If the North Queensland floods and the state of the world right now are making you feel angry, frightened, disconnected or powerless, you've come to the right place to turn that around.
Here at NQCC, we believe that collective action is powerful. In fact, that's why Paperbark exists - to connect you with like-minded people in your community, and with opportunities to just do a good thing to contradict all the bad.
In troubling times, showing up for your community is one of the most radical things you can do. This month, I invite you to be radical.
- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator
In this edition:
- Get Involved
- Clean Up Australia Day
- Green Drinks with Atlas Soils
- Strand Night Market
- VEXPO
- NQCC Updates
- Climate Change in the Media
- Energy Future Workshops
- Talking About the Transition
- New Wind Rules
- Tourism Submission
- Green Drinks Recap
- Other Stuff
- AYCC Welcome Call
- Tangaroa Blue Clean Ups
- Landcare Opportunities
- Conservation Photography Grant
- Personal Action Matters!
GET INVOLVED
Clean Up Australia
This year we're partnering with OzFish, Tidy Up Townsville, Healthy Waters Partnership Dry Tropics, Townsville City Council and EcoMarines Foundation for a clean up event that is not to be missed!
Join the competition:
Most thongs found – $100 voucher
Funniest find – $100 voucher
(Learn how to upload your competition entries here.)
When: 8-11am Sunday 2 March
Where: Stoney Creek/Bohle River Boat Ramp, Bushland Beach
Green Drinks
Come along for your chance to meet Jason Lange from Atlas Soils!
Jason recently won Townsville City Council's 2025 Environmental Excellence and Sustainability Award and has exciting plans for developing a new food waste separation system. Come along to learn about the upcoming release of an urban food calendar for Townsville!
When: 6pm Wednesday 5 March
Where: Grill'd, 3 Palmer St, South Townsville
Join Our Energy Chats!
Are you passionate about energy and sustainability? We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help at our market stalls.
What you'll do:
🌱 Share key information about energy options (we’ll provide everything you need to know).
🌱 Help facilitate surveys and collect public opinions.
🌱 Contribute to a meaningful conversation about our energy future in North Queensland.
When: 5-9pm Friday 7 March
Where: Strand Park, North Ward
NQCC at VEXPO
As a people-powered organisation, we know the value of volunteers! We'll be at Townsville's Volunteer Expo to connect with community members looking to lend a hand.
Want to learn more? Visit our stall to chat about our opportunities for you.
Want to help us at the stall? We're also looking for friendly volunteers to join us on the day!
When: 10am-2pm Thursday 13 March
Where: PCYC Townsville, Aitkenvale
NQCC UPDATES
Speaking Up for Climate
This February, Townsville, Ingham, Cardwell, Halifax and Rollingstone recorded their highest-ever monthly rainfall totals in just the first eight days of the month.
With the country's attention on our region, NQCC has been vocal in pushing for stronger action on climate change and measures to protect nature and frontline communities from worsening impacts. See our appearances on 7News Townsville and in this video collaboration with Queensland Conservation Council.
Mapping our Energy Future
What does a nature-positive energy transition look like? How can our community take back the power for a brighter future?
This year, we'll be running a series of workshops to bring people together, share knowledge and ideas and identify opportunities to get local wins for nature AND climate.
Thank you to the bright and engaged group who joined our co-design workshop earlier this month! Your feedback was invaluable.
Talking About the Transition
NQCC is hitting the markets this season to chat with the community about the energy transition.
So far we have seen great community support for a transition to renewable energy. However, there are also lots of questions around nuclear and how to improve the roll out of renewables for both the community and the environment.
Read our reflections from talking to community members at JCU O-Week and Cotters Market.
New Wind Rules
For years, we've seen Qld's renewables frameworks fail nature and communities - and we've pushed for change! Now, the government has overhauled the way wind farms will be assessed.
The good news? All new wind projects will be required to carry out community consultation and more rigorous environmental assessments.
The bad news? New wind farms will now be held to a higher standard than some new coal mines, potentially impacting efforts to decarbonise. Watch this space...
READ THE MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Tourism in Focus
The new Queensland Government has a strong commitment to growing nature-based tourism throughout the state.
What does this mean for places that are already under pressure? Will this lead to private development in national parks and the exploitation of nature and cultural heritage? Or is this an opportunity to find real investment for the places that need it?
Today (Friday 28 Feb) is the last chance to have your say!
2025 Green Drinks Kick-Off
Our first Green Drinks of 2025 brought together a passionate group of changemakers for inspiring conversations and new connections.
We had the great pleasure of hosting Chloe Watfern, who—together with her partner Karl and their family - introduced us to Parents for Climate Townsville and Psychology for a Safe Climate.
OTHER STUFF
Calling Townsville Youth!
The reality of climate change can be tough to grasp but young people have the power to change the future. You have the energy, the ideas, and the right to shape the world you live in.
The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) is bringing together young people in Townsville who want to take action, find solutions, and demand a say in their future.
When: 4-5pm Monday 10 March
Where: online
Beach Clean Ups
Are you keen to roll up your sleeves and tidy up some of our amazing beaches? Join a clean up with Tangaroa Blue who will also collect valuable debris data. Registrations essential.
When: 2-5pm Tuesday 18 March
Where: Secret Beach, South Townsville
When: 3.30-7pm Wednesday 19 March
Where: Shelly Cove, Cape Pallarenda
Get Active with Landcare!
Want to spend time in nature, meet new people and get some free exercise? Join Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare!
With restoration sites all around town and a homegrown Bush Garden Nursery with native plants for your garden, why not get out there and develop your green thumb?
Find your closest Landcare site on their website and find upcoming events on their Facebook page.
Grant for Nature Photography
The Wildlife Queensland Wayne Lawler Nature Conservation Photography Grant supports photography projects by non-professional Australian nature conservation photographers. The objectives of the grant are to:
promote community-based nature conservation through photo
enhance photographer skills in nature conservation photography
help meet the non-equipment costs of nature conservation photographic projects within Australia. LEARN MORE & APPLY
Yes, Action Matters
Do you feel powerless sometimes? Like your personal, individual actions will never make a difference in the grand scheme of things?
Maybe this Conversation article can change your mind: Why personal climate action matters – according to experts
Donate your Containers!
Since the start of the financial year, we’ve raised $300 through container donations and saved hundreds of containers from ending up in landfill - can we double that by 30 June??
✅ Drop them off at 114 Boundary St, Railway Estate and place them in the container bins (please remove lids).
✅ Take them to your nearest refund point and quote our ID: C100 283 66 – your refund goes straight to us!
Like What You've Read?
So much of our work is supported by donations from supporters like you!
All donations over $2 are tax-deductible and directly support the delivery of our projects and campaigns. Visit our donation page to learn how to donate online or via direct debit, or become a monthly donor! Your support goes a long way.
Do you have something you'd like to see in our next edition of Paperbark? Reply to this email with all the details!
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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