Things really are heating up here in North Queensland - in every sense of the word! Temperature records are breaking and we're flat out, delivering updates, actions and events. We hope you can get involved with us in some way in this action-packed month!

We are also excited to present our activities and achievements from the last financial year in our 2021/22 Annual Report!

As always, we thank you for your support and hope you enjoy this edition of Paperbark!

In this edition:

• NQCC Updates:
  
  • Meet the Management Committee!
  • Townsville Tree Policy Update
  • Hells Gates Dam not funded
• Actions & Events:
  • #NotAnotherDollar action outside NAB
  • Renewables and Biodiversity: webinar
  • Trivia Night and Mega Raffle
  • TIDY Up Townsville Cleanup
  • Green Drinks
• Opportunities
• Further Reading/Actions

NQCC UPDATES

New Management Committee Welcomed

Our new Management Committee has been getting settled in since our AGM, and we are excited to have such a dynamic group to lead NQCC into the future! Their profiles are now available on our website, to help you get to know them a little better...

Townsville Tree Policy Update

NQCC and the Townsville Tree Advocacy Group have been fielding quite a lot of questions and concerns from our community regarding the removal and harm of trees on Council land.

It has been twelve months since Townsville City Council adopted their Public Tree Management Policy, so we thought it was a good time to take some of these questions and concerns to the Council staff responsible for the care of our urban forest and learn more about how the Policy has been implemented since October 2021.

No Federal Funding for Hells Gates Dam

Hells Gates Dam and Urannah Dam both appear to be dead in the water (pun intended), with neither receiving federal funding in the latest budget. John Connell has been speaking to the ABC about the importance of this decision for the future of the Burdekin Basin.

ACTIONS & EVENTS

#NotAnotherDollar NAB Action

NAB have said they are committed to net zero by 2050 and to keeping global warming within 1.5°C. Yet in 2020, NAB loaned $110 million to Whitehaven Coal. NAB’s climate commitments mean nothing if they keep funding a corporation that is planning to double its coal production by 2030!

For too long, the big banks have greenwashed their image with empty climate promises whilst using loopholes to keep profiting from funding coal. Enough is enough!

Join us from 9am on Thursday 10 November outside the Flinders St NAB branch to take a stand and remind NAB of their responsibility to future generations!

Renewables & Biodiversity Webinar

Renewables are crucial for moving away from damaging fossil fuels, but our planning and environment laws are failing to ensure that this doesn’t come at an unacceptable impact to nature.

Join CAFNEC's Lucy Graham on Thursday 10 November, 7.30-8.30pm to hear more about the challenges in the intersection between biodiversity conservation and renewable energy infrastructure.

Lucy will highlight the issues, locally and across the state, talk about the work that is currently being done to advocate for a restorative energy industry and let attendees know how they can get involved in helping us secure a safe climate future for people and nature.

Fundraising Trivia Night!

It's time to buy your Trivia tickets for our most fun annual fundraiser! Grab your friends and book a table or buy a ticket and we'll find a team for you to join!

What: Fundraising Trivia Night
When: 6pm Saturday 19 November
Where: Townsville Senior Citizens Welfare (14-16 Ryan St, Belgian Gardens)

Ticket prices are as follows:

NQCC members: $25 | Non-members: $30 | Team of 6: $120 | Team of 8: $160

Support our Mega Raffle!

Enter our upcoming Mega Raffle for your chance to win an amazing prize package, valued at over $1800!

Prize package includes:

• Two original artworks by local artist Susan Hollamby
• Float House Townsville 60min float session
• Paronella Park family pass
• Mamu Skywalk family pass

Tickets are $5 each, 3 for $10, 10 for $20 or 40 for $40

TIDY Up Townsville Cleanup

Join TIDY Up Townsville in Bushland Beach on Sunday 20 November. This will be a typical TIDY event in conjunction with Stockland North Shore. Please ensure you sign up to the event and follow the instructions provided on the event page.

Green Drinks

Thanks to everyone who joined us at the Rockpool Pavilion last month - it was great to meet so many newcomers! 

We hope you can join us for Green Drinks on Friday 25 November - venue to be confirmed!

Please sign up to our Green Drinks mailing list and/or join our Facebook group for updates.

Opportunities

Write Letters to the Editor

Would you like to see more climate and conservation letters in our local papers? You could contribute! With the support of experienced letter writers, you can help change the narrative in local publications. Interested? Go here and select "I'd like to write letters to the editor". We'll be in touch with more infomation!  

Save Coffee Grounds From Landfill

Do you have some free time on Tuesdays or Fridays? Want to help prevent coffee grounds ending up in landfill? Contact David on 0416 662 410 to assist the Smart Coffee Project with deliveries! 

Contribute to Research

Young women (aged 18-24) living in regional and rural Australia are invited to discuss how climate change may impact young women's mental health. You will receive a $20 voucher per session for participating in the study. Email Jenna at [email protected] if you are interested. 

Further Reading/Actions

Federal funding has been committed to support the eradication of Yellow Crazy Ants in North Queensland... read more here

Windlab have recently launched their Fact Centre for the proposed Upper Burdekin Wind Farm.

The Australian Government has committed to signing a pledge to reduce global methane emissions... read more here

A new analysis shows that the cheapest way for Australia to cut methane is through addressing emissions from coal mines... read more here

Sign this petition by ACF to end coal and gas in Australia.

Send a message to the Federal Government at COP27 and show them that the people of Australia support meaningful climate action.

Thank you for helping us stand up for our climate and nature. Your support means the earth to us.

Yours naturally,

Crystal and Tiff
North Queensland Conservation Council