Queensland Conservation Council - Latest News
Please consider the environment when you come to vote
Queensland environment organisations have put together a list of environmental priorities for the next election. The priorities cover protected areas, special places, marine, sustainability, fossil fuels and mining and legal reform.
Closer to the election, we will publish a key list of issues, based upon our dialogue with all the major parties.
Feel free to use and distribute this information. It has been provided to you as our views on the key environmental issues for the future. Election Position 45.06 Kb
Closer to the election, we will publish a key list of issues, based upon our dialogue with all the major parties.
Feel free to use and distribute this information. It has been provided to you as our views on the key environmental issues for the future. Election Position 45.06 Kb
Witness King Tides
You don't need a time machine to see the future. This Sunday (22nd) around most of Queensland you can see where our coastline will be in around fifty years.
Twice a year the sun and the moon line up and their combined gravitational pull means that we get the year's highest tides. With rising sea levels that's a pretty good snapshot of what the normal monthly high tides (or 'spring tides') will look like by 2060.
Green Cross Australia is inviting Queenslanders to photograph this 'King Tide'. Then, as a community, we can identify places of vulnerability and start preparing for the future. Visit www.witnesskingtides.org to discover where and when you can capture the King Tide.
A Christmas Wishlist
When we look at our christmas wishlist from last year, we must have been good because we now have:
a price on carbon pollutiona Queensland Biodiversity Strategy
new waste and recycling regulations.
We didn’t get all we wanted - perhaps next year…
Thank you to all of you - our supporters and networks - for helping to make a difference.
Click Full Story for this year's wishlist.
Champions of Conservation 2011
Queensland’s peak environment organisation (QCC) has announced new additions to its Champions of Conservation Honour list.
‘Our new Champions of Conservation are an inspiration. Their passion, dedication and determination to make a difference for the environment are lessons for anyone who cares about our quality of life and our future,’ said QCC chair, Simon Baltais.
‘Our new Champions of Conservation are an inspiration. Their passion, dedication and determination to make a difference for the environment are lessons for anyone who cares about our quality of life and our future,’ said QCC chair, Simon Baltais.
More Protection Needed in Governments Landmark Proposal for the Coral Sea
The Protect Our Coral Sea coalition has called the federal government’s draft Coral Sea plan a good start, but said it falls short of fully protecting the area’s fragile coral reefs and spectacular marine life.
“We welcome the exclusion of oil and gas extraction and the ban on fishing gear that destroys seafloor habitats,” said Imogen Zethoven of the Pew Environment Group. “However, protection levels need to be stronger—particularly in vulnerable areas—to ensure the Coral Sea’s long-term protection.”
“We welcome the exclusion of oil and gas extraction and the ban on fishing gear that destroys seafloor habitats,” said Imogen Zethoven of the Pew Environment Group. “However, protection levels need to be stronger—particularly in vulnerable areas—to ensure the Coral Sea’s long-term protection.”
Fishing in Moreton Bay Green Zones akin to hunting in National Parks
According to Queensland Conservation (QCC), green zones in Moreton Bay cover only 15% of the Marine Park. They have been established to protect the environment and to provide a healthy breeding ground for all marine species
‘Scientific assessments show that as a means of building a more resilient environment and increasing marine species in a region, green zones work,’ said Simon Baltais, Chair of QCC
Tighter controls needed for destructive industry without social licence
Conservationists from the two Australian states most adversely affected by coal seam gas activity have joined together today to demand tighter government control of an industry rapidly expanding without a social licence to operate.
The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association meets this morning to discuss ‘working with communities’ at an environment conference in Coolum.
However, the Nature Conservation Council of NSW and Queensland Conservation Council maintain the community has already revoked any social licence for coal seam gas activities until it can be conclusively proven safe for our communities, environment and water supplies.
Save Moreton Bay
Moreton Bay is an environmental jewel. Its glorious subtropical islands and sheltered bays are the perfect marine playground. The Bay is rich in marine life with turtles, dugongs dolphins and visiting whales. Fringed by mangroves and wetlands, the Bay is a vital nursery for fish and a temporary home for tens of thousands of migratory birds each year. Industries that depend on Moreton Bay are valued at $5 Billion per year - the Bay is arguably South East Queensland's most valuable economic asset.
But the health of Moreton Bay continues to decline with annual report cards showing an ongoing downward trend.
The great news is that with a little care we can turn this around and continue to enjoy our Bay forever. Visit our new campaign website www.savemoretonbay.com.au and help us to secure the environmental and economic future of Moreton Bay!
Clean Coal Bubble Bursts but wheres the rest of the Money Gone?
According to Queensland Conservation (QCC) the clean coal bubble burst because it was not the proven, fix-all answer the coal industry had claimed.
'As a result, $150 million in taxpayer dollars was invested in the Zero Gen proposal and Government now needs to act to get the money back from the coal industry,' Said QCC Executive Director, Toby Hutcheon.
‘The fact is that the State Government invested in ‘clean coal’ because the industry told them it was the solution to their incredibly high greenhouse gas emissions.’
Harden Up Queensland!
Are you ready for wild weather this storm season? It's only October but Cairns has this week seen more than half a metre of rain while a natural disaster has been declared in Queensland’s west with more than 30,000ha lost to fire.
All the signs are pointing to another La Niña weather pattern. La Niña typically brings above average rainfall and a heightened risk of cyclones - just like it did early this year with disastrous results.
Do you know if your area has experienced floods, storm surges or bushfires? What would you do if wild weather was heading your way? How would you cope if a storm trapped you in your home with no power for three days? Who could you turn to for help?
You need to get informed and Harden Up...