This week, Queenslanders decide who will lead our state for the next four years. Thanks to QCC's election survey and scorecard, we know where the parties stand on environmental issues. This election, we risk losing a lot of things we've fought so hard for in recent years, including ambition for climate action and environmental protection.
The fewer environmental champions there are in government, the more that are needed in the community - and that's where we come in.
NQCC is staunchly independent, non-partisan and committed to our mission, our values and our community. With your support, we'll only get stronger.
Become a member, make a donation or read on for opportunities to get involved. Together, we'll continue to be a strong voice for the environment in North Queensland and protect the irreplaceable natural values of our beautiful region.
This Sunday, I'll be heading to Aotearoa for a few weeks to reset and recharge with some long hikes and cold weather. Please take good care, and reach out to Luna to support her great work in my absence.
- Crystal, NQCC Coordinator
In this edition:
- Get Involved
- Send a powerful message
- Join us at Green Drinks
- Help us bring Trivia to life!
- NQCC Updates
- Community Election Assembly Wrap Up
- NQCC History Comes to Life
- Changes to Wind Code Welcomed
- Reef Water Quality in the Spotlight
- An EPA at last?
- Rising Up Screening
- Story Circle Report: almost here!
- Other Opportunities
- Community Consultation
- Insurance in a changing climate
- Internship at Cafnec
- Climate Café
- Volunteer with Landcare
GET INVOLVED
Send a Powerful Message!
We are urging the Queensland Government and Opposition to commit to addressing worsening heat and hazards, through effective policies and nature-based solutions. Can you help send our message?
Together, we can ensure that our local governments are equipped with the tools and funding they need to protect our communities and adapt to a changing climate.
Come to Green Drinks!
At November's Green Drinks, we'll catch up with Dave Dudley of Tidy Up Townsville. Come ready with your questions and be prepared to be inspired into action!
We will provide food for a small entry fee of $10 and the bar will be open. Keep an eye on your inbox and the Townsville Green Drinks Facebook group for updates, and help us spread the word!
When: 6pm Thursday 21st November
Where: 114 Boundary St, Railway Estate
Bring Trivia to Life!
NQCC's Annual Trivia Night Fundraiser is always a blast, and a great way to see out the year. We're delighted to announce it's back again, on Saturday 7th December!
We are currently gathering a team of enthusiastic and creative volunteers who know how to put the FUN into fundraising! If this sounds like you, express your interest below and we'll get in touch!
NQCC UPDATES
Election Assembly
NQCC History Comes to Life
To celebrate 50 years of NQCC, we've collected some colourful stories of our history to share with you! These wonderful, bite-sized videos (made possible by Kate Osborne and Townsville City Council) are starting to be released into the wild. Follow the link below for the first ones, detailing campaigns around Ben Lomond and Yunbenun.
We're also delighted to be able to share with you an article on the history of Paperbark!
Rising Up
Last week, Townsville's changemakers came together for an uplifting screening of "Rising Up", produced by Kal Glanznig. The film features young people, including young First Nations people around the world, and focuses on positive solutions to address the climate crisis.
It was followed by a panel discussion with Kal and some local conservation leaders. To finish, we all made pledges towards finding sustainability and hope in our own lives. Thank you to all who came!
Read more about the event here.
Changes to Wind Code Welcomed
We know that not all "green energy" projects are as "green" as they should be. Largely, this has been down to the failures of adequate planning, particularly for wind projects. Recently, the Queensland Government released an update to the planning code for wind farms, and we welcome the changes that have been made. Read more about these changes here.
Reef Water Quality in the Spotlight
This month, we made a submission to the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan. This is a joint commitment of the Australian and Queensland governments that seeks to improve the quality of water flowing from Reef catchments to the Great Barrier Reef.
Thank you to Alastair, David and John and the team at AMCS for their contributions and expertise. Read our submission here.
An EPA at last?
This month, the ALP commitment to introducing an independent Environmental Protection Agency for Queensland if re-elected.
This announcement follows a powerful, collaborative campaign by NQCC and groups all across the state. It proves that the business case stacks up, and an EPA is possible. We will continue to push for bipartisan support for an EPA, to hold environmental criminals to account. Read QCC's media release here.
Story Circles Report: Almost Here!
Through our Story Circles, we've heard powerful stories of the lived experience of climate change in North Queensland. These stories are crucial to our Heat and Hazards campaign addressing the progressing impacts of climate change.
Our informative and engaging report is currently being reviewed by our storytellers. Once they've provided their feedback, it will be ready to share. We hope you will treasure it as much as we do!
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Community Consultation
Anne Prince is an expert waste management consultant engaged by Townsville City Council and MICDA as part of a Community Climate Action Grant from the Great Barrier Reef Foundation (GBRF), Towards Zero Waste Strategy component. Anne will be holding a series of focus groups on Magentic Island from 1st to 7th November. Have your say how waste management on the island should change. Register here.
Insurance in a changing climate
Join this analysis of the Actuaries Institute’s Home Insurance Affordability Index and the Australian Actuaries Climate Index (AACI). The most recent analysis of the AACI shows that once-extreme weather events have become increasingly common. This shift significantly impacts insurance affordability. These analyses provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between climate change, extreme weather events and the insurance industry. Register here.
Climate Cafés
At a Climate Café there is no guest speaker, no advice given, no call for action. Instead, you’ll find a supportive, facilitated conversational space for people to gather and share thoughts and feelings in response to the climate crisis. There may be laughter, there may be tears. There may be fear, there may be anger. Whatever you’re feeling is ok and valued.
Climate Cafés are facilitated by Psychology for a safe Climate and are held over Zoom. Register here!
Volunteer with Landcare
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.
Looking for another way to support this conservation organisation doing great work in the Townsville community? Consider nominating for their Management Committee! See the Management Committee roles here and mark Sat 23 Nov in your diary for their AGM!
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 the link below to check out current volunteering opportunities.
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.
Sacred Springs at Risk
In unsurprising news, Adani (aka Bravus) is a little peeved that credible scientists have discovered evidence that suggests the sacred (and protected) Doongmabulla Springs may in fact be negatively impacted by their Carmichael mine...
New Life Members!
Welcome to our latest Life Members! Pamela, Phil and Frank are valued members of the NQCC family, and we're delighted they have recently chosen to support us with Life Membership!
If you have been an NQCC member for three years or more, you are eligible for Life Membership. It means a lot to us, and makes our voice stronger!
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.
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