This year's AGM was a great success and quite the enjoyable event with motivational speechs, wholesome food, live music and even impromptu performances. SCEC would like to thank all who attended on the night. We also held the raffle draw for the World Environment Day Festival and many lucky people had prizes heading their way. Thank you to everyone for their support!
SCEC Campaign Updates
Maroochy River update
Sekisui masquerade as 'Yaroomba Beach'
Independent report: land clearing puts Queendland's threatened species in peril
On Monday in Brisbane - Senate inquiry into Shark Mitigation and Deterrent Measures
A sandmine, urbanisation or restoration - what's next for 'Coolum West'
Bill brings forward plastic bag ban and cash for containers!
Other Local News
Caloundra Town Reserve Draft Plan
Recently. the Sunshine Coast Council has been given the opportunity to manage and look after the Caloundra Town Reserve. As such, Council initiated a community engagement process with the intent that the community could help shape the design and usage of this park into the future.
USC Student Film Project - "The Plastic Plague"
Guarding the Galilee
The charming Montville Village Hall was packed to its historical rafters for a screening of Guarding the Galilee and panel discussion recently. SCEC would like to thank Stop Adani Sunshine Coast for co-hosting this event.
Could Have Been ~ Should Have Been
To celebrate Coolum's historic community “School Of Arts Hall” Blair McNamara, presented an informative, pictorial, light-projection narration of his famous artwork collection, “Coodabin - Shoodabin” as part of the "Festival of Community Halls."
Call to Action
Attend the Public Rally to remove shark nets during Humpback Whale migration
Come down to Mooloolaba public pontoon on The Spit on Thursday at 10am and show your support for the removal of the nets during Humpback Whale season. Leading the rally will be Migaloo 2 Captain Dean Jefferies who is sailing his vessel from Northern NSW to Hervey Bay to raise awareness on the issue.
Save our Marine Sanctuaries
Very soon the Government will make its decision - scale back our sanctuary zones at a time when we need them most, or act to protect them.Please ask your local MP to save our sanctuaries via the AMCS website linked below.
Senate Inquiry into the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF)
The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) is currently considering providing a taxpayer-funded loan of up to $1 billion for a rail line to transport coal from the proposed Carmichael coal mine to the Abbot Point port for export.
Latest Environment News across the State
Federal Government proposes to decrease the Coral Sea Marine Park protected area by 76%!
The increased yellow zones above would allow the use of pelagic longlines to fish for tuna. This is despite government statistics showing that around 30% of the catch in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish fishery consists of species that are either overexploited or uncertain in their sustainability, and the government’s own risk assessment that found these types of fishing lines are incompatible with conservation.
Climate Council
The reef is under the greatest pressure it has ever been under and the worst concurrent bleaching events on record have stressed and destroyed vast portions of the reef. While all this is unfolding, the government is still promoting the Carmichael Coal Mine. A new video by the Climate Council shows climate change in action here. Share the video, keep informed and let’s keep this issue in the forefront of the media and news. For more information, you can also check out the report by the Climate Council here.
Mangroves to Mountains
2017 State and Territory Landcare Awards
If you are involved in protecting or improving your local environment, farm, coastline, bushland, wetland, waterway, school, region, catchment or backyard, there is a category in this year’s awards for you! Apply via the link below, nominations close on 4 September.
Grant Opportunities
Funding for Round 2 - Environmental Conservation of the Community Sustainability Action grants is NOW OPEN!
Funding will be provided for projects that undertake on-ground activities to rehabilitate degraded landscapes, protect and improve habitat and biodiversity and improve the climate resilience of natural environments.
Date Claimers
Every Friday 10am - Free Friday Environment Forums hosted by Noosa Parks Association
5 July - 27 July - SC International Readers and Writers Festival Silent Art Auction
This is an artwork by Aboriginal artist Jandamarra Cadd. This stunning piece was commissioned by the SCIRWF as a signature art ‘logo’ for the inaugural 2016 festival. The work is ‘unique’ in that the piece is a landscape depiction of the Sunshine Coast. For more information and to bid, follow this link.
17 July - 28 August - Environment Levy Grants
Not-for-profit community based organisations can apply for up to $5,000 to fund projects that make a positive and ongoing contribution to the region’s biodiversity and waterways. Apply on the Sunshine Coast Council website here.
9th August - Faunawatch Regular Survey
Come join the regualr Maroochy Botanical Gardens survey walks and find out more about Faunawatch. The day consists of starting with a walk on one of the several trails in the gardens followed by BYO morning tea and general discussion. 8 am start. Meet in the car park.
23 August - The Cleantech Effect 2017
Lake Kawana Community Centre - Join leading Australian architect and presenter of the TV series Grand Designs Australia, Peter Maddison and Dr. Keith Suter at the Cleantech Effect 2017! The Sunshine Coast partnership event will empower your business with the latest information and solutions to save energy, water, waste and money. Cleantech Effect 2017 is the only conference, solutions showcase and networking event of its kind in Australia and follows on from the highly successful inaugural event in 2016. Read more here.
25 - 27 August - Noosa Wallum Festival
There will be a wide range of speakers, displays, walks and entertainment held at Bicentennial Hall Annex at Sunshine Beach. There is a free community event from 3pm on Friday, while Saturday and Sunday’s seminar include a cost. Bookings are essential: 1 day for $45 or two for $85. More information here.
20th Aug - 3rd Sept - SCC Wildflower Festival
This is the 50 year anniversary Wildflower event. There are many activities and locations to participate in and you need to register for individual events. For a full schedule of events and locations, download the program here (you need to scroll to the bottom for the pdf)
1st-13th September - SCEC Biodiversity Talks
Located across various Sunshine Coast libraries. Come celebrate Biodiveristy month and learn about the history of our region, our unique biodiverity, the threats we face and where to from here. Find out more on where and when here.
2nd Sept - 24 Nov - Ecollaboration ECO Safaris
Join environmental scientists, engineers and educators on an intimate and unique tour of the Sunshine Coast, exploring the historical, natural and engineered elements of our local environment. Booking are essential due to limited places and it costs $110. 9am start. More information here.
4th Sept - Applications close for the State and Territory Landcare Awards
If you are involved in protecting or improving your local environment, farm, coastline, bushland, wetland, waterway, school, region, catchment or backyard, there is a category in this year’s awards for you. Place your nomination now via the website here.
10 November - SCEC Drag Queen Bingo annual fundraiser event
at the Coolum Civic Centre 7pm - 10pm. Tickets will sell out. Save the date, tickets on sale soon!
Australian Marine Debris Database
Are you or your group cleaning up our beaches? If so, why not contribute to a national database that will be used by scientists and government bodies? Join the Tangaroa Blue initiative and submit some data. Find out how here.
Need some Volunteers?
Finding volunteers is sometimes hard. Volunteers R Us is a non-profit platform, built by non-profits for non-profit organisations. This platform’s intent is to help your group source volunteers for your office or projects. Register here!
Events for our young people
CaNSCC Eco-Detective Youth Leaders Program
This program is for creative and passionate young people (11 -14 years old) with an interest in leadership and the environment.
If selected, you, with your parents, will be required to attend an orientation program and help with Eco Discovery family events held on Sunday mornings during the months of July and August. For the past five years, Eco-Discovery Workshops have been attracting about 50 to 100 participants.
Last year’s Eco-detectives said: