Big Scrub Environment Centre e-journal - Edition 4
Hi there and welcome to this edition of the Big Scrub Environment Centre e-journal.
For more information, please email us, or view our web site at www.bigscrub.org.au
To contribute to the next edition, subscribe or unsubscribe, please see the end of this journal for details. Hope you enjoy this edition!
This edition:
FIESTY FOR FORESTS
TUGUN C4 - A SORRY DAY
PACIFIC HIGHWAY GROUPS START LINKING
KINGS FOREST SEES COMMON SENSE
DEC DODGES FISH KILL RESPONSIBILITY
FNC STRATEGY DRAFT DUE SOON
BIOBANKING FIASCO
BREAKING THE SILENCE ON PRIVATE LOGGING
THE LISMORE SOURCE
ANOTHER VICTORY FOR BUNDJALUNG ELDERS
400,000 HA OF STATE FORESTS HANDED OVER TO HUNTERS
SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS
*FIESTY FOR FORESTS
"Fiesty for Forests" is a forest music night coming up this Thursday evening (9th March) from 7.30pm in the new upstairs piano lounge at the Winsome Hotel, Bridge Street Lismore. Cost is $5-$25 (to your ability).
The night features a selection of new music from local musicians including Jarrah, Two Colour Mountain and Mish. Participants will also be treated to Grand Piano Serenades, forest factz quiz, and recent films.
The night is a fundraiser for some key Tasmanian forest campaigns, including the Weld direct action efforts and Bob Brown vs Forestry Tasmania: Wild Wielangta, On Trial - Australia's endangered species law.
For info on the court case see http://www.bobbrown.org.au
*TUGUN C4 - A SORRY DAY - Valerie Thompson
The Federal government last week granted its approval for the Tugun C4 bypass, the most destructive route that could have planned for the Tweed region. Of particular concern were the Federal Transport Minister's statements that this alignment supports the viability of the Gold Coast Airport - that is, propping up a private corporation.
The Big Scrub supports an immediate Commission of Inquiry into why this route, which is so wasteful of taxpayers money and destructive of our region's values, was selected over more obvious solutions to the region's traffic issues.
Any argument that removing traffic lights on the existing route would be noiser for Tugun residents is now clearly untrue. With an agenda of allowing expansion of the airport, there will be an increase in the size and amount of aircraft using this facility - all of which is extremely noisy for nearby residents. A strong increase in heavy freight movement though this area is also predicted as a result of this decision - an outcome that is not only more noisy, its less safe for other road users and less sustainable in the long run.
The proposed route will impact heavily on an area recognised as a biodiversity hotspot, rich in native and threatened species and containing a crucial network of protected wetlands. The proposal would create water quality, and flooding problems as well as loss of species. Large private corporations should not get priority over the environment and local communities.
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*PACIFIC HIGHWAY GROUPS START LINKING
Groups from around the region and beyond have begun to get together to share their experiences with the RTA Pacific Highway juggernaut. "Work in Progress" on stories from around the region may be viewed here (68kb pdf)
The North Coast Environment Council (NCEC) has protested in sheer frustration at the RTA's handling of a simple request for background data on the Wells Crossing to Iluka section of the Pacific Highway. Data on the biological and heritage values of this section was not publicly available, and NCEC had to request it under Freedom of Information. After a massive 82 day delay, the NCEC only had one day to review the information before passing it on to others preparing for a RTA workshop in a few days time.
To add insult to injury, the RTA are now charging NCEC a massive 5 hours additional time for finding the (current) documents, photocopying them, and all the other messing around they've been doing!
NCEC have written to the RTA reminding them of the parliamentary inquiry findings into their processes, which include "That the RTA ensure at the various levels of survey undertaken at differing stages of the planning process, including environmental studies, are clearly explained and identified to the community in the initial stages of an Highway Upgrade process." In other words the biological data should have been provided from the start, it should not have required any expense by NCEC, and it should have been promptly available. A full copy of the NCEC's concerns may be found here (60kb MSWord .doc)
Want to add your saga? Please email us with a summary of your experience, and relevant contact, and we will update this list. If you are interested in contributing towards the development of a central portal to unite this campaign, please contact Valerie at the Big Scrub on 6689 5205 or email info@bigscrub.org.au
*KINGS FOREST SEES COMMON SENSE
Despite Tweed Council staff recommending approval for the major urban subdivision of Kings Forest near Tweed, the Administrators have requested that the proposal be re-exhibited for a further 28 days. This is because the documents on display were not complete, and supplementary information was not publicly available.
In recent inquiries into the activities of Tweed Shire Council before it's sacking, processes such as this were heavily criticised as inappropriate, lacking transparency and limiting public input. While the appointed Tweed Administrators appear keen to depart from such practices of the former Council, old habits seem to die hard for some staff.
Or perhaps political pressure from state government is too much. In a media release earlier this week, former Greens Councillor Henry James stated "The Chief Town Planner's recommendation regarding the King's Forest rezoning has Iemma's and Sartor's grubby finger marks all over it". Mr James is currently subject to court action by the Kings Forest landowners for his statements in the media regarding alleged unauthorised clearing and draining on the site.
In January this year the Department of Planning (DoP) announced that it had come to the conclusion that the majority of the Cudgen paddock was suitable for development. This came despite the fact that for years the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) had said it was completely unsuitable due to its high conservation values.
Planning Minister Frank Sartor had threatened to call the application in to make a decision on it himself, if the Administrators did not determine it yesterday. It will be very interesting to see if this eventuates, given his most recent push in parliament to get the power to call in any development he thinks Councils are taking too long with.
*DEC DODGES FISH KILL RESPONSIBILITY
In a recent letter the Department of Environment and Conservation continues to find excuses for not acting on the massive bird and fish kills at Salty Lagoon, near Evans Head. For years DEC has been dodging its environmental protection duties by continuing to allow the sewerage treatment plant (STP) to operate despite growing evidence of the impacts of its overflow into the Broadwater National Park.
The once-pristine lagoon is now a foul-smelling septic pit, its dire state readily visible from the air should one be taking a flight from Ballina airport. In December last year the natural event of the lake opening to the ocean caused massive fish and bird kills due to Council's ongoing practice of allowing poorly treated sewage to enter the lake.
Richmond Valley Council is pushing ahead with approvals for new developments in the coastal town of Evans Head, with no solution for their sewerage problems nigh. Local environmental groups have called for a moratorium on all new sewerage connections until Council ensures that Salty Lake is protected.
Action: Please write to the Richmond Valley Council and Planning Minister Frank Sartor expressing your concerns and calling for a moratorium on development in Evans Head until the STP is upgraded to regulatory standards. Please also write to DEC expressing concerns at their inadequate response. A sample letter may be found here (56kb MSWord .doc).
Read a document produced by the Evans Head Water Committee detailing the situation and proposing solutions here (46kb MSWord.doc)
*FNC STRATEGY DRAFT DUE SOON
The Big Scrub understands that both Cabinet and Treasury have signed off on a draft Far North Coast Regional Strategy - albeit a radically "dumbed-down" version of the original document prepared by regional staff. This revised draft is now expected to go out on public exhibition later this month, amongst widespread concern that regional interests are being usurped for Sydney-style urban sprawl and destruction.
A coalition of local environment groups have pulled together a statement on what a regional strategy should do for the Far North Coast. A copy of this colour A3 brochure may be downloaded here (400kb pdf document). We encourage people to use this information as a basis for calling for a truly regional approach to protecting our unique coastlines, rainforests, and natural ecosystems, landscapes, and lifestyles.
*BIOBANKING FIASCO
The Big Scrub Environment Centre, NCEC and other environment groups have damned DEC's latest Biodiversity Banking and Offsets proposals. The Department was seeking comments on a proposal to allow areas of conservation value to be lost in exchange for 'offsets' of other lands of ecological value.
The Big Scrub is very concerned at the way DEC has pushed ahead with this proposal without addressing the fundamental concerns of many environmental groups throughout the state, which were expressed very early in the process. NCEC has questioned the Department's ability to adequately assess and protect conservation values, given their recent track record and loss of staff expertise.
Copies of the Big Scrub and NCEC submissions are available here (160kb MSWord.doc)
*BREAKING THE SILENCE ON PRIVATE LOGGING - Carmel Flint
The Forgotten Forests
Did you know that there are 4 million hectares of forests and woodlands on private land in NSW that can be intensively logged or clearfelled without any environmental controls? This is all because logging has been an exemption under the Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997 (NVCA), which means landholders who want to log can just go right ahead and fire up the chainsaws. They don't need to notify any public authority or do any assessments whatsoever. The result is smash and grab logging events aimed at making a quick buck that are destroying many of our most magnificent forests and woodlands.
The Facts behind the Fences
Over the last month, environment groups have decided to find out what's really going on behind those quiet, rural fences.
In eastern Dorrigo, we confirmed that rainforest logging was alive and well almost a quarter of a century after Neville Wran closed it down on public lands in NSW. We found logging in a well-developed Warm Temperate Rainforest mapped as such by the NSW Government in 1998. Coachwood logs were stacked up on log dumps and the massive stumps of oldgrowth brushbox scarred the landscape at every turn.
In the north, just outside Nimbin, in a region that is recognised as a national biodiversity hotspot, we found unconstrained logging in a major regional corridor linking three heavily cleared river valleys in the Richmond/Tweed lowlands. In the Riverina, we were informed of industrial-style logging of towering, iconic River Red Gum forests in order to produce low-value products such as firewood and sleepers.
Breaking the Silence
The NSW government has promised to introduce a Code of Practice for private logging by June 2006, but there are no guarantees it will deliver anything at all, let alone the strong controls that are needed.
That's where you come in.
Its time to break the silence on private logging. Write to Premier Iemma today! Level 40 Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, SYDNEY NSW 2000 or email thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au
Make it clear you want strong controls on private logging that fully protect rainforest, oldgrowth forests, riparian vegetation, and threatened species habitats. Say that controls are needed now, and there must be no more transition clauses. Speak to your local members and write to local and State newspapers.
For more information or to find out how you can help, see www.nccnsw.org.au/nativevegetation/index or contact Carmel Flint (NEFA) on 0429091971, email carmelflint@tpg.co.au
*THE LISMORE SOURCE - Vanessa Ekins
The Lismore Source is a multi million dollar construction project which aims to supply the regions daily consumption of water and leave the Rocky Creek Dam supply for use when the Wilsons River flow is low. The construction of the Lismore Source will have a negative impact on the Wilsons river and destroy native vegetation. The project is also questionable because Rous Water reports indicate that effective demand management and/or installation of rain tanks will reduce water consumption and increase supply.
The Lismore Souce documents are on display during March however the display and approval process deliberately complicated. The 3 documents: Environmental Impact Statement for the abstraction of water from the Wilsons river at howards grass, Statement of Environmental Effects for pump stations at Howards Grass and augmentation of the Nightcap water treatment plant, Review of Environmental Factors for the rising mains, are on limited display and 2 authorities are responsible for approving them. This process makes it difficult for interested members of the community to comprehend what is proposed and comment in the timeframe.
Alternatives to constructing the Lismore Source are:
1. Rous Water supply 10,000 litre rain tanks to every household and plumb into toilet laundry and outdoor use instead of constructing the Lismore Source. Rous Water commissioned a 2003 Institute of Sustainable Futures report which states this will provide a similar quantity of water at a reasonable price and has the added advantage of public education and no impact on the Wilsons river. Read this comprehensive report here (1.8MB pdf document)
2. Rous Water adequately fund demand management, an effective and cheaper option than constructing the Lismore Source. Rous Water commissioned a 1997 Institute of Sustainable Futures report which states this is a low cost option for supplying water with the advantage of public education and no cost for infrastructure.
Rous Water need to examine the concept of secure yield or the amount of water that must be supplied by Rous Water. Secure yield is defined in the EIS section 2.2.2. as the annual water demand that can be supplied which satisfies the following: water restrictions not applied more than 5% of the time, water restrictions not imposed more than one year in ten, and a system that supplies 80% of normal demand through a repeat of the worst drought on record. Water restrictions can be applied more often that this and consequently the calculations for annual water demand can be reduced.
The community needs to question Rous Waters insistence on suppling a huge amount of clean drinkable water with very limited restrictions during drought. Is the majority of this water used for drinking or for commercial activity, washing cars, laundry, garden and flushing toilets? Reducing demand and providing on site water sources is affordable and practical. Why is the water authority choosing expensive engineering projects instead?
Contact Vanessa Ekins at vanessaekins@yahoo.com or phone 66245500 for more information.
View hard copy documents at Lismore City Council Chambers, Rous Water and Richmond Regional Library. Make a submission to General Manager Rous Water in March.
*ANOTHER VICTORY FOR BUNDJALUNG ELDERS - Binnie O'Dwyer
The Land and Environment Court has recently declared the Ballina Shire Council's Development Consent for a controversial cycleway through a 19th century Aboriginal massacre site, in the crown reserve at Angels Beach to be void and of no force and effect.
On Friday February 24, Justice Dennis Cowdroy of the Land and Environment Court, upheld the Application by Bundjalung Traditional Owners Douglas and Susan Anderson. The Andersons were represented by the Indigenous Justice Advocacy Network who argued that in reaching it's decision to approve the cycleway, Council had failed to consider the cultural heritage significance of the area.
At paragraph 142 of his Judgement, Cowdroy J found that: "Given the significance to Aboriginal people of the massacre at the site, it warranted proper evaluation by the Council. Section 79C (of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act) required more than mere mention of Aboriginal cultural heritage. An evaluation appropriate to the significance of cultural heritage in the area did not take place."
In making the declaration the Court also issued an injunction by ordering "(the Council,) it's servants and agents be restrained from taking any steps to construct the proposed walkway and cycleway without first obtaining a valid consent for its construction."
This decision has set a very important precedent for the protection of Aboriginal Cultural heritage in NSW. It will have a flow on effect to many other proposed developments in the State, where significant ancient Aboriginal sites including burials, ceremonial places, massacre sites and tool making workshops are being bulldozed out of existence.
Nearly all the significant Aboriginal Cultural sites in the Ballina area have either been desecrated or destroyed by inappropriate development. Approvals for a lot of these developments have been routinely approved without due regard to the impacts on Aboriginal sites of cultural significance. This may no longer be acceptable or legal because of the Courts ruling.
*400,000 HA OF STATE FORESTS HANDED OVER TO HUNTERS
Massive areas of State forests across NSW have been handed over to recreational hunters for their exclusive use for at least five years. The orders to declare 34 State forests as dedicated hunting areas came into effect on 1 March 2006. This means that a massive 400,000 hectares of State forests will be out of bounds unless you have written permission.
The body responsible for the decision is the Game Council - a statutory body governed by a majority of hunters, created by the Labor Government at the insistence of the Shooters Party in 2001.This is the first time it had exercised it's powers.
For a list of forests affected, please visit the National Parks Association website www.npansw.org.au
DISCLAIMER: The Big Scrub Environment Centre and its officers accept no responsibility or liability for claims or statements made within articles published in this e-journal. The purpose of this e-journal is to provide a forum within which debate and discourse may occur. Articles published here represent the views and opinions of their authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The Big Scrub Environment Centre.
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Ejournal Contributors:
This will be a monthly journal. If you would like to contribute relevant environmental articles to edition 5, please attach your word rtf, txt or doc files to an email and send them to: info@bigscrub.org.au by March 22, 2006 and type in the email <subject> line 'bsec ejournal article'.
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The Big Scrub Environment Centre
www.bigscrub.org.au
email: info@bigscrub.org.au
Postal: PO Box 816
Lismore 2480