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Urgent action needed - the South East's koalas face imminent risk
Perils of coal expansion in Hunter gains mainstream media interest
By Climate Campaigner Max Phillips
 The Sydney Morning Herald has recently published a series of articles on the massive expansion of the coal industry in the Hunter Valley. The articles look at coal coming into conflict with other industries such as horse breeding and wineries, as well as its effect on the local environment and health concerns.
The ABC TV's 7.30 Report also screened a story on the conflict between Bickham Coal mine and the horse breeding industry.
Disappointingly, coal's role as the number one cause of climate change hardly rates a mention in any of these stories. In many ways, climate change is the elephant in the room when it comes to the coal industry's future in the Hunter Valley.
Read more ...
Federal Government announces sites for future marine protected areas
 Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced the Areas for Further Assessment (AFA) in the East Marine Region (off Australia's east coast) this week.
Four regions off the NSW Coast - Tweed, Clarence, Hunter and Batemans Bay - have been chosen as AFAs, and we can expect to see marine protected areas somewhere within them in the near future.
Our Marine Campaigner, Ben Birt, says, "This announcement is a positive step towards developing a network of marine protected areas off the east coast that gives our marine environment the best chance for the future.
"At a time when our oceans are under pressure, it is excellent to see the Federal government recognising the importance of existing state marine parks by linking them with the areas for further assessment.
"Marine Protected Areas, particularly no-take areas, are vital havens where our marine life can rest, recover and reproduce safe from the threats of fishing. They are essential for conserving biodiversity and we look forward to seeing a strong network of protected areas off the east coast based on the best available science."
Read more ...
Taking on climate change one brick of knowledge at a time
 Australia’s first wiki on climate change adaptation for the built environment has been created with support from Federal Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
The Built Environment Climate Change Adaptation (BECCA) Wiki will provide practical information about climate change impacts on the general built environment and on different types of infrastructure organisations, such as electricity generators and railways, and the various options for adapting efficiently to these impacts.
It will give detailed and referenced information required for environmental scientists and assessors, planners, architects, engineers and other built environment professionals to incorporate climate change into their designs and work.
Anyone can add material to the BECCA Wiki but the information only becomes live once it has been validated by an authorised reviewer.
Read more ...
Have your say on protecting our native species from the cane toad menace
 With no known predator in Australia and powerful venom defences, the introduced cane toad has run amok over an increasing range of the country.
A decline in quoll numbers and native frogs in areas where large numbers of cane toads are found has been
recorded, accorded to the CSIRO. Other native species such as freshwater crocodiles, goannas, dingos and tiger snakes have died following attempts to eat cane toads.
All kinds of weird and some not-so-wonderful attempts at reducing cane toad numbers, including a NT politican's call for an official 'toad whacking day', have not been able to reign in toad populations over recent decades.
The Federal Government recently released its Draft Cane Toad (Bufo marinus) Threat Abatement Plan that focuses on identifying the native species and ecological communities most at risk from this pest, and trying to reduce the impact of cane toads on them.
Public submissions will be open until Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Become an NCC rep and speak up for NSW's environment
Click here for more information. Applications close Thursday, 8 April 2010.
Member Group News: Red action alert on River Red Gums
 Last month the NSW government announced its River Red Gum decision. It represented a major backdown on the government's promise of creating a new Millewa National Park. Half of the Internationally signficant Millewa wetland will be opened up to five years of intensive logging
This is a bad decision as it destroys the centrepiece of the Red Gum decision - the iconic Millewa forest - recommended by the independent NRC and approved as a national park by former Premier Nathan Rees in December 2009.
Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, must oppose the move and groups will be seeking to overturn the Millewa logging plan when legislation implementing the decision comes into NSW Parliament in April 2010.
The National Parks Association of NSW has put together a River Red Gum Red Action Alert providing some background information on the issue and a simple but powerful guide to what people can do to help.
Read more ...
Member Group News: Help stop the Eden woodchip forest furnace
 South East Fibre Exports (SEFE), owners of the Eden chipmill, wants to build a wood-fired power station burning native forest wood.
The NSW Minister for Planning has received the final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project and will soon decide whether to approve the power station. Up to 20 other forest burning furnaces are planned in Australia. If the Eden Chip Mill furnace is approved it will set a disastrous precedent.
Submissions on the EA are open until Thursday 22 April.The South East Region Conservation Alliance has put together some great points that can be used in making a submission on the Environmental Assessment. Download a copy here.
Click here to read the full Environmental Assessment.
Read more ...
Feature Green Business
Peace and Tranquillity
Carrowbrook - $225,000
Situated about 47km out of Singleton near Lake St Clair is Carrowbrook, a building site for your sustainable home or an eco-retreat set on approximately 160 acres.
Carrowbrook is the perfect location for a conservation retreat and/or organic horticulture (as occurs on neighbouring properties). Enjoy the panoramic views of Lake St Clair and the majestic hills.
Only 3 hours from Sydney in the Hunter Valley, the property also offers
rainforest-like conditions and natural water easements, small waterfalls and stag horns.
Carrowbrook is in a neighbourhood of organic growing and bush living, and a
4WD will be required for access to the property
For more details see www.eco.com.au or call 0409 528 692
Australia's Gardens Past and Future
10.30am-12.00pm. Saturday, 10 April 2010
Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
Cost: $18/$12 Members, including refreshments
Bookings: www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/friends or call (02) 9231 8182
Pope Benedict’s New Year Message: Explore the Spirituality, Theology and Justice of this challenge with Rev Dr Sean McDonagh. Hosted by Columban Mission Institute.
5.00pm - 7.00pm,Saturday 10th April 2010
Thomas Aquinas Centre, Santa Sabina College, 90 The Boulevarde, Strathfield
Wine and cheese provided. Entry by donation.
Call the Columban Mission Institute on (02) 9352 8000
Populate - prosper or perish? A public forum with Dick Smith. Hosted by Friends of Ku-ring-gai Environment.
8pm. Thursday, 15 April 2010
Killara Uniting Church, Cnr Karranga Ave and Arnold Street, Killara
Call FOKE on (02) 9498 1807
Sustainable Food Fair. Hosted by Blacktown City Council.
10.00am – 3.00pm. Sunday, 18 April 2010
Grantham Heritage Park, 71 Seven Hills Road, Seven Hills
Farmers market, activities for the kids, Environmental stalls and advice, free food plants and giveaways
Cost: Free
Call Donna Rattenbury on (02) 9839 6582
Interactive public seminar on the findings of the Who Cares about the Environment in 2009? Hosted by DECCW.
10.15am for 10.30am start - 1.30pm. Monday, 19 April 2010
Orchard Room 2, Country Comfort Motel, 146 Bathurst Rd, Orange
Register online or call Khiem Forbutt on 02 8837 6000
Interactive public seminar on the findings of the Who Cares about the Environment in 2009? Hosted by DECCW.
10.45am for 11.00am start - 2pm. Wednesday 21 April, 2010
Wagga RSL Club, Dobbs St (cnr Kincaid St), Wagga Wagga
Register online or call Khiem Forbutt on 02 8837 6000
Interactive public seminar on the findings of the Who Cares about the Environment in 2009? Hosted by DECCW.
10.45am for 11.00am start - 2pm. Thursday 22 April, 2010
Conference Room, Quality Hotel Powerhouse Armidale, 31 Marsh Street, Armidale
Register online or call Khiem Forbutt on 02 8837 6000
2010 Climate Change @ Work Conference: Growing the Sustainable Workplace. Hosted by the Workplace Research Centre, The University of Sydney.
9.00am – 5.00pm. Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Hilton Hotel, 488 George Street, Sydney, NSW
Cost: Early-bird price until 31 March $695.00 including GST,
Team price (2 or more) $695.00 inc. GST, full-price $795.00 inc. GST,
Full + accommodation $895.00 inc. GST
WildEndurance 100km team challenge. Fundraising team competition by The Wilderness Society.
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 May 2010
Blue Mountains World Heritage wilderness
Email the Event Organiser at wildendurance@wilderness.org.au
Bellingen New Energy Festival
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Bellingen Showground
Latest Nature Conservation Council submissions
CSIRO review of shark catches in OTL fishery
Monday, 01 March 2010
Submissions open
Review of State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007
Closing date: Monday, 12 April 2010
Baal Bone Coal Project
Closing date: Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Discussion paper on Renewable Energy Target
Closing date: Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Shell Cove Boat Harbour Precinct Environmental Assessment
Closing date: 5pm. Friday, 16 April 2010
Koondrook-Perricoota Forest Flood Enhancement Works
Closing date: Monday, 19 April 2010
Hoxton Park Industrial Project
Closing date: Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Champions Quarry Project
Closing date: Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Salt Ash Sand Extraction
Closing date: Wednesday, 21 April 2010
South East Fibre Exports 5 MW Biomass-Fired Power Station - Eden
Closing date: Thursday, 22 April 2010
Port Kembla Outer Harbour Development
Closing date: Friday, 7 May 2010
Draft Cane Toad Threat Abatement Plan
Closing date: Wednesday, 16 June 2010
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Logging has stopped temporarily following evidence of a koala just two kilometres from the site earmarked for activity in Mumbulla State Forest. 
