Meme of the Week

Found on X/Twitter

The battle continues to save Wallum Wetlands from further encroachment by developers

 

Clarence Property Corporation Limited - issuer of the PDS for Clarence Property Diversified Investment Trust (formerly Westlawn Property Trust) & Epig Lennox Property Trust - through its subsidiaries Clare Property Corporation Limited and Bayside Brunswick Pty Ltd continues to insist it has a right to swing its wrecking ball through what remains of natural landscapes in coastal areas of the NSW Northern Rivers region.

Currently it has eight largescale development projects in northern New South Wales listed on its website.

The Wallum development at Brunswick Heads is one of these sites and Lot 13 DP 1251383 and environs on Torakina Road, Brunswick Heads NSW, has been a bone of contention for years as the local community continues to resist this 'zombieDA'.

Wallum Land
IMAGE: Mac Maderski at savewallum.com

Vegetation mapping of Lot 13 DP 1251383 and environs

Echo, 29 August 2024:

Both opposing parties regarding the 126-housing Wallum development in Bayside, Brunswick Heads, are claiming a victory after the latest court decision, handed down on August 23 by Justice Bromwich.

In a statement, Save Wallum Inc, say the Federal Court upheld the stop-work injunction.

Spokesperson Svea Pitman said, ‘The main contest before the court at the further hearing of Save Wallum Inc’s interlocutory injunction application was the controversial construction of nine artificial frog ponds, which are proposed as part of the early development works’.

‘Justice Bromwich accepted that the construction of these ponds may pose a risk to the site’s Wallum sedge frog population, and has blocked any construction of the proposed ponds until a final determination of the matter.

‘The orders otherwise permit very limited works, including installation of bunting, regeneration of the seed bank along sandy tracks and weed maintenance – strictly without the use of weedicides’.

The trial is scheduled to begin October 14, Ms Pitman said.

Meanwhile, developer Clarence Property says it is ‘looking forward to progressing with its approved housing estate in the Byron Shire after the Federal Court injunction was amended to permit key works to continue’.

CEO Simon Kennedy repeated his comments around the ‘critical need for new housing in the shire that had been identified by Byron Shire Council’.

He said, ‘We believe the court’s ruling affirms our commitment to responsible development and environmental stewardship and we will continue to respect the legal process as we work towards the final determination of this matter in October’.

‘Our focus now is on ensuring safe access for our contractors and progressing with this essential project.’

Ms Pitman added, ‘This is another major win for our community and for the race to save this unique wallum ecosystem’.

High ecological value

Save Wallum advocates say they celebrated Friday’s outcome, ‘viewing it as a critical step toward protecting one of the last intact wallum heathland ecosystems in the Byron Shire’.

Ms Pitman added, ‘This is another major win for our community and for the race to save this unique wallum ecosystem’.

‘The high ecological value of this area is undeniable, with its floristic diversity, absence of invasive weeds, and the presence of so many threatened species’.

She continued, ‘Australia has the highest rate of mammal extinction globally, and in the Northern Rivers, we are on the frontline of the climate crisis.

‘It’s heartening to see the court’s decision ensuring that no destructive works can proceed at this stage.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Save Wallum Incorporated v Clarence Property Corporation Limited [2024] FCA 967 interim injunction ruling can be found at:

https://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCA/2024/967.html

Did you know that the majority of residents in and around Tarong & Callide (Qld), Liddell & Mount Piper (NSW), Port Augusta (SA) and Low Yang (Vic) are supportive of having nuclear power plants built in their midst? No, neither did I.

 

In June 2024 Leader of the Opposition & Liberal MP for Dickson Peter Dutton - the politician with 30 nicknames implying he is either a fascist dictator or a root vegetable (or both) - flanked by both the Leader of the Nationals & the Morrison lookalike spokesperson on Climate Change and Energy, announced that if he won federal government in 2025 he would establish a nuclear power industry in Australia.

The initial seven nuclear power plants would be sited at retiring coal-fired power stations in:

Tarong in Queensland, north-west of Brisbane

Callide in Queensland, west of Gladstone

Liddell in NSW, in the Hunter Valley

Mount Piper in NSW, near Lithgow

Port Augusta in SA

Loy Yang in Victoria, in the Latrobe Valley (rarer than a dodo bird, SMR reactor only)

Muja in WA, near Collie (ditto another dodo).

Then, in the months that followed, when hard questions began to be repeatedly asked Dutton went quiet on the subject. Leaving most of heifer's dust shovelling to be done by fellow Queenslander, the Nationals Leader & MP for Maranoa David Littleproud.

A task he is obviously not performing well......

The Noisy Elephant

@TheNoisyTrunk

#DavidLittleproud said, on #ABC 2/09/2024 Afternoon Briefing*, these exact words:

"Well, on all seven locations, the majority of people living in these locations that we're proposing for 'nuclear' power plants to take over from transition from coal-fired power stations support this"

We have a question, @D_LittleproudMP YES, THIS IS A QUESTION TO YOU David and it WILL be followed up.

WHERE is it documented that a MAJORITY of people in the 7 locations SUPPORT "this" (The transition to nuclear power).

1/. WHO polled this

2/. WHEN was it polled

and

3/. WHERE can we view the polling methodology.

We ask because #GregJennett didn't ask, and he SHOULD have, and secondly it needs to be verified given it is such a big claim and goes against the official polls.

Please reply to this post so that all can see rather than us having to go down a more formal approach and then republish stating such.

#NuclearPower

*https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NU2422C156S00

#DavidLittleproud said, on #ABC 2/09/2024 Afternoon Briefing*, these exact words:

"Well, on all seven locations, the majority of people living in these locations that we're proposing for 'nuclear' power plants to take over from transition from coal-fired power stations support… pic.twitter.com/AFbZRAquzO

— The Noisy Elephant (@TheNoisyTrunk) September 2, 2024

Rising Tide is organising a peaceful people's blockade of Newcastle coal port this coming November 2024 and has issued an invitation to participate

 

According to mainstream media Rising Tide protest organisers have submitted a Form 1 or notice of intention to hold a public assembly from the 19th to the 26th of November, with part of the peaceful protest involving a three-day blockade of the port via an armada of canoes and small vessels.

It is said that NSW Police have yet to make a decision on whether the protest will be allowed to go ahead.

Readers might recall that at last year's November blockade 109 people were arrested after staying on harbour waters after the 4pm time limited on the three day protest permit had expired. However, only 99 were charged and of these no convictions were recorded for at least 70 protestors.

The People's Blockade 

The People’s Blockade 2024 will be groundbreaking - 10,000 people over 10 days, coming together for a family-friendly Protestival and flotilla blockade in one of the most significant climate uprisings on the planet, stopping coal exports from the world’s largest coal port at Muloobinba (Newcastle) on Awabakal and Worimi land and water for an unprecedented 50 hours!

Come for an hour, come for 10 days!

Last year's Blockade was incredible; with a 3,000 people-powered peaceful flotilla, we stopped the coal ships for 32 hours. And when 109 people chose to take further action and get arrested, they made global headlines demanding an end to new fossil fuels and transition funding for workers and communities. With over 1,000 media hits – it was the largest civil disobedience for climate justice in Australia’s history.

Strap yourself in - this year will be three times the scale - and you don’t want to miss it!

The 10 Day Plan

The People’s Blockade in Newcastle (Tues Nov 19 - Tues Nov 26)

> Tuesday 19 - Setup, Welcome

>Wednesday 20 - Prepare, Skill up + Build our Movement

>Thursday 21 - Prepare, Skill up + Build our Movement

> Friday 22 - Protestival: Flotilla + Beach Fun

> Saturday 23 - Protestival: Flotilla + Beach Fun

> Sunday 24 - Protestival ends; Debrief + Build our Movement

> Monday 25- Celebrate + 2025 Planning

> Tuesday 26 - Pack Up, Wrap Up + Canberra Wave departs . . .

For full details on how to register go to:

https://www.risingtide.org.au/blockade-guide

Second day of a most unnatural start to Spring 2024 and the bush & grass fire count begins its climb towards Summer in the NSW Northern Rivers region

NSW Rural Fire Service map of Northern NSW showing recorded bush & grass fires as of 6pm Monday 2 September 2024.

Click on image to enlarge

Fires mapped in the the Northern Rivers region

All fifteen fires were listed at the "Advice" level (no immediate danger) as night fell.

Clarence Valley

PECKHAMS RD, EWINGAR

FLORDA PRINCE DR, WELLS CROSSING

FLAGGY CREEK RD, RAMORNIE

CLARENCE WAY, EIGHTEEN MILE

WINWOOD LANE, SOUTH GRAFTON

GREBERTS RD, WHITEMAN CREEK

MELOMYS RD, NYMBOIDA

Kyogle

BAIRDS RD, LOWER DUCK CREEK

IRON POT CREEK RD, IRON POT CREEK

UPPER EDEN CREEK RD, UPPER EDEN CREEK

PEACOCK CREEK RD, PEACOCK CREEK

Richmond Valley

UPPER MONGOGARIE RD, UPPER MONGOGARIE

OLD WYAN RD, RAPPVILLE

Lismore

UNARA RD, BEXHILL

Tweed

GLENCOE RD, NORTH ARM

For updates go to:

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

A matter of two competing petitions to restore the NORCO milk contract with NSW Health. One an official e-petition guaranteed to be brought to the notice of the NSW Parliament, the other a political vanity petition the parliament may never consider. NSW residents can choose which they might sign

There is an e-petition currently before the NSW Parliament, Reinstate Norco as the Dairy Supplier for NSW North Coast Hospitals, created by Harper Dalton-Earls on 23 August 2024. 

Harper Dalton-Earls is the Labor candidate for Lismore City Council at the 14 September 2024 NSW local government elections.

This e-petition will be closed to signatures on 15 November 2024.

Labor MLA for Lismore Janelle Saffin has been an active supporter of the push to restore the NORCO milk contract and of this e-petition. 

Ms. Saffin also publicly called out the NSW Nationals MLAs Gurmesh Singh (Coffs Harbour), Richie Williamson (Clarence) and Michael Kemp (Oxley).

In an effort to draw oxygen from the e-petition to parliament on 26 August the NSW Nationals  announced their own petition accessed via their own website:

North Coast Nationals MPs have joined forces to launch a community petition calling on the Minns Labor Government to restore Norco Milk to health facilities across the Northern NSW and Mid North Coast Local Health Districts.

The petition was launched by Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, Member for Coffs Harbour and Deputy Leader, Gurmesh Singh, and Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp at Andrew Wilson’s Lismore dairy farm.

The petition emphasises the significant impact on local farmers and communities and urges the Minns Labor Government to reverse its decision to remove Norco Milk from North Coast health facilities....

BACKGROUND

ECHO, 27 August 2024:

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has come out swinging at conservative National Party representatives who have chosen not to support restoring local milk producer NORCOs contract to supply North Coast hospitals and health services.

The contract that NORCO held to supply local hospitals with milk was once again cancelled and HealthShare NSW awarded its state-wide milk supply contract to international supplier Dairy Farmers.

Ms Saffin said she is disappointed that three NSW Nationals MPs are not lending their support to a single e-petition to Parliament to restore NORCO’s contract.

‘Constituents have contacted me wondering why my fellow MPs Gurmesh Singh (Coffs Harbour), Richie Williamson (Clarence) and Michael Kemp (Oxley) are not backing in the e-petition launched last Friday,’ she said.

Kevin Hogan.

While Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan released a statement blaming the NSW Labor government for the decision it was the National Party who first made the decision in to end the contract.

‘When the Nationals were in government and the same thing happened, we all backed in the then local member Thomas George and the Health Services Union ran a big campaign, fully supported by the community and after some time, people power changed the decision of the then bureaucracy,’ explained Ms Saffin.

‘It is people power we need this time as well to support our local NORCO employees and dairy farmer suppliers who are part and parcel of the NORCO dairy co-operative. We need 20,000 signatures to get this issue debated on the floor of Parliament and that is powerful. To have two separate petitions in circulation is already leading to confusion in the community and effectively weakens our chances of getting the required number of signatures.’

NORCO is Australia’s largest and oldest dairy co-operative and supports 190 local farms, buying their milk and creating premium products that are celebrated as ‘Australia’s best tasting milk’ at Dairy Australia’s, Grand Dairy Awards in 2023.

‘We’re talking about Australia’s last 100 per cent farmer owned dairy cooperative that provides an economic lifeline to hundreds of families in a region that has experienced the double whammy of floods and the cost-of-living crisis,’ said HSU (Health Services) secretary Gerard Hayes.

‘This is not the time to cut off a trusted local company with deep roots – We’ve even heard reports of patients refusing to drink the hospital milk unless it’s NORCO, which shows you how deeply the community feels about this!’

Ms Saffin as reiterated that, ‘It was the bureaucracy that made this recent decision to award the tender to a different supplier, but I, on behalf of the community, expect the Minister for Health and Regional Health (Ryan Park) to work out a way to fix it.’

‘That means NORCO getting its contract back as it was to deliver its products into the North Coast Hospitals and Health Services.’

Sign the petition here.

Priority Site 9 land release at Junction Hill in Clarence Valley been given the go ahead under the NSW Government Resilient Homes Program

Junction Hill, Clarence Valley NSW
showing undeveloped elevated land
between Summerland Way & Trenayr Road
IMAGE: Google Earth, July 2024

More homes for the Northern Rivers as another site is released

Published: 29 August 2024

Released by: Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

As part of the Minns Government’s plan to build disaster-resilient housing in the Northern Rivers, a new agreement to progress the delivery of up to 1,000 homes for families in the Grafton area through one of Australia’s largest flood-resilience programs is now underway.

This is the seventh land release of the $100 million Resilient Lands Program (RLP), which is being delivered alongside the joint State and Commonwealth funded $790 million Resilient Homes Program, providing safer choices for people to live in the Northern Rivers after the 2022 floods.

Junction Hill has been released alongside sites in East Lismore, Goonellabah, North Lismore, Brunswick Heads, Casino and Lennox Heads-Ballina already identified. Combined, the current RLP sites will see potentially more than 4,300 homes delivered across the region.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA), Transport for NSW and the Clarence Valley Council will identify transport infrastructure improvements for the Junction Hill site near Grafton, a vital step to supporting growth and more homes for the region.

The NSW Government also announced the details of the Resilient Lands Strategy which includes additional sites in Murwillumbah, Goonellabah and Kyogle and underpins the NSW Government’s commitment to provide more housing choices by accelerating the supply of land for residents impacted by the 2022 floods in the Northern Rivers.

The Resilient Lands Strategy involved a process of community consultation and expert peer review, which began in late 2022 with more than 300 potential housing sites identified under an EOI process. The Strategy has been designed to complement, not replace, current land releases and other housing developments in the region.

The RA is now working with Councils, landowners, infrastructure providers and a range of delivery partners to accelerate land and housing developments as quickly as possible.

For more information, visit the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“It is critical that communities are assisted in building resilience to natural disasters.

“The release of land at Junction Hill and the release of the Resilient Lands Strategy demonstrates the Minns Government is serious about properly planning for the future.

“In the Northern Rivers, housing stress and homelessness remains high. More than 16,000 households are paying more than 30% of their gross income on housing.

“With this land release up to 4,300 flood resilient home sites are being created and are in the planning pipeline across the Northern Rivers.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“The Resilient Lands Program will accelerate the delivery of new land and housing to provide locals with more options in safer locations.

“Clarence Valley becomes the fifth council to be announced for assistance under the Resilient Lands Program, while work with other councils will continue.

“We know this requires a team effort, and I am pleased to see the collaboration between government agencies and councils to bring the reality of more housing closer for people in the Northern Rivers.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

"The Minns Labor Government is committed to collaborative development through the Resilient Lands Strategy to ensure people in the Northern Rivers have safer homes, that are connected to health services, education, jobs and other opportunities.

"Good transport infrastructure and connectivity is vital for the success of new housing developments, particularly in the regions, and the release of land at Junction Hill will provide that."

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“Flood-affected communities across the Northern Rivers region have been keenly interested in safer land and housing options being identified.

“I’m pleased to see the Clarence Valley LGA, which I used to represent as a Federal MP and where I still have strong connections, added to the councils receiving support under the Resilient Lands Program, and there is more to come.”

Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson said:

“This site has been zoned for development for some time. It’s flat, flood free and has services available and is within a few minutes of town, a rarity in the Northern rivers.

“The only thing holding back development is the upgrades needed to transport infrastructure. This is a great initiative of the NSW Government which is working collaboratively with the partners involved.”