Category Archives: 2017
President’s Report 2017 AGM
The 2017 AGM was held at Tomakin Community Hall on October 28th 2017. It is with pleasure that I welcome members and friends today. In the 2016-2017 financial year we have held 6 Coastwatchers committee meetings. Though technically outside that … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, AGM President's Reports, Meetings
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President’s Report to 2017 AGM
President’s Report It is with pleasure that I welcome members and friends today. In the 2016-2017 financial year we have held 6 Coastwatchers committee meetings. Though technically outside that in August, the Moruya Forest Forum was arguably a high point … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, AGM President's Reports
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NSW Govt Publication – Overview of RFA Renewals
overview-extending-regional-forest-agreements (102KB .pdf)
Posted in 2017, Forests and Forestry, RFA Renewals
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Proposed Changes to Rules Governing Environmental Organisations
The Coastwatchers Environment Fund is one of hundreds of environment funds which have been registered on the Commonwealth Government’s REO – the Register of Environmental Organisations. This registration process provides the legal basis for attracting tax-deductible donations. A Commonwealth Parliamentary … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, WHAT WE DO
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Dargues Reef Mine Gets Final Approval
In April 2017, Big Island Mining received final approval from the Commonwealth Government to proceed with the development of the Dargues Reef Gold Mine at Majors Creek. Big Island Mining had previously received approval under NSW Planning legislation following the … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Dargues Reef Gold Mine
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Victorian Forest Investigation Underway
In February 2017, VicForests began logging an area near Warburton known as the Blue Vein coupe, just a few hundred metres from the famous 350- year-old Ada Tall Trees Reserve. Local citizen scientists from the ‘Wildlife of the Central Highlands’ … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Forests and Forestry
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Moruya Forest Forum Success
The Coastwatchers ‘Moruya Forest Forum’, was held on Wednesday 23 August 2017, and was a great success. About 100 people attended the Forum in the St. Mary’s Performing Art Centre, an ideal venue for this type of activity. The meeting opened … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Forests and Forestry, Meetings, Public Meetings, RFA Renewals
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Forest Forum Letter to the Premier October 16th 2017
Dear Premier, Prohibition on the Logging of Mogo State Forest The Coastwatchers Association Inc. opposes the continued logging of State Forests in the Batemans Bay region of the South Coast of NSW, particularly the logging of timber, which is destined … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Forests and Forestry, Letters, RFA Renewals
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Moruya Forest Forum Resources – August 23rd 2017
NPA Forests for All Plan https://npansw.org/what-we-do/our-work/campaigns/end-native-forest-logging/ Great Southern Forest Campaign seeks to protect all of the 430,000 hectares of public native forests of the Southern and Eden Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) regions following the expiry of the RFAs. The GSF is … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Forests and Forestry, RFA Renewals
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Moruya Forest Forum Resolutions- August 23rd 2017
This meeting calls on the NSW Government to: 1. Cease Logging Mogo State Forest Immediately cease logging the Mogo State Forest until a professionally based pre logging review is undertaken and assessed, given the known presence of both the Vulnerable … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Forests and Forestry, Meetings, Public Meetings, RFA Renewals
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Moruya Forest Forum Invitation
Posted in 2017, Forests and Forestry, Meetings, Public Meetings, RFA Renewals
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Rabbit Control Continues in Eurobodalla
The Eurobodalla Shire’s Environment Team are commended for their efforts to reduce the numbers of rabbits across the Shire. Rabbit warrens have been destroyed and fumigated in Tuross, Long Beach and South Durras. The new Korean strain of Calcivirus (RHDV-K5) … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Pests, Rabbits
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Propping Up a Potential Dead Asset – The Closure/Sale of the Heyfield Timber Mill
A salutary lesson in timber resource management Gippsland in Victoria is still reeling from the loss of hundreds of jobs following the closure of the Hazelwood Power Station. And then months later the largest hardwood sawmill in Australia, also based … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Forests and Forestry
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Concerned Community Members Find Endangered Greater Gliders, and Vulnerable Yellow-bellied Gliders in the Mogo State Forest
Since the logging operation commenced, volunteer members of the community have been surveying the Mogo Forest, searching for fauna that would be adversely affected by the logging activities. They were also noting the presence of habitat and feed trees. The … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Forests and Forestry
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Forest Logging Debate Erupts in Eurobodalla
For many years there have been many environmental battles to reduce or halt the logging of State Forests on the South Coast of NSW. They have never ended. The campaigns have been run by dedicated members of the community particularly … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Forests and Forestry
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Obituary – Martyn Phillips – 1947 – 2017
In May this year I notified Coastwatchers members of the death of Martyn Phillips, a long serving member of the Association and an extremely capable past President. Martyn died after losing his second battle with cancer. Martyn had a critical … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, WHAT WE DO
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Farewell to Maureen and Jim Baker
The Association has farewelled two of its greatest supporters and environmental warriors, with the departure of Maureen and Jim Baker in early July, moving closer to Sydney to be nearer to their family. Maureen and Jim have been members of … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, WHAT WE DO
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CEMAC Report July 7th 2017
To date there has been no update on the new coastal management legislation. The following information is on the Planning website: Thank you to all who have taken the time to provide feedback on various aspects of the coastal reform … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Coastal Management
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Coastwatchers AGM Preliminary Date: Saturday September 23rd 2017
For those members who plan ahead, the Executive is planning to hold the Annual General Meeting this year on Saturday September 23rd at 2:00pm at the Tomakin Community Hall. This will be finalised at the next Committee meeting on Wednesday … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Meetings
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Scientists Warn Greater Glider is Near Extinction
Written by Adam Morton, The Age, June 2nd 2017 Those who know the greater glider have a vivid way of describing it: like a flying possum crossed with a Koala. About the size of a garden variety possum, but with … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Fauna, Greater Glider
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Experts Review the Findings of the “Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market” (The Finkel Report)
The final report entitled “Independent Review into the Future Stability of the National Electricity Market”, was handed to the Commonwealth Government in the last week. The Review known as the Finkel Report was prepared by the Review Panel of 5 … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Climate Change, Energy
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Huge 300MW Solar Farm begins construction near Port Augusta
By Giles Parkinson on April 11th 2017 in Renew Economy The first of two stages of a 300MW solar farm – Australia’s biggest – has begun construction near Port Augusta in South Australia. The first two stages, totalling 220MW, of … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Energy
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Wharf Road Coastal Zone Management Plan Back for Final Certification with Minister
The submerged and tidal land at Wharf Road Batemans Bay (400 metres from the bridge) has, indirectly and directly, been on Council Agendas for over 30 years. It is shortly to be progressed when the NSW Minister for Planning and … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Coastal Management
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Solar Panel Installations “Skyrocket” in Australia in March
This is an edited report by the ABC’s consumer affairs reporter Amy Bainbridge from ABC News on April 13th 2017. Key Points: Solar panels were installed on about 15,000 homes and businesses in March 2017 Installations have hit their highest … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Energy
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Dargues Reef Mine Set to Commence Mining
After nearly two and a half years of inquiries and approvals, the Dargues Reef Gold Mine will shortly commence operation. The timeline of events for the approval process was as follows. As you will see, it commenced in November 2014 … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Dargues Reef Gold Mine
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The Invasive Cassia Weed
Many Landcare volunteers in the Eurobodalla Shire have been targeting the invasive weed Cassia in the past few weeks. The flowers are bright yellow, so they are very conspicuous. If you have them in the garden or bush, please remove … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Cassia Weed
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Eurobodalla Shire Cat Bib Program
Roaming domestic cats are a significant conservation issue because they may hunt, harass and compete with wildlife. They hunt, among other things, birds, lizards, frogs and many native mammals including bandicoots and gliders in the Eurobodalla. There are also concerns … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Cats, Pests
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New Rabbit Virus Released in Eurobodalla
A new Korean strain of calicivirus virus has been released across the Eurobodalla Shire, and will hopefully result in a dramatic reduction in wild rabbits. This new strain of calicivirus is highly contagious, and can kill rabbits within 24 hours. … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Pests, Rabbits
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April 18th Newsletter now online
Coastwatchers Newsletter 2017-04-18
Posted in 2017, Newsletters
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CW Management Committee Meeting April 12th 2017 Draft Minutes
These minutes will remain in draft form until they are accepted at the next Management Committee meeting. CW MC Draft Minutes 12_04_17 (133KB Docx)
Posted in 2017, Meetings
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Death of Martyn Phillips
It is with the deepest regret that I am notifying members of the death of the long standing Coastwatchers member and leader Martyn Phillips. Martyn died after another battle with cancer On behalf of the Association I pass on my … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, WHAT WE DO
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March 21st Newsletter Available
Topics: Snowy Hydro / Islands Around Durras / Koalas / NSW Govt. Biodiversity Offset Policy / Editorial – Energy / Finkle re Energy Policy / Clean Up Australia / Social Media Coastwatchers Newsletter 2017-03-21 (286KB, opens in new tab)
Posted in 2017, Newsletters
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February 21st Newsletter available
Topics: Kayak 4 Earth / Old Growth Trees / ESC Fossil Fuel Divestment / CW Website / NSW Planning Laws / Dargues Reef Mine / Australia’s Electricity Market / SHASA Solar Bulk Buy. Coastwatchers Newsletter 2017-02-21 (456KB, opens in new tab)
Posted in 2017, Newsletters
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Council Sets Ambitious Renewable Energy Target Media Release
Eurobodalla Council is aiming to source 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030 and reduce its energy emissions 80 per cent by 2030. Council’s new draft Emissions Reduction Plan outlines high-impact cost-effective actions to reduce Council’s … Continue reading
CW Submission to NSW Dept Planning re Changes to Environment Planning and Assessment Act 1979 – March 31st 2017
The Association opposed the 2010 Development Application regarding the Dargues Reef Gold Mine by Big Island Mining Pty Ltd in 2010, and again opposed the Modification to that Development Approval in 2015. That experience highlighted some major deficiencies with the … Continue reading
Clean Up Australia
A number of Coastwatchers members participated in the annual Australia Clean Up Day in the Eurobodalla Shire. This day attracts approximately half a million volunteers Australia wide every year, and is the nations largest community wide based environmental event. Australians … Continue reading
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Coastwatchers Makes Two Submissions on Koalas to the NSW Government – March 2017
Coastwatchers recently made two submissions to the NSW Government regarding the preparation of a “NSW Koala Strategy” and what is known as SEPP 44, a State Environmental Policy covering Koala habitat. Only the “NSW Koala Strategy” is considered in this … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Fauna, Submissions
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Explore the South Coast Islands Around Durras
Islands adjacent to Murramarang National Park coastline are continental islands, created when sea levels stabilised about 6,500 years ago. People can explore them from the water, but landing is prohibited. The NPWS personnel are permitted to undertake invasive weed control, … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Your Local Environment
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Coastwatchers Endorses Calls for Full Environmental Inquiry Before the Snowy Mountain Upgrade Part 2 Proceeds
The President of the Coastwatchers Association, John Perkins, has joined calls from a number of environmental organisations calling on the Commonwealth Government to undertake a full environmental assessment before proceeding with the upgrade of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electricity Scheme. … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Energy, Snowy Mountains Hydro
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CW Submission to NSW Planning re Sepp 44 Koala Habitat – March 3rd 2017
The Coastwatchers Association has been involved with the development of Koala Recovery Startegies in the Eurobodalla Shire for a number of years. The Association commissioned and funded research through its independently administered ‘Coastwatchers Environment Fund’. The project was led by … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Fauna, Submissions
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CW Submission to NSW Dept Environment & Heritage Koala Strategy – March 2017
The detailed history of Koalas in the Shire of Eurobodalla is extremely deficient. there was clearly a resident Koala population in the Shire when Europeans settled the South Coast of NSW in the 1800s. It has been reported that there … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Fauna, Submissions
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Dargues Reef Mine Gets Conditional Final Approval from the Commonwealth Government
Most members were under the impression that all approvals for the Dargues Reef Mine were finalised, and that mining was set to commence, as the Miner was saying. However, that was not correct and the Association has been monitoring the … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Dargues Reef Gold Mine
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Environmental Defenders Office Provides Advice on the New NSW Planning Laws
The Environmental Defenders Office has provided detailed advice on the proposed changes to NSW Planning Laws. The NSW Government is proposing to amend State planning laws – updating the Act’s objects and structure, clearer public participation requirements and timeframes, reforms … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Planning & Law - New South Wales
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The Need to Preserve Old Trees for the Conservation of Wildlife
The NSW Government is still allowing the logging of native forests, including in some areas old growth forests, here on the South Coast of NSW. This article was submitted by John Perkins to remind members of the critical significance of … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Biodiversity, Ecology, Forests and Forestry
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Eurobodalla Shire Council Votes to Divest from Fossil Fuel Investments
At the Council meeting on 14 February 2017, the Council in a 5:4 vote agreed to give preference to investing with financial institutions that do not invest in, or finance, the fossil fuel industry. Councillors McGinlay, Brown, Thomson, Constable and … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Climate Change, Energy, Planning & Law - Eurobodalla
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NSW Planning Law Changes – EDO NSW Key Issues Summary
Six big changes to the Planning Act in 2017 (and three missed opportunities). The NSW Government is proposing to amend our State planning laws – updating the Act’s objects and structure, clearer public participation requirements and timeframes, reforms to state … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Planning & Law - New South Wales
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Update from NASA’s Newsletter CO2 reaches 405ppm
As you are all aware atmospheric CO2 concentrations are rising at an exponential rate, reaching 405.25 in December 2016. Last Saturday the ‘Friends of the Botanic Gardens’ had a world expert, Tony Haymet, address their meeting. Not only was it … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Climate Change
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Things fall apart: why do the ecosystems we depend on collapse?
Professor David Lindenmayer, ANU (The Conversation 23/01/2016) People collapse, buildings collapse, economies collapse and even entire human civilizations collapse. Collapse is also common in the natural world – animal populations and ecosystems collapse. These collapses have the greatest impact on … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Ecology, Forests and Forestry
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Sea Spurge Still in the Eurobodalla
The Eurobodalla Shire Council has nearly completed a project, which maps, using GIS mapping, weeds along the coastal zone of the Shire. From this survey priorities are determined and appropriate management procedures introduced. Sea Spurge is one of the weeds, … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Sea Spurge, Weeds
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Coastwatchers Submission to ESC on Amendment to the Broulee Residential Zones DCP – Jan 27th 2017
Submission to ESC re Broulee Residential Zones DCP (100KB PDF, opens in a new tab)
Posted in 2017, Planning & Law - Eurobodalla, Submissions
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Pied Oyster Catchers Traditional Nesting Site at the Batemans Bay Marina About to End
The resident Pied Oystercatchers (Haematopus longirostris) at the Batemans Bay Marina, have nested on the sandflats for many years. The species is on the NSW endangered species list. However, their welcome is about to finish, because of their exposure to … Continue reading
Posted in 2017, Fauna, Pied Oystercatcher, Your Local Environment
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CW Submission re Coastal Management SEPP – Jan 12th 2017
Coastwatchers submission of 12th January 2017 to NSW Govt re Draft Coastal Management State Environmental Planning Policy CW Submission CMSEPP 2017-01-12 (147KB PDF, opens in a new tab).
