NEWSLETTER July 2021- Update
We are beyond the Winter Solstice, and into the growth phase…that is, the growth of opportunities to be involved!
There is so much happening…The first opportunity listed is a get-together with like-minded people, to enjoy a beautiful, informal, bird and plant walk at Cullenbone TSR – take physical action to clean up the Cudgegong, and share some refreshments. See you there!
YOU ARE INVITED Evelyn Nicholson (Land Services Officer – LLS Mudgee) has invited us to spend a bit of time at Cullenbone TSR to enjoy the lovely trees and the river, which is flowing very strongly at the moment. We’ll also remove some rubbish, and be joined by interested folk from Cudgegong Field Naturalists and Watershed Landcare.
Meet on Sunday 1st August at 9am at the gate (look for the cars). Location is on East side of Castlereagh Hwy, Mudgee side of Gorree Wines, next to the model aeroplane club. Evelyn will bring morning tea and lunch, expecting to finish around 12-12:30. PLEASE RSVP to myself (include any dietary matters) by Wednesday 28th July, so I can let Ev know how many to expect from MDEG.
WRITE SOMETHING Hint: Don’t be paralysed by (attempted) perfection. You have an immediate reaction to an issue when you first read about it – thoughts and feelings come crashing in. Write that down and it can become the basis for your submission. Any comment you make can be useful. Brief and simple is good.
Get ready, Submissions closing soon
* August 16th 2021: Bowdens mine at Lue. Lue Action Group (LAG) have advised: Bowdens Silver have presented an amendment for their EIS. The purpose is for the high voltage power line to be considered as part of the same project as the mine and that both components will be determined together as one project. A section 3.5 kms of the high voltage line will be realigned closer to Lue on the ridge line, affecting visual amenity due to towers, line and easement. Bowdens state that this will not cause any significant change to view composition. The present line cannot be seen from Lue. Bowdens state there has been community consultation. There has been no consultation with majority of affected property owners. Note – more submission points are coming from LAG. Info: http://lueactiongroup.org/ LAG newsletter is attached.
Make a submission: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/9641
* August 18th 2021: Hawkins-Rumker, potential release for coal exploration. Community information sessions were held, and the department has updated the PRIA website to include a link to the presentation given at the community meetings as well as answers to frequently asked questions.
The department is also hosting three additional sessions to provide information on the process and to gather verbal feedback. These sessions will be held on:
· Wednesday 4 August 1.00pm – 3.00pm (online)
· Wednesday 4 August 6.00pm – 8.00pm (online)
· Monday 9 August 4.00pm – 6.00pm (Rylstone Memorial Hall)
PRIA information, or to sign up for a community meeting: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/pria-consult
Rylstone Region Coal Free Community (RRCFC) has lot of info and links to help with your submission: https://rylstonecfc.com/
Make a submission: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/hawkins-rumker
ITEMS OF INTEREST
1. Re-powering Australian manufacturing through renewable energy industrial precincts: one of the research projects reported by BZE (Beyond Zero Emissions) https://bze.org.au/research-releases/all-research-releases/
2. This is how a Timebank might operate, an example from New Zealand https://www.lyttelton.net.nz/timebank?mc_cid=274ddeb2c6&mc_eid=1c6f634821
3. A Library of Things. Why not? ‘Community. Sustainability. Resilience.’ https://thesydneylibraryofthings.org.au/
WHEN YOU HAVE SOME TIME, OR NEED A BREAK
- Investigative journalism from friendlyjordies: Blood Water: The war for Australia’s water https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glgCA9WmqkI (approx. 1hour) Explains how water is now a commodity in Australia that can be bought and sold. Who owns it and why?
- A podcast from JuiceMedia: What’s going on with the Gas-led Sh*tf*ckery | with Lock the Gate’s Naomi Hogan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtkUZMo2y_w (approx.. 1hour) Shows how the Australian public is being hoodwinked on climate change. You can jump to the chapter on NSW: 13:34 Gas shitfuckery in NSW
- Coal & Gas Law webinar: Where’s the Justice? Hosted by Cate Faehrmann, With leading environmental lawyer Sue Higginson, School Strike 4 Climate activist Izzy Raj-Seppings, Lock the Gate’s George Woods and Greens MP Abigail Boyd. Cate Faehrmann – Coal & Gas Law: Where’s the Justice? | Facebook (approx. 1hour)
DIARY DATES
Sunday 1st August 2021 9am: see above
Monday 2nd August 2021 5.30pm: Seminar on mining and rivers in the Central West. Presented by Dr Ian Griffiths. Hosted by Bathurst Community Climate Action Network (BCCAN) via ZOOM. Registration needed. See attached.
We have busted Earth’s budget!
In 2021, Earth Overshoot Day lands on July 29. Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity has exhausted nature’s budget for the year. We are operating in overshoot. Have a go at calculating your personal Overshoot Day: https://www.footprintnetwork.org/our-work/earth-overshoot-day/