Archive for September, 2011
Friday, September 30th, 2011
(letter to the editor, as printed in The Canberra Times, September 30)
Federal Environment Minster Tony Burke’s announcement today that the Dargues Reef gold mine at Major’s Creek near Braidwood will go ahead is hardly surprising. Both the ALP and the Coalition show their unconditional love and support for the mining industry at every turn, regardless of the impacts or potential impacts mining activities have on our air, land and water.
Why do we need to keep mining gold? According to World Gold Council figures (August) there were 30,700.1 tonnes (officially) held in bank vaults. The main beneficiaries from a proposal like Dargues Reef are the proponents and shareholders. The Greens are calling for gold to be included in any resources tax, and so it should be. When water supplies may be irrevocably affected, isn’t it time we asked ourselves what is more important – wealth for a few or guaranteed water and food for many? Like coal, gold should be left in the ground. (more…)
Posted in Letters to the editor, Water, Community, Planning, Climate change, Palerang Council, Openness & accountability, Health, Corporate welfare, Mining | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 28th, 2011
Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke’s announcement today that the Dargues Reef gold mine at Major’s Creek near Braidwood can go ahead is hardly surprising, says Catherine Moore, Palerang councillor and 2010 Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro.
“In their ongoing support for whatever the mining industry throws up, both the ALP and the Coalition continually disregard the myriad of concerns raised by communities about air, water, land-use, quality of life and biodiversity issues,” she said.
“The best opportunity for our community (apart from an appeal on the decision) is strong representation on the Community Consultative Committee. With the regulator sitting at a desk hundreds of kilometres away, history has demonstrated that it will only be ongoing community vigilance that ensures all the conditions are adhered to.
“Applications for this committee close on October 5.
“When water supplies may be irrevocably affected, isn’t it time we asked ourselves what is more important – wealth for a few or guaranteed water and food for many? Like coal, gold should be left in the ground. (more…)
Posted in Submissions, Media releases, Water, Community, Planning, Local Government, Social justice, Ecological Sustainability, Palerang Council, Mining, Economics | No Comments »
Saturday, September 24th, 2011
What: Event to celebrate saving Kelly’s Bush in Hunters Hill, with picnic and tree planting and speech by green ban leader Jack Mundey
When: 3-5pm, Sunday 25 September 2011
Where: Top of Kelly’s Bush, Weil Park, Prince George Parade, Hunters Hill
Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon today congratulated those who campaigned to save Kelly’s Bush and other areas of Sydney during the green ban period, when resident groups and the Builders Labourers Federation worked hand in hand to stop inappropriate development.
“The ‘Battlers for Kelly’s Bush’ were an inspirational group of women who saw the opportunity to work with the BLF to save a magical slice of Sydney bush,” Senator Rhiannon said.
“The fight for Kelly’s Bush blossomed into a significant movement which saw 42 green bans in the early 1970s protect Sydney’s landscape from bulldozers.
“More than 100 people were arrested in actions that preserved homes and urban bushland.
“It was the Green Ban movement that saw NSW MPs pass the first laws in Australia to protect heritage and promote community involvement in planning,” Senator Rhiannon said.
Posted in Media releases, Events, Democracy, Community, Planning, Ecological Sustainability, Women | No Comments »
Sunday, September 18th, 2011
Happening now in The ACT Greens office in Canberra.
Great to get together with Greens from around the region to discuss common issues and strategies for moving ahead.
Posted in Events, Community, Planning | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
Greens MP and environment spokesperson Cate Faehrmann says the dark days of bulldozers and chains could return with news the O’Farrell government is reviewing land clearing laws.
“Unfortunately we now have an Environment Minister who sees the success of the state’s native vegetation laws in stopping land clearing as problematic,” said Ms Faehrmann.
“The only thing that can happen with such a review is a weakening of the laws and more native vegetation cleared. With biodiversity in serious decline around the state this is highly irresponsible. (more…)
Posted in Media releases, Water, Ecological Sustainability | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
Twenty years ago today the first Greens were elected in NSW, at the local council elections in Marrickville and Newcastle. The Greens have had unbroken representation on these councils since that time and currently have five Mayors across the state.
Greens NSW MP and Local Government spokesperson David Shoebridge said:
“From two councillors in 1991 to 74 today, including 5 mayors, Greens representatives in local government have built a solid foundation for progressive politics in NSW. (more…)
Posted in Media releases, Events, Democracy, Community, Local Government, Social justice, Ecological Sustainability, Peace, nonviolence & disarmament | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown has congratulated the Gillard Government and Minister for Communications, Stephen Conroy, for today’s announced media inquiry.
“The inquiry is focused on the public interest and, as the polls show, will have popular backing amongst everyday Australians,” Senator Brown said in Canberra.
“The inquiry is at arms’ length from parliament and has six months to not only gauge how well the media serves modern Australia’s public but to present recommendations on how media operations can better serve consumers.” (more…)
Posted in Media releases, Democracy, Community, Openness & accountability | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
The Greens are urging the government to reinstate the Coastal Council of NSW and other natural resource management bodies following news the government has moved to abolish the Natural Resources Advisory Council (NRAC).
Greens MP and environment spokesperson Cate Faehrmann, who was a representative on NRAC for several years, said “NRAC was useful in bringing stakeholders together to discuss natural resource management issues however it was never really in a position to provide frank and fearless advice to government. Committees and bodies that did do this were abolished years before by Labor.
“During its period of natural resource management reform, the Carr government abolished the highly respected Coastal Council of NSW as well as the State Wetland Advisory Committee, the Healthy Rivers Commission and others. It established one body in its place, the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), with NRAC being established soon after. (more…)
Posted in Ecological Sustainability, Openness & accountability | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
The Greens’ motion for a moratorium on coal seam gas until its long-term impacts are better understood was roundly defeated as the old parties caved in to powerful multi-national interests in the Senate today.
Greens mining spokesperson, Queensland Senator Larissa Waters, said the Australian public have a right to feel betrayed by the National, Liberal and Labor senators who continue to ignore their concerns in favour of short-term profits that will mostly flow offshore.
“Labor and Liberals have joined the Nationals to sell out the bush,” Senator Waters said. (more…)
Posted in Media releases, Water, Community, Social justice, Corporate welfare, Mining | No Comments »
Friday, September 9th, 2011
Now that the State Government has given approval for the Dargues Reef gold mine at Majors Creek, the community needs to mobilise immediately to decide whether it wants to appeal the decision via the Environmental Defenders’ Office, says Palerang councillor and 2010 Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro, Catherine Moore.
“The Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) has found in favour of the mine, based on the recommendation from the Planning Department, despite the large number of excellent submissions from the community at the August 23 Braidwood hearing which clearly demonstrated the shortcomings of the proponent’s environmental assessment,” says Catherine.
“Given that the Minister has left it up to the Department to make the recommendation and the main departmental bureaucrats involved have absolute support for mining, it is easy to see now that the decision was never going to go any other way.
“It is of great concern that no extra conditions have been imposed as a result of this whole process. (more…)
Posted in Submissions, Media releases, Water, Community, Planning, Ecological Sustainability, Palerang Council, Mining, Eden-Monaro 2010 | No Comments »