We started July with some exciting NAIDOC Celebrations. In August we will also commemorate three years of the reoccupation at Waddananggu and the ongoing resistance against Adani's land-grabbing.
It is vital that we Keep The Fire Burning. Show your support for Climate and First Nations Justice by attending our backyard screening of Walanbaa Ngiiyani - Stronger Together, depicting our shared fight against the coal industry.
Join us this month to celebrate an historic milestone! NQCC is turning 50 and we are celebrating half a century of Courage, Campaigns, and Community. We will honour environmental activism in North Queensland with Stories of the Wild North on Friday 23rd August. Save the date!
Let us take this opportunity to reconnect with each other, to inspire each other, and learn from each other. Please enjoy this edition of Paperbark.
- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator
In this edition:
- Get Involved
- Join a Story Circle!
- Movie Screening: Walanbaa Ngiiyani
- NQCC's 50th Anniversary
- Green Drinks
- NQCC Updates
- Council Meeting
- Community Cabinet in Townsville
- Healthy Waters Partnership update
- Energy Champions Training
- Community Organising Training
- Other Opportunities
- Local Renewable Energy Zone
- QCC Evening with Minister Plibersek
- Nuclear free petition
- MangroveWatch
- MINCA Weeding Group
- Goondaloo Creek Working Bee
- Coal and Gas Campaigner sought
GET INVOLVED
Last Chance!
Thank you for sharing your stories of weather extremes in North Queensland with us! These stories are invaluable to our campaign addressing the progressing impacts of climate change. We appreciate your time and trust!
Very soon, we'll start compiling our report to support our advocacy work for the State Election. Don't miss that chance for your story to be heard. Sign up to our upcoming Story Circle - 2pm this Sunday!
Movie Screening
NQCC is joining with Move Beyond Coal to bring you an intimate backyard screening of Walanbaa Ngiiyani: Stronger Together. This short documentary shows how incredible bonds of solidary are formed in the fight to protect Country and climate and build a powerful shared resistance. Free hot chocolate! Bring a blanket! RSVP here!
When: 5:30 - 7:30pm Friday 2nd August
Where: NQCC office
Help Us Celebrate!
NQCC is celebrating 50 years as your voice for the environment! Enjoy live entertainment under the stars and hear personal stories of community and conservation in North Queensland. What can we learn from our legacy and past successes?
Mark the date in your calendar and keep an eye on your inbox for your formal invitation! Keen to help make the night magical? Express interest in volunteering here!
When: Fri 23rd August
Where: Drill Hall Studio, North Ward
Green Drinks
Our August Green Drinks will be at NQCC again! Come along to hear from our wonderful friends at North Queensland Wildlife Care.
We will provide food for a small entry fee of $10 and drinks by donation. Keep an eye on your inbox and the Townsville Green Drinks Facebook group for updates, and help us spread the word! RSVP here!
When: 6pm Thursday 29th Aug
Where: NQCC office, Railway Estate
NQCC UPDATES
Council Meeting
An NQCC contingent met with the Townsville City Council Mayor and Chief Sustainability Officer to present our Heat & Hazards campaign. We're calling on Council to adapt nature-based solutions to address local climate change impacts, with funding and support from the State Government (a state election ask!). We received some great feedback about our campaign and a willingness to learn more and work with us in future.
Community Cabinet
At Townsville's Community Cabinet, we met with Mick de Brenni, Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs. We discussed opportunities for building social license, environmental protection and accountability in the rollout of renewable energy projects in North Queensland - including the release of the reviewed State Code 23 for wind farms. Our Coordinator will be meeting again with de Brenni and Environment Minister Leanne Linard at a Ministerial Roundtable later this month to represent North Queensland's environmental interests.
Waterways Report Card
In July, we had the pleasure to join the launch of Healthy Waters Partnership Dry Tropics' latest Report Card! While we can be proud of the great health of some of our waterways,, some sites such as the Bohle River do need our attention. Would you like to learn more? The Healthy Waters Partnership Dry Tropics will be joining us for our September Green Drinks!
Energy Champions
This workshop brought together an enthusiastic and committed group of Townsville locals and facilitators from all over the country. Together, we sharpened our knowledge, strengthened our connections and learned how to be even better advocates in the renewable energy transition! What opportunities and challenges can we expect in the energy transition? Find out here!
Community Organising
Our Community Campaigner was very fortunate to join the two-day training on Community Organising facilitated by the Queensland Community Alliance. Together with immensely motivated members of the Townsville community they started to learn why and how we need to collaboratively address local pressures. The learning space was generously provided by the Uniting Church in Kirwan. Would you like to learn more about Community Organising? Start with this podcast.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Local Renewable Energy Zone
Excitingly, the Queensland Government recently announced a "Local Renewable Energy Zone" pilot project for Townsville. This will allow households with rooftop solar to transfer the energy into local batteries, to be transferred back to additional households during the evening. That means households that have not previously had access to cheaper, cleaner electricity generated through rooftop solar will now be able to access the benefits. Read more here.
An Evening with the Minister
Right now, our national environment laws are undergoing once-in-a-generation reform and it’s a huge opportunity to win changes that can finally protect the places and wildlife we love. Will you meet with the Minister to fix our broken environmental laws? Register here.
When: 5:45pm Wed 7th August
Where: Online (register for the zoom link)
Nuclear-free Australia petition
There are many reasons nuclear energy is not a viable alternative for Australia. It takes too long, it's too expensive, uses too much precious water and has a waste problem that doesn't compare to waste from renewables. Promoting nuclear will also keep coal burning for decades and will thus delay a transition to clean energy.
Take action! Sign the petition for a nuclear-free Australia here and if you missed QCC's recent webinar on the local impacts of nuclear, you can watch the recording here.
MangroveWatch
Join the launch of MangroveWatch in Townsville on Friday August 9! Discover the wonders of mangroves and saltmarsh coastal ecosystems and what you can do to protect them.
Join on Saturday August 10 and Sunday August 11 to participate in engaging field trips to local tidal wetlands where you will learn how to monitor and assess mangrove health using citizen science techniques. Register here!
Weeders Wanted
Our friends from Magnetic Island Nature Care Association (MINCA) are setting up a new weeding group to help maintain the Nelly Bay Habitat Reserve. Interested in helping out? Contact them on Facebook Messenger or phone Annie on 0414 804 161.
Goondaloo Creek Working Bee
Join Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare for a working bee at the beautiful Goondaloo Creek site! Make the most of the cool weather for a free workout in the company of native wildlife and fellow nature-lovers. Learn more about Townsville's Landcare sites here.
When: 8 - 10am Sunday 17th August
Where: Discovery Drive, JCU – Opposite Vet Sciences and Tech NQ
Coal and Gas Campaigner sought
The Queensland Conservation Council is seeking a Coal and Gas Campaigner to lead the organisation’s campaigns to minimise the negative impacts of the fossil fuel sector on our climate and communities. Find more information here.
Volunteer With Us!
Volunteers help us achieve so much, and allow us to continually punch above our weight! Volunteering with us can help you to build new skills, gain experience, meet like-minded people and make a meaningful difference!
Follow this link to check out current volunteering opportunities or to join our WhatsApp group, where you'll receive real-time updates!
Not sure how to help out? Contact us directly via email or phone and we'll connect you with an opportunity that suits your interests and availability.
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? Get in touch!
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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