"We need to take action before it's too late." 

That was the message that cut through loud and clear from the students who attended a screening of Future Council, hosted by NQCC and Parents for Climate at St Joseph's Catholic School in Mundingburra.

READ OUR MEDIA RELEASE HERE!

Take Action! EMAIL YOUR MP HERE!

On 2 June 2026, the Honourable Jarrod Bleijie, Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations introduced a Bill to fast-track critical minerals and other "State significant" projects (read his Ministerial Statement here).

The State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 would allow Queensland's Coordinator-General to declare any major project a "State Strategic Project" and override regulatory pathways - including environmental regulations and community consultation.

Meet some impressive young environmental advocates!

On a cool, sunny day in July, five courageous and thoughtful young people joined our Youth Advocacy Workshop - and their insights were astounding.

Right now, we have a chance to strengthen Bioregional Planning to ensure critical minerals mining in Northwest Queensland doesn't cost the Earth.

So, the Great Barrier Reef isn't "in danger"... but for how long?

UNESCO's draft decision may seem like good news, but Australia has been put on notice. It's clear that more must be done to protect the Reef - and that means tackling the biggest threats, not tinkering around the edges.

A favourite time of year for many, June has brought us EcoFiesta, Reconciliation Week, a Member Gathering and our biggest Community Garage Sale yet!

The action has been a little bittersweet though, as we farewell Luna, who has brought so much to our organisation over the past two years and will be sorely missed.

Funding long-term positions in organisations like ours can be really tough. That's why we're so grateful to everyone who has supported our fundraising efforts this year. With just hours to go, we're inching ever closer to our EOFY target, and donations are always welcome!

It's a jam-packed update this month, but before we dive into it I want to thank everyone who made a submission to the State Development Bill last week. The Bill aims to undermine environment and community to fast track development, and we're determined to stop it.

If you didn't get a chance to make a submission, don't worry - I suspect there will be plenty of opportunities for us to raise our voices together in the months ahead.

Thank you for all that you do. Please enjoy this edition of Paperbark.

Crystal, NQCC Coordinator

Last night's General Meeting brought together long-time members, people considering joining NQCC, volunteers, interns, and friends of the organisation for an evening of conversation, fresh wood-fired pizza, and a look at what's ahead.

It was also a little bittersweet. After more than two years with NQCC, our Community Campaigner, Luna, was farewelled at the meeting.

What environmental issues matter most to young people?

Have you ever wished there were more trees in your neighbourhood? Wondered what could be done about plastic pollution, climate change, or protecting wildlife? Or thought, "Someone should do something about that!"

If so, we'd love to meet you.

Join us for a free, interactive Future Council Youth Workshop, where you'll have the chance to share your ideas, hear what other young people care about, and discover how your voice can help shape the future of our community.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our stall and shared their thoughts, experiences and ideas. We were excited to see so much interest in the campaign, with more than 50 people signing up to support it and stay involved. It was a great start for our campaign, getting attention and positive responses from decionmakers too.

"Australia has always been multicultural." ❤️🖤💛💙🤍💚

This year's Reconciliation Week theme - "All In" - inspired us to reach out to Townsville Multicultural Support Group, to connect some of the newest members of our community with some of the oldest enduring cultures in the world - right here on this continent.