Firstly, a big thank you to everyone who dug deep throughout our EOFY Appeal, helping us to hit our $5,000 fundraising target! Combined with the powerful impact of our monthly donors, this generous response makes us excited to grow bigger and bolder, knowing we have a passionate supporter base in our corner! (Donate anytime here!)
On the campaign front, several consultation processes are currently active that are of great interest to us here in North Queensland. The Burdekin Basin Water Plan, Planning Code 23 (for wind farm assessments), Queensland's Renewable Energy Zones and management of the Lake Eyre Basin are all undergoing review or consultation. Links have been shared below where there are opportunities for you to contribute directly, but if you would like to talk to us further about any of these, please get in touch!
With Landcare Week kicking off and various events shaping up around the region, this is a great time of year to get out and about in nature, or meet others with shared interests. You'll find plenty of opportunities for this below!
Please enjoy the read, and thanks as always for your support!
- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator
In this edition:
- Upcoming Events
- Geography Matters
- Green + Blue Drinks
- South Townsville Walking Tour
- Cockle Bay Walk
- Waddananggu Bularu: 2 Year Celebration
- Take Action
- Planning Code 23 for wind farms review
- Qld REZ consultation
- Lake Eyre Basin management consultation
- Good Vibe Stories
- JCU Market Day
- Illegal Dumping Action
- Further Reading/Watching
- Marine Monitoring Program Results
- Flying Fox Webinar
UPCOMING EVENTS
Geography Matters (Online)
Photo credit: Dr Richard Lilly
The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland presents "Mount Isa: The first 100 years and outlook for the future".
This presentation will consider how Mount Isa is one of the great copper-lead-zinc ore deposits of the world and how it has driven economic development of the NW Queensland minerals province, as well as great geological debate. This talk will look at the discovery and first 100 years of mining at the deposit, and the outlook for the future.
Register below for the zoom link, and join online from 7.30-8.30pm on Tuesday 8 August.
Green + Blue Drinks
You're invited to our second ever Green + Blue Drinks, to celebrate the release of the latest Dry Tropics Water Quality Report Card! Join us from 6pm on Thursday 17 August at The Commonwealth Hotel to meet like-minded people and learn more about what's happening for our local waterways! We'll be joined by some of the team from the Waterways Partnership, who are keen to share their knowledge with you!
The Commonwealth features a playground, a pool, and a sheltered and spacious beer garden. Newcomers always welcome!
South Townsville Walking Tour
South Townsville is a hidden gem with lots of places of interest both natural and human-constructed. These include Secret Beach, the Environmental Park, mangroves, and lots of interesting buildings. Join NQCC Vice-President Peter Hanley on Sunday 20 August for a walking tour of South Townsville.
We will meet at the Commonwealth Hotel at 7.30am and return to the Hotel around 9am where people have the option of staying on for breakfast at the Skull and Swallow Café.
You may also be interested in Magnetic Island Nature Care Association's Cockle Bay walk from 9am on Sunday 13 August. Enjoy this 4km return walk with like-minded souls. You might just learn something!
Waddananggu Bularu: Two Year Celebration
You’re invited to join Wangan and Jagalingou Cultural Custodians at Waddananggu Bularu. Three days of ceremonies, workshops and live music to commemorate Waddananggu's second birthday on 25-27 August.
Head to the Facebook event for more info & Click GOING for updates. Ready to pack your bags? Grab your spot using the link below. Registrations close midnight Friday 18th August.
TAKE ACTION
Wind Farm Assessments Review
The current assessment process for wind energy projects does not require community consultation or assessment under the Nature Conservation Act. This has led to poorly-sited projects proposed for areas of high biodiversity, causing widespread concern.
Thanks to the advocacy of the conservation movement (with our friends at CAFNEC leading the charge), this assessment process is being reviewed. Consultation opened this week, and is open until Monday 4 September. We will be providing more thoughts on this in the weeks to come, but you can also get in touch with us or have your say using the link below.
Qld Renewable Energy Zones Announced
Map source: https://www.epw.qld.gov.au/about/initiatives/renewable-energy-zones/rez-roadmap/northern-REZs
The Queensland Government has released the draft 2023 Queensland Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap for consultation to support the coordination of the growth of renewable energy and transmission. Again, we will be engaging closely in this consultation process, but you are also encouraged to make your own submission with feedback to the draft roadmap by Friday 22 September.
Protect the Lake Eyre Basin
The Queensland Government is taking the first steps towards river and floodplain protections within the Lake Eyre Basin.
They are seeking your comments by Friday 25 August on the options to maintain the status quo or our preferred option for a complete ban on new oil and gas developments within river and floodplain areas of the Lake Eyre Basin. BirdLife Australia has drafted a submission that you can easily add your name to - just follow the link below!
GOOD VIBE STORIES
NQCC at JCU Market Day
At JCU's Semester 2 Market Day, we were delighted to meet students who were passionate about conservation and keen to learn about NQCC!
We encouraged students to write a personal message to Queensland's new Minister for the Environment and Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard. Their words of encouragement were heart-warming!
Illegal Dumping Action
NQCC member group Phil's Bush Cleanup has been continuing to remove illegally dumped waste from our local bush reserves, working closely with Queensland Parks and Wildlife and others to investigate long-term solutions and educate the community.
The most recent cleanup resulted in the removal of over a tonne of waste that posed a massive risk to the environment, and was attended by a local ABC journo (keep an eye out for a story!).
FURTHER READING/WATCHING
Marine Monitoring Program 2021-22 Summary Results Booklet
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Keen to get out and about in nature? Check out our Volunteer Opportunities and List of Environmental Organisations to find something that fills your cup! From planting trees to sorting debris, there's something for everyone!
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Yours naturally,
North Queensland Conservation Council
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