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.
"all will be given to those who strive" approximate translation
At
9am on Tuesday
5
October 2021 around 650
children from
Kindergarten to Year
6, along with at
least 31 teachers and
numerous support
staff, commenced Term 4 at
the 154 year old split
campus South Grafton
Public School, under
Level 3 (regional schools) COVID-19 settings.
At
around 11am that same day, almost casually, NSW Health
announced that 4 cases of
locally acquired COVID-19 infection had been discovered in the
Clarence Valley local government area. Thus ending its resident population's community transmission free status which began on or about 29 March 2020.
BySaturday 9
October the primary school was abruptly closed for
contact tracing and cleaning when
it was discovered that one member of the school community had tested
positive for COVID-19.
Based
on NSW Health advice,
all staff and students
were told to
self-isolate until further
notice and to be tested if
they developed symptoms of viral infection.
On
Monday 11 October when the NSW Government opened up the state in
Stage 1 of its policy of easing COVID-19 public health order
restrictions and allowing the population increased mobility, South
Grafton Public School staff and the parents of those 650 students
waited to get the all clear to return to school.
It
was also on that Monday that the total
number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 community transmission in the Clarence Valley – specifically in Grafton
postcode 2460 – had reached 14 cases over the space of the 6 days since the Delta Variant Outbreak finally reached the local government area.
On
Tuesday 12 October 2021 the primary school administration was informed that
additional COVID-19 cases had been confirmed within the school
community and further contact tracing and cleaning needed to be
undertaken, so the school
remained closed.
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):
The
Echo, on 7 October 2021, reminding the Northern Rivers region from Clarence Valley right up to Tweed on the New South Wales-Queensland border that our combined voices followed up with action are powerful:
Ian Cohen surfing the nose of a nuclear armed warship Photo: Robert Pearce
Following the Nuclear Disarmament Party’s close loss with front man Peter Garrett in 1984, nuclear issues were at the forefront of people’s minds. We extended our influence far beyond our Shire. The pending arrival of nuclear armed warships sent the local region into overdrive. Benny Zable from Nimbin rolled out his ‘radioactive’ barrels for street theatre. Dean Jefferys based in Brunswick Heads came with his ultralight, Hoss (Ian Hoskens) of Main Arm with his megaphone voice and me with my surfboard.
September 1986 heralded the arrival of the largest assembly of international ships in Sydney Harbour’s history. Many were nuclear armed.
Our north coast contingent was vital to the success of the protest actions. Driven by a reckless, but heartfelt, desire to impact on the nuclear arms race and send a direct message to US President Ronald Reagan and USSR’s Yuri Andropov.
The mad concept of surfing the nose of a nuclear armed warship was mine, but Sydney Morning Herald photographer, Robert Pearce, from a media barge directly in front of myself and the warship, captured the image of a vulnerable surfer hanging onto the nose of a nuclear armed destroyer that went global.
Dean
backed it up with a paint bomb delivered from his ultralight. It
missed, (fortunately it was water based paint). He was more accurate
several days later delivering a bouquet of flowers from the air into
a missile silo as the HMS Illustrious departed. Dean landed himself
in jail.
Channon
local, Ian Gaillard, worked with the anti-nuclear vessel Pacific
Peacemaker and crewed it on the long haul through the Pacific to
confront the launch of the world’s largest nuclear submarine in
Seattle. They travelled through the Pacific garnering local support
along the way.
During
the 1980s Jim Mitsos had moved to Byron and bought up most of what is
now Suffolk Park. A Communist developer, creating real affordable
housing he was also a tireless anti-nuclear campaigner promoting the
concept of Nuclear Free Zone signs in Byron that spread to councils
throughout NSW. He laid the groundwork of awareness for follow up
actions. Perhaps we need those signs again?
Ian Cohen surfing the nose of a nuclear armed warship. Photos Robert Pearce
In
1995 I was the first Green elected to NSW Parliament. With the
efficient support of Byron’s future mayor, Jan Barham, I spent the
first break organising an international contingent of politicians to
be part of a flotilla of ships to descend on Papeete (Tahiti) and
support islanders in their opposition to upcoming nuclear tests at
Moruroa. We learnt much about the global phenomenon ‘Ships of
Shame’ where seafarers are abused and exploited, the impossibility
of chartering a flotilla, and decided to fly 30 Australian
politicians over to Papeete.
Meetings
under the palms with President Oscar Temaru, inspired, along with
marches and forums in Papeete, the contingent of politicians
including Richard Jones MLC, another Byron Shire local, who met with
the French Ambassador to deliver thousands of petitions.
Greenpeace
had other ideas for a small crew. A private boat was organised to
transport an international selection of politicians to Moruroa
1,150km away. In my last interview before our departure I was
informed that the French had announced a $150,000 fine and 12 months
in jail for anyone entering the exclusion zone.
Halfway
there an international news broadcast announced the French had
detonated the first bomb in the series on Moruroa. The little boat
continued on course, without deviation, as we sailed into the eye of
the global nuclear storm. That was the last French nuclear test in
the Pacific.
Times
change, but some things regarding the nuclear industry and
international political posturing remain the same.
Our
PM, Scott Morrison, struts the world stage, vilifies China (some of
it deserved), but in the process is locking in Australia’s
subservience to US foreign policy while guaranteeing increased US
troop access and US spy stations on Australian territory for the
future. Add to this the crippling cost of procurement of nuclear
powered subs and the possible return of Donald Trump to ‘guide’
our nation into the future.
This
sabre rattling at an external enemy will allow Morrison some catch up
in the polls while the ALP is wedged. The huge crime here is to make
a decision without debate in the Federal Parliament. An external
enemy worked for Thatcher (Falklands War). In Australia we had
weapons of mass destruction touted in Iraq while George W Bush
labelled Howard a ‘Man of Steel’ for sending our young soldiers to
war.
Whilst
recognising the repressive political leadership in Bejing, there is a
better road to peace through diplomacy, and when necessary, trade
sanctions.
In
the depth of the Cold War nuclear capable warships, either
conventional or nuclear powered, did not cruise the world’s oceans
unarmed and race back to San Diego or Hawaii in an emergency to load.
In the 1980s their mantra was; ‘We neither confirm or deny these
ships have nuclear weapons on board’. Today, nuclear weapons have
been removed from surface ships. They are still on nuclear
submarines. Just what arsenal will Australia obediently accept when
it hires or purchases US submarines?
In
1975 there were 6,191 US nuclear weapons afloat. Arms control
agreements have reduced the number of weapons deployed at sea to
1,000 in 2015.
Morrison’s
recent ‘All the way with USA’ is cementing increased US control
over future Australian Foreign Policy. We do not benefit from this
association. In fact, we as a nation are making ourselves a target.
As
for their vulnerability in port, we need to look no further than 9/11
in New York, the US heartland.
On
5 October 2021 Clarence Valley residents learned that four
cases of locally acquired COVID-19 had been discovered in
their local government area and, later discovered that one or all had
been infectious in the community since 27 September 2021.
In
recent days it’s become obvious that not everyone was aware that
they might need to test and isolate if they had been shopping in the
Valley’s only city on certain days, so I am posting the latest list
I can find of dates and places.
Coles
South Grafton, South
Grafton Shopping Centre, Bent Street, Grafton. Exposure dates:
Monday
27 September 2021, 9:45am to 9:50am;
Monday
27 September 2021, 2:30pm to 2:45pm;
Tuesday
28 September 2021, 10am to 11am;
Tuesday
28 September 2021, 4:15pm to 4:30pm;
Tuesday
5 October 2021, 1:20pm to 1:35pm.
Health
advice: Get tested immediately. Self-isolate until you get a negative
result.
Australian
Community Care Network Grafton, 117 Fitzroy Street, Grafton
Exposure
date: Wednesday 29 September 2021, 9:55am to 11:40am
Health
advice: Get tested immediately. Self-isolate until you get a negative
result.
Anyone
is allowed to enter critical retail premises. Critical retail
premises are:
supermarkets
grocery
stores
shops
that mainly sell food or drinks, like butchers, bakeries, fruit and
vegetable shops, and delicatessens
kiosks
petrol
stations
banks
and financial institutions
hardware
and building supplies
landscaping
material supplies
rural
supplies
shops
that mainly sell:
pet
supplies
newspapers,
magazines or stationary (for example, newsagents)
office
supplies
maternity
or baby supplies
medical
or pharmaceutical supplies (for example, chemists)
alcohol
(for example, liquor stores)
post
offices
garden
centres and plant nurseries
vehicle
hire businesses but not businesses that sell vehicles
shops
that mainly carry out repairs of mobile phones
laundromats
and drycleaners.
For
any other retail premises, or a business that provides goods or
services, you can only visit these premises if the business chooses
to offer Click-and-Collect.
If
you visit critical retail premises, you must:
check
in with the Service NSW app or provide your contact details to the
occupier
follow
the face mask rules.
Exemptions
Vaccination
rules do not apply to people who are at your premises:
because
of a service to assist vulnerable members of the public, for example
a food bank or a service providing for the needs of homeless
persons;
to
purchase food or beverages to be consumed off the premises;
to
attend a small funeral or memorial service or small wedding service;
to
use a click and collect service.
Rules
for certain businesses in regional and rural NSW
If
your business is re-opening
at 70% fully vaccinated and
your staff live outside Greater Sydney, your staff have longer to
become fully vaccinated.
Greater
Sydney includes Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Shellharbour and
Wollongong local government areas.
If
your business is located outside Greater Sydney, you are still
required to ensure all people over the age of 16 who visit your
premises (except for your staff) are fully vaccinated.
Rules
for staff at certain businesses in regional and rural NSW
If
you:
Live
outside Greater Sydney (including Central Coast, Blue Mountains,
Shellharbour and Wollongong local government areas) and
A
small 53ha bushfire out at Glenreagh in the Clarence Valley this month is a timely reminder
that the 2021 Northern Rivers region bushfire season has been underway since 1 September.
Do
you live in a bushfire prone area? Undertaking a bushfire risk
assessment of your property may help you consider the risks. Look at
the type of vegetation near your property, its flammability and its
proximity to your home. This will help you determine the risk of
bushfire impacting your home. It is also worth considering your
access to water. In the event of the power supply being cut, will you
still have access to water for fire fighting purposes?
Be
aware
Think
about how fire may impact your home. You can mitigate the risk by
managing the landscape around your property and by ensuring flammable
items are not left near your home. A well-maintained lawn will also
significantly reduce the risk of fire.
Plan
Have
an emergency plan that outlines what you and your family will do in
the event of a fire. Ensure you consider your pets in this plan.
Get
ready
Don’t
leave your planning until the last minute. As the weather starts to
warm up, it’s time to start thinking about bushfire risks, prepare
your property and organise your family. Make sure you share your
bushfire plan with friends and family.
Now
is a great time to:
Create
a home emergency kit
Share
a survival and evacuation plan with your family and friends
Clear
around your home
Clean
the gutters
Check
your insurance cover
Install
longer hoses
Invest
in a fire sprinkler system to protect your home
Download
the Fires Near Me app
In
the event of an emergency, the Clarence Disaster Dashboard provides
essential information. You will find the latest information on
fires, flood and traffic incidents, power and water outages, radio
and social feeds all in one emergency dashboard. It also is linked to
live updates from MyRoadsInfo, with the current road conditions.
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.”
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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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