80 Black Swans Return To Narrabeen Lagoon
Photo courtesy Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment
Photo courtesy Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment
Hoverfly Feasting On Nectar At Palm Beach
Tumbledown Dick Hill: Ingleside - 1951
Roadside stop in 1951 in colour from what were then practically the rural outskirts of Sydney. Source: heavylambs panoramia
Some state the hill's name came from the name of either a horse or some other four legged wonder who kept falling down the hill!
In research we've done horses did have problems getting down this hill during the 1800's and early 1900's and were even cautioned once the track became a dirt road that was then tarred.
Roadside stop in 1951 in colour from what were then practically the rural outskirts of Sydney. Source: heavylambs panoramia
Some state the hill's name came from the name of either a horse or some other four legged wonder who kept falling down the hill!
In research we've done horses did have problems getting down this hill during the 1800's and early 1900's and were even cautioned once the track became a dirt road that was then tarred.
A Few Other Insights
A LITTLE KNOWN BEAUTY SPOT
About midway between Gordon and Rocklily the road winds up the side of a high mountain, locally known as 'Tumbledown Dick,' the views from every bend, being superb. Here would be the place for a fine, up-to-date residential hotel, which would be convenient to the city, would be surrounded by charming scenery, and whose inmates would derive the benefit to be obtained from the pure mountain air, without undergoing the preliminary toil and fatigue of a long railway journey. A few hundred pounds spent on the road would, enable a swift motor-car service to be initiated between this locality and Manly, Narrabeen, or Rocklily, and irrespective of the future, when, without doubt, accommodation houses will be built along this route, the whole extent of the road from Gordon to its terminus at Rocklily or Narrabeen would make an ideal tourist route, and amply justify the money spent in making the road fit for traffic. As to the name of this mountain, 'Tumble-down Dick,' it is high time that such nomenclature of beauty spots should be done away with, and as a suggestion the writer would offer the name of 'Mount Cook,' or 'Cook's Plateau,' as a tribute to the great navigator, whose eyes no doubt rested upon this elevated spot in his memorable passage up the coast in the year 1770. The whole of this region to the west is practically unexplored, a greater part of it being bounded by the area known as the Kuring-gai Chase, and it only awaits development, in the shape of good roads, to make of it a desirable place, where the city merchant could establish his country home, and though almost in touch with the metropolis find himself surrounded by all that is health-giving and enchanting in Nature. A LITTLE KNOWN BEAUTY SPOT. (1909, May 19). The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), p. 22. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164292811
"TUMBLEDOWN DICK"This nickname was borne by Richard Cromwell, second Protector of England, who died in 1712. Son of Oliver Cromwell, he reigned for only nine months after his father's death.He had led a gay youth, loved field sports, and even drunk King Charles' health with Cavaliers, but when the Army made him leave Whitehall he said to adherents, 'I will not have a drop of blood spilt in the preservation of my greatness, which is a burden to me," and went unresistingly into oblivion, taking with him an old hair trunk of documents. He was £29,000 to debt, due partly to his father's funeral, and he had been in great danger of arrest, but, prudently “Shut himself up in his cabinet" and went to France, where he lived in retirement as John Clarke, reading and painting landscapes."TUMBLEDOWN DICK" (1942, October 28). The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), , p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article193188654
TUMBLEDOWN DICK.Old witch flying on a kitchen chair,Cat on her shoulder, tail In the airMan in the moon goes shivery all over.Calls to his little dog, "At them, Rover!"Cat starts mialling,Dog bow-wowing,Moon gets terrified and tips right over;Man comes tumbling down into a motor."Hey!" says the taxi-man, "where shall I go ter?""Take me to Norwich,They've hot pease-porridge,That's what I want, for I'm shivery all over;I can't find my way there without little Rover!"L. H. ALLEN.TUMBLEDOWN DICK. (1926, May 29). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), , p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16295334
TRAINING CAMP FOR BOY SCOUT OFFICERS. APPROACH TO THE CAMP, BETWEEN PYMBLE AND NARRABEEN, TO BE OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL ON MARCH 7.
This beautiful stretch of country is the gift of Mr. V. Roinel and Mr. and Mrs. Danvers Power, to the Boy Scout movement of New South Wales, for a training camp for officers and rovers, similar to the well known establishment at Gillwell Park in England. The cleared space In the picture indicates the site of the actual camp itself. The estate, which is now the splendid domain of the Boy Scout movement, is known as Korman Hurst, and is at the foot of Tumbledown Dick Hill, between Pymble and Narrabeen. Mr. Kelso King has provided the funds for fitting out the camp, which will be opened on March 7 by the Governor-General (Lord Forster). The estate, eminently fitted, li. is considered, for tho work of the movement, includes three structures, one of which a three-roomed cottage will be used as a clubroom and library. The two other buildings will be used for Red Cross purposes and for stores and offices. An Honourable Charge has been Issued by the Chief Scout (Major-Gcneral Sir Robert Baden-Powell) to Mr. Hartley MacAlllster, Deputy Commissioner, authorising him to act as a Deputy Camp Chief at the now camp. Accompanying this document were the little badge beads of office.TRAINING CAMP FOR BOY SCOUT OFFICERS. (1925, January 17). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16187662
TUMBLEDOWN DICK RESERVE.
The NRMA recently approached the Lands Department with a suggestion that two areas on Tumbledown Dick Hill on the road between St Ives and Mona Vale, French's Forest be acquired as public reserves The Department has advised the association that the site on the southern side of the road is on freehold land, and it considers that the entailed resumption would not be warranted Regarding the area on the northern side however a comprehensive design for future disposal of a large area of Crown land in this locallty is, being prepared and an appropriate area will be set aside for public recreation when the scheme is finalised. TUMBLEDOWN DICK RESERVE. (1939, April 25). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), , p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17592512
A LITTLE KNOWN BEAUTY SPOT
About midway between Gordon and Rocklily the road winds up the side of a high mountain, locally known as 'Tumbledown Dick,' the views from every bend, being superb. Here would be the place for a fine, up-to-date residential hotel, which would be convenient to the city, would be surrounded by charming scenery, and whose inmates would derive the benefit to be obtained from the pure mountain air, without undergoing the preliminary toil and fatigue of a long railway journey. A few hundred pounds spent on the road would, enable a swift motor-car service to be initiated between this locality and Manly, Narrabeen, or Rocklily, and irrespective of the future, when, without doubt, accommodation houses will be built along this route, the whole extent of the road from Gordon to its terminus at Rocklily or Narrabeen would make an ideal tourist route, and amply justify the money spent in making the road fit for traffic.
As to the name of this mountain, 'Tumble-down Dick,' it is high time that such nomenclature of beauty spots should be done away with, and as a suggestion the writer would offer the name of 'Mount Cook,' or 'Cook's Plateau,' as a tribute to the great navigator, whose eyes no doubt rested upon this elevated spot in his memorable passage up the coast in the year 1770. The whole of this region to the west is practically unexplored, a greater part of it being bounded by the area known as the Kuring-gai Chase, and it only awaits development, in the shape of good roads, to make of it a desirable place, where the city merchant could establish his country home, and though almost in touch with the metropolis find himself surrounded by all that is health-giving and enchanting in Nature. A LITTLE KNOWN BEAUTY SPOT. (1909, May 19). The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), p. 22. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164292811
"TUMBLEDOWN DICK"
This nickname was borne by Richard Cromwell, second Protector of England, who died in 1712. Son of Oliver Cromwell, he reigned for only nine months after his father's death.
He had led a gay youth, loved field sports, and even drunk King Charles' health with Cavaliers, but when the Army made him leave Whitehall he said to adherents, 'I will not have a drop of blood spilt in the preservation of my greatness, which is a burden to me," and went unresistingly into oblivion, taking with him an old hair trunk of documents. He was £29,000 to debt, due partly to his father's funeral, and he had been in great danger of arrest, but, prudently “Shut himself up in his cabinet" and went to France, where he lived in retirement as John Clarke, reading and painting landscapes.
"TUMBLEDOWN DICK" (1942, October 28). The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW : 1856 - 1861; 1863 - 1889; 1891 - 1954), , p. 2. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article193188654
TUMBLEDOWN DICK.
Old witch flying on a kitchen chair,
Cat on her shoulder, tail In the air
Man in the moon goes shivery all over.
Calls to his little dog, "At them, Rover!"
Cat starts mialling,
Dog bow-wowing,
Moon gets terrified and tips right over;
Man comes tumbling down into a motor.
"Hey!" says the taxi-man, "where shall I go ter?"
"Take me to Norwich,
They've hot pease-porridge,
That's what I want, for I'm shivery all over;
I can't find my way there without little Rover!"
L. H. ALLEN.
TUMBLEDOWN DICK. (1926, May 29). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), , p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16295334
TRAINING CAMP FOR BOY SCOUT OFFICERS. APPROACH TO THE CAMP, BETWEEN PYMBLE AND NARRABEEN, TO BE OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL ON MARCH 7.
This beautiful stretch of country is the gift of Mr. V. Roinel and Mr. and Mrs. Danvers Power, to the Boy Scout movement of New South Wales, for a training camp for officers and rovers, similar to the well known establishment at Gillwell Park in England. The cleared space In the picture indicates the site of the actual camp itself. The estate, which is now the splendid domain of the Boy Scout movement, is known as Korman Hurst, and is at the foot of Tumbledown Dick Hill, between Pymble and Narrabeen. Mr. Kelso King has provided the funds for fitting out the camp, which will be opened on March 7 by the Governor-General (Lord Forster). The estate, eminently fitted, li. is considered, for tho work of the movement, includes three structures, one of which a three-roomed cottage will be used as a clubroom and library. The two other buildings will be used for Red Cross purposes and for stores and offices. An Honourable Charge has been Issued by the Chief Scout (Major-Gcneral Sir Robert Baden-Powell) to Mr. Hartley MacAlllster, Deputy Commissioner, authorising him to act as a Deputy Camp Chief at the now camp. Accompanying this document were the little badge beads of office.TRAINING CAMP FOR BOY SCOUT OFFICERS. (1925, January 17). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16187662
TUMBLEDOWN DICK RESERVE.
The NRMA recently approached the Lands Department with a suggestion that two areas on Tumbledown Dick Hill on the road between St Ives and Mona Vale, French's Forest be acquired as public reserves The Department has advised the association that the site on the southern side of the road is on freehold land, and it considers that the entailed resumption would not be warranted Regarding the area on the northern side however a comprehensive design for future disposal of a large area of Crown land in this locallty is, being prepared and an appropriate area will be set aside for public recreation when the scheme is finalised. TUMBLEDOWN DICK RESERVE. (1939, April 25). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), , p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17592512
Search For ET Underway With CSIRO'S Parkes Radio Telescope
8 November, 2016: CSIROBreakthrough Listen, the 10-year, $100-million astronomical search for intelligent life beyond Earth launched in 2015 by Internet entrepreneur Yuri Milner and Stephen Hawking today announced its first observations using CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope.
Parkes has joined two US telescopes, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia and the Automated Planet Finder at Lick Observatory in California, in their ongoing surveys to determine whether civilisations exist elsewhere and have developed technologies similar to our own.
Image: Parkes radio telescope (Photo: Shaun Amy)
Yuri Milner, founder of the Breakthrough Initiatives which include Breakthrough Listen, said the addition of Parkes was an important milestone.
"These major instruments are the ears of planet Earth, and now they are listening for signs of other civilisations," Mr Milner said.
After 14 days of commissioning and test observations, 'first light' for Breakthrough Listen at Parkes was achieved this morning (8 November (local time)) with an observation of the newly-discovered Earth-size planet orbiting the nearest star to our Sun, Proxima Centauri.
A red dwarf star 4.3 light years from Earth, Proxima Centauri is known to have a planet ('Proxima b') orbiting within its habitable zone, the region where water could exist in liquid form on the planet's surface.
Such 'exo-Earths' are among the primary targets for Breakthrough Listen.
Dr Andrew Siemion, Director of Berkeley SETI Research Center and leader of the Breakthrough Listen science program, said the chances of any particular planet hosting intelligent life-forms are probably minuscule.
"But once we knew there was a planet right next door, we had to ask the question, and it was a fitting first observation for Parkes," Dr Siemion said.
"To find a civilisation just 4.2 light years away would change everything."
CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope is perfectly positioned to observe parts of the sky that can't be seen from the northern hemisphere, including the centre of our own Milky Way galaxy, large swaths of the Galactic plane, and numerous other galaxies in the nearby Universe.
Dr Douglas Bock, Director of CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science, said the Parkes telescope was one of the most highly cited radio telescopes in the world.
"The Parkes radio telescope has a long list of achievements to its credit, including the discovery of the first 'fast radio burst'," Dr Bock said.
"Its unique view of the southern hemisphere sky and cutting-edge instrumentation means it now also has a great opportunity to contribute to the search for extra-terrestrial life."
Swinburne University of Technology is working closely with University of California, Berkeley, and CSIRO to design and implement a signal-processing and data-storage system for the project that will make the Breakthrough Listen data available to the science community.
Professor Matthew Bailes, ARC Laureate Fellow at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University of Technology, and the Breakthrough Listen project's Australian science coordinator, said Breakthrough Listen would do more than just hunt for ET.
"The detection system on Parkes will be simultaneously searching for naturally occurring phenomena such as pulsars and fast radio bursts, which are a large part of Parkes' present work," Dr Bailes said.
"The Australian science community welcomes the opportunity to share the Breakthrough Listen data for other ongoing research projects."
Breakthrough Listen will use 25 per cent of the science time available on the Parkes radio telescope over the next five years.
The Breakthrough Listen science program is directly aligned with CSIRO's strategy to operate world-class national facilities for the use of scientists, to ensure that those facilities are adequately and sustainably funded, and to facilitate the delivery of world-leading science outcomes and impact.Parkes radio telescope.© 2005 Shaun Amy
8 November, 2016: CSIRO
Breakthrough Listen, the 10-year, $100-million astronomical search for intelligent life beyond Earth launched in 2015 by Internet entrepreneur Yuri Milner and Stephen Hawking today announced its first observations using CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope.
Parkes has joined two US telescopes, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia and the Automated Planet Finder at Lick Observatory in California, in their ongoing surveys to determine whether civilisations exist elsewhere and have developed technologies similar to our own.
Image: Parkes radio telescope (Photo: Shaun Amy)
Yuri Milner, founder of the Breakthrough Initiatives which include Breakthrough Listen, said the addition of Parkes was an important milestone.
"These major instruments are the ears of planet Earth, and now they are listening for signs of other civilisations," Mr Milner said.
After 14 days of commissioning and test observations, 'first light' for Breakthrough Listen at Parkes was achieved this morning (8 November (local time)) with an observation of the newly-discovered Earth-size planet orbiting the nearest star to our Sun, Proxima Centauri.
A red dwarf star 4.3 light years from Earth, Proxima Centauri is known to have a planet ('Proxima b') orbiting within its habitable zone, the region where water could exist in liquid form on the planet's surface.
Such 'exo-Earths' are among the primary targets for Breakthrough Listen.
Dr Andrew Siemion, Director of Berkeley SETI Research Center and leader of the Breakthrough Listen science program, said the chances of any particular planet hosting intelligent life-forms are probably minuscule.
"But once we knew there was a planet right next door, we had to ask the question, and it was a fitting first observation for Parkes," Dr Siemion said.
"To find a civilisation just 4.2 light years away would change everything."
CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope is perfectly positioned to observe parts of the sky that can't be seen from the northern hemisphere, including the centre of our own Milky Way galaxy, large swaths of the Galactic plane, and numerous other galaxies in the nearby Universe.
Dr Douglas Bock, Director of CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science, said the Parkes telescope was one of the most highly cited radio telescopes in the world.
"The Parkes radio telescope has a long list of achievements to its credit, including the discovery of the first 'fast radio burst'," Dr Bock said.
"Its unique view of the southern hemisphere sky and cutting-edge instrumentation means it now also has a great opportunity to contribute to the search for extra-terrestrial life."
Swinburne University of Technology is working closely with University of California, Berkeley, and CSIRO to design and implement a signal-processing and data-storage system for the project that will make the Breakthrough Listen data available to the science community.
Professor Matthew Bailes, ARC Laureate Fellow at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University of Technology, and the Breakthrough Listen project's Australian science coordinator, said Breakthrough Listen would do more than just hunt for ET.
"The detection system on Parkes will be simultaneously searching for naturally occurring phenomena such as pulsars and fast radio bursts, which are a large part of Parkes' present work," Dr Bailes said.
"The Australian science community welcomes the opportunity to share the Breakthrough Listen data for other ongoing research projects."
Breakthrough Listen will use 25 per cent of the science time available on the Parkes radio telescope over the next five years.
The Breakthrough Listen science program is directly aligned with CSIRO's strategy to operate world-class national facilities for the use of scientists, to ensure that those facilities are adequately and sustainably funded, and to facilitate the delivery of world-leading science outcomes and impact.
Parkes radio telescope.© 2005 Shaun Amy
Native Vegetation Act To Be Repealed, Replaced With New And Fairer System
Crown Land Management Bill 2016
Biodiversity Conservation Bill 2016
Local Land Services Amendment Bill 2016
Wilpinjong Coal Mine Conditions Considered Community Feedback
New Land Clearing Laws Have No Scientific Credibility: Renowned Professor Resigns
A Plastic Ocean – Film Screening Avalon
Thursday, November 17 at 7 PM - 10 PM
Avalon Bowlo1 Bowling Green Lane, Avalon.$15.00 Tickets at HERE
A Plastic Ocean is a new feature-length adventure documentary that brings to light the consequences of our global disposable lifestyle. We thought we could use plastic once and throw it away with negligible impact to humans and animals. That turns out to be untrue.
SUNDAY MORNING BIRDWATCHING with PNHA
Would you like to know more about our local birds and explore our bushland reserves? Then join us on one of our bird walks:
Our last walk of the year is at 7.30am on Sunday 27 November at Warriewood Wetlands. The summer migratory species will have arrived and the Wetlands will be home to nesting birds and birds with young. there should be plenty to see.Meet at Katoa Close, North Narrabeen.
Most walks last a couple of hours. Bring binoculars and morning tea for afterwards if you like. Contact pnhabirdwatching@gmail.com for details of each walk.
Thursday, November 17 at 7 PM - 10 PMAvalon Bowlo
1 Bowling Green Lane, Avalon.
$15.00 Tickets at HERE
A Plastic Ocean is a new feature-length adventure documentary that brings to light the consequences of our global disposable lifestyle. We thought we could use plastic once and throw it away with negligible impact to humans and animals. That turns out to be untrue.
SUNDAY MORNING BIRDWATCHING with PNHA
Would you like to know more about our local birds and explore our bushland reserves? Then join us on one of our bird walks:
Our last walk of the year is at 7.30am on Sunday 27 November at Warriewood Wetlands. The summer migratory species will have arrived and the Wetlands will be home to nesting birds and birds with young. there should be plenty to see.Meet at Katoa Close, North Narrabeen.
Most walks last a couple of hours. Bring binoculars and morning tea for afterwards if you like. Contact pnhabirdwatching@gmail.com for details of each walk.
Native Bee Workshop
On: November 20, 2016Go to the Permaculture Northern Beaches workshop and learn about the amazing little Australian Native Bee. Learn about our different types of Native Bees and the vital work they do in pollinating plants in our gardens. Learn how to take care of them, how to split the hive each year, and see the honey they produce. This will be a great workshop! Trainer: Gavin Smith, local native bee expert.
Book early: Maximum 30 people
The workshop will run from 10am to 1pm and cost $25 per person to be paid in cash on the day (PNB members $20).
For more information, visit: ecohouseandgarden.com.au or email Kimbriki@kimbriki.com or call Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre on 9486 3512.
SPECIAL EVENT WITH AUSTRALIA'S LEADING EXPERTS IN SEED SAVING JUDE AND MICHEL FANTONand MC - WENDY HARMER Thursday November 24 at 7pm at Dee Why RSL
Seeds provide much of the nutritional value that humans need and seed plants are the foundation of human diets across the world, yet the industrial food chain continues to control and direct the food we have access to and this is reflected in what is being served in dining rooms across this country every night. Meanwhile there is environmental destruction, social upheaval and land grabs on a massive scale and we have become content with paying a premium to consume food like substances that are bad for our bodies.
Save Our Seeds is a social impact and environmental event hosted by Permaculture Northern Beaches, and Kimbriki. This event will answer some serious and fundamental questions around the importance of the humble seed to food security and biodiversity.
Australia's leading seed experts Michel and Jude Fanton founded The Seed Savers’ Network in Australia in 1986 which quickly attracted national attention, www.seedsavers.net They now manage over 100 local seed networks in Australia, have initiated seed saving in 44 countries, and assisted setting up 35 food biodiversity projects. They bring the message of the need to conserve traditional varieties of food plants to Sydney for this one only event.
The night's MC is radio broadcaster, author and local legend - Wendy Harmer.
If you are interested in learning about easy and practical ways of saving and sprouting seeds or connecting with other like minded individuals and organizations then this is a must see event. There will also be seed giveaways and raffle prizes. Numbers are limited and bookings are essential. Reserve your place using the link below:
ENTRY BY DONATION - 7PM AT DEE WHY RSL Showroom at 932 Pittwater Road, Dee Why.
On: November 20, 2016Go to the Permaculture Northern Beaches workshop and learn about the amazing little Australian Native Bee. Learn about our different types of Native Bees and the vital work they do in pollinating plants in our gardens. Learn how to take care of them, how to split the hive each year, and see the honey they produce. This will be a great workshop! Trainer: Gavin Smith, local native bee expert.
Book early: Maximum 30 people
The workshop will run from 10am to 1pm and cost $25 per person to be paid in cash on the day (PNB members $20).
For more information, visit: ecohouseandgarden.com.au or email Kimbriki@kimbriki.com or call Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre on 9486 3512.
SPECIAL EVENT WITH AUSTRALIA'S LEADING EXPERTS IN SEED SAVING
JUDE AND MICHEL FANTON
and MC - WENDY HARMER
Thursday November 24 at 7pm
at Dee Why RSL
Seeds provide much of the nutritional value that humans need and seed plants are the foundation of human diets across the world, yet the industrial food chain continues to control and direct the food we have access to and this is reflected in what is being served in dining rooms across this country every night. Meanwhile there is environmental destruction, social upheaval and land grabs on a massive scale and we have become content with paying a premium to consume food like substances that are bad for our bodies.Save Our Seeds is a social impact and environmental event hosted by Permaculture Northern Beaches, and Kimbriki. This event will answer some serious and fundamental questions around the importance of the humble seed to food security and biodiversity.
Australia's leading seed experts Michel and Jude Fanton founded The Seed Savers’ Network in Australia in 1986 which quickly attracted national attention, www.seedsavers.net They now manage over 100 local seed networks in Australia, have initiated seed saving in 44 countries, and assisted setting up 35 food biodiversity projects. They bring the message of the need to conserve traditional varieties of food plants to Sydney for this one only event.
The night's MC is radio broadcaster, author and local legend - Wendy Harmer.
If you are interested in learning about easy and practical ways of saving and sprouting seeds or connecting with other like minded individuals and organizations then this is a must see event. There will also be seed giveaways and raffle prizes. Numbers are limited and bookings are essential. Reserve your place using the link below:
ENTRY BY DONATION - 7PM AT DEE WHY RSL Showroom at 932 Pittwater Road, Dee Why.
Community Groups Announce Boycott Of “Meaningless Sham” Public Hearing For Wilpinjong Coal Mine
Published: November 07, 2016 - Lock the Gate AllianceAn Alliance of community groups has announced it will boycott the public hearing of the Planning Assessment Commission review into the Wilpinjong Extension coal project, calling the event a “meaningless sham set up to deny the public our legal right to challenge mine approvals in court.”
The Hunter Central Rivers Alliance includes 43 community groups from across the region, concerned with the impacts of coal and gas mining. The Alliance wrote to Minister Stokes in September urging him not to extinguish legal appeal rights of local communities impacted by inappropriate coal mine proposals.
Today, the Minister has announced a public hearing will be held into the Wilpinjong mine expansion which means community of Wollar, which will be wiped off the map by the project, will lose their legal right of appeal.The Department’s Assessment Report, released today, admits that over the last ten years the Wilpinjong coal mine has been responsible for the decimation of the village of Wollar, and that affected the viability of a range of community services, including the local Rural Fire Service, but proposes the expansion go ahead anyway because the damage cannot now be reversed.
“We will boycott this ridiculous charade of public consultation they call a public hearing,” said Steve Phillips, convenor of the Hunter Central Rivers Alliance, “and we'll organise a protest event in Mudgee and Sydney for the affected community and their supporters to come to instead.”
“We're tired of lending legitimacy to a process that's deaf to the suffering that coal mining is inflicting on NSW communities, that's essentially a box-checking exercise along the mine approval time line. We're disgusted that this government keeps handing out coal mining approvals while cynically taking away the public’s right to challenge the merits of bad decisions in a court of law,” said Phillips.
Under NSW law, when the Planning Assessment Commission holds a “public hearing” as part of a review of a proposed coal mine, the public loses third-party merits-appeal rights - the right to challenge the merits of a subsequent mine approval in the Land and Environment Court. This kind of “merits appeal” is what the community of Bulga used to overturn the 2012 approval of Rio Tinto's Warkworth coal mine expansion, and it allows for the robust and unbiased review of the supposed merits of a coal project in court.
A “public hearing” provides no such robust review and intensifies conflict and division, allowing for no debate, discussion, or interrogation of claims and counter-claims, and no opportunity to resolve issues or establish middle ground.
“The Department’s report has admitted that the Wilpinjong coal mine has had profound effects on my community at Wollar and that this expansion is the death warrant for what remains of the village and surrounding community. We have lost faith in the ability of the public hearing process to protect us and prevent this mine from wiping us out,” said Bev Smiles, of Wollar.
“We need our legal rights restored. We don't need another PAC public hearing circus, where our objections can be raised but are never responded to.
“The loss of our legal merits-appeal rights is one of the most unfair and egregious failings of this government's approach to coal mine approvals. It is imperative that these rights are restored for the Bylong and Wilpinjong projects,” said Smiles.
The Assessment report and referral to the PAC are available here: http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=6764#
The community groups’ letter announcing the intended boycott is here
__________________________
Background- For almost 40 years the Land and Environment Court’s jurisdiction has included merits review in planning and other matters.
- However, under existing legislation these appeal rights are extinguished if, before consent is granted, the Planning Assessment Commission holds a public hearing into the matter, this being done at the request of the Minister (or Secretary of the Department) on a case by case basis
- Some 38 matters have gone to a PAC public hearing at the request of the Minister (or Secretary) since the inception of the PAC in 2008, of which 29 have been for resource projects.
- Merits review provides an opportunity for fulsome public participation in large-scale projects across NSW. This is important in itself but also acts as a key check and balance in the system. As the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has noted: “Community participation… act[s] as a counter balance to corrupt influences. The erosion of these requirements in the planning system reduces scrutiny of planning decisions and makes it easier to facilitate a corrupt decision.
- The NSW EDO in their ‘Merits Review in Planning in NSW’ report, found that, “the consistency, quality, fairness and accountability of merits review decision-making by the Land and Environment Court results in better environmental and social outcomes and contrasts with poorer outcomes and inferior processes in PAC public hearings.”
- Extinguishment of third party appeals to the Land and Environment Court disempowers disaffected community groups, and deprives the public of the benefit of good decision-making in environmental matters and consequently serves to undermine the integrity of the planning system.
WILPINJONG EXTENSION PROJECTRESPONSE TO SUBMISSIONS - 2.3 Biodiversity (pages 12-13) - May 2016 by Peabody EnergyMunghorn Gap Nature Reserve BufferIssueThe OEH recommends that a buffer of at least 50 m is maintained between any open cut mining operations or infrastructure and the adjacent Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve. ResponseWCPL note that the Guidelines for Developments Adjoining Land Managed by the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH, 2013) state:Given the differences between sites and development types, it is not possible to specify a standard buffer; each development will need to be assessed on its merits. Developments that are designed to besympathetic to adjoining lands, and to integrate with the landscape, are likely to require less need for buffers or set-backs.Where there is no buffer, consideration should be given to developing appropriate conditions or land management practices that minimise the potential edge effects from development.
It is noted that a 50 m buffer was accepted as a limit on mining proximity by the proponent of Stage 2 of the Moolarben Coal Project between the open cut mining and the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve during the life of the project.WCPL has calculated the impact of the NSW government imposing a 50 m proximity limit on the open cut pit extensions for the Project and this indicates that some 350,000 tonnes of run-of-mine (ROM) coal would be sterilised along approximately 2 km of pit if this was to occur. It is noted that WCPL has an obligation to recover economically viable coal reserves within its mining lease.
WCPL does not consider that a nominal 50 m buffer distance from the open cut is warranted for the Project given:• WCPL is not aware of any ecological basis for this nominal buffer that has arisen from previous Moolarben consent condition negotiations.• The approved Wilpinjong Coal Mine does not operate to such a limit, and clearing of vegetation adjoining the reserve would be a short to medium-term impact. The pits would be progressively mined and rehabilitated to minimise the potential short-term edge effects from the Project.• A key objective of the mine rehabilitation in the long-term is to increase the continuity of woodland vegetation by establishing links between woodland vegetation in the rehabilitation areas and existing vegetation in the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve (i.e. a post-mining improvement inecological connectivity).• The Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve (and Goulburn River National Park) would be extended if the Project is approved (i.e. by incorporation of proposed Project biodiversity offset areas) that would result in a material gain to the reserve system, that would be expected to far outweigh anytemporal impacts along small sections of the reserve boundary associated with mining proximity.Notwithstanding the above, WCPL has considered the OEH recommendation and feedback from the DP&E, and is prepared to accept a setback of some 20 m between the surveyed boundary of theMunghorn Gap Nature Reserve and the limit of the open cut in the Project open cut extension areas.This proposed alternative limit would have a lesser adverse impact on Project open cut mining reserves than a nominal 50 m buffer, and Project development within the 20 m buffer would be limited to access tracks, upslope drainage and other ancillary development activities that are typically located on pit boundaries. _________________________
STATE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT - NSW Government Department of Planning & EnvironmentWilpinjong Extension Project (SSD 6764)Secretary’s Environmental Assessment ReportSection 89E of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979Biodiversity - Page IVThe project would disturb around 1,000 hectares of land comprising a mixture of woodland and cleared grazing land on the valley floors between the Goulburn River National Park and the Munghorn GapNature Reserve. In total, the project would clear 354 hectares of native woodland vegetation, including 19 hectares of endangered ecological communities and 190 hectares of threatened Regent Honeyeater habitat.The Department is satisfied that WCPL has avoided impacts on biodiversity as far as practicable, and due to the location of the coal resource there are limited opportunities to further avoid these impacts.In accordance with the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Policy for Major Projects, WCPL proposes to compensate for these impacts through a comprehensive biodiversity offset strategy, incorporating:- almost 1,000 hectares of land based offsets adjacent to existing conservation reserves;
- rehabilitation of almost 3,000 hectares of the land disturbed by mining to woodland, targeting
- vegetation communities suitable for the Regent Honeyeater; and
- $660,000 towards the recovery program for the Regent Honeyeater targeting release of captive birds into the wild.
Both the Department and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) consider that the overall offset strategy provides an appropriate balance between land based offsets, maximising the ecological benefits of mine rehabilitation, and targeted contributions towards maintaining populations of critically endangered species.With proper governance, the Department considers that the strategy has the potential to substantially improve biodiversity values and habitat connectivity in the region, particularly by creating substantial habitat corridor between the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Goulburn River National Park.
_________________________
The Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve is a protected nature reserve that is located in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The 5,934-hectare (14,660-acre) reserve is situated on the Great Dividing Range, 35 kilometres (22 mi) north-east of Mudgee. It is the second oldest nature reserve in Australia is steeped in Aboriginal heritage. The Castle Rocks walking trail reveals pagoda-like sandstone formations.
Many plants and animals are at their eastern or westernmost points of natural distribution. The reserve is situated at one of the lowest points of the Great Divide. The streams forming from the east reach the Hunter River, and those from the west eventually flow to the Darling River.
The flora of the area is an interesting combination of the moist mountain plants and those of the drier western plains. Vegetation is mostly dominated by Eucalyptus and Callitris pine.
The reserve is particularly noted for the high bird diversity. It lies within the Mudgee-Wollar Important Bird Area, so identified by BirdLife International because of its importance for the endangered regent honeyeater.Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve is a particularly important place for Wiradjuri people.
Regent honeyeater - at Adelaide Zoo, photo by Jessica Bonsell
Count of Public Submissions on Wilpinjong Extension Project on NSW Dept. of Planning & Environment website and webapge for abovePublic Feedback 714 Submissions - 96 Support - 618 ObjectGovt, Agency & Org. 41 Submissions - 12 Support - 17 Object - 12 Comments
Published: November 07, 2016 - Lock the Gate Alliance
An Alliance of community groups has announced it will boycott the public hearing of the Planning Assessment Commission review into the Wilpinjong Extension coal project, calling the event a “meaningless sham set up to deny the public our legal right to challenge mine approvals in court.”
The Hunter Central Rivers Alliance includes 43 community groups from across the region, concerned with the impacts of coal and gas mining. The Alliance wrote to Minister Stokes in September urging him not to extinguish legal appeal rights of local communities impacted by inappropriate coal mine proposals.
Today, the Minister has announced a public hearing will be held into the Wilpinjong mine expansion which means community of Wollar, which will be wiped off the map by the project, will lose their legal right of appeal.
The Department’s Assessment Report, released today, admits that over the last ten years the Wilpinjong coal mine has been responsible for the decimation of the village of Wollar, and that affected the viability of a range of community services, including the local Rural Fire Service, but proposes the expansion go ahead anyway because the damage cannot now be reversed.
“We will boycott this ridiculous charade of public consultation they call a public hearing,” said Steve Phillips, convenor of the Hunter Central Rivers Alliance, “and we'll organise a protest event in Mudgee and Sydney for the affected community and their supporters to come to instead.”
“We're tired of lending legitimacy to a process that's deaf to the suffering that coal mining is inflicting on NSW communities, that's essentially a box-checking exercise along the mine approval time line. We're disgusted that this government keeps handing out coal mining approvals while cynically taking away the public’s right to challenge the merits of bad decisions in a court of law,” said Phillips.
Under NSW law, when the Planning Assessment Commission holds a “public hearing” as part of a review of a proposed coal mine, the public loses third-party merits-appeal rights - the right to challenge the merits of a subsequent mine approval in the Land and Environment Court. This kind of “merits appeal” is what the community of Bulga used to overturn the 2012 approval of Rio Tinto's Warkworth coal mine expansion, and it allows for the robust and unbiased review of the supposed merits of a coal project in court.
A “public hearing” provides no such robust review and intensifies conflict and division, allowing for no debate, discussion, or interrogation of claims and counter-claims, and no opportunity to resolve issues or establish middle ground.
“The Department’s report has admitted that the Wilpinjong coal mine has had profound effects on my community at Wollar and that this expansion is the death warrant for what remains of the village and surrounding community. We have lost faith in the ability of the public hearing process to protect us and prevent this mine from wiping us out,” said Bev Smiles, of Wollar.
“We need our legal rights restored. We don't need another PAC public hearing circus, where our objections can be raised but are never responded to.
“The loss of our legal merits-appeal rights is one of the most unfair and egregious failings of this government's approach to coal mine approvals. It is imperative that these rights are restored for the Bylong and Wilpinjong projects,” said Smiles.
The Assessment report and referral to the PAC are available here: http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=6764#
The community groups’ letter announcing the intended boycott is here
__________________________
Background
- For almost 40 years the Land and Environment Court’s jurisdiction has included merits review in planning and other matters.
- However, under existing legislation these appeal rights are extinguished if, before consent is granted, the Planning Assessment Commission holds a public hearing into the matter, this being done at the request of the Minister (or Secretary of the Department) on a case by case basis
- Some 38 matters have gone to a PAC public hearing at the request of the Minister (or Secretary) since the inception of the PAC in 2008, of which 29 have been for resource projects.
- Merits review provides an opportunity for fulsome public participation in large-scale projects across NSW. This is important in itself but also acts as a key check and balance in the system. As the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has noted: “Community participation… act[s] as a counter balance to corrupt influences. The erosion of these requirements in the planning system reduces scrutiny of planning decisions and makes it easier to facilitate a corrupt decision.
- The NSW EDO in their ‘Merits Review in Planning in NSW’ report, found that, “the consistency, quality, fairness and accountability of merits review decision-making by the Land and Environment Court results in better environmental and social outcomes and contrasts with poorer outcomes and inferior processes in PAC public hearings.”
- Extinguishment of third party appeals to the Land and Environment Court disempowers disaffected community groups, and deprives the public of the benefit of good decision-making in environmental matters and consequently serves to undermine the integrity of the planning system.
WILPINJONG EXTENSION PROJECT
RESPONSE TO SUBMISSIONS - 2.3 Biodiversity (pages 12-13) - May 2016 by Peabody Energy
Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve Buffer
Issue
The OEH recommends that a buffer of at least 50 m is maintained between any open cut mining operations or infrastructure and the adjacent Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve.
Response
WCPL note that the Guidelines for Developments Adjoining Land Managed by the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH, 2013) state:
Given the differences between sites and development types, it is not possible to specify a standard buffer; each development will need to be assessed on its merits. Developments that are designed to be
sympathetic to adjoining lands, and to integrate with the landscape, are likely to require less need for buffers or set-backs.
Where there is no buffer, consideration should be given to developing appropriate conditions or land management practices that minimise the potential edge effects from development.
It is noted that a 50 m buffer was accepted as a limit on mining proximity by the proponent of Stage 2 of the Moolarben Coal Project between the open cut mining and the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve during the life of the project.
WCPL has calculated the impact of the NSW government imposing a 50 m proximity limit on the open cut pit extensions for the Project and this indicates that some 350,000 tonnes of run-of-mine (ROM) coal would be sterilised along approximately 2 km of pit if this was to occur. It is noted that WCPL has an obligation to recover economically viable coal reserves within its mining lease.
WCPL does not consider that a nominal 50 m buffer distance from the open cut is warranted for the Project given:
• WCPL is not aware of any ecological basis for this nominal buffer that has arisen from previous Moolarben consent condition negotiations.
• The approved Wilpinjong Coal Mine does not operate to such a limit, and clearing of vegetation adjoining the reserve would be a short to medium-term impact. The pits would be progressively mined and rehabilitated to minimise the potential short-term edge effects from the Project.
• A key objective of the mine rehabilitation in the long-term is to increase the continuity of woodland vegetation by establishing links between woodland vegetation in the rehabilitation areas and existing vegetation in the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve (i.e. a post-mining improvement in
ecological connectivity).
• The Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve (and Goulburn River National Park) would be extended if the Project is approved (i.e. by incorporation of proposed Project biodiversity offset areas) that would result in a material gain to the reserve system, that would be expected to far outweigh any
temporal impacts along small sections of the reserve boundary associated with mining proximity.
Notwithstanding the above, WCPL has considered the OEH recommendation and feedback from the DP&E, and is prepared to accept a setback of some 20 m between the surveyed boundary of the
Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and the limit of the open cut in the Project open cut extension areas.
This proposed alternative limit would have a lesser adverse impact on Project open cut mining reserves than a nominal 50 m buffer, and Project development within the 20 m buffer would be limited to access tracks, upslope drainage and other ancillary development activities that are typically located on pit boundaries.
_________________________
STATE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT - NSW Government Department of Planning & Environment
Wilpinjong Extension Project (SSD 6764)
Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Report
Section 89E of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
Biodiversity - Page IV
The project would disturb around 1,000 hectares of land comprising a mixture of woodland and cleared
grazing land on the valley floors between the Goulburn River National Park and the Munghorn Gap
Nature Reserve. In total, the project would clear 354 hectares of native woodland vegetation, including
19 hectares of endangered ecological communities and 190 hectares of threatened Regent Honeyeater
habitat.
The Department is satisfied that WCPL has avoided impacts on biodiversity as far as practicable, and
due to the location of the coal resource there are limited opportunities to further avoid these impacts.
In accordance with the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Policy for Major Projects, WCPL proposes to
compensate for these impacts through a comprehensive biodiversity offset strategy, incorporating:
- almost 1,000 hectares of land based offsets adjacent to existing conservation reserves;
- rehabilitation of almost 3,000 hectares of the land disturbed by mining to woodland, targeting
- vegetation communities suitable for the Regent Honeyeater; and
- $660,000 towards the recovery program for the Regent Honeyeater targeting release of captivebirds into the wild.
Both the Department and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) consider that the overall
offset strategy provides an appropriate balance between land based offsets, maximising the ecological
benefits of mine rehabilitation, and targeted contributions towards maintaining populations of critically
endangered species.
With proper governance, the Department considers that the strategy has the potential to substantially
improve biodiversity values and habitat connectivity in the region, particularly by creating substantial
habitat corridor between the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Goulburn River National Park.
_________________________
The Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve is a protected nature reserve that is located in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The 5,934-hectare (14,660-acre) reserve is situated on the Great Dividing Range, 35 kilometres (22 mi) north-east of Mudgee. It is the second oldest nature reserve in Australia is steeped in Aboriginal heritage. The Castle Rocks walking trail reveals pagoda-like sandstone formations.
Many plants and animals are at their eastern or westernmost points of natural distribution. The reserve is situated at one of the lowest points of the Great Divide. The streams forming from the east reach the Hunter River, and those from the west eventually flow to the Darling River.
The flora of the area is an interesting combination of the moist mountain plants and those of the drier western plains. Vegetation is mostly dominated by Eucalyptus and Callitris pine.
The reserve is particularly noted for the high bird diversity. It lies within the Mudgee-Wollar Important Bird Area, so identified by BirdLife International because of its importance for the endangered regent honeyeater.
Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve is a particularly important place for Wiradjuri people.
Regent honeyeater - at Adelaide Zoo, photo by Jessica Bonsell
Count of Public Submissions on Wilpinjong Extension Project on NSW Dept. of Planning & Environment website and webapge for above
Public Feedback 714 Submissions - 96 Support - 618 Object
Govt, Agency & Org. 41 Submissions - 12 Support - 17 Object - 12 Comments
Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities
November 28, 2016 7pm: ForumThis is a most important forum where the Minister for Planning, Rob Stokes, MP, and the Administrator for Northern Beaches Council, Dick Persson, will each speak about Narrabeen Lagoon State Park and its future.
Please make the effort to be there - reply to this email: email@narrabeenlagoon.org.au giving the name/s of people wanting to attend and we will send you your ticket/s.
Enjoy the outdoors with one of these walksTerrey Hills to Deep Creek Sunday 4/12/20163 hr walk starting 8am at Terrey Hills cross the Deep Creekcatchment valley and feeder creek and end in Oxford Falls.See and identify spectacular Sydney sandstone flora. Bring ascrewdriver for 30 min weeding near the end of the walk.Allow 4 hrs. Carpool required. Phone Conny 0432 643 295
Oxford Falls Triangle 15/1/173 hour bushwalk starting 4.00pm from Morgan Rd, OxfordFalls. We identify plants in blossom and on the way home do20 min weeding of Whisky Grass. Please bring a screwdriveras a digging stick. Phone Conny 0432643295
November 28, 2016 7pm: ForumThis is a most important forum where the Minister for Planning, Rob Stokes, MP, and the Administrator for Northern Beaches Council, Dick Persson, will each speak about Narrabeen Lagoon State Park and its future.
Please make the effort to be there - reply to this email: email@narrabeenlagoon.org.au giving the name/s of people wanting to attend and we will send you your ticket/s.
Enjoy the outdoors with one of these walks
Terrey Hills to Deep Creek Sunday 4/12/2016
3 hr walk starting 8am at Terrey Hills cross the Deep Creek
catchment valley and feeder creek and end in Oxford Falls.
See and identify spectacular Sydney sandstone flora. Bring a
screwdriver for 30 min weeding near the end of the walk.
Allow 4 hrs. Carpool required. Phone Conny 0432 643 295
Oxford Falls Triangle 15/1/17
3 hour bushwalk starting 4.00pm from Morgan Rd, Oxford
Falls. We identify plants in blossom and on the way home do
20 min weeding of Whisky Grass. Please bring a screwdriver
as a digging stick. Phone Conny 0432643295
Middle Head Management Plan (Draft Amendment 2)
EPA Appeals For Information After Hundreds Of Birds Poisoned On The Central Coast
EPA Pilot Program Calls For Increased Use Of Construction And Demolition Waste
Annual Reports - Department Of The Environment + Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
Draft National Strategy For Mitigating Vessel Strike Of Marine Mega-Fauna
Watch Out For Baby Whales
Saturday 22 October 2016: Hon. Mark Speakman, Minister for the Environment
With a record number of whales migrating along the NSW coast this year,Environment Minister Mark Speakman is urging whale watchers to keep a safe distance, particularly from mothers with calves.
“The ‘humpback highway’ is playing host to thousands of whales and calves migrating south which has been a delight for spectators right along the coast,” Mr Speakman said.
“But while it is tempting to motor, swim or paddle close to these incredible animals it is important that people behave in a safe manner and give them space.”
Mr Speakman said vessels including kayaks, surf skis and surfboards were required to remain 100m from a whale, or 300m if a calf was present.Unmanned aerial drones were required to stay more than 300m away from marine mammals.
“These regulations are in place to protect both the wellbeing of the animals and the safety of whale watchers,” he said.
“There are plenty of safe ways to view the whale migration. NSW’s headlands have some of the best land-based whale watching spots in the world.”
Top NSW whale watching sites include:- Cape Byron Lighthouse
- Tomaree Head Summit, Tomaree National Park
- Cape Solander, Kamay Botany Bay National Park
- Jervis Bay National Park
- Ben Boyd National Park near Eden
For up to date whale sightings near you, download the free Wild About Whales app or visit wildaboutwhales.com.au
Whale Watching Season runs May-November.
Saturday 22 October 2016: Hon. Mark Speakman, Minister for the Environment
With a record number of whales migrating along the NSW coast this year,
Environment Minister Mark Speakman is urging whale watchers to keep a safe distance, particularly from mothers with calves.
“The ‘humpback highway’ is playing host to thousands of whales and calves migrating south which has been a delight for spectators right along the coast,” Mr Speakman said.
“But while it is tempting to motor, swim or paddle close to these incredible animals it is important that people behave in a safe manner and give them space.”
Mr Speakman said vessels including kayaks, surf skis and surfboards were required to remain 100m from a whale, or 300m if a calf was present.
Unmanned aerial drones were required to stay more than 300m away from marine mammals.
“These regulations are in place to protect both the wellbeing of the animals and the safety of whale watchers,” he said.
“There are plenty of safe ways to view the whale migration. NSW’s headlands have some of the best land-based whale watching spots in the world.”
Top NSW whale watching sites include:
- Cape Byron Lighthouse
- Tomaree Head Summit, Tomaree National Park
- Cape Solander, Kamay Botany Bay National Park
- Jervis Bay National Park
- Ben Boyd National Park near Eden
For up to date whale sightings near you, download the free Wild About Whales app or visit wildaboutwhales.com.au
Whale Watching Season runs May-November.
Australian Farmer Climate Survey
Comment Invited On Draft Barwon-Darling Valley Floodplain Management Plan
Mt Kembla's 'New' Koala Population
7 November 2016: NSW Office of Environment and HeritageRecent sightings of koalas at Mount Kembla have renewed hope that Illawarra’s koala population is coming back from the brink.
Koalas are one of the iconic species in the Saving our Species programOffice of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Senior Threatened Species Officer Kylie Madden said eight koala have been spotted over three nights in recent weeks as part of a new survey of the area.
“These findings come just two months after a lone koala was accidently captured on a motion-sensor camera just west of Mount Kembla, in an area where koalas have not been seen for more than 70 years,” Ms Madden said.
“Following this unexpected sighting OEH started formally surveying Mount Kembla last month.
“Finding eight koalas in such a short period of time is extremely encouraging and as the survey progresses we hope to get a much clearer picture of the size and extent of this koala population.
“The koalas spotted in recent weeks are all adults and four of the eight were heard ‘bellowing’, the noise male koalas make when looking for a female.
“This is an extremely encouraging sign that we may have a breeding population here, something that only a few months ago was not even considered as a possibility.
“Its early days but the survey results suggest these koalas have recolonised Mount Kembla from a population near East Kangaloon approximately 25km away, or from a colony near Campbelltown.
“Young koalas are known to walk up to 50km looking for unoccupied territories.
“Despite there being no records of koalas for decades, these koalas have very much ‘moved back in’, rediscovering a patch of good habitat above the escarpment,” Ms Madden said.
These sightings coincide with reports of a lone koala seen near the base of Macquarie Pass on Sunday 30 October.
This koala was most likely a dispersing male looking for suitable unoccupied habitat.
It’s unlikely there is a koala population extending to the base of Macquarie Pass, but the sighting is further evidence that koalas in the region are expanding in numbers and range.
The Mount Kembla Koala Survey will continue until December 2016. Results will also inform OEH’s Southern Highlands Koala Conservation Project, for more information on the conservation of this iconic species, visit the OEH website.
7 November 2016: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
Recent sightings of koalas at Mount Kembla have renewed hope that Illawarra’s koala population is coming back from the brink.
Koalas are one of the iconic species in the Saving our Species program
Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Senior Threatened Species Officer Kylie Madden said eight koala have been spotted over three nights in recent weeks as part of a new survey of the area.
“These findings come just two months after a lone koala was accidently captured on a motion-sensor camera just west of Mount Kembla, in an area where koalas have not been seen for more than 70 years,” Ms Madden said.
“Following this unexpected sighting OEH started formally surveying Mount Kembla last month.
“Finding eight koalas in such a short period of time is extremely encouraging and as the survey progresses we hope to get a much clearer picture of the size and extent of this koala population.
“The koalas spotted in recent weeks are all adults and four of the eight were heard ‘bellowing’, the noise male koalas make when looking for a female.
“This is an extremely encouraging sign that we may have a breeding population here, something that only a few months ago was not even considered as a possibility.
“Its early days but the survey results suggest these koalas have recolonised Mount Kembla from a population near East Kangaloon approximately 25km away, or from a colony near Campbelltown.
“Young koalas are known to walk up to 50km looking for unoccupied territories.
“Despite there being no records of koalas for decades, these koalas have very much ‘moved back in’, rediscovering a patch of good habitat above the escarpment,” Ms Madden said.
These sightings coincide with reports of a lone koala seen near the base of Macquarie Pass on Sunday 30 October.
This koala was most likely a dispersing male looking for suitable unoccupied habitat.
It’s unlikely there is a koala population extending to the base of Macquarie Pass, but the sighting is further evidence that koalas in the region are expanding in numbers and range.
The Mount Kembla Koala Survey will continue until December 2016. Results will also inform OEH’s Southern Highlands Koala Conservation Project, for more information on the conservation of this iconic species, visit the OEH website.
Flagship Fish Habitat Rehabilitation Grants - Expression Of Interest
Record Hot Year May Be The New Normal By 2025
Untapped Metal Wealth To Be Mined At New Nyngan Project
Increasing Cost Of Natural Hazards As Climate Changes
A Sweeter Deal For NSW Cherry Crops
Clean Air For NSW Consultation Paper
Nature In Cities: Can Urban Planners Enhance Human Well-Being Using Biodiversity?
Nature Conservancy Writing Prize 2017
Parliamentary Inquiry Into Freedom Of Speech
8 November 2016: Attorney-General for Australia, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC
I have today asked the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights to inquire and report on two issues relating to freedom of speech in Australia.
The first is whether the operation of Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) (including ss. 18C and 18D) impose unreasonable restrictions on freedom of speech. The second, related, matter, is whether the complaints-handling procedures of the Australian Human Rights Commission should be reformed. The reference has been made under s. 7(c) of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 (Cth).
Among other things, the Committee will examine whether the existing processes of the Commission are sufficient to ensure that trivial or vexatious complaints to the Commission, and complaints which have no reasonable prospects of success, are identified and dismissed at an early stage. It will also examine ways to ensure that complaints are dealt with in an open and transparent way, without unreasonable delay, and in a manner which ensures those subject to complaints are afforded natural justice.
The review of provisions of Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act was recommended by the Australian Law Reform Commission in its Report on Traditional Rights and Freedoms – Encroachments by Commonwealth Laws, released earlier this year. The review of the Commission’s complaints-handling procedure was invited by the Commission itself.
It is important that Australia strikes the right balance between laws which protect social harmony and mutual respect, and the fundamental democratic value of freedom of speech. The purpose of the inquiry is to ensure that we have that balance right. Equally, it is important that the machinery for human rights protection in Australia operates in such a way as to ensure procedural fairness, and that it cannot be used as a vehicle for vexatious complaints.
I encourage all interested groups to put their views before the inquiry in a constructive and mutually respectful discussion.
I have asked the Committee to report by February 28 2017.
The Terms of Reference are listed below:
Search For ET Underway With CSIRO'S Parkes Radio Telescope
8 November, 2016: CSIRO
Breakthrough Listen, the 10-year, $100-million astronomical search for intelligent life beyond Earth launched in 2015 by Internet entrepreneur Yuri Milner and Stephen Hawking today announced its first observations using CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope.
Parkes has joined two US telescopes, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia and the Automated Planet Finder at Lick Observatory in California, in their ongoing surveys to determine whether civilisations exist elsewhere and have developed technologies similar to our own.
Image: Parkes radio telescope (Photo: Shaun Amy)
Yuri Milner, founder of the Breakthrough Initiatives which include Breakthrough Listen, said the addition of Parkes was an important milestone.
"These major instruments are the ears of planet Earth, and now they are listening for signs of other civilisations," Mr Milner said.
After 14 days of commissioning and test observations, 'first light' for Breakthrough Listen at Parkes was achieved this morning (8 November (local time)) with an observation of the newly-discovered Earth-size planet orbiting the nearest star to our Sun, Proxima Centauri.
A red dwarf star 4.3 light years from Earth, Proxima Centauri is known to have a planet ('Proxima b') orbiting within its habitable zone, the region where water could exist in liquid form on the planet's surface.
Such 'exo-Earths' are among the primary targets for Breakthrough Listen.
Dr Andrew Siemion, Director of Berkeley SETI Research Center and leader of the Breakthrough Listen science program, said the chances of any particular planet hosting intelligent life-forms are probably minuscule.
"But once we knew there was a planet right next door, we had to ask the question, and it was a fitting first observation for Parkes," Dr Siemion said.
"To find a civilisation just 4.2 light years away would change everything."
CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope is perfectly positioned to observe parts of the sky that can't be seen from the northern hemisphere, including the centre of our own Milky Way galaxy, large swaths of the Galactic plane, and numerous other galaxies in the nearby Universe.
Dr Douglas Bock, Director of CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science, said the Parkes telescope was one of the most highly cited radio telescopes in the world.
"The Parkes radio telescope has a long list of achievements to its credit, including the discovery of the first 'fast radio burst'," Dr Bock said.
"Its unique view of the southern hemisphere sky and cutting-edge instrumentation means it now also has a great opportunity to contribute to the search for extra-terrestrial life."
Swinburne University of Technology is working closely with University of California, Berkeley, and CSIRO to design and implement a signal-processing and data-storage system for the project that will make the Breakthrough Listen data available to the science community.
Professor Matthew Bailes, ARC Laureate Fellow at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University of Technology, and the Breakthrough Listen project's Australian science coordinator, said Breakthrough Listen would do more than just hunt for ET.
"The detection system on Parkes will be simultaneously searching for naturally occurring phenomena such as pulsars and fast radio bursts, which are a large part of Parkes' present work," Dr Bailes said.
"The Australian science community welcomes the opportunity to share the Breakthrough Listen data for other ongoing research projects."
Breakthrough Listen will use 25 per cent of the science time available on the Parkes radio telescope over the next five years.
The Breakthrough Listen science program is directly aligned with CSIRO's strategy to operate world-class national facilities for the use of scientists, to ensure that those facilities are adequately and sustainably funded, and to facilitate the delivery of world-leading science outcomes and impact.
Parkes radio telescope.© 2005 Shaun Amy
Life Took Hold On Land 300 Million Years Earlier Than Thought
November 8, 2016
Life took hold on land at least as early as 3.2 billion years ago, suggests a study by scientists from Berlin, Potsdam and Jena (Germany). The team led by Sami Nabhan of the Freie Universität Berlin studied ancient rock formations from South Africa's Barberton greenstone belt.
Today the Barberton Mountains in northeastern South Africa are covered by rocky grasslands; these hills are made of some of the oldest rocks on Earth (3.2 - 3.5 billion years old). At 3.2 billion years ago a shallow ocean covered most of this area, where rivers draining into this ocean provided favorable environment for life to start colonizing the flood planes.
Credit: Sami Nabhan/FSU Jena
These rocks are some of the oldest known on Earth, with their formation dating back to 3.5 billion years. In a layer that has been dated at 3.22 billion years old, tiny grains of the iron sulfide mineral pyrite were discovered that show telltale signs of microbial activity.
These signs are recorded both in trace element distributions as well as in the ratio between the sulfur isotopes 34S and 32S in the pyrite.
Using instrumentation installed in Potsdam in 2013, the scientists showed that the fraction of 34S in the core of some crystals differ characteristically from that of the same crystal's rim, indicating that the exterior of the grain involved a processing of sulfur by microbes, so-called biogenic fractionation. The determination of the 34S/32S ratio, using sample masses less than one billionth of a gram, was carried out at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences by Michael Wiedenbeck of the GFZ's secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) lab.
The composition of the rock, the shape of the crystals, and the layering visible in the field all indicate that the studied rock sequence was derived from an ancient soil profile; this so-called paleosol developed on a river flood plain 3.22 billion years ago.
Field data collected during this study imply that a braided river system transported the sediment containing the iron sulfide crystals. It is interpreted that microbes living in the soil, at a level that was continually shifting between wet and dry conditions, subsequently produced the rim overgrowths on the pyrite crystals.
Based on this evidence, the scientists conclude in their publication in the journal Geology that they found evidence for biological activity on land at this very early date. Their research pushes back the date for the oldest evidence of life on land to some 300 million years earlier than previously documented.
Sami Nabhan, Michael Wiedenbeck, Ralf Milke, Christoph Heubeck. Biogenic overgrowth on detrital pyrite in ca. 3.2 Ga Archean paleosols. Geology, 2016; 44 (9): 763 DOI:10.1130/G38090.1
George Eastman Image Collection Goes Online
The famous George Eastman Museum has created a new, public portal where you can view over 250,000 images and other objects from their vast collections. The database is searchable by artist, collection, classification and date, and includes a wealth of photography, cinema, and technology related to imaging.
Visit HERE to see the images
The mission of the George Eastman Museum, as an educational institution, has three interrelated goals:
• Provide leadership in the fields of photography and cinema;
• Preserve and develop our world-class collections related to photography and cinema, as well as George Eastman’s estate, a National Historic Landmark; and
• Serve our communities, in Greater Rochester and elsewhere.
History of the George Eastman Museum (from their website)
Entrepreneur George Eastman (1854–1932), the pioneer of popular photography, completed his Colonial Revival mansion on East Avenue in Rochester in 1905 and resided there until his death. He bequeathed most of his assets to the University of Rochester, expressing a desire that his mansion serve as the residence for the university president. The large house, measuring 35,000 square feet, proved far too large for this purpose, especially without a large service staff.
In 1947, the Board of Regents of the State of New York chartered George Eastman House Inc. as an independent nonprofit educational institution—specifically, a museum of photography and allied pursuits created as a memorial to George Eastman. The next year, the University of Rochester donated Eastman’s mansion and surrounding property to the museum. The institution altered its name several times over the ensuing decades, but its mission has remained steadfast: to collect, preserve, study, and exhibit photographic and cinematic objects and related technology from the inception of each medium to the present.
At the museum’s opening in 1949, it was one of only two American museums with a photography department and one of only two American museums with a film department (the Museum of Modern Art also had both). In 1951, the museum opened the beautiful Dryden Theatre, with seating for more than five hundred people, to exhibit films.
The George Eastman Museum’s position as a leader in its fields is founded on the curatorial visions of Beaumont Newhall, James Card, Rudolf Kingslake, George C. Pratt, Nathan Lyons, Philip Condax, and the gifted leaders and curators who followed them. For the first couple decades of the museum’s history, its curators, faced with relatively limited competition from other collecting institutions, were able to develop world-class collections of great breadth, depth, and quality—mostly through generous gifts from photographers, filmmakers, collectors, and corporate donors.
For almost forty years, the museum displayed objects from its collections in the rooms of George Eastman’s mansion. As its collections expanded and experts became more knowledgeable about the nature and importance of appropriate conditions for the storage of photographs and film, a new museum facility became essential. In 1989, the museum completed construction of a 73,000-square-foot building (more than 70 percent of which is below ground level) that included climate-controlled collection vaults, exhibition galleries, libraries, offices, and photographic conservation and film preservation labs.
Given that George Eastman’s mansion was no longer to be occupied by the exhibition and storage of the photography and cinema collections, a determined group (almost entirely of women), led by Georgia Potter Gosnell and Nancy Turner, undertook the heroic effort of an exacting restoration of the historic mansion and grounds. Based on vintage photographs and other historical evidence, virtually all of the complex decorative interiors of the first floor of the mansion were restored and more than 85 percent of its original furnishings were returned during the two-year process.
Today, visitors to the George Eastman Museum can view at least three temporary exhibitions on photography and cinema in our galleries, tour George Eastman’s mansion and gardens (a National Historic Landmark), and see daily films at the Dryden Theatre.
From the Collection - Victorian estate of the Milne family, Australia ca. 1865