Climate Change Australia

Hastings Branch in New South Wales - Campaigning for a Safe Climate and Energy Security for all.

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News June 2018

A message from our President:

Wood is not a renewable energy source - it is as bad as burning coal. We should be investing in genuine renewable energy sources like solar, wind and pump hydro instead of destroying one of our life support systems – our native forests.  That’s why CCA is very active in taking the message to locals about the proposed changes to NSW logging laws – which, if approved, will have disastrous impacts on climate change.  So we've held rallies, we've had an information evening, we've had stalls at local markets.  And we haven't finished yet. Please consider making a submission (see below) or emailing our Premier about this issue.  And come along to our rally this Friday 22nd.
 
 
Kerri-ann Jones
President, CCA (Hastings)
 

Proposed changes to NSW logging laws: can you make a submission?


The NSW Government says it wants everyone in NSW to have the chance to comment on the draft Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals (IFOA.) It wants the public to send in submissions by 29 June but will not hold any public meetings. Most of the major changes will occur on the North Coast from Taree to Grafton. These are all National Party electorates.  Your local Member of Parliament is not holding any public meetings to explain the changes, justify them, or seek public comment.

The National Parks Association of NSW has provided substantial briefing notes to assist in making submissions - a few of its key points include:

  • logging will intensify dramatically between Taree and Grafton
  • the government currently has a dual commitment to no reduction in wood supply and no erosion of environmental values.  The Natural Resources Commission (the independent scientific advisor to Government) has determined that it is "not possible to meet the Government’s commitments around both environmental values and wood supply”.  
  • the maximum size of legal clear felling under the previous forestry agreement was 0.25ha. The new proposals will see a maximum size of 45ha - a 180-fold intensification of logging. 
  • Old Growth Areas have already been reduced to allow for increased logging at the expense of previously agreed “permanent” public reserve systems.
  • previous agreed federal / state principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development and Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management are being discarded. 
(Note: this is a highly abbreviated version of the Briefing Note: Proposed changes to NSW’s Logging Laws prepared by the National Parks Association of NSW – for more details go to https://npansw.org/npa/campaigns/end-native-forest-logging/)

If you have time, please write a submission before 29 June 2018 to the Department of Planning and Environment: https://engage.environment.nsw.gov.au/forests

If you don’t have time, please send a brief email outlining your concerns to the Premier before 29 June: www.nsw.gov.au/contact-us/contact-the-premier/
 
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Come to a Rally to stand up for our forests:


if you are concerned about the imminent threat to our native forests, please join us in a peaceful rally this Friday 22nd June.  Come and see some street theatre and witness a special 'Golden Bulldozer' award presentation.

Where: 27 Grant St., Port Macquarie, opposite the Library

When: 10am, Friday 22nd June

Who: Everyone is welcome - bring your family & friends   

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Even more water for Adani:


Water is scarce. Adani already has unlimited access to Australia's groundwater, approved for 60 years!  Drought-stricken Queensland can’t afford to pour its precious water into a coal mine which will divert water from farmers, worsen the impacts of climate change, risk aquifers and threaten wetlands. The Independent Expert Scientific Committee must thoroughly review Adani’s proposal. It's time to put Queensland’s precious water before polluting coal mines!

 

Click here to Ask the Minister for Environment and Energy to conduct a full environmental impact assessment of this water scheme under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

 

And please Sign and share this petition to tell the Queensland government to revoke Adani's water licences and put Queensland’s precious water before polluting coal mines!

 
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We need real leadership around climate action - please sign the petition:


Our federal government clearly can't be trusted to meet the Paris targets alone. Malcolm Turnbull’s government has no climate change policy in 2018, and no mechanisms to meet its own vastly inadequate commitments to the global Paris Agreement. Scott Morrison’s budget is throwing $500 million at ineffective measures to protect the Great Barrier Reef, while failing to address what is literally cooking coral in the first place: climate change.  That’s why every level of government – from local councils to state and territory governments – must step up if we are to stop the fossil fuel industry and make a just transition to 100% renewable energy.  


In September representatives from local governments, businesses, and civil society from around the world are gathering in San Francisco for the Global Climate Action Summit. It’s the largest gathering of non-national governments ever held and a unique moment to corner the fossil fuel industry. 


Please sign the petition and Call on local leaders to commit to stop the fossil fuel industry around the Global Climate Action Summit.

 
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Stop Rocky Hill coal mine fundraiser:


You are invited to a day of music in Worimi and Biripi country.

When: Saturday 23 June 2018

Time: 11:30 – 4pm

Where: Gloucester River Winery, 51 Stanton Lane, Gloucester

Cost: $25 adult, $60 family, includes glass of champagne on arrival, soup & damper lunch, various stalls and entertainment.  Note: This is a plastic free event – please take your own wineglass, mug, bowl, spoon, picnic chair, rug.

Tickets: www.barrringtontopsgreens.org.au

 
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Windfarm experts published no research and had no face-to-face meetings last year:


The Committee set up by former prime minister Tony Abbott to handle complaints about wind turbine noise failed to hold one face-to-face meeting last year and failed to have its research accepted by peer-reviewed journals.  Read more in the Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/12/windfarm-experts-publish-no-research-and-have-no-face-to-face-meetings-in-two-years

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Australia's emissions reduction target 'unambitious, irresponsible':


A recent Australia Institute paper found neither Coalition nor Labor’s pollution reduction targets would see us doing our fair share  to cut greenhouse gas emissions under the Pars climate agreement.  Read more here:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/12/australias-emissions-reduction-target-unambitious-irresponsible

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Membership:
 
Membership fees remain unchanged from last year:  
-  Individual: $20
-  Household (two adults): $30
-  Concession (student, pensioner): $10  
-  Concession Household (two concession adults): $15
 
To pay your membership/renewal, you can: 
  • make an EFT transfer to BSB 721 000, account number 117114.  Please put your name as the reference,
  • make an In-person deposit at the bank: just go into the Holiday Coast Credit Union and make a deposit to BSB 721 000, account number 117114.  Please ask the teller to put your name on the deposit. 
  • post a cheque and the membership form to: CCA, PO Box 2389, Port Macquarie. NSW 2444
Not a member yet? The membership form is available here http://climatechangehastings.org.au/pdf_files/Members_form_03-18.pdf

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