The Great Barrier Reef is renowned for its ecological importance and beauty. However, it is under increasing threat from a range of pressures including climate change, poor water quality from Reef catchments, extreme weather events and recent extensive coral bleaching.

The Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan 2017–2022 is a joint commitment of the Australian and Queensland governments that seeks to improve the quality of water flowing from Reef catchments to the Great Barrier Reef.

In October 2024, NQCC provided feedback to this plan.

This year NQCC celebrates its 50^th birthday. As an anniversary project, we have collected stories from people who have been involved in environmental activism in North Queensland in the past 50 years. These will be released, several stories at a time over the next six weeks.

This week, the Queensland Government announced the update to State Code 23 for wind farms. We have been working with conservation groups throughout Queensland (particularly QCC and CAFNEC) to strengthen the renewable planning frameworks, and we welcome this progress. We will all continue to work hard for further reforms with the next Queensland Government to secure better outcomes for nature, communities and First Nations people. 

September is always an exciting time of year, because it means we get to come together with members and celebrate the achievements of the year at our Annual General Meeting. This September is also the start of the countdown to Queensland's State Election, with high stakes for climate action and nature protection.

I hope that you will stand with us at the Townsville Community Alliance's upcoming Election Assembly on Thursday 10 October, and that you enjoy our exciting 2023/24 Annual Report!

Please enjoy this edition of Paperbark!

- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator

Our 2024 Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday 25 September, and we're delighted to share the highlights of the night with you!

We know that avian bird flu is affecting poultry and egg production in Australia, but what are the risks to native birds, and what can be done to stop the spread? 

The information below has been shared by Ingrid Marker from Cassowary Keystone Conservation. 

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50km west of the Townsville CBD, behind the Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms, lies a sleeping beast that, if awoken, could spell disaster for Townsville locals, our environment and our water supply.

Decarbonising our energy industry is one of the most effective levers we have here in Australia to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and the faster we do this, the better. This means we need a rapid rollout of renewable energy, and THIS means the construction and installation of a lot of energy infrastructure. So where will all of these materials ultimately end up?

Last month NQCC celebrated a historic milestone. We looked back at 50 years of environmental advocacy in North Queensland and honoured our past with stories, poetry and songs from across the decades. While our environment has always faced challenges, each generation has responded with courage, compassion and fierce determination. It's a privilege to carry on the fight!

Thank you for being with us in our 50th year - whether this is your 50th year as a supporter or your first. Looking forward, you'll find so many opportunities to step up and take action this month.