A snapshot of Luke Hartsuyker earning his taxpayer funded salary

In the House of Representatives debate on super trawlers being allowed to fish in Australian waters, what was the esteemed Nationals Member for Cowper’s contribution over the course of three days?

Why, this sarcastic interjection on 12 September 2012:

Mr Hartsuyker:  You can count on Sid!

Given that Brisbane is identified by RV Able Tasman's owner-operator as this super trawler's home port and, the NSW North Coast was part of its prospective fishing range, Hartsuyker can hardly say that he was looking after his electorate's interests.

DEX blooper - reprints old race fields

The only things correct in the four-page racing lift-out in today's Daily Examiner are the paper's name and the date. Today's Examiner reprinted the race fields for Saturday 8 September.
The events at Warwick Farm, Doomben and Flemington have been well and truly run and won, so the very least readers could have been provided with was a new lot of tips from the paper. But, oh no, the paper had the temerity to print its original, and in most cases losing, tips.
Who went to sleep at the wheel steering the good ship DEX last night? Was it the night helmsman or the captain? C'mon, who's going to put their hand up and claim bragging rights for this little ripper at the annual Xmas party? Perhaps a stewards inquiry is needed.

CSIRO: Climate change likely to have a major impact on Australia's plants, animals and ecosystems

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) media release of 18 September 2012:

Major changes needed to protect Australia’s species and ecosystems

A landmark study has found that climate change is likely to have a major impact on Australia’s plants, animals and ecosystems that will present significant challenges to the conservation of Australia’s biodiversity.

The comprehensive study, conducted by CSIRO (Australia’s national science agency), highlights the sensitivity of Australia’s species and ecosystems to climate change, and the need for new ways of thinking about biodiversity conservation.

‘Climate change is likely to start to transform some of Australia's natural landscapes by 2030,’ lead researcher, CSIRO’s Dr Michael Dunlop said.

The comprehensive study highlights the sensitivity of Australia’s species and ecosystems to climate change, and the need for new ways of thinking about biodiversity conservation.

‘By 2070, the ecological impacts are likely to be very significant and widespread. Many of the environments our plants and animals currently exist in will disappear from the continent. Our grandchildren are likely to experience landscapes that are very different to the ones we have known,’ he said.

Dr Dunlop said climate change will magnify existing threats to biodiversity, such as habitat clearing, water extraction and invasive species. Future climate-driven changes in other sectors, such as agriculture, water supply and electricity supply, could add yet more pressure on species and ecosystems.

‘These other threats have reduced the ability of native species and ecosystems to cope with the impacts of climate change,’ Dr Dunlop said.

One of the challenges for policy and management will be accommodating changing ecosystems and shifting species.

The study suggests the Australian community and scientists need to start a rethink of what it means to conserve biodiversity, as managing threatened species and stopping ecological change becomes increasingly difficult.

‘We need to give biodiversity the greatest opportunity to adapt naturally in a changing and variable environment rather than trying to prevent ecological change,’ Dr Dunlop said.

The study highlights the need to start focussing more on maintaining the health of ecosystems as they change in response to climate change, from one type of ecosystem to another.

‘This could need new expectations from the community, possibly new directions in conservation policy, and new science to guide management,’ Dr Dunlop said.

‘To be effective we also need flexible strategies that can be implemented well ahead of the large-scale ecological change. It will probably be too late to respond once the ecological change is clearly apparent and widespread’.

The study found the National Reserve System will continue to be an effective conservation tool under climate change, but conserving habitat on private land will be increasingly important to help species and ecosystems adapt.

The team of researchers from CSIRO carried out modelling across the whole of Australia, as well as detailed ecological analysis of four priority biomes, together covering around 80 per cent of Australia.

The study was funded by the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and the CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship.

More information and the reports are available from The implications of climate change for Australia's biodiversity conservation and protected areas.

Celebrate nature at Jeff Keyes 'award winning property on Sunday 23 September 2012

A Celebration of Nature

From 9.30 a.m. on Sunday 23^rd September

On Sunday 23rd September Jeff Keyes,

winner of Clarence Valley Council's 2012 Individual Sustainability Award,
will be hosting a celebration of nature at his property "Urimberra",

 the Sportsman Creek Conservation Area

Activities/displays include

·     a nature walk led by Jeff Keyes and John Edwards (starting at 11 a.m.)

·     nature education activities for children, organised by Sharon Lehman, Coordinator of Clarence Valley Conservation in Action - the CIA

·     a photographic exhibition of flora and fauna found on the property (around 320 of the approximate 600 species identified on the property)

·     a display of rustic furniture made on the property by Jeff Keyes

·     landscape paintings by Peter Chapman

·     up-to-date information on the coal seam gas industry plus a screening of a DVD on the Queensland CSG industry

The starting time for the celebration is 9.30 a.m.   Tea and coffee will be provided.  Bring snacks and a picnic lunch.

Everyone is welcome to this celebration.

 Directions:

The 50 ha wildlife refuge is at 2954 Summerland Way, Dilkoon, 20.6 km north of the Blue Goose Inn at Junction Hill, 750 m. north of Dilkoon Creek bridge and 1.3 km south of Sportsmans Creek.

For further information:

Contact Jeff Keyes on 0417 403606 or Stan Mussared on 66449309.

The celebration is coordinated by the Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition and the Clarence Environment Centre

Frontpage Mockup of the Month

Found floating in cyberspace - author unknown

Cansdellgate: Daily Examiner says "justice has to be done and seen to be done"

The Examiner which has been on the Cansdell case since the outset marked the first anniversary of the scandalous matter with an opinion piece that merits further airing. Unfortunately, the Examiner hasn't put it online, so here it is ...

It might now be seen as small beer given what has happened in the Clarence Valley in the past few months, but just over a year ago the former Member for Clarence Steve Cansdell handed in his resignation from Parliament.

On September 16 last year, Mr Cansdell admitted falsifying a statutory declaration to avoid a speeding fine and turned himself in to police.

Despite this, he has yet to be charged, let alone face court, for doing something serious enough to warrant his resignation from office.

In February, six months after the resignation, NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith dropped a bombshell in parliament when he said Mr Cansdell could not be charged under state law because he had signed a Commonwealth declaration.

There were screams of "cover-up" from the opposition, but so far no-one has been able to discover a way of pursuing the case. The actions of the authorities on this issue do not give the community confidence proper procedures have been followed.

Months of police investigation went to the DPP and then the case was dropped on what most people would call a technicality.

The Attorney-General's reasoning also strains credulity as the most cursory investigation reveals fines issued by the NSW State Debt Recovery Office have always been printed with NSW statutory declarations on the back.

Mr Cansdell may never have to answer for his transgression - indeed many supporters would say his fall from grace was punishment enough - but justice has to be done and seen to be done.

I feel a foregone conclusion coming on down in Macquarie Street

Members of the very NSW Government (and its allies) who highhandedly closed Grafton Goal in July 2012 now dominate the Legislative Council select committee conducting the Inquiry into the closure or downsizing of Corrective Services NSW facilities:

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

The Hon Paul Green MLC (Chair) Christian Democratic Party

The Hon Robert Borsak MLC The Shooters and Fishers Party

The Hon David Clarke MLC Liberal Party

The Hon Amanda Fazio MLC Australian Labor Party

The Hon Scot MacDonald MLC Liberal Party

The Hon Melinda Pavey MLC The Nationals

The Hon Mick Veitch MLC Australian Labor Party

Another foregone conclusion just around the corner?