Big Scrub Environment Centre e-journal - Edition 5

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:

TUGUN C4 MOTORWAY ACTION LAUNCHED
DRAFT FAR NORTH COAST STRATEGY EXHIBITED
NOT AN OPTION" PACIFIC MOTORWAY PROTEST - YAMBA
PACIFIC HIGHWAY ALLIANCE - HELP NEEDED
PROPOSED EXCISION FROM A NPWS RESERVE FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT
LAKE COWAL GOLD MINE UPDATE
PUBLIC REGISTER OF BROADSCALE CLEARING
ENVIROFUND ROUND 8 OPEN
IRON GATES ESTATE AT EVANS HEAD BACK ON THE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
JOKE OF THE MONTH
SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS

**TUGUN C4 MOTORWAY ACTION LAUNCHED
A site inspection by community members concerned over the proposed Tugun alignment area confirmed significant clearing and other siteworks have already been done on the airport land along and around the proposed alignment of the C4 route.

The Tugun Cobaki Alliance Incorporated Association was formed to investigate all means to protect the unique Cobaki Broadwater and Murrabi Landscape from the proposed motorway and associated development (airport extension, industrial and business development, etc).

Contact TCA Secretary Rose Adams, fisheagle@ozemail.com.au, for more information, to become involved, or pledge support.

A 50 minute documentary on this issue has just been completed, and copies can also be requested by contacting Rose.


top of page

**DRAFT FAR NORTH COAST STRATEGY EXHIBITED
Amidst much secrecy, Planning Mister Frank Sartor flew into the Tweed to launch the draft Far North Coast Strategy last Monday 13th March. It would appear that the state government has much to cover up - the draft seriously lacks detail in how it will be implemented, leaving the region to wonder if they are serious about the purported aims of the draft. Protests across the region are being heard from all community sectors.

As an example, detailed maps in the draft showing urban growth boundaries do not reflect or even show the environmental and physical constraints of these areas. Initial calculations reveal that 70% of undeveloped lands within the 'existing urban footprint' are either constrained or highly constrained. A third of land shown as 'new release area' also contains ecological constraints - that is, it has been identified for development even though it is ecologically signicant and not even currently zoned for such!

The draft shows substantial new coastal areas as available for develoment, even where they contradict the intention of the Strategy to prevent coastal sprawl. It also provides a broad opportunity for development of the hinterland outside the urban growth boundaries, subject to general loose criteria imposed from the metro region.

More information on the draft FNC strategy, including suggested letters to send to the government, may be found at www.rainforestinfo.org.au/planning.nsw.people/plansforaction/northcoast.htm

top of page

**"NOT AN OPTION" PACIFIC MOTORWAY PROTEST - YAMBA
On 8th March a galliant group of locals and environmentalists converged on Yamba's 'Angourie Rainforest Resort' to protest the RTA's biased process in deciding a route for the the proposed Iluka - Wells Crossing portion of the Pacific Motorway construction.

Waving signs and chanting "VMW = Voters Money Wasted", the group greeted the Value Management Workshop delegates (mainly RTA staff) as they entered the resort. Environmentalists, including even an NCEC reprentative, were all but totally excluded from the 3-day RTA workshop to adopt a preferred option for the proposed motorway. Protesters were particularly concerned about the ecological and other impacts of the proposed eastern routes, including the likely extinction of the Eastern Coastal Emu.

In what the RTA project manager described as a 'cock up' (Daily Examiner) the RTA shortly afterwards accidentally released media claiming to have chosed the preferred route, even when the consultation process was still underway! Not suprisingly, it was a route that heavily impacts on the threatened Eastern Coastal Emu. This latest fiasco once again reinforces the Parliamentary Inquiry's findings that the RTA's public information and involvement processes are seriously flawed.

top of page

**LAKE COWAL GOLD MINE UPDATE
The controversial Barrick Gold mine near Lake Cowal is about to start up. The mine, which has been consistently opposed by the Wiradjuri Native Titleholders and major environmental groups, will pump to the pit and permanently poison 3,650 mega litres of artesian water a year for the next 13 years.

To extract the gold the Lake Cowal mine will also consume 6,090 tonnes of sodium cyanide a year for 13 years. This cyanide will be carted to Lake Cowal from the Orica manufacturing plant in Gladstone, Queensland, 1600 km away. The Minister is currently refusing to reveal the cyanide route.
For more details of what's happening, and to become involved in monitoring the proposed Cyanide route, visit www.peacebus.com/LakeCowal or www.rainforestinfo.org.au

top of page

**PUBLIC REGISTER OF BROADSCALE CLEARING
The Native Vegetation Act 2003 that will regulate clearing in NSW was finally implemented in December 2005. Under the Act a public register was developed that will provide the only information availiable to the public on legally approved clearing of native vegetation in NSW. The register is up and running and has two records of clearing so far.
The register is online at www.nativevegetation.nsw.gov.au/pams/PublicRegisterSearch.jsp

It contains information about Property Vegetation Plans (PVPs) and Development Consents approved by Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) under the Native Vegetation Act 2003, including broadscale clearing where CMA discretion has been exercised. This is definitely worth closely watching, as the recent Lismore workshop confirmed that the CMA intends working with farmers to maximise dis

top of page

**ENVIROFUND ROUND 8 OPEN
Round 8 of Envirofund is now open for applications. Grants of up to $50,000 are available for community groups and individuals. Applications close: 5pm, Friday 28 April.

Eligible projects include:
- awareness raising projects, especially with an indigenous focus
- dune protection through activities such as revegetation or construction of boardwalks
- fencing to protect riverbanks and waterways
- bush regeneration or planting native vegetation to improve habitat or manage erosion.
Changes in this round include a slightly shorter application form and some concessions for coastal and marine projects on public land.
* For copies of the application form visit www.nht.gov.au/envirofund or phone 1800 065 823.

top of page

**IRON GATES ESTATE AT EVANS HEAD BACK ON THE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
The recently released (and worrying) Draft Far North Coast Regional Strategy (sheet 6, Richmond Valley, page 45) shows the controversial Iron Gates Estate listed as "Existing Urban Footprint". In other words, the Iron Gates is slated for further residential development as part of the NSW Government's Regional Plan.

Richmond Valley Council also has it listed in its Development Control Plan No. 10 for future residential development.

The Iron Gates Estate has very high natural and cultural conservation values and is a critical link or corridor between two National Parks, Bundjalung and Broadwater. National Parks have tried to acquire it on four occasions but without any success.

The Iron Gates contains an EEC (Littoral Rainforest) and a SEPP 14 wetland. The area is also very important to the Bundjalang.

The original residential development on the site was stopped by the Land and Environment Court in the 1990's. Part was built on the Wetland. The wetland feeds into the Evans River. It is very important for the health of the River that the site not be developed for housing.

There are L&E Court Orders over the site which have still not been met. The State govt has refused to become involved in making the owners of the Estate comply with the restoration orders.

Richmond Valley Council is being sued by 11 parties over the Estate. Council's auditor has shown a potential liability from the legal case of $35 million dollars. Council was insured for liability by the now collapsed HIH insurers. Apparently the State govt has offered to pick up half the tab if Council loses, and the Feds may pick up the rest....or maybe ratepayers!!!

Word has it that a cashed up earth moving contractor has purchased or is purchasing the property for residential development. That remains to be seen! But the source is reliable.

It is very clear that the Iron Gates area is under threat again from development. It is critical for the area to be backzoned to an environmental protection zoning as soon as possible.

I would encourage people to write about this matter to northcoast@planning.nsw.gov.au with a copy to the Minister for Planning Frank Sartor, the Minister for Local Government Kerry Hickey, and the Minister for the Environment Bob Debus.

It is also important for everyone to review and comment on the Draft Far North Coast Regional Strategy as it will determine the future shape of the north coast. I was told by a senior planner on release of the document that it was "crap". I am inclined to agree. The strategy is long on rhetoric and spin, and short on genuine environmental consideration. The plan is for 60,400 additional people and 51,000 new dwellings. A sentence or two from Frank Sartor's Foreword to the Strategy says it all: "The Strategy proposes to protect some of (emphasis mine) the most prized areas of natural beauty along the coast"....in partnership with local government". Need I say more!

Dr Richard Gates
Evans Head
ragates@ceinternet.com.au

top of page

**JOKE OF THE MONTH
TTF (the Tourism and Transport Forum), which is a peak lobbying group pushing the Pacific Highway private tollway proposal, and which consists of 200 of Australia's top corporation CEOs ... has now gained "Not For Profit Status"! TTF is infamous, amongst other things, for boasting on their website out how they have been furiously lobbying for the fast-tracking of the Pacific Highway 'upgrading,' and its development as a tollway. Not for profit!?!

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.

Donations:
The Big Scrub Environment Centre would like to offer this as a free service to all interested parties, but we would like to call for offers of financial support from subscribers, in order to keep our organisation running. Suggested donations are on a sliding scale from $5-$10 (waged or unwaged) on an annual basis, or any other amount that generous benefactors would like to offer!!

To make a donation:
Send a cheque, cash or postal order with your name and contact details to:
PO Box 816, Lismore 2480, NSW Australia
OR
Direct or electronic deposit into the BSEC bank account. Please include your name, email address and the type of deposit i.e. 'Membership' or 'Donation'.
Bank Details: Summerland Credit Union - BSB no: 802 222 - Account no: 50001

Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
To receive a receipt, please include your name on the deposit slip and e-mail us your name and address details.

To subscribe: Anyone wishing to subscribe to future editions of this ejournal, please send an email to info@bigscrub.org.au and type in the email <subject> line 'subscribe bsec ejournal'.

To unsubscribe: If you would like to unsubscribe, please send an email to info@bigscrub.org.au and type in the email <subject> line 'unsubscribe bsec ejournal'.

Ejournal Contributors:
This will be a monthly journal. If you would like to contribute relevant environmental articles, please attach your word rtf, txt or doc files to an email and send them to: info@bigscrub.org.au and type in the email <subject> line 'bsec ejournal article'.

Article Length Guidelines:
Please keep submitted articles to a 400 word maximum - If you have a longer article, you can also submit this, along with a 400 word summary of your story. We will provide the longer article as a linked download from the BSEC website. Please note: long articles will be edited, so you may wish to provide an edited version yourself!

********************
The Big Scrub Environment Centre
www.bigscrub.org.au
email: info@bigscrub.org.au
Postal: PO Box 816
Lismore 2480

top of page