north and southeast coast. Every den tree found saves 50m of forest. Many den trees have saved lots of forest. The next Citizen Science Camp will be held at Glenelg Forest 79km east of Glen Innes on 25 to 30 June. Contact Us
Travelling Nannas
Nanna Anne was at the Louth Field Day on Saturday 6 June. It’s where solar pumps are popular, and Ozfish is working hard to restore habitat for endangered native fish. There are one million recreational fisher people in Australia — the most popular outdoor sport. This big lobbying group wants more water in the rivers too.
And who doesn’t love a Massey Ferguson tractor. They were driven 130km from Cobar — mmmm that’s a drive.
Nature Media Centre
The Nature Media Centre connects journalists with people wanting to communicate or share stories about nature or the environment, particularly in rural areas. Training is available.
Action
Saturday 13 June – Online NCC Regional Conference – Power in the Regions
9am – 3:30pm See event listing for more info.
Make Polluters Pay – Call on your council to pass a Polluter Pays motion. Information here. See local campaign petitions here and start your own here.
Proposed new funding model for emergency services in NSW
Government proposes making residents and councils to pay more. A levy on fossil fuel companies should be imposed because they are causing the increased costs. Submissions close 19 June. Emergency services funding reform.
Stop Land Clearing
The NSW Labor Government are looking at changes to the Biodiversity Conservation Act to strengthen environmental protections, but are less focused on the Local Land Services Act (LLS Act) – 60% of trees cleared annually is on rural lands, which is governed by loose permissions under the LLS Act. If you are open to sending a letter, respond to Antonia Chacon <achacon@volunteer.nature.org.au>, Michelle Reilly <mreilly@volunteer.nature.org.au> and one of them will get back to you ASAP.
Coal and weapons exports to Israel
Despite taking the lead in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel, South Africa has been a leading exporter of coal that fuels Israel’s genocide in Gaza. (Mondoweiss)
Colombia’s ban on coal exports to Israel is in danger (Jacobin)
Trade in a time of genocide. Australia’s exports to Israel growing fast (Michael West Media)
Australia is manufacturing explosives for Israel’s atrocities (The Shot)
Forthcoming Events