North Queensland Conservation Council

The campaigns of North Queensland Conservation Council (NQCC) focus on what we see as the most urgent environmental issues in our region – the global issue of climate change, the horrendous impact of Australia’s mindless rush to extract and export fossil fuels, and the protection of our seas and their priceless biodiversity from damaging human activity.

Extensive information and resources relating to current and recent NQCC campaigns is available from the drop-down menu under Campaigns. Each menu item takes you to an overview page and thence to our blog posts on the subject; you may also find more information amongst our Media Releases and Submissions.

NQCC regional coverage

North Queensland Conservation Council (NQCC) is a peak organisation in the Statewide environmental movement and the voice for the environment in North Queensland. It represents the area roughly bounded by Bowen in the south, Cardwell in the north, the Coral Sea in the east and the Northern Territory border in the west, advocating on regional issues.

NQCC is an umbrella group, aiming to support small, often single-issue and hands-on, local organisations in statewide forums. It works closely with other peak bodies, especially Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC) to the north and the Mackay Conservation Group (MCG) to the south.

History

NQCC was established in 1974 as a not-for-profit incorporated association with a broad mandate to endeavour to protect the “land, waters and atmosphere of the region” and since then has worked continuously on a number of environmental issues of significance to North Queensland and beyond.

Our Vision

Our Mission

Our Values

• A healthy natural environment is the foundation of a healthy society. We believe that societal transformation is required for North Queensland communities to operate within the biophysical limits of the natural environment and that a healthy, thriving North Queensland community is inextricably dependent on a healthy environment.
• Passionate people are the hope for the future. We believe people power brings about change for current and future generations.
• Real change is achieved by empowering local communities. We are committed to supporting North Queensland citizens, our members, staff, volunteers and supporters to be strong advocates for the environment.
• Partnerships and collaboration are vital. We recognise that significant and systemic changes will be achieved by working with others in our local community, the North Queensland region, Queensland and the world.
• We are independent and ethical. We represent the natural environment free from the influence of corporations, political parties and governments and we ensure our activities align with our mission and values.

Objectives

• In line with its Rules of Association, NQCC promotes 'the conservation cause' by undertaking targeted media and action campaigns, advocating on behalf of the environment in relation to specific development proposals and legislation, and, importantly, working to raise public awareness.
• Through a range of activities, NQCC:
• represents the region within the Statewide conservation movement;
• promotes and protects the values of the natural environment of north Queensland;
• furthers the protection and rehabilitation of the environment through advocacy and education;
• ensures that resource use and development in the region occurs in an ecologically sustainable manner and respects species, habitats and the integrity of ecosystems;
• collaborates with and, where possible, assist organisations and individuals working toward environmental conservation within the region; and
• works with governments to ensure that legislation, regulations and policies are designed and implemented to protect the values of the natural environment of north Queensland.
• In line with our strategic directions, we engage in specific issues and participate in a range of activities according to environmental pressures and opportunities. For more information see our Rules of Association or download our latest Annual Report (2018/2019) (pdf).
• Campaigns
• North Queensland Conservation Council recognises that the natural environment of our region is magnificent but under threat. Like vast numbers of north Queenslanders and visitors, we recognise that our social and economic health can only be sustained beyond the short term if it is underpinned by a healthy, resilient natural environment.
• Nothing is surer than the fact that if we destroy our environment, we will lose our community and economy, yet we are teetering on the verge of doing such massive damage to our environment that recovery may be impossible.
• Our campaigns are designed to focus on what we see as the most urgent issues – the global issue of climate change, the horrendous impact of Australia’s mindless rush to extract, burn and export fossil fuels, and the protection of our seas and their priceless biodiversity from damaging human activity. Information relating to current and recent NQCC campaigns can be found under the Campaigns tab in the main menu.

On Sunday 14^th of August, NQCC hosted a fundraising dinner to celebrate our community of past committee members, donors, volunteers and staff. Additionally, former NQCC Coordinator Susan Brown was visiting Townsville after spending the past 11 years in Geneva working for WWF. We thought a dinner at the NQCC HQ would be a good opportunity for our community to gather.

Trivia Night 2015. Photos courtesy Malcolm Tattersall

Once again, the annual NQCC Trivia Night was a source of much amusement, and much-needed funds!

A record 13 tables competed for the supreme honour of having their team names on the championship board – and for the first time in living memory, there was a dead heat. Both winning teams declined the offer of a ‘Dance-Off’ for first place, so both teams’ names will be up there on the board for eternity. And the winning teams? 2013 winners ‘The Suppository of Wisdom’ featured again – this time joined by ‘The Civil Disobedience Penguins’ (disciples of First Dog on the Moon).

Guest ‘quiz wizards’ Deb and Daina (of Magnetic Island Bootcamp fame) injected some hilarious new action-packed interludes with a number of ‘In it to win it’ games – ‘Suck it up’, ‘Elephant Balls’ and ‘Get forked’…

The night netted around $2500 for NQCC – and we thank all those who came along and took part.