Newsletter – Winter 2016 CLARENCE ENVIRONMENT CENTRE 31 Skinner St, South Grafton 2460 Phone / Fax 66 43 1863 Email: [email protected] Website www.cec.org.au

Bawden's Bridge blueberry proposal update Back in April, a new blueberry farm proposal raised its head through a rather obscure and misleading advertisement placed in the Daily Examiner by the Department of Primary Industry – Water (DPI). It made no mention of blueberries, only notifying the public that an application had been made to pump 66 megalitres of water from the Orara annually for “irrigation and farming purposes”. This was fortunately picked up by a local resident who made enquiries and learned the true use of the water.

The Centre was contacted by several concerned neighbours, asking for our support, and we duly lodged an objection to the pumping application. Two of the grounds we listed were: 1. That other lower Orara River landowners have had their extraction licences revoked in recent years because of past over-allocation. That situation has since been worsened by the permanent closure of the Nymboida Power Station, reducing daily flows in the Lower Orara by up to 600ML a day, which at times amounted to more than 50% of the flow in the Lower Orara, and

2. There is no gazetted Water Sharing Plan for the Clarence River, with only a Draft Report Card for the Lower Orara River available on the DPI web site, which is now rendered obsolete by the permanent closure of the Nymboida Power Station.

We also learned that the proponent had already begun work on a very large dam on a local creek line known as “Chain of Ponds”, removing some 300m of gully vegetation. Enquiries to Council revealed that, despite the Local Environment Plan clearly indicating the water storages cannot be built on land of that zoning, the proponent can in fact construct a dam big enough to store the property's harvestable rights, without any approval. Those rights, for the 1000 hectare plus property, amount to some 90 megalitres annually. Because blueberries are highly chemical dependent, there are other matters of concern, particularly the potential for pollution of the Orara River, which runs along the property's boundary. Pollution could impact on threatened species like the endangered Eastern Freshwater Cod, and the unique riparian vegetation community. Dominated by a mix of Black Bean (Castanospermum australe), Silky Oak (Grevillea Robusta) and Satinash (Syzygium floribundum), that community, to the best of our knowledge, only occurs along the lower reaches of the Orara and nowhere else in the world.

Coincidentally, in March of this year, the Centre assisted with weed surveys along several sections of the Orara, including that from Bawdens Bridge to Ramornie. That survey reported the riparian vegetation all along that stretch of river bank to be in excellent condition, with remarkably few weeds, and little degradation by way of erosion. Therefore we made it known that any development that could have adverse impacts to that highly significant vegetation has to be avoided.

The Orara River at Bawdens Bridge As a result of our objection, the Department organised a face to face meeting with the proponent, Harjap Singh Dosanjh, with the aim of allaying fears expressed in submissions to the water extraction application.

From the CEC's viewpoint, the potential environmental impacts were the greatest concern. In a drought year there would clearly be insufficient water to irrigate the rumoured 100ha of blueberries the proponent planned to plant. This was worrying in the extreme, but Harj's statement that the area planted would depend on the available water has reassured objectors to some degree.

DPI Water's assurance that metering of the pump could be added as a condition of consent is also welcomed, and we requested a policy statement from them to that effect, along with plans to strengthen monitoring of compliance efforts that are always deficient.

We had always understood that water licences were not transferable, so were surprised by the fact that the proponent had acquired (purchased?) their 66ml licence from another property owner. Adding to our concerns on the day was Haj's admission that they are looking to buy more licences if they become available. That could conceivably see them take up the entire Orara water allocation, downstream of , excluding all other property owners from accessing water for anything other than stock and domestic use. That doesn't seem right somehow, and we have asked DPI Water to clarify that possibility.

So here we have an enterprise that is likely to grow significantly over time, with the entire landscape transformed by expanses of netting and igloos. Hundreds of people with their vehicles adding noise and a hustle and bustle that will undoubtedly raise the stress levels of neighbours, who chose to live there for it's rural Wetland vegetation that looks, from the picture, like peace and tranquillity. Swamp Sclerophyll EEC, all destroyed for the dam The proponent has already destroyed a native vegetation corridor along some 300m of the chain of ponds, including what, from photographs, looks to be endangered Swamp Sclerophyll forest. Scores of Red Gums, a koala feed tree species in an area known to support Koalas have also been bulldozed. Also I have seen Black-necked Storks by a dam on that property, and last year a Quoll roadkill was collected very close by, both of A threatened Spotted-tailed Quoll road kill on the Old Glen which have been atlased, so numerous Innes Road near Deep Creek bridge threatened species occur in the area.

As well they have dug an enormous hole in the ground where once there was a spring, and to this point, other than the water extraction licence, they haven't had to apply for any kind of approval. Nor have they been required to undertake any flora and fauna impact assessment, much less required to meet any conditions to mitigate impacts on those species. It just doesn't seem right, and this too has been brought up with Council.

This image shows the extent of the vegetation loss which was previously contiguous, and with barely any rain for months, it is clear from the water that they have tapped a spring.

Current laws allow farmers to construct dams to hold harvestable rights on small creeks and gullies at the very top of a catchment area, referred to as first and second order creeks. i.e. when two small first order gullies meet, it then becomes a 2nd order creek which, when joining another second order creek, then becomes a third order, and so on.

DPI's assurances about the need for the proponent to maintain buffers along creek and drainage lines are comforting, but there is nobody monitoring that type of compliance, so as usual we find environmental values left unprotected.

The blueberry industry is notorious for growth, and it's fair to assume that this operation will expand for as long as there is water to support it, and unless they decide to build a large packing shed, dormitory accommodation for back-packers, or other major infrastructure, they never will have to apply for any approvals.

But it gets worse! It turns out that the 90Ml dam can be filled, the water used or transferred, and the dam refilled many times over. In fact there is no restriction on building any number of what are termed “off stream” dams, holes dug into areas other than drainage lines that do not collect run-off water, and used to store that water. Coincidentally, DPI Water has recently been instructed to review harvestable rights legislation, something we believe has come as a result of lobbying by irrigators, including for intensive horticulture like the blueberry industry. 2 of our members attended a community consultation presentation on the issue in on 20th July and sure enough, one of the matters being considered is extending allowable dam building to 3rd order creeks.

We strongly believe this will not only result in serious deprivation of water for the environment and downstream landowners, but will have major safety issues. Even small streams become raging torrents during heavy rain, and if we have large dams that are currently not required to meet any specific engineering standards, constructed on major creek lines, the risk of dam collapses would be significant.

Our stated position is that farm dams should be restricted to 1st order streams and that, like any other development, a development application, complete with environmental impact assessment should be lodged for approval. The likelihood of our being listened to is slim, but we will pursue this matter through the peak environment groups.

* * * Land for Wildlife news 2016

This year we achieved our quota of 10 new registered properties only by the skin of our teeth. Last year's staff shortage for managing body, the Community Environment Network, remained a problem, while further uncertainty about government funding continued to support the concern that the program might again fade into oblivion.

It was welcome news then to hear from NSW coordinator, John Asquith, that the full allocation for Clarence was secured for the year. Only there was still a catch. It was for the financial year, not the calendar year this time, leaving just 2 months to tidy up pending reports and send in a string of 7 registration applications in time to beat the EOFY and receive our full allocation.

In doing this we reached a significant milestone for the Clarence in having our 100th property signed up with the program. This equates to over 60 new properties since starting up in 2011, and an estimated 5,000ha of actual habitat now set aside for wildlife. We find too by CEN's figures (below) that we now sit in 4th place state-wide for registered numbers, (although I think we can claim 3rd equal rights with Lake Macquarie, since we already have another property on our books). We are also the only provider being managed by a volunteer organisation.

CEN Land for Wildlife Summary 30th June 2016 1. Strong growth in the number of properties and total area registered in 2016 2. Regional Providers declined, due to groups not being able to continue, poor performance or officers moving on. 3. Number of LGAs serviced increased by 16% 4. Area of Land being rehabilitated by landholders increased, now 13% of Total Area 5. Top 6 LGAs for registrations: Gosford (CEN) = 159, Tweed (TSC) = 110, Lake Macquarie (CEN) = 102, Clarence (CEC) = 101, Wyong (CEN) = 90, Wingecarribee (WSC) = 87 Land for Wildlife statistics at 30th June

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Properties 515 549 702 849 956 1,125 1238 1435 % Increase 0 6.6% 28% 21% 13% 18% 10% 16% TOTAL Ha 42,047 42,930 58,364 62,780 73,747 87,242 92,427 113,702 % Increase 0 2% 36% 8% 17.5% 18% 6% 23% Veg Ha. 20,810 21,046 26,187 27,540 31,420 43,293 46,620 54,605 Rehab Ha. 1,184 1,325 2,273 2,933 5,606 9,963 12,139 15,272 Reg Providers 8 11 12 15 30 35 37 18 LGAs 18 20 26 34 47 49 56 65 Assessors 0 0 25 24 25 17 2 13 Trained Total Trained 0 0 25 49 74 91 93 106 In the numbering system we met with yet another unexpected glitch. Two properties in the north of our Clarence territory fell to the Northern Landcare group, who evilly invaded our borders and stole 2 of our numbers - one being No 100, earmarked for the Woods' Waterview property. And NR claimed our assessment funding to boot! Such cheek.

Three properties mentioned in our last report, with funding received this year, are Barry Hayes amazing wallum coastal swamplands at Kungala (right);

Graham Cook and sister Annette's river flat, heath marshlands and flood plain communities at Glenugiie (above), and Nathan and Libby Stocker's mosaic of wet and dry veg types in Pillar Valley (their gorgeous catterpillar right)

We are also happy to now add Rick & Kate Murray's array of wet and dry communities and fabulous old growth trees at Glenugie (below); Richard Courcier's unique Gymea lily sandstone and Swamp Mahogany mix at Kremnos (below);

Kevin and Anne Walter's retreat with its grey box woodlands and creek flat communities (right), and John and Marie Woods' restoring property at Waterview Heights bordering Munns Creek (below), both at Waterview Heights.

Meanwhile the Pillar Valley chain has increased yet again, with the addition of Alan Hope and Prue Church's dry sclerophyll, heath, gully vegetation, reed beds & permanent ponds (below); Jamie & Kellie Gurney's riverine, dry sclerophyll and swamplands (survey map lower left), and Phil McDonald's & Lisa Dickens' moist river flats and wetlands (lower right). Meanwhile, with funding by the LfW program, CEC's plan for 1,000 koala food trees in the ground by June 2016 has been exceeded. At a rounded estimate, 400 trees are now in the ground around Waterview, 200 at Kremnos, 100 in the Pillar Valley and 400 at least at Shannondale, with some 3 dozen scattered around Glenugie and Kungala. This great effort has been supported by both LfW members and also members of the public,with tube-tock distributed from the Centre's shop to interested customers with known koala habitat on their land. Right now a further 200 or so young seedlings are ready to plant, waiting only for warmer weather, so this work is set to continue for some time, and could even be extended into the future. Our thanks to Tom Davidson for his work in propagating and supplying the seedlings, and sincere congratulations to everyone who has helped with this vital replenishment of food for our koalas. Our hopes now are for some exciting and rewarding results in the future. Keep on caring for our native wildlife, and enjoying the full benefits this brings every day Pat (Regional Coordinator) * * * Time to clean up our air It's that time of year again, when smoke from “burning-off” clouds our senses, clogs our sinuses, and irritates our eyes. For those with respiratory problems, the situation is life threatening, but does anyone really care? It seems not, certainly nobody has been prepared to act to curb this largely senseless activity.

In South East Asia, the problem is even worse with smoke from burning forests drifting across whole countries, and even oceans. In fact air quality generally across the globe is deteriorating at such an alarming rate that authorities will soon be forced to act. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution has grown by 8% globally over the past five years, with billions of people around the world now inhaling dangerous air.

This information was compiled from new data collected by the WHO from more than 3,000 cities, with the Middle East, south-east Asia and the western Pacific the worst impacted, where many are showing pollution at five to ten times above the WHO's recommended levels.

China's pollution problems are widely known, where larger cities have been plagued by air pollution for decades. However, authorities there have improved their air quality since 2011 and now have only five in the top thirty most polluted cities.

A small case for optimism. India, also well known for poor air quality, has eight cities in that top 30, but probably less well known pollution hotspots are Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, each with two cities in the top ten. In fact Nigeria currently holds the unenviable position of having the world's most polluted city, Onitsha, a fast-growing port and transit centre in the country's south-east. Dr Maria Neira, WHO's director of public health, reports: “We have a public health emergency in many countries. Urban air pollution continues to rise at an alarming rate, wreaking havoc on human health. It’s dramatic, one of the biggest problems we are facing globally, with terrible future costs to society,”

And this is before considering the impacts of climate change! Never has stopping the digging up and burning of fossil fuels and rapidly transitioning to renewable energy sources been more crucial. Will the new government in Canberra show leadership on this critical issue? Their past record suggests not

* * * Review of the Regional Forest Agreements

A new report compiled by the National Parks Association closely examines the Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs), and whether they have met their key aims and objectives.

The historic agreements promised to provide the timber industry with a sustainable supply of timber from public forests until 2020, and were supposed to see a final transition to the use of plantation timber. However, the Report concludes that: “In all cases, the RFAs have failed to substantially meet their goals either wholly or in part”.

The Report highlights the staggering losses from native forest logging in recent years, Forestry Tasmania, $64 million and the NSW Forestry Corporation $84 million between 2009 and 2012, while the value of 's native timber stocks declined by 30% between 2005 and 2015,

Commenting on the Report, Susie Russell from the North Coast Environment Council, said the findings came as no surprise to conservationists, adding: “The RFAs have clearly failed nature. For example, forest dwelling species like the Greater Glider that were considered common 20 years ago, are now threatened with extinction. Likewise the koala, whose home trees are still being turned into floorboards by logging companies like Boral on the north coast of NSW, has been listed as Vulnerable to extinction, since the RFAs were signed”.

“Other animals and plants could be in an equally dire situation, but most of the monitoring work required under the RFAs has not been done. The Federal and State governments seem happy to keep their heads in the sand and not know for sure whether logging is wiping out populations of other iconic species like Yellow-bellied gliders and Tiger Quolls”.

Incredibly, climate change was never factored into the RFAs, and the critically important role that healthy forests will play in lowering temperatures, storing carbon, and filtering water, have all been ignored as the rampage continues in an attempt to meet contracts for timber that was never there.

Now, despite the obvious failings highlighted in the NPA's Report, the current Federal Government claims to be committed to rolling over all RFAs for a further 20 years.

* * * No real voice for the environment from the major parties in the federal election

A marked absence of any real focus on environmental matters by either of the two major political parties in the current drawn-out federal election campaign, prompted a strategy meeting to be held by environmental groups in May. At the head of the list of concerns, was the almost total lack of any proposal for meaningful action on climate change, and carbon sequestration efforts were identified as one element the government could act on immediately.

It was pointed out that the 20 million trees program, promoted under the government's Direct Action policy, would be more than offset in one fell swoop by the number of trees being destroyed by the Pacific Highway upgrade in the Clarence Valley alone.

The dumping of the Native Veg Act, and proposed relaxing of restrictions on land clearing in NSW, under the State Government's new Biodiversity Bill, will further exacerbate the problem, and positive actions to promote re-vegetation of the landscape were identified. In particular, the meeting reminded all political parties that, “Forests are the lungs of the earth, they take in the carbon dioxide we emit, store the carbon and give us life-giving oxygen in return. They are vital to mitigate the impacts of climate change with the urgency required to halt the demise of the Great Barrier Reef”.

The meeting agreed that an effective way to achieve immediate positive results would be to: • stop logging of native forests on public land. • stop clearing of native forests on private land, and • stop proposed burning of forests to generate electricity. At the same time, politicians were urged to support the imposition of a carbon trading scheme that would provide landowners with alternative income streams to logging, and be rewarded for protecting and rehabilitating native forests, protecting biodiversity, and restoring wildlife corridors.

Actions that reduce atmospheric carbon would not only help the Great Barrier Reef, and other ecosystems under threat from climate change, but also help replace the habitat of threatened species already facing extinction through habitat loss, including Australia's iconic Koalas.

* * * Scribbly Gum EEC nomination

In early 2015, prompted by the ongoing decimation of Scribbly Gum forests at Halfway Creek, Pillar Valley, Tyndale, Mororo and Serendipity for the upgraded Pacific Highway, the Clarence Environment Centre nominated those forests in Northern NSW to be considered by the NSW Scientific Committee for listing as an endangered ecological community (EEC). Considerable research was undertaken which included compiling data from 50 plots between Evans Head and Port Macquarie, and I'd like to acknowledge the assistance and encouragement received from officers of the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH).

Unfortunately, after 12 months and under advice from the OEH, it was determined that the nomination in its current form did not meet the criteria to allow for the community's listing as an EEC.

However, the OEH's assessment of the nomination did include the considered opinion that “the nominated community is at moderate risk of becoming extinct in the medium term”, and clearly wanted changes to be made to the nomination in order to achieve a successful outcome, suggesting the need to “target more threatened areas of Scribbly Gum vegetation”. Scribbly Gum forests are under attack, and it's not only the Pacific Highway juggernaut flattening one sub-population after another, the Blueberry industry is also looking at cheap land for its rapid expansion, and Scribbly Gums have little commercial value.

Unfortunately, our current work load (submission writing on various proposed government legislative reviews, and responding to ongoing threats at a local level), something facing all volunteer groups such as ours, will inhibit our ability to do the necessary work needed to re-submit the nomination any time soon.

In making that point to the Scientific Committee, and after thanking them for their considered opinion and advice, we also posed the following question.

The OEH is the organisation charged with protection of the environment, and its officers agree the Scribbly Gum community is facing possible extinction. They also acknowledge the critical fauna habitat values Scribbly Gums provide by way of tree hollows, the loss of which also threatens scores of hollow-dependent fauna with extinction. Given that acknowledgement, and being in possession of all necessary information and data, why does that organisation sit idly by and do nothing, seemingly happy to abrogate its responsibility to protect this, and other at-risk communities, to unfunded, under-resourced volunteer organisations?

Ultimately however, with the dramatic cuts that have been made to all government science divisions, both at state and federal levels, the chances of OEH 'picking up the ball and running with it' is remote, so we may have to once again muster the energy, enthusiasm and resources to follow through on re-hashing the nomination.

* * * Yamba Port and Rail – a hellish proposal

When the Yamba Port and Rail (YPR) proposal first crossed our radar some 3 to 4 years ago, thanks mainly to Denise Dean (Yuraygir Coast and Range Alliance), who has been monitoring the internet for any suspicious moves relating to coal seam gas and associated industries, was so outrageous in its scope and dimensions that it invited little more than scepticism and disbelief.

Preliminary development models as currently shown on the proponents' website.

It was almost as though the proponent, a Mr Des Ewen, planned to turn the lower Clarence River area into an international export facility to rival Newcastle, where massive container ships, tankers and bulk ore vessels will export everything from coal to live cattle. The 64 square kilometre port development will extend from the river mouth to upstream of Harwood, and include endless kilometres of wharves, warehouses and holding pens, and if that's not enough, a 100 square kilometre industrial zone for light to medium industry is planned along a rail link eastwards to the north south rail line along the Summerland Way.

To add to the nightmare, a new rail link would be created running from Moree to Yamba, across the and its World Heritage forests

The promoters, Australian Infrastructure Developments, and Deakin Capital Pty Ltd are currently ramping up the pressure, promoting their multi billion dollar obscenity (with firm funding commitments from Chinese investors we're told) which would completely transform the lower Clarence. Gone would be the fishing, sugar and tourist industries that are the current economic drivers, replaced by heavy industry and its associated noise, air and water pollution, as huge freight vessels, spewing their poisonous bilge sludge into the river as they go, replace the current pleasure craft and fishing boats.

Gone would be the quiet relaxing retirement destination described in a series of Government development strategies over the past 20 years, as coastal villages of Iluka, and Harwood, along with communities on Palmers Island and elsewhere, are decimated to allow for the widening and dredging of the river estuary, to 4 times the current depth, all the way to the Harwood Bridge

Gone would be the culturally significant Dirrangun Reef , sacred to the Yaegl people, as part of that massive dredging, along with several small islands that would impede shipping.

Gone would be the supposedly protected significant agricultural land on the delta, replaced by endless kilometres of wharfs and warehouses, and massive holding pens for the proposed live cattle export, their stench wafting over the urban centres of Yamba and Maclean.

And don't forget border security, with the proponents making provision for a naval base that, in the event of conflict, could see the area become an enemy target.

There are of course the obvious obstacles to such a scheme; the sacred reef, the unstable delta soils which will collapse into the river as a result of the massive dredging. There are regular floods that will require mountains of fill to raise the entire project area above flood level, a barrier that is bound to divert flood waters across Yamba, causing even worse flooding there. This is the port site during a flood Then there is the added problem of climate change and rising sea levels. Even a modest .75 of a metre within 80 years will see most of the land proposed for the industrial complex inundated at high tide, a situation that will worsen even further with the passage of time.

It's hard to take such a proposal seriously, but Predicted sea levels of the port site in 2100, dark blue = current inundation at high over the years we have tide, light blue = high tide coverage by 2100 with only 0.75m sea level rise heard reports that politicians, state and federal, various northern NSW councils, including some of our local councillors, meeting with the scheme's proponents. The proponents' promotional literature shows a page full of logos, see at right, and whose logo is prominent at bottom right?

The Northern Star's report featuring a happy Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, with arms around the proponents smiling for the camera, adds a worrying dimension to this abhorrent proposal, but when questioned, those civic leaders all describe the scheme as “pie in the sky”.

In late July, the once in a decade “dam the Clarence” proposal was resurrected by Griffith Council, and within days had joined forces with the Yamba Port and Rail team – Yes worrying indeed.

So despite a late statement by Kevin Hogan, just prior to the election and over 3 years after the proposal was first mooted, that “There is absolutely no chance this will ever happen," why is it still bubbling along? Why did the proponents organise the public meeting in Casino earlier this month to spruike their plans, initially listing Mr Hogan as a speaker, and why did Mr Joyce invite the proponents to submit a DA?

More to the point why, if it is pie in the sky, have no senior politicians come out publicly to reassure the thousands of people that would be displaced or otherwise impacted by such a proposal, that it will not happen? It's time for our leaders to come clean, tell us exactly what has, and is still being discussed behind closed doors, and if this proposal is pie in the sky, then to inform the proponents of that fact, and tell them to back off and put their foreign investment into something useful, like renewable energy.

* * * Iluka subdivision Subsequent to the closing date for submissions to the Hickey Street development in Yamba, Council's mid June Planning Report contained the following: “Additional information requested 10/3/16 – Ecological, Engineering, Native Title, Crown Land, Bushfire, contamination, open space: Meeting held with applicant 23/5/16 and further ecological studies have been undertaken. Redevelopment of design likely following determination of extent of threatened species.”

It does seem therefore that the people's voice has been heard. However, one of our members spotted a group of consultant 'types' at the site, and engaged the leader in conversation (the others dispersed rapidly), who did indicate that the proponent intended to challenge our assertion the the site was largely an endangered ecological community (EEC), and that it contained core Koala habitat.

In the mean time Judith Melville has placed a great article on her Clarence Voices blog, using information provided by CEC, pointing out the evidence which we believe confirms the EEC's occurrence. That evidence includes the array of indicative species that denote the EEC's presence, four of which are pictured below.

Banksia serrata Commelina cyanea

Leptospermum polygalyfolium Hoya australis There could be some interesting times ahead.

* * * A possible win at Waterview – but bitter sweet.

Earlier this year placed yet another development application on public exhibition for a development that fell outside the parameters all development strategies, and Council's Local Environment Plan. A developer was asking Council to rezone Rural Landscape land to allow a residential and large lot residential subdivision and, true to form, Council obliged despite the land being deemed core Koala habitat. The CEC made a submission opposing the subdivision, pointing out the importance of koala habitat, and that there was alternative appropriately zoned residential land available in the vicinity, and that there was already a major over-supply of large lot residential land in the LGA.

After assessing submissions, Council's planners ignored our pleas, and also those of the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) which had asked that only the Hampton Road frontage be subdivided, and the main part of the block be rezoned Environmental Protection.

Extremely disappointed, we sent off strong emails to all councillors, expressing disappointment and frustration, likening this decision to those that have led to the local extinction of Koalas at Woombah and Bundjalumg.

It must have struck a chord as I received emails from 2 councillors who had questioned Yellow lines show proposed subdivisions with lot 15, the the Assistant GM, Des Schroder, aka the residue lot in question 'human roadblock', as to why they hadn't followed OEH's suggestion to apply Environmental Protection zoning to the large residual portion, claiming he had said it would not be legal. I told them that was rubbish, and Councillor Margaret McKenna requesed further information.

Koalas are Pat's field of expertise, so I handed that task to her. Along with details of the local Koala population, Pat sent Ms McKenna an assessment she had made for another large Hampton Road property that had joined the Land for Wildlife program a little under a year earlier. In that assessment Pat had observed: “Given the rapid and careless development of this area for urban living, having this property protected against further impacts will create a vital refuge for the remaining koalas that once occupied large tracts of natural bushland at the moister <60m elevations across the east coast. Koalas are known frequent visitors to adjoining lands and surrounding areas, including an urban population at Waterview. Restoring this habitat will bring important conservation outcomes for many other wildlife species, such as Glossy black cockatoo and Rufous bettong, which are also known to visit and inhabitat this area”. These little guys need all the help they can And it worked. The following day we had an get if they are to avoid extinction email from Margaret informing us she had successfully moved an amendment to have residue of the block zoned environmental protection. Another big plus is a condition that “Clearing entitlements under the Rural Fire Service 10/50 code, are accommodated wholly within lot boundaries and don't encroach into residue lot, should the land be rezoned.”

This problem with clearing of vegetation for bushfire protection is something else that was probably learned from past subdivisions at localities such as Woombah, where buildings were erected right up to the boundaries, and fire breaks then had to be cleared within the adjoining national park.

Of course, the Hampton Road developer can appeal that rezoning decision, and the final say will be with the Department of Planning. So we will keep you informed.

* * * The on-going asbestos drama

The plot thickens around the decision to construct a large, very expensive, works depot on the old sewerage works site at Tyson Street in South Grafton. The cat was thrown among the pigeons early in the piece by the previous site manager blowing the whistle on the fact that Council has been burying broken asbestos pipes at the site for decades. Council's initial response was a flat denial, and the issue was then vigorously pursued by the Clarence Forum, pointing out that any excavation could put lives of students at the adjoining high school at risk. The Clarence Environment Centre also wrote to Council asking for clarification, a letter that was ignored for more than 8 weeks before we then complained by way of a group email to all councillors.

In the mean time, council management asked for details of the alleged burial, and the whistle-blower was reportedly put under pressure by his union representative's suggestion that he could be held responsible Yellow and red boundaries show just how close the for the illegal dumping. Ultimately the union school's playgrounds are to the works site rep agreed to deliver a map of where asbestos was buried to council, who then passed the information on to Parsons Brinkerhoff, a respected company they had employed to analyse the site's other polluted areas.

The PB search found asbestos on the site, but apart from one partially buried pipe, the remainder was not buried, being mostly discarded material and none was deemed to be friable. This led to the somewhat misleading banner headline in the Daily Examiner - “Depot site clear of asbestos”.

However, a close analysis of the PB report, by the Forum's Jahn Hagger, appears to show a significant discrepancy between where the whistle-blower had told him where the asbestos had been buried, and the areas actually searched, so to put our minds at rest, the Centre asked Council for a copy of the map that had been given to PB. The response was a direct “NO”, something that seemed to suggest there was something to hide. so we immediately put in a freedom of information request

One Councillor who has had reservations was Karen Thoms, and unbeknown to me has separately asked to see the map. Incredibly, she too was denied access to the document. The plot thickened.

* * * Collateral damage of climate change

Extreme weather conditions bought about by Global Warming is set to decrease worker efficiencies, with heat stress and long term increases in certain cancers impacting on outdoor and factory workers in particular.

This was the finding of a study published earlier this month by the Potsdam Institute and Columbia University showing production losses caused by high temperatures are predicted to rise further as climate change gains momentum.

In just a decade, the susceptibility of the world’s economic network to heat stress has doubled, and as the Institute's co-author Anders Levermann told the Thomson Reuters Foundation: "This is because production has become more interlinked since the turn of the century, if one sections slows the entire chain follows suit”.

Levermann goes on to explain the study found that: "Weather extremes are not really factored into the thinking of a lot of industries, and in particular not weather extremes seem far away, but our study shows it’s really one world with respect to climate impacts.”

The researchers looked at the effects of small daily disruptions to production from extreme temperatures leading to heat stress among workers in construction, agriculture and other economic sectors.

They covered economic flows between 26 industry sectors and final demand in 186 countries, running computer simulations of heat-stress consequences to find out more about how production losses are propagated along supply chains.

Most outdoor workers like farmers, labourers, tradespersons and factory workers will wear the brunt of increased heat related health issues which will include longer hospital treatments. Cancers and mental disorders will be amongst the main prognoses as well as increased heart disease developing earlier.

Employers will be affected from increased worker fatigue loss of production efficiencies, disruption due to the increased number of days off, higher workers compensations due to more prolonged and more debilitating health problems.

The researchers said the findings, published in the journal “Science Advances”, pointed to the need for societies and businesses to adapt to more intense weather extremes or face the consequences.

By Andi Mellis.

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