October 2016 E-News
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It's been another busy month at SCEC, and because of that we'd like to acknowledge the hard work of our volunteers who always ensure things run smoothly no matter how busy it seems to get. We've been lucky to have a few new change makers join our team this last month, and we couldn't be more grateful. One of our outstanding volunteers Joan is behind this fabulous new look eNews. We hope you like it as much as we do! We also hope to see you at our fundraiser event this Friday, scroll down for more details!
Campaign Updates
Twin Waters West Planning Scheme Amendments
The Twin Waters West major planning scheme amendment is a major planning scheme amendment and is a major backflip in the Sunshine Coast Council’s planning policy. It also ignores the significant grounds of its refusal of Stockland’s previous development proposal in 2009. This refusal was rightly upheld and Stockland’s appeal dismissed by the Planning and Environment Court in 2013.
Council is essentially facilitating inappropriate urban development on this 103ha parcel of flood prone rural zoned land by progressing the draft amendment following negotiations with Stockland and the Twin Waters Residents Association. Such an amendment, with its raft of ramifications, is particularly premature given the statement in the Explanatory Memorandum:
A public meeting will be held on Monday 31 October from 6pm at the North Shore Community Centre 701 David Low Way Mudjimba – please attend if you can and also make a submission by the 7th of November.
Shark Nets! The debate is on.
| A very moving anti shark nets rally in Ballina |
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SCEC Coordinator Leah Hays attended the Anti Shark Net Rally in Ballina on the north coast of NSW last weekend and was absolutely thrilled by the turn out. The rally was coordinated by Dolphin Research Australia and the Australian Seabird Rescue, with well respected Marine Scientist Dr Danny Bucher also speaking on the matter.
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| Net free zone boosting business |
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NSW's Environment Minister's backflip decision to implement shark nets in Northern NSW is tragic news for the regions abundant marine life.
In contrast, tourism operators in QLD are praising the newly implemented net free zones, with one business owner claiming a 37% increase in bookings by recreational fishers. Turtle nesting numbers on the beach have also gone from two the previous year (2014-15) to nine in 2015-16.
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| Report Released! |
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The release of the 2015 Queensland State of the Environment report is an important part of transparency and accountability on nature protection and climate impacts. The report shows that land, rivers and marine species and habitats continue to be under huge stress. Many hundreds of plants and animals have been added to the threatened species lists in the last eight years. Land clearing remains a big factor in biodiversity threats, along with weeds/pests, poor agricultural practices & inappropriate fire management. |
| State of the Climate Report 2016 |
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Key Facts:
- Australia has warmed by around 1 degree Celsius since 1910 - There has been an increase in extreme fire weather, and a longer fire season, across large parts of Australia since the 1970s - May–July rainfall has reduced by around 19 per cent since 1970 in the south-west of Australia - April–October growing season rainfall has reduced by around 11 per cent since the mid-1990s in the continental south-east of Australia - Rainfall has increased across parts of northern Australia since the 1970s Source: State of the Climate report
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'Fear, censorship and retaliation': United Nations rapporteur slams Australia's human rights record.
Turnbull's controversial 'green lawfare' changes
Member group round table
On Wednesday SCEC met with representatives from a number of our member groups and listened to their concerns for our region. The Rountable also provides an opportunity for groups to connect and collaborate on issue of regional significance. SCEC would like to acknowledge the hardwork of our 59 member groups and thank them for their ongoing commitment and expertise in preserving our natural environment.
Minister's Environment Roundtable
In November SCEC will be joining other state conservation councils and National organisations in Brisbane at the Minister's Environment Roundtable. SCEC will be representing our member groups and briefing the Minister on issues of concern to our region.
SCEC Events!
Participants are welcome to bring their own plate of nibbles and there will be a cash bar with affordable craft beers. There are also plenty of prizes to be won! Tables of 6-8 can be reserved, so let us know if you'd like one.
Check out our video from this years WED Festival!
One of our wonderful volunteers kindly took some footage of this years World Environment Day Festival, so we decided to make a little movie out of it. This year we decided to take WED back to its grassroots at Cotton Tree Park, and we were absolutely thrilled with how the day turned out! If you didn't make it along this year, be sure to come say hi in 2017. Until then, we hope you enjoy our video!
Call To Action!
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Seeking Event Sponsors for WED Festival 2017!
Are you interested in being a part of the Sunshine Coast's longest running festival? ..or perhaps you know of someone who does? If so, please let us know because we're currently seeking sponsors and in kind services for WED Festival 2017. If you'd like to know more, please email [email protected] and we'll send you a copy of the Festival sponsorship prospectus.
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Date Claimers
30 October - Glossy Black-Cockatoo Birding Day, Wildlife Preservation Society of Qld. The Glossy Black Conservancy is holding this annual event and needs your help to record sightings of this elusive and cryptic threatened species. You can help by searching your own property or local reserve in the hours around dawn and dusk and reporting your findings: More information
31 October - Roving Restorers, Barung Landcare Association. 9am-12pm, Moy Pocket near Kenilworth. A morning of hand-weeding Madeira Vine & Cats Claw Creeper of long-time conservationists Sally and Ian Mackay. Car-pooling available and morning tea provided. Register here
The UN Environment Programme will release its latest assessment of gap between government pledges to tackle climate change in their INDCs and what’s needed to put the world on a climate safe pathway. The Emissions Gap Report is an authoritative assessment undertaken by a team of leading scientists and modelling experts from around the world.
| 14 November – ‘Theatre of Life’ Film Screening, hosted by Oz Harvest, Event Cinemas Maroochydore |
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Each ticket sold will feed 14 people 1 meal, and supports the nutrition education program NEST and hospitality training course for less fortunate youth, Nourish. Last year, the world's best chef, Massimo Bottura, brought together 60 of the world's top chefs to create a restaurant like no other - turning rescued food into fine dining meals for those in need. The result is ‘Theater of Life’, a moving documentary film that showcases Massimo Bottura’s extraordinary leadership on this global issue and brings focus on the importance of eliminating hunger and food waste around the world. Watch trailer and book tickets
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17 November - Workshop: ‘Creepy Crawlies or Cute and Cuddlies?’ Noosa Landcare,
5pm-7pm. Dr Robert Raven from the Queensland Museum will help you understand the fascinating world of arachnids—spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites and others!
More information
18 November – “Dangerous Song Concert”, Caloundra Regional Art Gallery 7-9pm. Cost: $20. Dangerous Song is a transforming performance by Lizzie O'Keefe and Linsey Pollak that combines the human voice with the sounds of endangered. More information
19 November – 'Why it Matters’ with Peter Garett AM, presented by Wildlife Queensland. Dinner, Drinks and Conservation on Brisbane’s Riverfront; 50 Oxlade Drive, New Farm. Brisbane. Register here
19-20 November – EcoPreneur - Start Up Weekend Seminar. Detailed presentations about FAST and the online training program to kick-start your Miessence business. More information
23 November – 'Wild/flower Women' - Wildlife Preservation Society of Qld. A one-day symposium planned at CQUniversityNoosa, in conjunction with an exhibition at the Noosa Regional Gallery and satellite exhibits at CQUniversity to celebrate
the work of founding members Judith Wright and Kathleen McArthur, and the role of women writers and artists in raising awareness of the environment, particularly here in Queensland, but also in the wider world. Their campaigns to protect Cooloola, significant parts of the Sunshine Coast, and beyond to the Great Barrier Reef still resonates today.
More information
26 November – Sunshine Coast Let’s Inc. Meet in Nambour Community Centre. Start at 10am for their last market.
26 November – Christmas Celebration, Coolum and North Shore Coast Care.North Shore Community Centre, 701 David Low Way Mudjimba. Celebration from 10am to 2pm. More information
4 December – Lights on the Lake Community Festival, Currimundi Catchment Care Group. Crummunda Park, Wurtulla-4-8pm, Music and entertainment for the whole family.
More information
Congratulations to our locals!
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