Tree Magazine Vol 11 Issue 1 Autumn 2013
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Vol. 11, Issue 1 Autumn 2013 50c or free E.P. HOPKINS Hop.e devoted a lot of the Closer to home last 30 years to composting toilets were conservation. With a another of his ‘passions’ background in both reasoning that our Architecture and Town reluctance to deal with our Planning his appreciation own waste was indicative of both landscape and the of society’s inability to built environment was confront uncomfortable crucial to him. Over that realities and employ low time he and others tech sustainable solutions. contributed to major As with all environmental campaigns and submitted issues he lived in hope that countless submissions on common sense and sound behalf of the Environment science would prevail over Centre. Despite the ego and vested interests. frustrations and seemingly Hop.e genuinely intransigent position of enjoyed exercising his Council he always thought imagination and intellect it worthwhile to plug on. drafting letters, being his He had the clear eyed cheeky and provocative vision to advocate for self, organising workshops, ‘ideal’ results. Fortunately contemplating design issues there were some successes and the camaraderie of that were really satisfying. being with people who About ten years ago he shared his world view and became interested in the concerns. If ‘we’re‘ not UNESCO Biosphere Reserve there representing the Program thinking that environment’s interests further international even if the outcomes are recognition might help negative then that built up protect the Caldera momentum of the CEC recognising that could be lost so I think he’d environmental protections be encouraging us to keep can be at the whim of the doors open and the political expediency. issues alive. Hopefully that baton will be picked up by others. Cynthia Brook EDITORIAL Our organisation suffered a huge loss last September when our founder and beloved leader, Hop.e Hopkins, left this mortal coil. We would not exist without him, and his ethical, calm, determined commitment to our cause ensured we stayed largely free from sabotage and foolishness. As a kind of gift to us as he left, his passing Aside from our inner workings, things are not looking has resulted in a rejuvenation for us. Old precious good. All levels of government are proving less than people have returned to help, and new, young ones satisfactory, from the council’s short-sighted Planning have stepped up. We are stronger now than we have Laws, to the State government’s tacky decision to allow been for a long time, at least in terms of those who do shooters into National Parks (including ours!) the work. Our financial situation remains tenuous, and The Federal government has little more moral standing, we are keenly looking for sponsors to ensure we keep given its position on asylum seekers, single parents and going for another 24 years. Anything you can do to help the Tarkine. Then there’s the ever-looming threat of will be greatly appreciated. coal seam gas, which is proving yet again that it’s the big Overall though our spirits are high. Hop.e would be profits running the show, not the will of the people. thrilled with our new councillor, Gary Bagnall, who Our political system is in disarray, with big money and believes urban houses should have composting toilets. big media ensuring the opinionated masses remain ill- This is something Hop was passionate about, the very informed and keen to work against their own best basic truth that taking nutrients from the ground and interests. It’s laughably easy to convince people that essentially throwing them into the sea is not a viable climate change is a con and asylum seekers are to be option. feared and loathed. Another issue close to his heart was the biosphere A meanness has set in in the culture, and it’s difficult to project, and we now have a dedicated person, Brija see a way through. All we can do is to continue to speak Robertson, taking time out from her Phd to ensure it truth to power, and to not lose heart. The Tweed is goes ahead. more politically active now than ever: the Repco Rally Hop.e did much with his life, including working tirelessly raised a whole new breed of activists, and the CSG issue to protect our precious Tweed. His memory will flourish has galvanised the farming community to join them. in our hearts and deeds. United we stand. Christine Moore First thoughts on the NSW governments tougher restrictions on CSG – 20 Feb 2013 While all opponents of dangerous and environmentally looming – only worse, as CSG pollutes our air, land and damaging mining practices welcome stricter regulation water. This announcement seems to be a recognition by the NSW state government, we will have to pressure that the people don’t want CSG mining and it may be a them to expand protection to all residents. Yesterday’s cynical attempt to split the opposition for political announcement amounts to an admission that CSG purposes. We really now need to lobby politicians of ALL mining has yet to prove that it can be done safely - and I persuasions to enforce a ban on all CSG activity until and doubt that it ever will. Surely the precautionary principle unless it can be proven safe. should hold for all areas, not only for 2 km around from Please do all you can for this issue which unites all urban centres, horse studs and wineries. people of good will in our desire to secure a safe future If CSG is dangerous for wine grapes, what about for generations to come. vegetables? If not safe for horses, what about cattle? If Sustainably, Sledge the health of citizens in large centres are to be NRG President protected, what about the residents of villages and rural dwellings? The CSG industry is another asbestos disaster CO ORDINATOR’S REPORT by Sam Dawson BASc (Hons) 2012 was a tragic year for the CEC as myself to you and describe some of the about it and slyly waiting for the right Hop.e Hopkins passed away. Hop.e was current projects and activities that the political conditions to build a new dam. the coordinator of the CEC since its CEC is engaged with. I have been the inception in 1989, up until the present secretary for the CEC since 2006 and Despite inclement weather the CEC’s day. A memorial service was held for have been involved in many campaigns, annual World Environment Day Hop.e in the Tyalgum Hall in September committees and protests in that time, Celebration in June was a great success which was well attended by members of beginning with the 2007 Rocky Cutting (thank you Craig McHale). the community. At the memorial service, Dam proposal. What inspired me to get members of the CEC recited a poem involved in local environmental issues October saw the Lock the Gate Alliance written by Hop.e in 1989 as his tribute to was the development of the recent “Rock the Gate” concert in Mt Nullum (slightly modified by Rhonda suburban sprawl of Sovereign Heights. Murwillumbah, organised by Michael and James): The particular instances that motivated Julie McNamara of the Tweed LTGA. me there was when in 2006 the remnant The event was the culmination of a year- To the Morans wetland was bulldozed and halved in long effort by local LGA volunteers who and even millionaire Morans area and then the threatened species conducted a thorough survey of the and all the hangers on and also rans. region which reported that about 95% of occurring on the site, Davidson Plums, were dug up and translocated to a new respondents oppose Coal Seam Gas Nullum Nullum Never Never mining in the Tweed. Nullum is my mother area. Looking at the fallen melaleuca Nullum is my shield trees of the wetland, while not forest Campaigns and Issues for 2013 I know that she will never giants or an iconic species like a Koala, I Never never yield had an epiphany: In the 21 st century the One of the most serious challenges Nullum Nullum Never Never ecological crisis continues unabated and facing the environment this year will be Thank you Hop.e continues with tacit approval of the push by the NSW government to government and society. Where money abolish Environmental zones (‘E’ zones) This was particularly apt since the CEC is concerned, the environment is from Local Environmental Plans on the was founded to stop this development. exploitable and laws will be revised to North Coast. This is the latest in a long permit destruction (Special Events The CEC has accomplished much over line of what can only be described as legislation anyone?) The logical the past year and Hop.e provided his exploitative redefinitions of the word conclusion is as inescapable and as expert advice and input right up until the ‘environment’ by industry and farmers obvious as the problem; if I don’t stand very end, attending meetings on the and the politicians who serve them. If up and speak out about this issue, then Tweed Council budget and community successful, the removal of Environmental who else will? heritage in the months before his death. I zones means that there will be no effective protection for the natural was always grateful for any assistance What happened in 2012 and insight that Hop.e could provide and environment at a local government level. I continue to be amazed at the depth of McDonalds was approved in When seen in the context of a federal knowledge and level of commitment that Murwillumbah in January 2012 government whose idea of environmental he had for the environment.