e-Bulletin 1st November 2013

1st November 2013

SUNSHINE COAST RALLY FOR NATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION: 17TH NOVEMBER 2013

TIME: 17-11-2013- 10:00am- 12 midday

EVENT ADDRESS: Quota Memorial Park, Matthew Street, Nambour QLD 4560, Australia (behind Woolworths)

Members and friends across the Sunshine Coast are invited to a rally being organised by the Sunshine Coast Environment Council on 17 November to link with GetUp's National Day of Climate Action. WEAR HOT SUMMER COLOURS. Think red, orange, yellow- shirts, clothes, signs, banners, face-paint, sunhats, zinc, umbrellas and any other creative ideas. Bring along, or make on the day, a sign reading: "(Your Town) wants climate action". Together we will turn up the heat on climate action! Also bring water, hat and sunscreen. We will have speakers, placards, and are encouraging people to come by public transport, walk or cycle, so check out your train or bus timetables. WE PLAN TO HOLD "AUSTRALIA'S BIGGEST HEATWAVE SINGALONG" so come along and enjoy the fun. We will also use the event as a fundraiser for NSW victims of bushfires. This event is one of 91 events happening all over the country as part of our National Day of Climate Action. For more information please call the SCEC office on: 5441 5747 or to be part of the rally, join in by RSVP here. 

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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...

Ninderry + Maroochy River

Waterway health revealed

The recent release of this year's Healthy Waterways Report Card showed that better investment in catchment management and the great efforts..Read online.

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North Stradbroke Island Sand Mining

The Queensland Government has quietly removed critical environmental safeguards  from its proposed North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability Amendment Bill 2013 Read more

national parks qld

Protect Queenslands National Parks

Queenslanders are facing a dire threat to our environment. Read more

Airport expansion deal could fast-track species loss

The survival of endangered and vulnerable flora and fauna such as the Emu Mountain She-oak and the wallum froglet on the Sunshine Coast Airport site has  just become even more tenuous with exemptions under the Vegetation Management Act 1999. 

It seems the only law now standing between endangered vegetation and the bulldozers is the Federal ..Read online.

Scribbly Gum with Wildflowers

Environment & its protection continues decline

This week more legislative rollbacks necessary to protect an increasingly fragile environment have been pushed through state Parliament.Read online.

australia-conservation

More environmental legislation rollbacks

Submissions & hearings have been held into the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2013. The Nature Conservation Act (NCA) is ..Read online.

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Noosa on Weyba

De-Amalgamation and Noosa on Weyba from SCEC Member Group 'Friends of Lake Weyba' 

The Sunshine Coast  Council has written to the State Government proposing that the new Noosa Shire Council be appointed assessment manager of the controversial development proposal..Read more

qld parks

Queensland Ecotourism Plan 2013-2020 released

While SCEC is currently reviewing the Plan (view here), as concerns remain regarding the potential impact on the conservation values of our few National Parks..Read online.

Save Steve Irwin Way Forest

Stage 1: Bruce Hwy Upgrade Project (Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway) represents significant impact to the remnant forest on the Steve Irwin Way. 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.

mary river festival

Mary River Festival

Come celebrate with us at Kandanga on Saturday 9th November 2013.

Four years ago the Mary Valley was on a knife edge. Bookmakers would've given the survival chances of a snowflake in hell better odds.. Read more

Surfrider Eco Challenge 2013

GOLDEN DAYS FESTIVAL ECO CHALLENGE
Coolum's annual Golden Days Festival is on again in 2013. This part of the festival was established in 2011 the event has..Read online.

koalas

The Great Koala Count

The Great Koala Count-Your local bushland -  Thurs 7- Sun 17 November. We invite you to join the Great Koala Count this November. This year, the National Parks Association of NSW, in partnership with the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative, is running the ‘Great Koala ..Read online.

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Noosa Landcare Koala Workshop

 Koala Habitat Conservation and Awareness Workshop    Wednesday, 20th November, 5 – 7pm. Futures Centre, end of Pavilion Street, Pomona.  Read online.

To find out more about other workshops and events that are on, visit our Member Group page here.

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

NPAQ Petition for National Parks

National Parks in Queensland are currently facing many challenges. National Parks Association of Queensland has established a petition on the link below. Read more

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...

Take action for Marine Parks

With an ocean jurisdiction twice the size of our land and such unique and fragile marine wildlife, there is a lot at stake beneath the waves right now. Tell our new government to 'Honour our Marine Reserves'..Read more..

Other events in our region?

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Friends of Maroochy Botanic Gardens Meeting Invitation

A general invitation to the next meeting of the Friends of the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens Inc., on November 14.  At 3pm our guest speaker will be Emma Baker of Delve Consulting, on the topic of ‘Natural Playscapes for Children’. Read more

Support local farmers and visit the growers markets

Farmers' Markets are the best source of fresh local produce 'from paddock to plate'. Visit our webpage here on where to find a produce market near you and how to support Aussie farmers.

Find out what else is happening throughout the region on council's 'Whats Happening'  page.

Local News

Have your say on Local Issues:

Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project

Sunshine Coast Light Rail Project

Draft Amendment to the Caloundra City Council Planning Scheme 1996

Say 'NO' to the Cooroy Broiler Farm Proposal-council still considering submissions

Place + Program: Beerwah 

Keep the Pickering Bridge at Moy Pocket for the people

Other News

QLD Planning Provisions (QPP)- Version 3 now available

The Queensland Planning Provisions (QPP) are the standard planning scheme provisions made under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (the Act). This is a robust and flexible document that provides a consistent format and structure for local governments to prepare their planning schemes under the Act while still allowing the flexibility to address the local circumstances of each local government area. Version 3.has been finalised and was released on 25 October 2013. To find out what the changes are and for more information visit the website here.

Solar -powered households face higher fees to use the grid: 23/10/2013, The Australian

AUSTRALIA'S one million households with rooftop solar photo-voltaic panels face the prospect of higher charges to use the poles and wires that distribute electricity under plans to deal with concerns they are being subsidised by consumers who have not installed the solar systems. Read more

Climate change report shows holes in Australian debate: 31/10/2013, The Age

15% Carbon Reduction Target? The government has rejected a recommendation to increase Australia's C02 reduction target from 5% to 15% by 2020...Read more

Call for CMC inquiry into alleged Barrier Reef conflicts of interest: 30/10/2013, ABC News

One of the men at the centre of an alleged conflict of interest case within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) board says he welcomes an inquiry into the claims. Read more