This week's announcement by the Prime Minister of $5.4billion in funding for Hells Gates Dam has shaken up the political landscape in North Queensland, with supporters and opponents coming from all kinds of likely and unlikely places.

This is a proposal that NQCC has taken an interest in over several years (dating back to at least 2016), so we thought we'd share some of the main concerns we have with this project and the PM's promise to fund it.

As we swelter through yet another heatwave here in NQ, our thoughts go out to all those experiencing massive and widespread flooding further south.

We all know that we need CLIMATE ACTION NOW, and in an election year it is more important than ever to talk to our friends, family, neighbours and colleagues about it. 

Things you can do:

• Contact us to pick up a "Climate Action Now" sign or sticker to display somewhere visible;
• Watch this powerful 37-minute documentary - "The Coal Miners Defending The World’s Most Controversial Coal Mine";
• Sign up to our Cool it for Climate fundraiser, running from 8th March until the 8th of April!

In this edition:

• Some Good News:
  • A new National Park for NQ 
• NQCC Updates:
  • Climate Action Townsville meetings
  • JCU Market Day
  • Climate Conversations at Cotters
  • Cool it for Climate Fundraiser - now live!
  • Green Drinks
• Opportunities & Actions:
  
  • Volunteer with Fair Bite's Coffee Project
  • Clean Up Australia Day events
  • Love Food Hate Waste Challenge
  • Fix Waratah Coal's Trademark
  • Townsville Electric Vehicle Experience
  • Women's Environmental Leadership - weekend retreat

Welcome to 2022! We are so honoured to have you with us.

Last week the Australian Government announced $1 billion over nine years to support the health of the Great Barrier Reef. While we strongly support innovation, restoration and projects that help to improve ecosystem health, we know that CLIMATE ACTION NOW is required if we are to limit the worst impacts to the Reef. This is what we'll be pushing for in this year's federal election. Want to help? Join us here!

Our thoughts are with all those in mourning following the recent passing of Suzie Smith - a beloved champion for nature in North Queensland. We encourage you to read this beautiful tribute from Wildlife Qld Townsville Branch, which highlights her commitment, her character and her legacy, which will live on through all those who knew her.

In this edition:

• Some Good News:
  • Congrats to Carolyn Dixon!
• NQCC Updates:
  • Climate Action Townsville
  • Green Drinks
• Opportunities & Actions:
  
  • Tangaroa Blue: Citizen science from your couch!
  • End Deforestation in Qld - petition
  • Have your say about an Independent EPA

Firstly, we'd like to thank you for your support throughout 2021 - in whatever form that took. Supporters like you helped us to advocate, educate and make wonderful and important connections!

Please enjoy this wrap up of some of our highlights of 2021!

Hopefully as you are reading this, you are feeling refreshed and revitalised from the festive season, and are looking towards 2022 with excitement and a sense of purpose, just like we are.

2022 is going to be a big year for us, with a Federal Election that will bring climate action to the forefront of the national conversation. We are excited by what we will achieve in North Queensland, with your continued support!

In this edition:

• Some Good News
• NQCC Updates:
  
  • Youth Response
  • Member Groups
  • Green Drinks
• Opportunities:
  • President position available with CDTLI
  • Mackay Conservation Group need a Climate Campaigner
  • Help manage the GBR with the Eye on the Reef app
  • Climate Action Now signs and stickers available
  • Return-It Recycle Regatta
  • Have your say about an Independent EPA

As November comes to an end, we're starting to catch our breath after a very busy few months! We all know that conservation issues don't disappear at this time of year, and that our environment needs us to be engaged all year round. As such, the second half of this Paperbark edition is filled with ideas and opportunities to contribute and engage, from wherever you might be!

Some good news from this month...

• Sunshine Coast Council officially declared a climate emergency. Congratulations to the wonderful people involved in this campaign!
• Townsville City Council is one step closer to grandfathering cats off of Yunbenun Magnetic Island, thanks to proposed changes to their animal management laws. Well done to MINCA for raising awareness and encouraging submissions!
• The State Government announced $125,000 over two years to support the recovery of the Mt Etna Ghost bat colony. This comes after 50 years of campaigning from conservationists in the region.

In this edition:

• NQCC Updates:
  
  • Trivia Night and Mega Raffle
  • Environment Minister Roundtable
  • QCC's Evening with the Minister
  • Townsville Waterways Forum
  • Green Drinks
• Online Actions:
  • Tell Steven Miles to stop the Waratah coal station
  • Have your say on the future of Qld's Renewable Energy Zones
  • Provide feedback on Qld's Draft Resources Industry Development Plan
  • Join the #StopAdani end-of-year celebration
  • Get involved with "Soils for Science" - a citizen science project
  • Complete a survey about the use of drones in conservation work (or share with someone who can help)

It wouldn't be the start of the silly season without our Annual Trivia Night Fundraiser! This month we invited members and supporters to join us for a night of fun and frivolity, and what a night we had!

As another massive month comes to a close, it is important to reflect on the powerful local actions that have taken place in our little corner of the world. 

As you are reading this, Scott Morrison is representing us in the Glasgow climate talks, where he expects to get away with shallow promises and dodgy deals to save face among world leaders, all the while abandoning his responsibility to protect Australia's people and ecosystems.

Meanwhile, we've seen North Queenslanders take real action to stand up for nature in so many wonderful ways. Through meetings, media, submissions, strikes, artworks, clean ups and petitions, people like you have made a real difference, and we couldn't be more proud of our community.

In this edition:

• NQCC Updates:
  
  • Postcard Art Auction
  • Tree Advocacy Update
  • Flying-fox Reform: Media
  • NQCC at the International Rivers Symposium
  • Meeting with Scott Stewart MP
  • School Strike 4 Climate
• Coming Up: 
  
  • Townsville Waterway Forum
  • Green Drinks
  • Trivia Night & Mega Raffle
  • Evening with the Minister
• Online Actions:
  
  • Fix Compostable Packaging in Queensland
  • Stop the Cut of Species Recovery Plans
  • Protect Birds from Mouse Poisons

On Saturday 9th October we saw the end to our four week Postcard Art Exhibition and the beginning of an exciting Fundraising Auction Night!

Art and environment lovers attended the event at Umbrella Studio of Contemporary Art (Townsville City), where each of the 125 artworks generously donated by artists from around the country were auctioned off for prices ranging from $10 to $160. The pieces were approximately postcard-size and created with our "Nature: the wonder and the tragedy" exhibition title in mind. Artworks are still available to peruse in our online gallery here.

Image source: Townsville City Council's Public Consultation Report

After approximately six months of engaging with Townsville City Council (alongside other community members and groups) regarding their approach to vegetation protection, residents were given the opportunity to provide feedback on TCC's Draft Public Tree Management Policy.

The opportunity to provide feedback closed on Wednesday 13 October, with 70 submissions received. Read on for more information on what we have learned since...

ATTENDING THE INTERNATIONAL RIVERS SYMPOSIUM ON BEHALF OF THE BURDEKIN

24th International Rivers Symposium 27-30 Sept | The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus

NQCC Committee Member and volunteer John Connell was invited to attend the 24th International Rivers Symposium, held in Brisbane in late September. This was an invaluable opportunity to introduce an international audience to some of the issues affecting the Burdekin River and to highlight NQCC's role in advocating for an integrated management approach.

Below is John's account of the event...