Five years ago, an independent review of Australia's federal nature laws found that they were failing. This week, the EPBC Act has finally been overhauled, after negotiations between the Labor Government and the Greens resulted in changes that have been labelled "transformative" and "historic". There is still work to be done, but a sigh of relief right now is justified.
While history is being made in federal politics, in the Hinchinbrook Channel, history is set to repeat itself.
Long-term NQCC members might remember the courageous yet ultimately unsuccessful fight against the development of Port Hinchinbrook. Decades of environmental disturbance and decay have ensued. Now, the State Government is looking to revitalise the area and dredge up the past. That can't happen on our watch. Making a submission takes a few minutes, but could make a world of difference.
Thank you for your support throughout this massive month! It's been exciting, and we love sharing it with you.
- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator
In this edition:
- Take Action
- Port Hinchinbrook Dredging
- Dredging Effects on Yunbenun
- NQCC Updates
- Nursery Visit
- Trivia Night 2025
- Mayoral Candidates Forum
- Other Opportunities
- Volunteers for Citizen Science
- Art Exhibition
- Mundy Creek Walk and Talk
- Other News
- Net Zero Magnetic Island Report
- Bushland Beach Drain Naturalisation
- Reef in Focus: the Girringun TUMRA story ft. Jade Pryor
- Webinar: Legal Shifts and Indigenous Rights
- Webinar: EPBC Reform in Qld
TAKE ACTION
Save Our World Heritage
The Queensland Government is consulting on a draft plan for Port Hinchinbrook. This plan looks to "support the continued development and ongoing use of Port Hinchinbrook."
This development could spell disaster for marine habitat and wildlife, World Heritage and cultural values and climate resilience.
The time to have your say is now - and we're here to help! Find more info and a submission guide with the link below. Submissions close Tues 9 Dec.
| MAKE A SUBMISSION |
Dredging Impacts on Yunbenun
We welcome the Magnetic Island Nature Care Association (MINCA) to share their insights into dredging and dumping effecting Yunbenun/Magnetic Island and its fringing reefs.
MINCA recently hosted well-attended information sessions on the island. Now, they are bringing this important conversation to the mainland.
We invite you to join us to listen, learn, and be part of a constructive community conversation about dredging and dumping.
When: 6 - 7:30pm Wed 3 Dec
Where: Community Information Centre,
280 Flinders St, Townsville CBD
| JOIN THE CONVERSATION |
NQCC UPDATES
Nursery Visit
This week, NQCC supporters had the opportunity to visit the Ken Armitage Dry Tropics Nursery at Anderson Gardens - a great chance to peek behind the scenes at one of the places shaping the future of Townsville’s urban landscape.
The nursery is just one piece of a much larger puzzle when it comes to greening our city. It sits within a long chain of planning, growing, planting, and maintenance across council teams, community groups, and local volunteers. But it plays a crucial role.
| READ WHAT WE'VE LEARNED |
Our Biggest Trivia Yet!
✨ 15 teams
✨ 1 very tight finish
✨ $5,000+ gross profit
✨ 34 newsletter sign-ups
| READ ALL ABOUT IT! |
Mayoral Forum
Almost 100 Townsville locals gathered at NQCC's Townsville Mayoral Forum (v2.0) to hear what our candidates had to say about Climate, Environment and Liveability.
Six of our eight Mayoral hopefuls joined us on the night, with responses to questions sent through from Nick Dametto and Chris Poulsen who were unable to attend the event.
We have congratulated Cr Nick Dametto on his election as Townsville Mayor and look forward to working productively with him and the Council towards positive environmental outcomes.
| SEE WHAT THE CANDIDATES SAID |
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Citizens Science Project
MICDA has received funding through the Great Barrier Reef Citizen Science Program to launch “Citizen Science to Inform Management of World Heritage Yunbenun – Magnetic Island.”
This project will train and empower local residents, Traditional Owners and volunteers to:
- Monitor coral and fish diversity
- Sample and analyse water quality
- Restore local creeks and waterways
- Map our island’s reefs
If you’re keen to get involved as a volunteer citizen scientist, please click the link below!
| GET TRAINED UP |
Art Exhibition
Florae II is a group exhibition featuring artworks across diverse media, created in response to native plants and the endemic plant communities of the wet and dry tropics of North Queensland.
The artists collectively share concern for humanity’s growing disconnection from the natural world and with Florae II, aim to propagate a richer appreciation of native flora to encourage greater connection between people and the environment.
When: 7 Nov - Sun 21 Dec
Where: Umbrella Studio, Flinders St
| MORE INFO |
Walk and Talk
Join a guided tour of the Mundy Creek Landcare site, led by Bernadette Boscacci. The walk and talk will be followed by refreshments and an outdoor slideshow where you can learn about the site’s regeneration progress and history.
Please:
- Wear closed-in shoes
- BYO seat (rug or folding chair)
All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
When: 5pm Fri 5 Dec
Where: Mundy Creek Natureway, Garbutt
| REGISTER HERE |
OTHER NEWS
Net Zero Magnetic Island
We’re pleased to share the final newsletter from the Towards a Net Zero Magnetic Island (Yunbenun) project - and to congratulate MICDA and all the incredible volunteers and residents on their achievements over the past two years.
This ambitious community effort has strengthened local capacity for meaningful climate action, reducing waste, improving energy efficiency and building resilience across the island. With so many seeds now planted, we know this work will continue to grow and inspire.
| READ THE FINAL REPORT |
Waterway Naturalisation
Townsville City Council has received a national sustainability award for its Bushland Beach Channel Naturalisation and Applied Circular Economy Project.
Launched in 2022, the project transformed a degraded suburban drain into a biodiverse waterway designed to improve stormwater quality before it reaches the Bohle River, Halifax Bay and ultimately the Great Barrier Reef.
| LEARN ABOUT THE PROJECT |
The Girringun TUMRA Story
In this episode of Reef in Focus, host Lincoln Bertoli speaks with Jade Pryor, a Bandjin and Girramay Traditional Owner and coordinator of the Girringun TUMRA (Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement), whose lifelong ties to her community and Country have shaped her work and identity.
| WATCH THE EPISODE |
Legal Shifts and Indigenous Rights
Join this webinar exploring how Australia and Canada are each navigating major shifts in Indigenous rights and legal frameworks.
Hear what’s changing, what remains contested, and what each country can learn from the other.
When: 11am Mon 8 Dec
| REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR |
Understanding EPBC Reform
You're invited to a webinar hosted by QCC, the Wilderness Society, AMCS, ACF and CAFNEC, to discuss what the federal nature law reform means for Queensland.
Together we will take stock, understand what it means for nature in Queensland, and talk about what comes next. Hear directly from Queensland MPs about where to next for federal nature laws.
When: 6-7pm Mon 1 Dec
| REGISTER HERE |
But wait, there's more...
The 2026 Women's Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) national leadership program is currently open for applicants. Learn more and apply.
The Federal Minister for Environment and Water is seeking leading scientists for the Commonwealth Threatened Species Scientific Committee. Learn more and apply.
Australia has dropped its bid to host the COP31 climate talks. Read the Conversation Article.
Hear what Professor Graeme Samuels has to say about the new EPBC reforms. Listen to the ABC's 8min segment.
Like What You've Read?
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We work on the lands of the Wulgurukaba and Bindal Peoples, and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of all North Queensland nations. First Nations sovereignty was never ceded. North Queensland always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
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