This month, a federal court found that the Australian Government has no legal duty to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change. While we share the heartbreak of this outcome, the case shone a light on the responsibility of governments to take real climate action. This was reinforced by the recent warning from the International Court of Justice that countries failing to act on climate may be in breach of international law.
On the biodiversity front, the parliamentary committee assessing a crocodile management bill put forward by Katter MP Shane Knuth has recommended its rejection, highlighting the effectiveness of awareness campaigns for public safety over the need for culling.
Thank you to everyone who made submissions to the bill, highlighting the ecological and cultural significance of North Queensland's estuarine crocs and the need for their protection - what a win!
As you'll see in this edition of Paperbark, we're fighting the good fight on all fronts, so however you show up - volunteering, donating or just a kind message of support - it all means a lot to us!
- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator
In this edition:
- Upcoming Events
- Healthy Waters Arvo
- Nature Priorities Workshops
- Movie Screening & Panel Discussion
- Green Drinks
- Book launch
- Trivia Planning Group
- NQCC Updates
- Townsville Heatwave Report
- Healthy Waters Report Card
- Reef Water Quality Consultation
- National Tree Day
- JCU Market Day
- NAIDOC Week
- Green Drinks Recap
- Community Organising Training
- Other Stuff
- Ephemera - Traceless
- NQ Wildlife Trivia
- Writing competition
- Cost of Climate Change
- Join Landcare
UPCOMING EVENTS
Healthy Waters Arvo
Join NQCC and the Healthy Waters Partnership for an afternoon celebrating our local waterways!
Take a relaxing stroll along The Strand, be inspired by the stunning Ephemera artworks, and dive into some hands-on reef-themed activities with us afterwards. A perfect mix of art, nature, and community action!
When: 2.30-5pm Saturday 2 August
Where: Strand Park, North Ward
Nature Workshops
Join us to identify what natural values need protecting, where energy development should be avoided, and how restoration projects could benefit our community.
If you know North Queensland’s natural values and threats, or have ideas for current or future restoration projects, come share your knowledge!
When: 9-11am Friday 8 August
Where: NQCC Office
| INFO & REGISTRATION |
New Screening Date!
- A meaningful night out with friends
- Lucky door prizes
- Thought-provoking conversation
- Tickets from $1
When: 5.30-8.30pm Saturday 16 Aug
Where: Grill'd on Palmer St
| INFO & TICKETS |
Green Drinks
Join us for a new edition of Green Drinks with the Healthy Waters Partnership!
Catch up with local nature lovers and learn about the current health of our waterways. Why does the Bohle River keep getting bad test results? Where are protective measures already working?
Please RSVP so we can book enough tables!
When: 6-8pm Thursday 21 August
Where: Rockpool Pavilion The Strand
Book Launch
Join us for the book launch of Shaking the Trees and a conversation with the author, Jeremy Tager! This compelling novel weaves together the personal struggles of a family with the global crises of climate change and the largely overlooked Siege of Sarajevo. Shaking the Trees explores themes of loss, love, denial, and the hidden legacies of past trauma.
Light snacks provided, drinks available for purchase.
When: 4.30-6pm Sunday 31 August
Where: NQCC Office, 114 Boundary St Railway Estate
| RSVP |
Trivia Night 2025
Can you believe we’re halfway through the year already? That means it’s time to start planning our biggest (and most fun!) night of the year - our annual trivia fundraiser. If you love games, want to flex your organising skills, or just feel like lending a hand, we’d love you on the trivia planning team!
We’ll keep it light and flexible, with short meetings every couple of weeks. The big night is planned for late November - let’s get the ball rolling!
| HELP ORGANISE TRIVIA |
NQCC UPDATES
Townsville Heat Resilience
In June, 35 diverse locals came together for a Townsville Heatwave Workshop. Social workers, tradespeople, faith leaders and researchers contributed knowledge, lived experience and ideas.
A report has now been compiled, full of local information and community-led ideas for solutions to living with Townsville's worsening heatwaves. This is accompanied by a two-page summary of priority actions for heat resilience in Townsville.
| ACCESS THE FULL REPORT |
Healthy Waters Report Card!
Why does the Bohle River keep getting poor water quality scores? Where are management efforts already making a difference? And what actions can we take to help? Find answers in the latest report card...
| THE STATE OF OUR WATERWAYS |
Reef Water Quality Consultation
Last week, John Connell represented NQCC at a stakeholder workshop to shape the draft Reef Catchment Water Quality Strategy.
We share the concerns of several other stakeholders regarding the lack of a detailed implementation plan to address threats to water quality and measure the success of interventions.
Given the state of the Great Barrier Reef, water quality is a hot topic. While community-led measures are crucial, governments must be held to account.
National Tree Day
Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate National Tree Day last Sunday! In the absence of Council-run tree planting events, we took to Cotters Market to spread appreciation for these life-giving organisms!
Market-goers enjoyed our photo booth, face-painting and colourful performance from a tree-themed marching kazoo band!
Head to our Facebook and Instragram pages to check out the great photos and videos!
Climate Feelings
At JCU Market Day, we invited students to reflect on how they’re currently feeling about the climate crisis. The weather matched the mood - overcast.Our “Climate Mood” board prompted honest, wide-ranging responses. Many shared feelings of sadness, anxiety, even anger - especially about government inaction and the future of the Reef.
This was a powerful reminder: the fear is real - but so is the hope. It’s on all of us to keep that hope alive and growing. Read the full recap below...
| CLIMATE MOOD BOARD |
NAIDOC Week
This year's theme, Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together. If you'd like to support NQCC's work in this space, consider joining our First Nations Partnerships Subcommittee. Express interest below and we'll be in touch with more info!
| JOIN OUR SUBCOMMITTEE |
Green Drinks Recap
| SEE WHAT YOU MISSED! |
Training Up
This week, emerging community leaders learned the Foundations of Community Organising in Townsville in a two-day training delivered by the Queensland Community Alliance.
We were proud to support this training, as a powerful civil society has benefits across all issues impacting our local community, climate and environment.
OTHER STUFF
Ephemera - Traceless
Tick Tock – Like the ticking clock in Sandstorm Events’ striking sculpture, time is almost up to catch Ephemera along the Strand. The outdoor exhibition wraps up this Sunday, August 3. Don’t miss the chance to explore powerful artworks with strong environmental and sustainability messages - and maybe overhear some thoughtful conversations from fellow visitors.
| INFO & GUIDE |
Wildlife Fundraiser
Join our member group NQ Wildlife care for their annual Trivia Night! Help raise funds to support North Queensland Wildlife!
And be quick, tickets sold out fats last year!
- Ticket includes a burger and chips
- $40 pp or $35pp for a table of six
- Prizes to be won!
When: 6pm Friday 22 August
Where: Grill’d, 3 Palmer St, Townsville City
| BUY TICKETS |
Writing Competition
Get your entry in for MINCA'S Environmental Writing Competition 2025! This year’s theme is “Write where you are”
May include any form (essay, prose, poetry, play or hybrid). Written works (in English) no greater than 1500 words. Writing cannot have been previously published.
The MINCA Prize is an international award for writing which relates to the environment of Magnetic Island.
Entries accepted up to 15 August 2025 and first prize is $200. Email entries to [email protected]
| READ LAST YEAR'S ENTRIES |
Cost of Climate Change
Most Australians are already making the connection, according to new polling released alongside the report.
| READ THE ESSAY |
Landcare Opportunities
Want to spend time in nature, meet new people and get some free exercise? Join Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare! Find your closest Landcare site on their website and find upcoming events on their Facebook page.
Why not help out at their next Community Working Bee on Castle Hill?
When: 3.30pm Sunday 3 August
Where: 5 Hillside Cres, Castle Hill 4810
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.
| DONATE TODAY |
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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