19th July 2013

From the SCEC desk..

Welcome to our first E-Bulletin for July and what a busy month it is already shaping up to be. We hope you like our new newsletter format and of course feel free to give us feedback by emailing us here.

In the past 6 months we have been giving SCEC an internal overhaul and looking at ways to make our operations run more efficiently with our limited resources. Our wonderful Management Committee have put together a Strategic Plan that will take SCEC into the future and operate in a more sustainable fashion. Follow the link to view the SCEC Strategic Plan 2013-2015

Council-run solar farm to cost up to $30 million..read more below

Flying Foxes in Coolum now have approval to be re-located..read more below

Follow us on facebook to receive ongoing updates about conservation issues on the Sunshine Coast and throughout Australia, sustainability stories from around the world and all other things green and inspiring.

SCEC is funded by the generous donations from people like you. Please support the work we do and help us preserve the environment we love.

From the campaigners desk

cam·paign /kamˈpeɪn/work in an organised and active way towards a goal

SCEC campaigns for environmental protection cover four strategic areas protecting nature, good government, green economy, sustainable communities.

Our latest campaign activities have included...

Flying Foxes in Coolum

The Sunshine Coast Council has received Federal approval under the EPBC Actto undertake non-lethal dispersal of the flying-fox colony in the Cassia Wildlife Corridor in Coolum. Read online.

Protect the Pumicestone Passage Petition

THE TAKE ACTION FOR PUMICESTONE PASSAGE (TAPP) GROUP are concerned that the Pumicestone Passage is being damaged by over-use for recreational purposes. Read more..

Member Group Events

See what our Member Groups are up to below. If your group would like an event listed please send us an email at [email protected] with 'E-Bulletin event' in the subject line.

Gala Auction Quarry Fundraiser

Yandina Creek Progress Association are holding the last fund raiser before the trial to 'STOP THE BLASTED QUARRY' will be held at Coolum Civic Centre next Friday 19th July 2013 from 6.00pm with Susie Swing Duo and Phil Emmanuel. For more info see the flyer here.

Yandina Community Gardens Workshop

TRASH TO TREASURE: Re-purposing urban waste to turn a suburban house into a machine for sustainable living. Presented by Kyle Bush

What happens when you put a permaculturally-trained architecture graduate onto a residential block and tell him to do whatever he wants to ..Read online.

Eco Discovery Workshops

Hosted by Coolum District Coast Care, there will be a series of four Sunday morning workshops 10am-11.30am at Coolum Community Native Nursery.The workshops uncover the world of insects, animals, marine creatures and local plants. .Read online.

National & State Campaigns

This is where we would call on people to support national and state campaigns, sign petitions etc again only a short blurp as the bulk will be in the posts below

Stradbroke Island Sand-mining

A report on last nights ABC 7.30 Report revealed confidential documents obtained by the ABC showed that the State Government intended to change legislation to allow sand mining at the Enterprise mine to continue beyond its current closure date of 2019. Read online.

Fight for the Reef Campaign

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world. But it is under threat from the most widespread, rapid and damaging set of industrial developments in Queensland’s history. Read more...

'Places You Love' Campaign

URGENT ACTION NEEDED Give the Federal Government power to protect our national parks. National parks protect some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, and provide critical habitat for our unique native plants. Read more.

Other events in our region?

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginies and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920′s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians. Read more.

Schools Tree Day

Schools Tree Day provides all Australians with an opportunity to do something positive for the environment and reconnect with nature. Each year, around 2500 preschools, kindies, primary and high schools across Australia take part in Schools Tree Day. Read online.

National Tree Day

National Tree Day provide all Australians with an opportunity to do something positive for the environment and reconnect with nature, thanks to support from our longstanding major sponsor Toyota Australia. Hundreds of thousands of Australians planted over 1 million native trees, shrubs and grasses at more than 3300 Tree Day events in 2012. Read more.

Support local farmers and visit the growers markets

Farmers' Markets are the best source of fresh local produce 'from paddock to plate'. Many of these products will be organically grown without the use of pesticides, chemicals and antibiotics. Visit ourwebpage here on where to find a produce market near you and how to support Aussie farmers.

Local News

Council-run solar farm to cost up to $30 million Sunshine Coast Daily 17th July 2013

THE Sunshine Coast Regional Council said a 30 hectare solar farm being built at Valdora will save ratepayers $10 million over the next 30 years. Read more..

Other News

Australia's carbon link may prompt EU market changes The Age- July 18, 2013

Linking with Australia's carbon market may spur the European Union to set up an independent panel to help manage demand and supply in its own program, improving governance, according to Accenture. Read more

Vertical Gardens are the new Green The Sydney Morning Herald - 18 July 2013

They're called edible walls: small and otherwise difficult-to-use outdoor spaces that are being turned into mini vertical fruit and vegetable gardens. Read more..

Federal Labor keeps final say on environmental approvals ABC Rural- 18th July 2013

The Federal Government says it has no plans to give the states greater control over the environmental approvals process. Read more..