Tweed Shire local government the subject of more corruption allegations?

The Northern Star-Daily Telegraph, 19 December 2024:

Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) probe launched into Tweed Shire Council

A corruption probe has been launched into Tweed Shire Council, it can be revealed.

Multiple sources have told this publication an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigation was recently launched into allegations surrounding council processes.

One source stated that the corruption probe was “common knowledge” in council and that “they have been trying to keep a lid on it”.

Another source said ICAC officers had recently raided council offices to conduct searches and obtain information, and that a number of staff had reportedly been suspended.

When asked about the probe, Tweed Shire Council Mayor Chris Cherry said she was “unsure” whether the investigation was “active” and that “it was likely to come out (in the media) sooner or later”. She then referred enquiries to general manager Troy Green.

In response to questions, a council spokesperson said: “All investigations are a matter for the Commission.”

“Where there is an active and ongoing investigation, it is not appropriate for council to give any response,” the spokesperson said.

“All enquiries should be directed to the ICAC. No further statements will be made about this matter by the council.”

An ICAC spokesperson said it would not “confirm or deny if it is undertaking investigations”.

In 2005, the state government sacked the Tweed Shire Council after allegations of corruption were aired to ICAC before handing responsibilities over to three administrators.

The probe came after an independent report by Commissioner Maurice Daly, who examined how Tweed councillors were elected, finding them to be influenced by a developer-led group called Tweed Directions.

The report claimed candidates who presented as independents were backed by developers who were responsible for a property boom on the Queensland-NSW border.

At the time, Local Government Minister Tony Kelly said the move had “distorted the community’s understanding of their real status and purpose” and council had “effectively lied to the community.”

The current probe has no links to the matters in 2005.

In September 2022 Tweed Shire Council published its Fraud and Corruption Control Policy Version 2.0 which reads in part:

Fraud refers to dishonestly obtaining a benefit, or causing a loss, by deception or other means. Corruption, in broad terms, is deliberate, a serious wrongdoing that involves dishonest or partial conduct, a breach of public trust or the misuse of information or material.....

This Policy affirms Tweed Shire Council’s commitment to supporting an integrity fraud and corruption control framework, communicates our intention and direction to fraud and corruption control and shows clear accountability structures.

The wilfully blind cast their vote at Lismore City Council's ordinary monthly meeting of 10 December 2024

 

If there is one thing that can be relied on when it comes to Lismore City Council's elected representatives, it is that Cr. Big Rob, formerly known as Robert Bou-Hamdan, will seek to tear down rather than build on past community achievements.

This is yet another case in point.....

ECHO, 13 December 2024:

Lismore councillors Big Rob and Andrew Bing have led the charge to remove all CSG (coal seam gas) and nuclear free area signs from the Lismore local government area (LGA).

Speaking to the motion at the December 10 council meeting Cr Rob made it clear he wasn’t happy with what he sees as the negative messaging that the ‘CSG and nuclear free’ statement on the welcome to Lismore signage.

‘I even don’t like the signs on the bins, it has like 20 different things you cannot do,’ said Cr Rob emphasising his point.

Supporting the motion Cr Electra Jensen told the meeting that while she had supported the ‘No CSG’ campaign at the time but ‘we don’t want to rehash history [we want to] look to the future… it is time to move on.’....

Councillors voted six to four in favour of removing the CSG signs with Crs Gordon, Battista, Rob, Bing, Jensen and Krieg in favour and Crs Dalton-Earls, Knight-Smith, Guise and Waters opposed.

Following the meeting a rescission motion has been lodged by Crs Knight-Smith, Guise and Waters.

‘The fact that 87 per cent of LGA voted to be CSG free means the Krieg team would have their own constituents who would have supported the referendum,’ Cr Guise told The Echo.

‘I’d like them to listen to the sentiment of the community and recognise that they should proudly display those signs as a symbol of community pride and what we have gained from being gasfield free.

‘We’ve got a united, powerful community, we have protected our farmland, we have clean air and water. These signs are something that a farming and a food growing region should be proud of as it is essential to a food growing and agricultural region to have clean farmland and water,’ he said.

‘CSG is still a clear-a-present danger. You have communities fighting against gas fields across NSW and Australia right now. CSG is a dirty fossil fuel on par or worse than coal.’.....

Crs Gordon, Battista, Rob, Bing, Jensen and Krieg have chosen to ignore the long history of exploration and mining in north-east New South Wales from the 19th century to the present 21st century - gold, silver, copper, tin, antimony, coal, asbestos, mineral sands & coal seam gas being the principal commodities sought by the mining industry.

These councillors turn their eyes and minds from those maps showing current mining titles and exploration leases, as well as from maps pockmarked with coal seam gas drilling holes that Northern Rivers communities fought hard to stop proliferating ahead of then proposed gas fields.

Mining industry history across Australia clearly shows that mining titles can endure across many lifetimes, often changing hands down the years as long-term investments. History also shows us that state governments can and do grant new exploration licenses in areas where mining leases have lapsed or been dissolved by previous governments.

There is no binding 'never ever' promise on the part of governments when it comes to minerals, ores & metals that can still be found in the ground.

BACKGROUND

All current north-east NSW mining titles & applications for mineral and energy resource exploration, assessment and production, where a company or individual has the right to explore for or extract resources including petroleum, minerals and coal. All current titles for mineral and energy resource exploration, assessment and production.

MinView Geoscience Planning Portal mapping

All current & past north-east NSW exploratory drilling sites. Past coal seam gas drilling sites marked in yellow.

MinView Geoscience Planning Portal mapping

3.GEOLOGICAL SETTING, excerpt from Assessment of Mineral Resources in the Upper North East CRA Study Area:

The Upper North East Region (UNER) has a complex geological history extending from about 600 million years ago to the present. Rocks in the region have been brought together from sites of deposition as far away as sub-Antarctic areas. The region has undergone massive upheavals and some rock sequences which now abut were formed in different parts of the globe in settings ranging from volcanic island arcs to swampy basins. The area has been relatively stable as part of the Australian continent since about 200 million years ago but there have been periods of considerable volcanic activity most recently about 40-15 million years ago. Large parts of the region are now in an active erosional cycle but deposition of new sediments is occurring in many coastal lake and river systems. 

The UNER covers rocks of the New England Orogen (or New England fold belt), the Clarence-Moreton Basin and associated sub-basins, and younger rocks of Tertiary and Quaternary age which overlie these major provinces. The New England Orogen is a major geological zone which extends from the Newcastle area north to Far North Queensland. The Orogen comprises many rocks which formed in highly active geological regions where sediments from the deep ocean were being subducted and thrust into the Australian land mass at that time. They were mixing with sediments formed from the eroding mountains and volcanoes which existed on the margins of the continent. The Orogen has a complex structural history and the sedimentary rocks are generally folded and regionally metamorphosed. The Orogen includes a major plutonic province and there are numerous intrusive units, generally felsic in character, as well as extrusive volcanic rocks of similar age and composition.

In the north eastern part of the UNER the Orogen rocks are overlain by relatively flat-lying sediments of the Clarence-Moreton Basin (C-MB) and underlying sub-basins. This major basin formed after the crust had stabilised. This basin covers the New England Orogen rocks completely just north of the Region and sedimentary units can be traced across to the west to join with units comprising the vast sedimentary basins of central Australia.

During the Tertiary Epoch basaltic volcanism occurred along eastern Australia and was related to the formation of the Tasman Sea. Remnants of very large continental basaltic shield volcanoes are present in the Region, the major one being the Tweed volcano centred at Mount Warning. There has been substantial erosion throughout the region since these volcanoes formed.

Erosion has produced a major escarpment which extends through the UNER. Huge gorge systems have developed and the material removed has been deposited in coastal regions in rivers and lakes and out to sea.

[Assessment of Mineral Resources in the Upper North East CRA Study Area: A project undertaken as part of the NSW Comprehensive Regional Assessments, November 1999, p.4]

Operation Five Valleys launched in Kyogle region, northern NSW, with a focus on this potential fire ant hot spot

NSW Dept. of Primary Industry, media release, 28 November 2024:

NSW Government’s fire ant protection activities ramp-up for busy QLD border-crossing period

Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW - Media Release

28 Nov 2024

The Minns Labor Government is ramping up its red imported fire ants program’s surveillance and response efforts to combat the potential spread of fire ants during the summer when cross border traffic increases.

The Government’s red fire ant program’s goal is to prevent red fire ants from entering New South Wales, and in the event they do, the program identifies infestations early and eradicates them swiftly.

Biosecurity detection dog ‘Candy’ seeks out fire ant nests during the NSW Governments recent early detection surveillance on the Tweed, under the watchful eye of Biosecurity detection dog trainer/handler, Ryan Tate from TATE Animals.

Operation Five Valleys in the Kyogle region was launched this week to focus on this potential hot spot and is spearheaded by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).

Last week another wave of Operation Victa, involving NSW Police and Transport for NSW, stopped 68 large vehicles at the NSW/Qld border to inspect compliance and turned around one vehicle from entering NSW under a direction from the officers.

This compliance activity follows the recent interception and eradication of fire ants found in a turf delivery from Queensland, which led to a swift response by the NSW Government suspending the importing of turf from southeast Queensland until that region’s landscape sector demonstrates better safeguarding behaviours.

These actions are part of the NSW Government’s ongoing detection and surveillance program across northern New South Wales.

Operation Five Valleys is undertaking the following:

• The Government’s specially trained detection dogs and human surveillance teams will be monitoring high-risk sites in Kyogle to detect fire ants.

• High-risk locations are identified with fire ant carrier materials, such as turf, soil, landscaping materials, plus areas highlighted by habitat suitability modelling.

• Areas near Cougal, Findon Creek, Lindesay Creek, Dairy Flat and Sawpit Creek have been identified as early detection areas to guard against the natural and human-assisted spread into NSW from QLD.

• A Check Your Yard campaign is being launched to encourage all residents to check their properties. Selected Landholders can also elect to have their properties checked at no cost.

• Plus, selected Landholders can have their properties checked at no cost.

To further support these efforts, the NSW Government has introduced updates to the Biosecurity Emergency Order, providing clear guidance and improved safeguards for stakeholders involved in the movement of fire ant carrier materials.

The Order now includes clearer fire ant carrier definitions, premises checking and treatment, plus clarified requirements, making it easier for stakeholders to fulfil their duties. For more information, Biosecurity Helpline 1800 680 244 or www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fire-ants.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty:

"The Minns Labor Government’s early detection surveillance program is part of our ongoing commitment to keep this highly invasive pest out of New South Wales.

“By focusing on high-risk areas and employing advanced tracking and modeling techniques, we’re taking strong preventative measures to stop fire ants from establishing here."

“We’ve proven that when fire ants are detected in NSW, we will respond quickly to control the situation and stamp them out.

“We will also take measures to address weak-link behaviours, such as banning QLD turf entering NSW after repeated problems.

“Fire ants won’t march or float into NSW they will either be carried with materials such as soil, mulch, hay and turf, or fly in by natural spread from QLD. Which is why we’re ramping up surveillance in these high-risk areas.

 

STATE OF PLAY NORTHERN RIVERS SPRING-SUMMER 2024: Fires and La Niña years have helped cane toads accelerate their spread in northern New South Wales

 

Atlasof Living Australia, Cane Toad Occurrence records map, Family Bufonidae, est 38,038 records 1990-2024

ABCNews, 23 November 2024:

When Rick Ensby spotted cane toads on his Woodford Island property, he was quick to call the local Clarence Landcare group.

The Woodford cattle grazier said a control officer spent nine days removing adults and metamorphs from the area.

"It had a massive effect on the number of cane toads for quite some time after," he said.

But several years later the notorious invasive pests are back in "huge numbers", despite the best efforts of Mr Nesby and his wife.

"We both work and we work the farm as well and it's quite time-consuming to go on an emu parade every night," he said.

"We definitely will do that because cane toads are quite [poisonous] to native animals and birds that we're a little bit attached to that live around the place.

"We grow hay and we don't want [cane toads] getting wrapped up in our bales of hay and possibly transported elsewhere."

But this time Clarence Landcare was only able to offer Mr Ensby collection buckets and handbooks as Local Land Services NSW (LLS) has discontinued control funding.

Funding redirected to studies

The NSW Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone shows areas in green where cane toads have become established. (Supplied: NSW Department of Primary Industries)

The Ensbys' property was previously in a DPI Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone, which meant all cane toad sightings had to be reported.

But that classification, made in 2017, has now expired.

LLS team leader for invasive pests, Dean Chamberlain, said field surveys were being conducted to determine the cane toad's range.

"We know from where the initial biosecurity line was when it was set up that they've moved considerable distances to the west and in reasonable distances to the south," he said.

"We could spend money now where control has been done in the past, but if it is 10 or 15 kilometres off the front line, then it's not really effective management of incursion."

The Ensbys' property was previously in a DPI Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone, which meant all cane toad sightings had to be reported.

But that classification, made in 2017, has now expired.

LLS team leader for invasive pests, Dean Chamberlain, said field surveys were being conducted to determine the cane toad's range.

"We know from where the initial biosecurity line was when it was set up that they've moved considerable distances to the west and in reasonable distances to the south," he said.

"We could spend money now where control has been done in the past, but if it is 10 or 15 kilometres off the front line, then it's not really effective management of incursion."

While cane toads have been spreading west at a rate of up to 60 kilometres a year in the tropical north of Australia, their spread south has generally been much slower.

But Charles Sturt University herpetologist Matthew Greenlees said that was changing.

"They were introduced around the Byron Bay area in the 1960s and they've spread relatively slowly compared to the expansion that we've seen in northern Australia," Dr Greenlees said.

"Since the bushfires and consecutive La Niña events and wet seasons, they just seem to be spreading more rapidly, particularly over the past three or four years.

"So from Angourie to Brooms Head [18km] it took them almost 30 years, but now from Brooms Head down to Diggers Camp [slightly further] we're talking five to six years."

Early signs this season

Clarence Landcare invasive species officer Matthew Morris said conditions had been perfect for breeding this season.

Bureau of Meteorology weather data shows Yamba received 615 millimetres of rain between May and August this year, almost double the seasonal average, and temperatures were also warmer than the median.

"I think the toads have done a little bit better during the winter," Mr Morris said.

"Coming out of winter we had that massive heatwave for a week and a half and that triggered a number of breeding events, which we saw very early in the season being reported to us."......

Cane Toad Calls

>https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0011/232004/cane_toads_call.mp3

RSPSA Knowledgebase, 17 January 2024:

Whatis the most humane way to kill a cane toad?

What killing methods are being recommended?

In 2011, the Australian Government released the Standard Operating Procedure for the Humane Field Euthanasia of Cane Toads (SOP) which was based on a comparative study of the humaneness of a range of different cane toad killing methods [1]. However, this SOP has not been updated and so omits some recently developed and evaluated methods, but it still contains some useful information. No methods are listed in the SOP as unconditionally acceptable, thus highlighting the need for more research to develop a humane killing method for cane toads.

The following method is the most humane currently available to the general public:

Cooling and then freezing – one study has shown that this method may be more humane than other methods [2, 3]. It involves placing the toad in a plastic bag or container ensuring that there is sufficient cool air around each individual toad to allow for uniform cooling and freezing (e.g. place toads individually in containers). Place the container(s) in the fridge at 4°C for 12 hours, and then after ensuring the toad is not moving (it is effectively anaesthetised), transferring it to a freezer (-20°C) for at least 24 hours to painlessly kill the toad.

Gloves must always be worn when handling toads. Toads must be confirmed dead before disposal.....

How do I know when a cane toad is dead?

When using any killing method, it is essential to confirm that the animal has died before disposing of its body. Determining death can be difficult with amphibians as their heart rate is difficult to detect and respiration can occur through the skin as well as the lungs. Absence of all of the following signs will confirm that the cane toad is dead (remember to wear thick plastic gloves when handling cane toads):

• Loss of righting reflex – the toad cannot turn itself over when placed onto its back

• Loss of withdrawal reflex – no response to a light squeezing of the skin in between the toes

• Loss of deep pain reflex – no response to moderate squeezing of the toes

• No respiratory movement – no throat movements that indicate breathing

• No heart activity – no chest movement or visible pulse

Always check for these signs and do not assume an animal is dead just because it is not moving or apparently not breathing. If death cannot be confirmed, then the killing procedure must be repeated.

Cluster of ram raids involving robbery & arson in Northern Rivers region sees NSW Police establishing Strike Force Albany to investigate the incidents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udQ2FnU1pfE 

ECHO, 15 November 2024:

Financial Crime Squad detectives have released CCTV as they appeal for information following the ram raid and arson of two tobacconists at Tweed and Ballina.....

There was also a fire at the Ocean Shores [Byron Shire] tobacconist at about 12.45am on Tuesday, 6 August though police have not claimed any link between the Ballina and Tweed ram raids and fire and the one at Ocean Shores.

Full article at https://www.echo.net.au/2024/11/appeal-over-arson-and-ram-raid-of-tobacconists-at-tweed-and-ballina/

9 News, 15 November 2024:

Police have set their sights on the booming illegal tobacco trade after recent attacks on tobacconists prompted fears violent turf wars are spilling into NSW.....

9 News, 7 November 2024:

There have been more than 1000 offences recorded in Goondiwindi [Qld] in the past year alone.

Its location on the edge of NSW makes it a tough one for police to track down perpetrators.

Taskforce Guardian – which has seen NSW and Queensland police join forces – stepped in to tackle the spike in robberies and break-ins in a three-day cross-border crackdown.

"I will say to these offenders, if you target these locations we will identify you and we will use our intelligence skills and we will use our counterparts in Queensland to arrest you," NSW Police's Andrew Holland told 9News.

9News was invited to see inside the task force, which involved Queensland and NSW police officers teaming up to hunt down the alleged criminals.....

NSW Police News, 15 November 2024:

Detectives release CCTV appeal following ram raids and arsons of Northern NSW tobacconists

Financial Crime Squad detectives have released CCTV as they appeal for information following the ram raid and arson of two tobacconists in Northern NSW.

About 4.30am on Sunday 22 September 2024, police were called to a tobacconist on Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South, following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District arrived to find a Toyota Corolla sedan, believed to have been stolen from Queensland, driven into a tobacconist, before two unknown males entered the business destroying several displays and stealing large amounts of cigarettes.

A crime scene was established, and police commenced an investigation into the incident.

A month later, about 2.40am on Tuesday 22 October, police were called to the same tobacconist, following reports a car had driven into a neighbouring business.

Police arrived to find a MG SUV had driven into the store – as bollards had been placed in front of the tobacconist – before two unknown men poured fuel inside the business and fled without setting it alight.

A crime scene was established, and police commenced an investigation into the incident.

About 3.30am the next day (Wednesday 23 October 2024), emergency services were called to River Street in Ballina, following reports of a building fire.

On arrival, officers attached to Richmond Police District located a silver Mercedes sedan inside the shopfront of a tobacconist, well alight.

Police were told the sedan drove into the business before the vehicle caught fire, with the occupants of the vehicle leaving the scene prior to police arrival.

Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze; however, the building was extensively damaged.

Surrounding units were evacuated and two other vehicles were damaged by the blaze.

No injuries have been reported as a result of the incident.

A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the incident has commenced.

Following initial investigations linking all three incidents, detectives attached to State Crime Command’s Financial Crime Squad’s Arson Unit commenced Strike Force Albany to investigate the incidents.

As part of investigations, strike force detectives have released CCTV of the two ram raids at the Tweed Heads South tobacconist.

Detectives are also hoping to speak to the driver and passengers of a dark coloured sedan seen leaving the scene of the second ram raid.

Anyone with information about any of the incidents are urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

According to NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) over the last financial year ending June 2024 the incidence rate per 100,000 population of robbery using a weapon other than a firearm in the Tweed and Ballina local government areas was 10.2 and 4.3 respectively. Compared to a state incidence rate of 9.3.

While the incidence rate of arson generally was 43.9 in Tweed, 44.8 in Ballina and 43.8 in Byron shires. Compared to a state incidence rate of 56.1.

It's 2024 and after 236 years of relentless urban expansion across New South Wales there are only 13 breeding pairs of Beach Stone Curlew left in the state

ECHO, 5 November 2024:

A pair of critically endangered beach stone-curlews are nesting in the dunes on Clarkes Beach, they are one of only 13 breeding pairs in NSW.

Beachgoers are asked to stay off the sand dunes and leave nesting birds alone as their nests are just a small area of scraped sand.

‘It’s so important these birds are not disturbed because they only lay one egg and the chick is cared for by both parents for seven to 12 months,’ said Chloe Dowsett, Coast and Biodiversity Coordinator.

‘We are hoping people will do the right thing and play their part in helping these special birds expand their family.’

On other beaches spotted pardalotes and rainbow bee-eaters have been sighted nesting in the dunes with the Byron Bird Buddies rescuing a group of baby bee-eaters as the area surrounding their nest was being damaged by people trampling and climbing on the exposed dune.

‘All of these precious birds are easily disturbed by walkers, joggers and especially dogs so we are asking people to be aware and take extra care when they are on the beach,’ Ms Dowsett said.

Another Electric Vehicle Charging Station for the NSW Northern Rivers

 

Earlier this year in May 2024 the NSW Minns Labor Government announced that 671 new EV public kerbside electric vehicle charging ports at 391 sites are to be installed across NSW, in what is expected to be the largest rollout in the country.

These new chargers are to be installed over the next 12-months and be open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

However, looking at the NSW Transport Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Map it looks a though there are only around 31 stations across the entire 20,758 sq kms of the Northern Rivers region - from the Clarence Valley up to the NSW-Qld border and, many of these tend to be relatively clustered.

So it was good to read that another electric vehicle charging station had been added to the mix in north-east New South Wales.

ECHO, 1 November 2024:

A new electric vehicle (EV) charger has been installed at 44 Cherry Street, Ballina in the heart of the Ballina’s CBD, close to Northern Rivers Regional Art Gallery, shops, cafes, and other tourist destinations.

For anyone driving an EV the installation of new chargers, particularly in regional areas is a definite bonus as the number of EVs on the roads increases. The Australian Automobile Association’s EV Index shows that battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) sales represented 9.6 per cent of new light vehicles sold in the second quarter of 2024.

‘Ballina Shire Council is thrilled to celebrate the installation of new electric vehicle charging stations on Cherry Street in Ballina. This fantastic collaboration with Essential Energy and EVX reflects our dedication to working hand-in-hand with the community and industry to seek innovative and sustainable solutions for our region,’ said Ballina Shire Council Mayor, Sharon Cadwallader.....

CLIMATE CHANGE STATE OF PLAY 2024: we have entered a grim millennia of climate consequences

 

According to the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO biennial report, State of the Climate 2024.......

Australia, on average, has warmed by 1.51°C ± 0.23°C since national air temperature records over the land mass of the continent began in 1910. While sea surface temperatures have increased by an average of 1.08°C since 1900.

Australia is not so slowly and very noticeably cooking.

There has been an increase in extreme heat events associated with the warming over land and in the oceans.

Australia’s warmest year on record was 2019, and 8 of the 9 warmest years on record have occurred since 2013.

This is what Australia's collective experience looks like expressed as a graph

State of the Climate 2024, 22 October 2024, p.2

Every decade since 1950 has been warmer than preceding decades. The warming in Australia is consistent with global trends, with the degree of warming similar to the overall average across the world’s land areas.

There has been an increase in extreme fire weather, and a longer fire season, across large parts of Australia since the 1950s. This has resulted in catastrophic bushfires in 1967, 1974-75, 1983, 2006-07, 2009 and 2019-20. Wildfires burning across millions of hectares, changing landscapes and communities, driving many native plant and animal species closer to extinction.

The track record with regard to rainfall has shown that:

Sustained heavy rainfall and associated flooding in much of Australia, particularly the east, is most common during La Niña, as illustrated by the multiple floods that occurred in eastern Australia in 2022. The 11 wettest years on record in eastern Australia were all influenced by La Niña, and many of eastern Australia’s most significant flood years, such as 1974, 2010−2011 and 2021–2022, have occurred during strong La Niña events, although significant flooding can sometimes occur in non-La Niña years.

Global concentrations of all major long-lived greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continue to increase. Global annual mean carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations reached 419.2 parts per million (ppm) in 2023 and the CO₂ equivalent (CO₂-e) of all greenhouse gases reached 524 ppm. These are the highest levels on Earth in at least 2 million years.

While global fossil fuel CO₂ emissions, the principal driver of the growth in CO₂ 

concentrations, are continuing to increase.

In Australia the latest Quarterly Update of Australia’s NationalGreenhouse Gas Inventory: March 2024 shows emissions were 440.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO₂-e) in the year to March 2024. On a quarterly basis, this means that national emission levels for the March quarter 2024 increased 0.6% (0.6 Mt CO₂-e) in trend terms.

National emissions are preliminarily estimated to be 441 Mt CO₂-e in the year to June 2024.

Actual and trend greenhouse gas emissions have not meaningfully decreased in the last four years according to data collated by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

These inescapable global & national facts mean that Australia's future now holds these scenarios:

Future

In the coming decades, Australia will experience ongoing changes to its weather and climate. The changes are projected to include:

• Continued increase in air temperatures, with more heat extremes and fewer cold extremes.

• Continued decrease, on average, in cool season rainfall across many regions of southern and eastern Australia, which will likely lead to more time in drought.

• More intense short-duration heavy rainfall events even in regions where the average rainfall decreases or stays the same.

• Continued increase in the number of dangerous fire weather days and a longer fire season for much of southern and eastern Australia.

• Further sea level rise and continued warming and acidification of the oceans around Australia.

• Increased and longer-lasting marine heatwaves that will affect marine environments such as kelp forests and increase the likelihood of more frequent and severe bleaching events in coral reefs around Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef.

• Fewer tropical cyclones, but with higher intensity on average, and greater impacts when they occur

through higher rain rates and higher sea level.

• Reduced average snow depth in alpine regions, but with variations from year to year.

Here in coastal north-east New South Wales the response to our changing climate by successive federal and state governments is: (i) to crowd more urban development onto land that is projected to be amongst the first dry land to experience tidal and/or permanent sea water inundation due to rising sea levels; and (ii) to coat building materials in heat reflecting paint while ignoring the fact that building design is now inadequate due to the fact that the north-east can now expect tropical hurricanes to form offshore on a 1 in 10 year basis.