With just four weeks until the federal election, we know a lot of you will be busy campaigning, researching, sharing information and having important conversations with your friends and family.
We're working hard to ensure local candidates put nature and climate up high on their policy agendas. They need to know that the long-term protection of our environment matters to voters, which is why every action counts!
Here are some actions for you to consider taking in the next four weeks:
👉 Display a climate sign on your home or business
👉 Attend our online workshop for talking about the energy transition
👉 Come to our Climate and Energy Rally on the Strand (and bring your friends!)
👉 Write/talk to your candidates about why climate and nature matter to you
👉 Donate to NQCC to boost our work (and our spirits) in this busy period
Ready to take action? Read on!
- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator
In this edition:
- Get Involved
- Block the Katters' Crocodile Control Bill
- Get your Climate Action sign!
- Green Drinks with Amnesty International
- Talking about the transition: online workshop
- Climate & Energy Rally!
- Demand Climate Action for Qld
- Community Organising Training
- NQCC Updates
- Green Energy Forum
- Carolyn's Birthday Fundraiser
- Talking about the transition: market chats
- Green Drinks Recap
- Clean Up Australia Day
- Other Stuff
- MangroveWatch 2025
- In Hot Water - book review
- Reef update
- Report Cassowary Sightings
- Landcare opportunities
- Conservation Photography Grant
GET INVOLVED
Crocodile Conservation
The Qld Government is considering the Crocodile Control and Conservation Bill 2025, a deeply flawed proposal that threatens both crocodile conservation and community safety. It would weaken existing protections, allow for unsustainable harvesting and culling, and undermine the rights of First Nations peoples.
We need your help to stop this Bill from becoming law! Use EDO's submission template or write your own by 10am Thursday 3 April.
Get Your Sign!
Our new climate action signs have arrived, thanks to Climate Action Network Australia. Now we need your help to get them out in the wild!
Choose your favourite message to display at your home or business to raise the profile of climate action before this federal election!
Email or call us to arrange collection or get your hands on them at one of our upcoming events.
Green Drinks
Join us for an engaging discussion on the connections between climate change, human rights, inequality, and human displacement.
With special guest Peter Hanley from Amnesty International Townsville, we’ll explore how local action on social justice can help balance the scales and create a more just and resilient future.
When: 6pm Wednesday 9 April
Where: Grill'd, 3 Palmer St, South Townsville
Conversations Workshop
This federal election, Australia’s energy future is at a crossroads. So, how do we balance affordability, reliability, climate action and the environment?
Join our workshop addressing common concerns and myths, to help you navigate energy conversations with friends and family. Informed choices start with informed discussions!
When: 6-7.30pm Thursday 10 April
Where: RSVP for Zoom link
Climate & Energy Rally!
As we head into a federal election, it's important we keep climate action high on the agenda, and that means a fast and equitable energy transition that protects our environment for future generations and leaves no one behind.
If you stand for climate action, stand with us! Our lineup of speakers will share what a just transition looks like and how we can get there.
When: 4-5.30pm Sunday 27 April
Where: Gregory St Amphitheatre, the Strand
Demand Climate Action!
Queensland is on the frontlines of the climate crisis, and we need action to mitigate and adapt. We’re calling on Premier Crisafulli to:
🔹 Better protect coastal communities
🔹 Plan for a future of extreme heat
🔹 Support Climate Resilient Councils
🔹 Maintain renewable energy targets
🔹 Release a plan for net zero by 2050
Training Opportunity
Would you like to develop skills in Community Organising? Learn how to start building public relationships for local power and to solve problems in our communities! This two-day Foundations of Community Organising training is provided by the Queensland Community Alliance free of charge. No prior experience required!
When: Monday & Tuesday 28-29 July
Where: Townsville (venue TBC)
NQCC UPDATES
Green Energy Forum Recap
On Tuesday 25 March 2025, NQCC's Coordinator attended Townsville Enterprise Ltd.'s fourth annual Green Energy Forum, which brought together 160 renewable energy industry leaders from near and far.
It was an enlightening experience, and important for identifying gaps in North Queensland's energy transition. Follow the link for our key takeaways...
Thank you, Carolyn!
A huge thank you to Carolyn and everyone who contributed to her birthday fundraiser! Instead of gifts, Carolyn asked her friends to support NQCC, raising nearly $400 to help protect North Queensland’s environment.
We’re so grateful for her generosity and ongoing commitment to nature. It's not too late to chip in!
Market Chats
NQCC has been hitting the markets to chat with the community about the energy transition, and we've had 100+ conversations!
Renewables remain the top choice by far, though many are curious about nuclear energy. Fossil fuels are definitely no longer the favourite!
Want to hear more about what the community is saying? Read our reflections from the Strand & Willows!
March Green Drinks
Last month, we had the pleasure of hosting Jason Lange from Atlas Soils, who shared his passion for regenerating soil and creating a circular economy. His key message: There’s no such thing as waste - only resources waiting to be reused!
He spoke about Grounds to Ground, a local initiative that repurposes used coffee grounds into fertilizer, and how small actions can create big change when communities work together. Thanks, Jason and all who attended!
Clean Up Australia Day 2025
On March 2, we joined over 50 volunteers for two incredible clean-ups, at Mundy Creek and Bushland Beach, removing close to 2 tonnes of waste from our local environment!
Special thanks to Chris, Adam, Luke, Jenny, Mike, Linda, Bernadette, Felicity, Naomi & Andy (and kids Ellie and August) for representing NQCC!
It was truly powerful, seeing so many organisations and volunteers coming together!
OTHER STUFF
MangroveWatch 2025!
MangroveWatch continues in Townsville! After a fantastic 2024, we’re excited to see the Townsville program continue in 2025 - and you're invited to be part of it!
Answer the poll below to choose your preferred field day dates.
Looking forward to another great year of mangrove conservation in Townsville!
In Hot Water
A big thank you to Ian Frazer for sharing his review of In Hot Water - Inside the Battle to Save the Great Barrier Reef by Dr. Paul Hardisty (2024). This powerful book offers a firsthand look at the fight to protect the Reef. His book is part memoir and part rallying call: he writes, “at its core this is a story of conflict, of battles between those who seek to exploit the reef and those who want to protect it.”
Reef Health Updates
This year's extreme weather events have put impacts on our communities and terrestrial environments in focus, while our Great Barrier Reef remains out of sight and out of mind for many of us. This is despite warm temperatures and high rainfall continuing to put pressure on this precious ecosystem.
Did you know you can keep updated with the Reef Authority's monthly Reef Health Updates?
Spot Cassowaries
Did you know that Paluma Range National Park is home to the world's southernmost population of cassowaries?
NQ Dry Tropics is calling on citizen scientists to help learn more about this little-known community. If you see, or have seen a cassowary, or spotted evidence of one such as a print, or scat, please report it.
REPORT A SIGHTING OR SAVE THE LINK
Landcare for all ages!
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.
Don't miss the Junior Landcare Event!
When: 8-11am Sunday 13 April
Where: Bush Garden Nursery, Cape Pallarenda Rd
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.
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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