This blog is open to any who wish to comment on Australian society, the state of the environment or political shenanigans at Federal, State and Local Government level.
John and Pat Edwards were inducted into the Allen Strom Hall of Fame at the Nature Conservation Council’s NSW Environment Awards over the weekend. Image: Contributed
Clarence
Valley environmental defenders John and Pat Edwards were inducted
into the Allen Strom Hall of Fame at the Nature Conservation
Council’s NSW Environment Awards.
The
awards, which were conducted via a Zoom meeting on Saturday November
6, “celebrate the outstanding commitment and achievement of
campaigners, grassroots environmentalists and conservation groups
across the state”.
“The
Nature Conservation Council’s hall of fame was established in
memory of the late Allen Strom’s untiring dedication to
conservation and education in NSW,” the conservation council’s
website states.
“Individuals
for this award have been actively involved in the conservation
movement for many years, have made a constant and invaluable
contribution to the environment and have displayed qualities of
integrity, reliability and commitment.”
Mr
Edwards said he was honoured that he and his wife, Pat, were inducted
into the hall of fame, however, he was a little shy about the
attention.
“I
always find these things embarrassing,” he said, “I’d rather be
off in a corner doing my own thing, Pat is much the same.
“We
do the things we do because we believe in them.
“We
have five lovely grandchildren who deserve to experience a world like
the one we grew up in – one of the things our generation has done
is stuff it up for them; so whatever we can do to conserve nature is
worth doing.”
Mr
Edwards has been one of the people integral in conducting the
Clarence Catchment Alliance’s ‘No Mines Clarence Valley’
campaign.....
Petition Debate - Clarence Valley Mininghttps://t.co/tRTOm5Ro9G On Thursday 14 October 2021, the Legislative Assembly of NSW debated the CCA No Mines petition calling on the LA to stop exploration or mining within the Clarence Valley and surrounding government area.
A
plan for sharing water in the northern Murray-Darling Basin is being
challenged in court over climate change, in an Australian and world
legal first.
Acting
on behalf of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, EDO lawyers will
head to the NSW Land and Environment Court to challenge the validity
of the Border Rivers Water Sharing Plan (WSP), arguing that the NSW
Government failed to properly consider future climate change when
making the plan.
The
Border River catchment sits along the NSW/Queensland border and
includes the Macintyre and Severn Rivers. The catchment is home to
endangered species such as the eel-tailed catfish, Australian painted
snipe and curlew sandpiper.
Both
the NSW Water Minister Melinda Pavey, who approved the WSP and the
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean, who as Environment Minister provided
concurrence, are named as respondents in the Class 4 Judicial Review
proceedings.....
Chris
Gambian, CEO of the NSW Nature Conservation Council said:
“If
we fail to keep our rivers alive as a first priority, it doesn’t
really matter what our second priority is. We will have lost the
fight.
“Climate
change is not some abstract phenomenon that may occur in the distant
future. River communities in NSW are bearing the brunt of that change
every day, right now.
“Just
18 months ago, many towns in western NSW were entirely dependent of
bores or truck deliveries for their water supplies.
“It
is not just prudent for governments to factor in the impacts of
climate change. It is a legal requirement that we are seeking to
uphold by taking this action.”
EDO
Managing Lawyer Dr Emma Carmody said:
“Our
client alleges that under their own laws, NSW Government Ministers
are required to properly consider climate change, including future
climate change, when drawing up a water sharing plan. By relying on
historical climate data for the catchment, we argue that they have
failed to do this, including in relation to the calculation of the
catchment-wide limit on extractions from the river.”
“The
alleged unlawfulness arises not only due to the impacts of this
failure on the Border Rivers itself, but on surrounding floodplains
and downstream rivers and communities, notably the
Barwon-Darling/Barka River, which receives some of its flows from the
Border Rivers catchment.”
“Our
client will further argue that the rights of children and future
generations to enjoy and benefit from healthy, functioning river
systems requires the Minister to properly consider climate change and
its impacts on water availability and quality and to devise a water
sharing plan that reflects the likelihood of a hotter, drier future.”
“Our
client also alleges that setting drought reserves for basic
landholder rights on the basis of lowest inflows up to July 2009 is
unlawful, not only because it excludes the most recent and severe
drought on record, but future climate change.”
“There
is ample evidence which indicates that the rivers and floodplains of
the northern Murray-Darling Basin are over-extracted. This is now
being exacerbated by climate change, which is making it hotter and
drier. We can’t afford to make decisions about our precious water
resources which ignore this reality. Indeed, our client alleges that
the law requires it.”
“Our
client will ask the court to find that the Border Rivers Water
Sharing Plan is invalid and must be replaced by a lawful plan.”
“If
this case is successful, it will likely mean that future Water
Sharing Plans will have to take climate change into account, in
particular in relation to the setting of catchment-wide extraction
limits and environmental flow rules. This could mean more water for
fragile ecosystems across the Murray-Darling Basin and in turn
healthier river systems and greater water security for downstream
communities. Our children and future generations deserve to enjoy and
benefit from a healthy, functioning river system.”
It is worth noting that Brett Walker QC, who acted as Commissioner during the twelve month long South Australian Royal Commission into the Murray Darling Basin Plan, has agreed to represent the Conservation Council of NSW.
It is also be noted that on 26 August 2021 the NSW Land and Environment Court in Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action Incorporated v Environment Protection Authority [2021] NSWLEC 92 ordered: The Environment Protection Authority, in accordance with s 9(1)(a) of the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 (NSW), is to develop environmental quality objectives, guidelines and policies to ensure environment protection from climate change. Neither the Minister for Energy and the Environment Matthew Kean or the EPA appealed this judgment.
How to help the Conservation Council of New South Wales fund this legal challenge of the validity of the Border Rivers Water Sharing Plan (WSP):
From
the Office of NSW Labor MLA for Lismore Janelle Saffin, media
release, 8 October 2021:
‘Gold,
silver, copper & cobalt diggers’ be gone
STATE
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is calling for a blanket ban on
mineral mining in the Northern Rivers region to protect water
catchments which feed into the Clarence, Richmond and Tweed river
systems.
Ms
Saffin wants the NSW Government to agree to a moratorium on mineral
mining, revoking all licences for exploration or active mining, and
financially compensating affected companies like it did with Shenua’s
open-cut coal mine near Gunnedah.
Ms
Saffin says she stands with thousands of local residents campaigning
against a wave of ‘gold, silver copper and cobalt diggers’ who
have our pristine back country firmly in their sights.
As
Federal Member for Page from 2007 to 2013, Ms Saffin worked with
local communities to repel the Coal Seam Gas industry from the region
because of the threat to our water resources, and continues to
support the activism of the Knitting Nannas.
And
before this, as Labor’s candidate for Page, she helped torpedo
Federal Coalition plans to dam and divert the mighty Clarence River
inland.
“I’m
proud of my track record of protecting our most precious resource –
water – and our traditional industries like farming, fishing and
tourism which help to sustain the economic prosperity of our local
communities,” Ms Saffin said.
“’The
Nationals in Government’ appear to be prepared to ignore the
groundswell of anti-mining sentiment in their electorates to appease
mining companies who will come and plunder for quick profits then
potentially leave an environmental mess behind for future
generations.”
With
Parliament resuming next week, and despite COVID-19 issues expecting
to dominate, Ms Saffin will speak on the fundamental need to protect
our water during a debate scheduled in the Legislative Assembly on
Thursday, 14 October.
This
debate was triggered after Ms Saffin on 9 June submitted a community
petition with the Lower House, calling for a moratorium on future
mineral mining, both exploratory or active, in the Clarence Catchment
and surrounding Local Government Areas.
The
petition was collected by the Clarence Catchment Alliance and has
been signed by almost 11,000 mainly local residents of the Clarence
Valley and Northern Rivers.
“I
have met with Alliance representatives and agree that the risks of
tailings dam failure from mineral mining, which is quite different
from normal quarry operations, are too high, particularly in our high
rainfall and floodprone region,” Ms Saffin said.
“I
see where five councils – Kyogle, Coffs Harbour City, Bellingen
Shire, Glen Innes-Severn Shire and Byron Shire -- have shown
solidarity with Clarence Valley Council’s resolution seeking a
mining moratorium in the Clarence Valley and which former Deputy
Premier John Barilaro effectively ignored.”
The employment history of NSW
Nationals MLA for Clarence & Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry Chris Gulaptis (left) shows that from 2006-2007 he was involved with Land Partners
Limited (formerly Aspect North & KFM Partnership) – a company which participated in the planning, design and construction phases of the
Eastern Gas Pipeline in 1999-2000.
It
also shows commencing around 2009 and presumably finishing when he
won NSW Nationals pre-selection for the Clarence by-election in 2011,
he was a senior operations manager for Brazier Motti Pty Ltd
engineering and mining surveyors in Mackay, Queensland – a position
he used to enthusiastically support the mining industry.
The Berejiklian Government of which Gulaptis is a member is subsidisng mining exploration. Currently it has granted Perth-based Corazon Mining Limited a reimbursement of 50 per cent of per-metre drilling costs, up to a maximum of $200,000 with regard to its cobalt-copper-goldexploration lease near Mt. Gilmore (approximately 25km northwest of Grafton) in the Clarence River catchment area as part of the state's New Frontiers Cooperative Drillingprogram.
The
Clarence Catchment Alliance (CCA) has campaigned strongly for the
past three years, educating the community on the potential threats
posed by mining to our Clarence Valley environment, particularly
water quality.
During
that campaign, CCA volunteers diligently collected over 10,000
signatures on a petition calling for a ban on mining in the Clarence
River catchment. That petition has been tabled in State Parliament
and is scheduled for debate.
The
Clarence Valley Council’s motion calling on the State Government to
impose a moratorium on mining within the LGA, would have been
partially prompted by that campaign, and the community support it
generated.
The
CCA took their concerns, via Zoom, to local State Member, Mr
Gulaptis, on 23rd April, where he vigorously argued that mining
should be allowed, with any risks effectively managed by the
stringent conditions
that would be imposed. He also indicated he would be speaking to the
Parliamentary debate, arguing against a ban on mining in his
electorate.
So,
when reading the ‘Northern Star’ the following day, specifically
its article on the Dunoon Dam debate, the CCA team could be excused
for being more than a little perplexed. The reason being, that on
the very same day that Mr Gulaptis belittled the CCA’s campaign,
and dismissed its 10,000-signature petition as NIMBYism, he is quoted
as stating:
“…it
is vital our communities have a clean and reliable water source.”,
and then finished with: “It is often said that local government is
the government closest to the people. Clearly that is not the case of
the five elected councillors (that voted against the Dunoon Dam
proposal) in this instance, who are ignoring the will of more than
10,000 constituents”.
Mr
Gulaptis had previously been strongly critical of Clarence Valley
Council, when it took notice of the more than 10,000 people who
signed the CCA’s petition, and called on the State Government to
impose a moratorium on mining.
It
seems that some politicians only feel a need to consider the will of
their constituents if it happens to agree with their own philosophy.
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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
[Adopted and proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948]
Hi! My name is Boy. I'm a male bi-coloured tabby cat. Ever since I discovered that Malcolm Turnbull's dogs were allowed to blog, I have been pestering Clarencegirl to allow me a small space on North Coast Voices.
A false flag musing: I have noticed one particular voice on Facebook which is Pollyanna-positive on the subject of the Port of Yamba becoming a designated cruise ship destination. What this gentleman doesn’t disclose is that, as a principal of Middle Star Pty Ltd, he could be thought to have a potential pecuniary interest due to the fact that this corporation (which has had an office in Grafton since 2012) provides consultancy services and tourismbusiness development services.
A religion & local government musing: On 11 October 2017 Clarence Valley Council has the Church of Jesus Christ Development Fund Inc in Sutherland Local Court No. 6 for a small claims hearing. It would appear that there may be a little issue in rendering unto Caesar. On 19 September 2017 an ordained minister of a religion (which was named by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in relation to 40 instances of historical child sexual abuse on the NSW North Coast) read the Opening Prayer at Council’s ordinary monthly meeting. Earlier in the year an ordained minister (from a church network alleged to have supported an overseas orphanage closed because of child abuse claims in 2013) read the Opening Prayer and an ordained minister (belonging to yet another church network accused of ignoring child sexual abuse in the US and racism in South Africa) read the Opening Prayer at yet another ordinary monthly meeting. Nice one councillors - you are covering yourselves with glory!
An investigative musing: Newcastle Herald, 12 August 2017: The state’s corruption watchdog has been asked to investigate the finances of the Awabakal Aboriginal Local Land Council, less than 12 months after the troubled organisation was placed into administration by the state government. The Newcastle Herald understands accounting firm PKF Lawler made the decision to refer the land council to the Independent Commission Against Corruption after discovering a number of irregularities during an audit of its financial statements.The results of the audit were recently presented to a meeting of Awabakal members. Administrator Terry Lawler did not respond when contacted by the Herald and a PKF Lawler spokesperson said it was unable to comment on the matter. Given the intricate web of company relationships that existed with at least one former board member it is not outside the realms of possibility that, if ICAC accepts this referral, then United Land Councils Limited (registered New Zealand) and United First Peoples Syndications Pty Ltd(registered Australia) might be interviewed. North Coast Voices readers will remember that on 15 August 2015 representatives of these two companied gave evidence before NSW Legislative Council General Purpose Standing Committee No. 6 INQUIRY INTO CROWN LAND. This evidence included advocating for a Yamba mega port.
A Nationals musing: Word around the traps is that NSW Nats MP for Clarence Chris Gulaptis has been talking up the notion of cruise ships visiting the Clarence River estuary. Fair dinkum! That man can be guaranteed to run with any bad idea put to him. I'm sure one or more cruise ships moored in the main navigation channel on a regular basis for one, two or three days is something other regular river users will really welcome. *pause for appreciation of irony* The draft of the smallest of the smaller cruise vessels is 3 metres and it would only stay safely afloat in that channel. Even the Yamba-Iluka ferry has been known to get momentarily stuck in silt/sand from time to time in Yamba Bay and even a very small cruise ship wouldn't be able to safely enter and exit Iluka Bay. You can bet your bottom dollar operators of cruise lines would soon be calling for dredging at the approach to the river mouth - and you know how well that goes down with the local residents.
A local councils musing: Which Northern Rivers council is on a low-key NSW Office of Local Government watch list courtesy of feet dragging by a past general manager?
A serial pest musing: I'm sure the Clarence Valley was thrilled to find that a well-known fantasist is active once again in the wee small hours of the morning treading a well-worn path of accusations involving police, local business owners and others.
An investigative musing: Which NSW North Coast council is batting to have the longest running code of conduct complaint investigation on record?
A which bank? musing: Despite a net profit last year of $9,227 million the Commonwealth Bank still insists on paying below Centrelink deeming rates interest on money held in Pensioner Security Accounts. One local wag says he’s waiting for the first bill from the bank charging him for the privilege of keeping his pension dollars at that bank.
A Daily Examiner musing: Just when you thought this newspaper could sink no lower under News Corp management, it continues to give column space to Andrew Bolt.
A thought to ponder musing: In case of bushfire or flood - do you have an emergency evacuation plan for the family pet?
An adoption musing: Every week on the NSW North Coast a number of cats and dogs find themselves without a home. If you want to do your bit and give one bundle of joy a new family, contact Happy Paws on 0419 404 766 or your local council pound.
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