Free National Parks Vehicle Entry On 8 October
Serious About Civil Cops Serious Fine For Unlawful Waste Storage In West Gosford
Northern Beaches Locals And Australian Citizens Are Say NO To Adani - Australia Wide
Northern Beaches residents from Palm Beach to Manly headed to Bondi yesterday, October 7th, to be part of rallies taking place across Australia to reinforce their opposition to the Adani mines in Queensland. Local Stop Adani groups and major environmental organisations staged over 45 colourful, creative community events across the nation, with thousands of people using their bodies to create human signs which spell out ‘Stop Adani’.
Petitions are seemingly ignored, letters also wastebasketed, the film, Coal – Is it Worth It? filmed by Bayview resident John Davis with his wife Felicity before he died in a helicopter crash in 2015, while trying to expose damage caused by the Shenhua coal mine in the Liverpool Plains of NSW has been widely attended and underlines WE NEED TO GO IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION - NOW. What will it take for those voted in to represent us to do just that - represent us ?!
More recent 'ADANI' news runs below.
Saying NO to Adani on Bondi this morning! (October 7th 2017) - Photos courtesy Viktorija McDonell
Northern Beaches residents from Palm Beach to Manly headed to Bondi yesterday, October 7th, to be part of rallies taking place across Australia to reinforce their opposition to the Adani mines in Queensland. Local Stop Adani groups and major environmental organisations staged over 45 colourful, creative community events across the nation, with thousands of people using their bodies to create human signs which spell out ‘Stop Adani’.
Petitions are seemingly ignored, letters also wastebasketed, the film, Coal – Is it Worth It? filmed by Bayview resident John Davis with his wife Felicity before he died in a helicopter crash in 2015, while trying to expose damage caused by the Shenhua coal mine in the Liverpool Plains of NSW has been widely attended and underlines WE NEED TO GO IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION - NOW.
What will it take for those voted in to represent us to do just that - represent us ?!
More recent 'ADANI' news runs below.
Saying NO to Adani on Bondi this morning! (October 7th 2017) - Photos courtesy Viktorija McDonell
Deployment Of Southern Sydney’s Artificial Reef Begins
October 3rd, 2017: NSW Government Department of Primary Industries
NSW’s largest offshore artificial reef in the waters off Port Hacking will provide new fishing opportunities for recreational fishers in Sydney.The first concrete modules have been delivered to the site of John Dunphy Offshore Artificial Reef in Sydney’s south. When deployed, the reef will be the size of two football fields.
The specially-designed reef is expected to create an intricate habitat for a variety of fish species. Popular species, such as yellowtail kingfish, snapper and mulloway, have been identified on the Sydney offshore artificial reef off The Gap at Vaucluse.
Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair said the new reef would be a major attraction for the state’s one million recreational fishers.
“Everyone is hooked on our artificial reefs and today I am excited to announce another three which will be constructed off Wollongong, Newcastle and Jervis Bay,” Mr Blair said.
“We are committed to supporting our recreational fishers who generate over $3.4 billion each year for the NSW economy and create around 14,000 full time jobs.
“Our current reefs have over 50 species of fish and we expect this reef to attract even more,” Mr Blair said.
“Projects such as these help cement our commitment to providing plenty of exciting opportunities, not just for anglers in NSW, but for visitors to our State as well.”
Member for Cronulla, Mark Speakman welcomed the deployment of NSW’s largest artificial reef to the waters off the Shire.
“This is a great catch for the anglers of Cronulla and I look forward to seeing this new reef reel in tourists from across the State to enjoy the beautiful waters off Port Hacking,” Mr Speakman said.
NSW DPI will be deploying two offshore artificial reefs off the southern Sydney coast to increase fishing opportunities in the region. The reefs will be accessible from Port Botany and Port Hacking.
This is the fourth reef deployed by the NSW Government since 2011 and would be a significant one to the fishing community, formally named the John Dunphy Offshore Artificial Reef.
John was a pioneer in the fishing industry and wanted to make sure fishing was a pastime anyone could enjoy.
The reefs remain productive for decades, are non-polluting and can withstand a one -in- 100-year storm event.
It is proposed to construct each of the southern Sydney artificial reefs using up to 20 individual concrete modules measuring approximately 4-5 metres wide by 4-5 metres high and weighing up to 25 tonnes each with modules to be deployed in a patch-like arrangement, similar to the Shoalhaven Heads and Port Macquarie offshore artificial reef designs. The concrete modules will be designed to be self-weighted with no requirement for additional anchoring.
First concrete modules have been delivered to the site of John Dunphy Offshore Artificial Reef
Depending on finalisation of the preferred module design, each artificial reef will comprise of a total reef volume of around 1600 m3. The actual footprint area of the modules for each reef will be up to 320 m2 and likely to spread over areas of 100 by 100 metres.
DPI has completed an environmental assessment (EA) of the proposed artificial reefs which is assessing potential impacts on a small sub-local scale (within 30 m radius of the individual reef modules) to regional scales (>10 km from the reef). Coastal processes, benthic ecology and Aboriginal cultural heritage assessments are currently being undertaken by specialised consultants.
Comprehensive constraints mapping from South Coogee to the Royal National Park has been completed and seabed mapping has been undertaken throughout Bate Bay to south of Jibbon (Port Hacking) Point to identify suitable deployment areas. The identified deployment zone is a sandy area situated approximately 2.5 km south-south-east of Jibbon Point in 25-30 metres of water within 1 km offshore from the Royal National Park.
The NSW Government thanks the efforts of the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW, Australian National Sportsfishing Association and the South Sydney Amateur Fishing Association for securing the funding for the Port Hacking reef through the Transport for NSW Port Botany Boating and Fishing Infrastructure Fund.
October 3rd, 2017: NSW Government Department of Primary Industries
NSW’s largest offshore artificial reef in the waters off Port Hacking will provide new fishing opportunities for recreational fishers in Sydney.
The first concrete modules have been delivered to the site of John Dunphy Offshore Artificial Reef in Sydney’s south. When deployed, the reef will be the size of two football fields.
The specially-designed reef is expected to create an intricate habitat for a variety of fish species. Popular species, such as yellowtail kingfish, snapper and mulloway, have been identified on the Sydney offshore artificial reef off The Gap at Vaucluse.
Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair said the new reef would be a major attraction for the state’s one million recreational fishers.
“Everyone is hooked on our artificial reefs and today I am excited to announce another three which will be constructed off Wollongong, Newcastle and Jervis Bay,” Mr Blair said.
“We are committed to supporting our recreational fishers who generate over $3.4 billion each year for the NSW economy and create around 14,000 full time jobs.
“Our current reefs have over 50 species of fish and we expect this reef to attract even more,” Mr Blair said.
“Projects such as these help cement our commitment to providing plenty of exciting opportunities, not just for anglers in NSW, but for visitors to our State as well.”
Member for Cronulla, Mark Speakman welcomed the deployment of NSW’s largest artificial reef to the waters off the Shire.
“This is a great catch for the anglers of Cronulla and I look forward to seeing this new reef reel in tourists from across the State to enjoy the beautiful waters off Port Hacking,” Mr Speakman said.
NSW DPI will be deploying two offshore artificial reefs off the southern Sydney coast to increase fishing opportunities in the region. The reefs will be accessible from Port Botany and Port Hacking.
This is the fourth reef deployed by the NSW Government since 2011 and would be a significant one to the fishing community, formally named the John Dunphy Offshore Artificial Reef.
John was a pioneer in the fishing industry and wanted to make sure fishing was a pastime anyone could enjoy.
The reefs remain productive for decades, are non-polluting and can withstand a one -in- 100-year storm event.
It is proposed to construct each of the southern Sydney artificial reefs using up to 20 individual concrete modules measuring approximately 4-5 metres wide by 4-5 metres high and weighing up to 25 tonnes each with modules to be deployed in a patch-like arrangement, similar to the Shoalhaven Heads and Port Macquarie offshore artificial reef designs. The concrete modules will be designed to be self-weighted with no requirement for additional anchoring.
First concrete modules have been delivered to the site of John Dunphy Offshore Artificial Reef
Depending on finalisation of the preferred module design, each artificial reef will comprise of a total reef volume of around 1600 m3. The actual footprint area of the modules for each reef will be up to 320 m2 and likely to spread over areas of 100 by 100 metres.
DPI has completed an environmental assessment (EA) of the proposed artificial reefs which is assessing potential impacts on a small sub-local scale (within 30 m radius of the individual reef modules) to regional scales (>10 km from the reef). Coastal processes, benthic ecology and Aboriginal cultural heritage assessments are currently being undertaken by specialised consultants.
Comprehensive constraints mapping from South Coogee to the Royal National Park has been completed and seabed mapping has been undertaken throughout Bate Bay to south of Jibbon (Port Hacking) Point to identify suitable deployment areas. The identified deployment zone is a sandy area situated approximately 2.5 km south-south-east of Jibbon Point in 25-30 metres of water within 1 km offshore from the Royal National Park.
The NSW Government thanks the efforts of the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW, Australian National Sportsfishing Association and the South Sydney Amateur Fishing Association for securing the funding for the Port Hacking reef through the Transport for NSW Port Botany Boating and Fishing Infrastructure Fund.
Melbourne And Sydney Should Prepare For 50 Degree Days – Study
October 4th, 2017: Australian National University
A new study led by ANU has warned that Melbourne and Sydney should prepare for 50 degree Celsius days under the Paris Agreement global warming limit of 2 degrees.
Lead researcher Dr Sophie Lewis said the study assessed the potential magnitude of future extreme temperatures in Australia under Paris targets of an increase in global temperatures of 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
"Major Australian cities, such as Sydney and Melbourne, may experience unprecedented temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius under 2 degrees of global warming," said Dr Lewis from the Fenner School of Environment and Society and the Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science at ANU.
"The increase in Australian summer temperatures indicates that other major cities should also be prepared for unprecedented future extreme heat.
"Our climate modelling has projected daily temperatures of up to 3.8 degrees Celsius above existing records in Victoria and New South Wales, despite the ambitious Paris efforts to curb warming."
Dr Lewis said immediate climate action internationally could prevent record extreme seasons year after year.
"Urgent action on climate change is critical - the severity of possible future temperature extremes simulated by climate models in this study poses serious challenges for our preparedness for future climate change in Australia," she said.
Dr Lewis said the record hot Australian summer in 2012 and 2013 was made more likely due to human-caused greenhouse warming, and such an event was expected to occur more frequently under future warming.
"One of the hottest years on record globally in 2015 could be an average year by 2025," she said.
Dr Sophie Lewis from the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society. Image Stuart Hay ANU
Co-researcher Dr Andrew King from the University of Melbourne said the research team used a combination of observations and modelling to assess how the magnitude of record-breaking events may change in the future.
"Previous scientific studies have focused on how current temperature extremes have been impacted by climate change, or on how the frequency of these current extremes will change in the future," said Dr King from the School of Earth Sciences and the Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science at the University of Melbourne.
"This study takes a different approach and examines how the severity of future temperature extremes might change in the future."
The research, supported by the Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science, is published in Geophysical Research Letters.
Lewis S. C., King A. D. & Mitchell D. M. (2017). Australia's unprecedented future temperature extremes under Paris limits to warming.Geophysical Research Letters, 44. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL074612
October 4th, 2017: Australian National University
A new study led by ANU has warned that Melbourne and Sydney should prepare for 50 degree Celsius days under the Paris Agreement global warming limit of 2 degrees.
Lead researcher Dr Sophie Lewis said the study assessed the potential magnitude of future extreme temperatures in Australia under Paris targets of an increase in global temperatures of 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
"Major Australian cities, such as Sydney and Melbourne, may experience unprecedented temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius under 2 degrees of global warming," said Dr Lewis from the Fenner School of Environment and Society and the Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science at ANU.
"The increase in Australian summer temperatures indicates that other major cities should also be prepared for unprecedented future extreme heat.
"Our climate modelling has projected daily temperatures of up to 3.8 degrees Celsius above existing records in Victoria and New South Wales, despite the ambitious Paris efforts to curb warming."
Dr Lewis said immediate climate action internationally could prevent record extreme seasons year after year.
"Urgent action on climate change is critical - the severity of possible future temperature extremes simulated by climate models in this study poses serious challenges for our preparedness for future climate change in Australia," she said.
Dr Lewis said the record hot Australian summer in 2012 and 2013 was made more likely due to human-caused greenhouse warming, and such an event was expected to occur more frequently under future warming.
"One of the hottest years on record globally in 2015 could be an average year by 2025," she said.
Dr Sophie Lewis from the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society. Image Stuart Hay ANU
Co-researcher Dr Andrew King from the University of Melbourne said the research team used a combination of observations and modelling to assess how the magnitude of record-breaking events may change in the future.
"Previous scientific studies have focused on how current temperature extremes have been impacted by climate change, or on how the frequency of these current extremes will change in the future," said Dr King from the School of Earth Sciences and the Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science at the University of Melbourne.
"This study takes a different approach and examines how the severity of future temperature extremes might change in the future."
The research, supported by the Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science, is published in Geophysical Research Letters.
Lewis S. C., King A. D. & Mitchell D. M. (2017). Australia's unprecedented future temperature extremes under Paris limits to warming.Geophysical Research Letters, 44. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL074612
Australian Government Must Stop Adani's Dirty Coal Mine
COAL FOUND IN CALEY WETLANDS. ADANI CAN’T BE TRUSTED WITH OUR REEF
Caley Valley Wetland Assessment Report Received
Birds Snapped During Spring School Holidays 2017: Flights Of Colour
New Research: Cats Kill More Than One Million Australian Birds Per Day
Innovative Idea To Make Bin Storage More Appealing
Farmers To Continue To Farm Smarter Under Landcare
Australia's New Icebreaker Name Providing Students With The Trip Of A Lifetime
29 September 2017: Media release - The Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP, Minister for the Environment and Energy
Twelve school students are set to become the first children to fly to and set foot on Antarctica as part of the Australian Antarctic Program, following their win in the Turnbull Government's national "Name our Icebreaker" competition.
The winning students from St Virgil's College in Hobart, Tasmania, and Secret Harbour Primary School near Perth in West Australia named the new $1.9 billion ship RSV Nuyina (noy-yee-nah), meaning 'Southern Lights' in palawa kani, the language of Tasmanian Aborigines.
Secondary school winners of the Name Our Icebreaker competition from St Virgil's College, Hobart, with Department of the Environment and Energy Minister, the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP. (Photo: Glenn Jacobson)
They will embark on their exciting, landmark journey to the icy continent in November. In many ways, these lucky young Australians are reflective of the long-term investment this new vessel represents for our Antarctic capabilities.
Twelve school students are set to become the first children to fly to Wilkins Aerodrome in Antarctica. (Photo: Australian Antarctic Division)
All schools participating in the naming competition can be proud of their thought-provoking contributions.
The national naming competition attracted nearly 800 entries from primary and secondary students across every state and territory, with about a fifth of these suggesting Indigenous names. Many of the suggested names were inspired by the Southern Lights or aurora australis, the atmospheric phenomenon that produces curtains of colourful weaving lights originating over Antarctica.
Using the name nuyina for the Hobart-based ship recognises the long spiritual connection Tasmanian Aboriginal people have with the frozen continent, as the most southerly humans on the planet during the last ice age.
The name also connects Australia's more recent icy endeavours, with several Australian Antarctic ships named after the evocative lights. Sir Douglas Mawson's ship, used for the first Australian-led expedition to the Antarctic, was the SY Aurora and our currently-serving icebreaker is the RSV Aurora Australis.
Formal approval to use the palawa kani word nuyina on the new ship has been received from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC).
Four runner-up prizes of a $500 technology voucher were awarded to Rokeby Primary School in Tasmania, Ulladulla High School in New South Wales, Essex Heights Primary School in Victoria and Cowell Area School in South Australia.
The keel of RSV Nuyina was laid last month and the icebreaker will arrive in Hobart in 2020.
Australia's new icebreaker will be called RSV Nuyina. (Photo: Damen/DMS Maritime/Knud E. Hansen)
29 September 2017: Media release - The Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP, Minister for the Environment and Energy
Twelve school students are set to become the first children to fly to and set foot on Antarctica as part of the Australian Antarctic Program, following their win in the Turnbull Government's national "Name our Icebreaker" competition.
The winning students from St Virgil's College in Hobart, Tasmania, and Secret Harbour Primary School near Perth in West Australia named the new $1.9 billion ship RSV Nuyina (noy-yee-nah), meaning 'Southern Lights' in palawa kani, the language of Tasmanian Aborigines.
Secondary school winners of the Name Our Icebreaker competition from St Virgil's College, Hobart, with Department of the Environment and Energy Minister, the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP. (Photo: Glenn Jacobson)
They will embark on their exciting, landmark journey to the icy continent in November. In many ways, these lucky young Australians are reflective of the long-term investment this new vessel represents for our Antarctic capabilities.
Twelve school students are set to become the first children to fly to Wilkins Aerodrome in Antarctica. (Photo: Australian Antarctic Division)
All schools participating in the naming competition can be proud of their thought-provoking contributions.
The national naming competition attracted nearly 800 entries from primary and secondary students across every state and territory, with about a fifth of these suggesting Indigenous names. Many of the suggested names were inspired by the Southern Lights or aurora australis, the atmospheric phenomenon that produces curtains of colourful weaving lights originating over Antarctica.
Using the name nuyina for the Hobart-based ship recognises the long spiritual connection Tasmanian Aboriginal people have with the frozen continent, as the most southerly humans on the planet during the last ice age.
The name also connects Australia's more recent icy endeavours, with several Australian Antarctic ships named after the evocative lights. Sir Douglas Mawson's ship, used for the first Australian-led expedition to the Antarctic, was the SY Aurora and our currently-serving icebreaker is the RSV Aurora Australis.
Formal approval to use the palawa kani word nuyina on the new ship has been received from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC).
Four runner-up prizes of a $500 technology voucher were awarded to Rokeby Primary School in Tasmania, Ulladulla High School in New South Wales, Essex Heights Primary School in Victoria and Cowell Area School in South Australia.
The keel of RSV Nuyina was laid last month and the icebreaker will arrive in Hobart in 2020.
Australia's new icebreaker will be called RSV Nuyina. (Photo: Damen/DMS Maritime/Knud E. Hansen)
It’s Magpie Swooping Season
by BirdLife AustraliaIt’s that time of year again. As the days gradually begin to grow longer and the weather warms up, many birds begin to build their nests and lay their eggs. Their number includes Australian Magpies.
Because magpies are one of the most common birds in built-up areas, as well as in rural environments, they often come into contact with us. For most of the year, people are happy to interact with magpies, but with the arrival of the breeding season, the situation’s not always so happy.
Magpie breeding season is dreaded by many people because of the perception that at this time of year the birds relentlessly swoop at people, both on foot or riding bicycles, as well as dogs and anything else that moves.
Though wide-held, this perception is not altogether accurate.
Although it’s true that spring is magpie swooping season, it should be noted that not all magpies swoop at people. In fact, it is generally quite a small proportion of them that are aggressive towards humans. Most of the birds that attack are males, though, indeed, most male magpies don’t attack, and those that do usually only become aggressive when people venture too close to the nest tree.
Although the timing of swooping behaviour varies between the different regions of Australia, most swooping activity occurs in mid- to late spring, during the brief period when there are magpie chicks in the nest, with the intensity of attacks increasing gradually as the nestlings grow. Few magpies attack before their eggs have hatched, and the attacks usually drop off after the chicks have fledged (left the nest). It’s a brief window, but one that can be traumatic for people being swooped.
There are a few things you can do to prevent being swooped, but nothing is guaranteed to work.- The most sensible method is to avoid walking or riding near trees where magpies are nesting.
- If you can’t avoid the area, try wearing a hat or carrying an umbrella for protection; cyclists can attach a forest of cable-ties to their helmets.
- Attach eye spots to the back of your hat.
- Wave a stick above your head as you walk past.
- Keep an eye on the bird; he’s much less likely to attack if he knows he’s been sussed.
- Above all, don’t harass the birds. Though tempting, it will only make them more aggressive. And remember, harming magpies is against the law.
For more information, see Magpie Alert, by Darryl Jones (UNSW Press, Sydney).
by BirdLife Australia
It’s that time of year again. As the days gradually begin to grow longer and the weather warms up, many birds begin to build their nests and lay their eggs. Their number includes Australian Magpies.
Because magpies are one of the most common birds in built-up areas, as well as in rural environments, they often come into contact with us. For most of the year, people are happy to interact with magpies, but with the arrival of the breeding season, the situation’s not always so happy.
Magpie breeding season is dreaded by many people because of the perception that at this time of year the birds relentlessly swoop at people, both on foot or riding bicycles, as well as dogs and anything else that moves.
Though wide-held, this perception is not altogether accurate.
Although it’s true that spring is magpie swooping season, it should be noted that not all magpies swoop at people. In fact, it is generally quite a small proportion of them that are aggressive towards humans. Most of the birds that attack are males, though, indeed, most male magpies don’t attack, and those that do usually only become aggressive when people venture too close to the nest tree.
Although the timing of swooping behaviour varies between the different regions of Australia, most swooping activity occurs in mid- to late spring, during the brief period when there are magpie chicks in the nest, with the intensity of attacks increasing gradually as the nestlings grow. Few magpies attack before their eggs have hatched, and the attacks usually drop off after the chicks have fledged (left the nest). It’s a brief window, but one that can be traumatic for people being swooped.
There are a few things you can do to prevent being swooped, but nothing is guaranteed to work.
- The most sensible method is to avoid walking or riding near trees where magpies are nesting.
- If you can’t avoid the area, try wearing a hat or carrying an umbrella for protection; cyclists can attach a forest of cable-ties to their helmets.
- Attach eye spots to the back of your hat.
- Wave a stick above your head as you walk past.
- Keep an eye on the bird; he’s much less likely to attack if he knows he’s been sussed.
- Above all, don’t harass the birds. Though tempting, it will only make them more aggressive. And remember, harming magpies is against the law.
For more information, see Magpie Alert, by Darryl Jones (UNSW Press, Sydney).
Avalon Boomerang Bags: An Idea That's Spreading To Stop Plastic Bag Use
Avalon Boomerang Bags
Tuesdays
11am-5pm @ sewcraft cook Unit 20/14 Polo Ave Mona Vale
Boomerang Bags is a bag-share initiative involving the installation of a number of ‘Boomerang Bag’ boxes throughout any given business district, shopping centre, street or market. Each box is stocked with re-useable bags for customers to borrow if they have forgotten to bring their own.
Unlike the traditional purchase-and-keep approach, Boomerang Bags are free, and local community members are responsible for returning the bags once they’re no longer required. The availability of free re-useable bags reduces the reliance of local businesses to supply bags to all customers, and encourages a mentality of re-use among local communities, thereby reducing the amount of plastic bag material entering our landfills and waterways.
So who makes the Boomerang Bags? Well, you do! Boomerang Bags are made by local communities for local communities, and are sewn from recycled and donated materials.
Get in touch if you'd like to donate materials, join us making bags, or implement Boomerang Bags in your own local area!
Tuesdays
11am-5pm @ sewcraft cook
Unit 20/14 Polo Ave Mona Vale
Boomerang Bags is a bag-share initiative involving the installation of a number of ‘Boomerang Bag’ boxes throughout any given business district, shopping centre, street or market. Each box is stocked with re-useable bags for customers to borrow if they have forgotten to bring their own.
Unlike the traditional purchase-and-keep approach, Boomerang Bags are free, and local community members are responsible for returning the bags once they’re no longer required. The availability of free re-useable bags reduces the reliance of local businesses to supply bags to all customers, and encourages a mentality of re-use among local communities, thereby reducing the amount of plastic bag material entering our landfills and waterways.
So who makes the Boomerang Bags? Well, you do! Boomerang Bags are made by local communities for local communities, and are sewn from recycled and donated materials.
Get in touch if you'd like to donate materials, join us making bags, or implement Boomerang Bags in your own local area!
Narrabeen Lagoon Clean Up - 2101 Community Page Initiative
Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities
Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Traverse
10am - Sunday Oct 8 repeated Sunday Dec 3This walk is a hidden gem and offers the most amazing variety of vegetation. Also lovely scenic views and sometimes rare fauna. Plant ID as we go and a brief lunch break BYO. Start 10am finish 2:30pm. LImited numbers.Carpool back. Bookings essential. Phone or text Conny on 0432 643 295.
Oxford Falls triangleSunday 22/10 7.30- 11am This walk will only take about 2 hrs walking, but a few small pampas grass clumps need removal and we will have morning tea in the creek bed or on a high rock ledge.Please bring gloves and morning tea.Bookings: Conny Harris 0432643295 or Email Conny
Terrey Hills to Morgan Rd Saturday 4/11 7.30-11.30 am Start at Terrey Hills cross the Deep Creek catchment valley and walk along feeder creek and end at Morgan Rd. Please bring gloves, old screwdriver and am tea. Plan is to include 30 min weeding. Carpool required.Bookings: Conny Harris 0432 643 295 or Email Conny
Spotlight Walk - 8:15pm Monday Nov 27This walk will take place after Jayden Walsh has shown pictures and talked about amphibians and reptiles in Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment.8:15pm Meet at Katoa Close. Spaces limited to 30 people
Spotlight Walk - 8pm Friday Dec 15Spotlighting walk - meet at start of Slippery Dip Trail. Spaces limited to 20 people
Wildlife Walk - 7:30am Friday January 19, 2018Meet at end of Deep Creek Carpark. Spaces limited to 30 peopleEmail: Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment to get a ticket and book a place for one of these fascinating Wildlife Walks led by Jayden Walsh.
Bush Regeneration - Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment This is a wonderful way to become connected to nature and contribute to the health of the environment. Over the weeks and months you can see positive changes as you give native species a better chance to thrive. Wildlife appreciate the improvement in their habitat.
Belrose area - Thursday mornings Belrose area - Weekend mornings by arrangementContact: Phone or text Conny Harris on 0432 643 295
Wheeler Creek - Wednesday mornings 9-11amContact: Phone or text Judith Bennett on 0402 974 105Or email: Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment : email@narrabeenlagoon.org.au
Eco Paddle on Narrabeen Lagoon1pm, Sunday Feb 11, 2018Black Swan have returned to the lagoon after 20 years - come and see these majestic creatures! This paddle will visit the Western Basin, Deep and Middle Creeks. Beautiful Deep Creek attracts migratory birds from as far away as Russia and Middle Creek has been the subject of a substantial remediation programme. A relaxing 2 to 3 hour afternoon paddle. No previous kayaking experience required, tuition given. BYO boat or a hire kayak can be arranged for you at cost. Bookings essential.Email tonycarr@ozemail.com.au or call 0417 502 056.
Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Traverse
10am - Sunday Oct 8 repeated Sunday Dec 3
This walk is a hidden gem and offers the most amazing variety of vegetation. Also lovely scenic views and sometimes rare fauna. Plant ID as we go and a brief lunch break BYO.
Start 10am finish 2:30pm. LImited numbers.
Carpool back. Bookings essential. Phone or text Conny on 0432 643 295.
Oxford Falls triangle
Sunday 22/10 7.30- 11am
This walk will only take about 2 hrs walking, but a few small pampas grass clumps need removal and we will have morning tea in the creek bed or on a high rock ledge.
Please bring gloves and morning tea.
Bookings: Conny Harris 0432643295 or Email Conny
Terrey Hills to Morgan Rd
Saturday 4/11 7.30-11.30 am
Start at Terrey Hills cross the Deep Creek catchment valley and walk along feeder creek and end at Morgan Rd. Please bring gloves, old screwdriver and am tea. Plan is to include 30 min weeding. Carpool required.
Bookings: Conny Harris 0432 643 295 or Email Conny
Spotlight Walk - 8:15pm Monday Nov 27
This walk will take place after Jayden Walsh has shown pictures and talked about amphibians and reptiles in Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment.
8:15pm Meet at Katoa Close. Spaces limited to 30 people
Spotlight Walk - 8pm Friday Dec 15
Spotlighting walk - meet at start of Slippery Dip Trail. Spaces limited to 20 people
Wildlife Walk - 7:30am Friday January 19, 2018
Meet at end of Deep Creek Carpark. Spaces limited to 30 people
Email: Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment to get a ticket and book a place for one of these fascinating Wildlife Walks led by Jayden Walsh.
Bush Regeneration - Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment
This is a wonderful way to become connected to nature and contribute to the health of the environment. Over the weeks and months you can see positive changes as you give native species a better chance to thrive. Wildlife appreciate the improvement in their habitat.
Belrose area - Thursday mornings
Belrose area - Weekend mornings by arrangement
Contact: Phone or text Conny Harris on 0432 643 295
Wheeler Creek - Wednesday mornings 9-11am
Contact: Phone or text Judith Bennett on 0402 974 105
Or email: Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment : email@narrabeenlagoon.org.au
Eco Paddle on Narrabeen Lagoon
1pm, Sunday Feb 11, 2018
Black Swan have returned to the lagoon after 20 years - come and see these majestic creatures! This paddle will visit the Western Basin, Deep and Middle Creeks. Beautiful Deep Creek attracts migratory birds from as far away as Russia and Middle Creek has been the subject of a substantial remediation programme. A relaxing 2 to 3 hour afternoon paddle. No previous kayaking experience required, tuition given. BYO boat or a hire kayak can be arranged for you at cost.
Bookings essential.
Email tonycarr@ozemail.com.au or call 0417 502 056.
Plan To Protect NSW From Pest Plants And Animals
Help Shape Crawney Pass National Park's Future
Bird Walks And Talks 2017: PNHA
Come and see and hear some of our fantastic native birds, many of which you'll never see in your garden. Join in a Sunday guided bird walk with Pittwater Natural Heritage Association. All walks start at 8am and end about 10am.
November 26 Warriewood Wetlands. Meet end of Katoa Close, north Narrabeen.
Bring binoculars if possible. Drink, hat and comfortable shoes.More information contact pnhabirdwatching@gmail.com or Ph Kerry on 0402 605 721.
You don't need to book but if we know you're coming we'll watch out for you. Call if in doubt about weather as we won't go out if it's raining.
Come and see and hear some of our fantastic native birds, many of which you'll never see in your garden. Join in a Sunday guided bird walk with Pittwater Natural Heritage Association. All walks start at 8am and end about 10am.
November 26 Warriewood Wetlands. Meet end of Katoa Close, north Narrabeen.
Bring binoculars if possible. Drink, hat and comfortable shoes.
More information contact pnhabirdwatching@gmail.com or
Ph Kerry on 0402 605 721.
You don't need to book but if we know you're coming we'll watch out for you. Call if in doubt about weather as we won't go out if it's raining.
Update On Baleen 2D HR Seismic Survey
Long Reef Walks 2017/18 Season
New “Coastal Management Guide” Teaching Resource Released
Researchers from UNSW Water Resaerch Laborsatory (WRL) in partnership with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, have developed a new ‘Coastal Management Guide’ designed for High School teachers involved in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education: http://www.narrabeen.wrl.unsw.edu.au/teaching/
The Guide is designed to assist teachers to engage their students (target ages 11 – 16 years) in the complex issues of Coastal Management, with coastal erosion as the “attractor”. Background information spanning topics such as ‘the dynamic coast’, ’what are the issues’, ‘managing for the future’ and ‘how do we measure coastal change’ is presented. A broad range of fully developed independent and guided student activities are provided for use inside and outside the classroom, including hands-on experiments, analysis of media reporting, and role-playing.
The Guide targets Australian High School STEM curriculum areas (Years 7–10) of Physical Sciences, Human Society & its Environment (HSIE), Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences and Maths. More broadly, it is anticipated that the Guide’s educational themes and activities will provide a useful and stimulating resource in any classroom where ‘living at the coast’ can provide a launching point into diverse areas of secondary school STEM education.
The full Guide is freely available in two formats: pdf for download and eBook for online viewing.
Researchers from UNSW Water Resaerch Laborsatory (WRL) in partnership with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, have developed a new ‘Coastal Management Guide’ designed for High School teachers involved in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education: http://www.narrabeen.wrl.unsw.edu.au/teaching/
The Guide is designed to assist teachers to engage their students (target ages 11 – 16 years) in the complex issues of Coastal Management, with coastal erosion as the “attractor”. Background information spanning topics such as ‘the dynamic coast’, ’what are the issues’, ‘managing for the future’ and ‘how do we measure coastal change’ is presented. A broad range of fully developed independent and guided student activities are provided for use inside and outside the classroom, including hands-on experiments, analysis of media reporting, and role-playing.
The Guide targets Australian High School STEM curriculum areas (Years 7–10) of Physical Sciences, Human Society & its Environment (HSIE), Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences and Maths. More broadly, it is anticipated that the Guide’s educational themes and activities will provide a useful and stimulating resource in any classroom where ‘living at the coast’ can provide a launching point into diverse areas of secondary school STEM education.
The full Guide is freely available in two formats: pdf for download and eBook for online viewing.
If Victoria Can Ban CSG, NSW Can Too!
By The Wilderness SocietyCoal seam gas (CSG) threatens our water, our health and our climate. Many jurisdictions around the world are permanently banning this dangerous industry, most recently Victoria. We do not need or want risky coal seam gas in NSW. It’s clear that the industry has no social licence in our state, yet vast and critical areas—as well as human health—are still under threat from CSG across the state.
Call on the new Premier Berejiklian and the new Planning Minister Roberts to follow Victoria's lead and ban this harmful and risky industry in NSW.
By The Wilderness Society
Coal seam gas (CSG) threatens our water, our health and our climate. Many jurisdictions around the world are permanently banning this dangerous industry, most recently Victoria. We do not need or want risky coal seam gas in NSW.
It’s clear that the industry has no social licence in our state, yet vast and critical areas—as well as human health—are still under threat from CSG across the state.
Call on the new Premier Berejiklian and the new Planning Minister Roberts to follow Victoria's lead and ban this harmful and risky industry in NSW.
Petition: Rescind Adani's Unlimited Water License And Support Aussie Farmers!
Avalon Boomerang Bags 2017 Workshops
Boomerang Bag Working Bees run in Mona Vale onTuesdays 11:30am- 5pm.
For those of you unable to come to workshops there are many other ways to get involved, just let us know you're willing by leaving a comment or sending us a message.
Pictured is a Boomerang Bag Box.
The boxes are located at:
Avalon OrganicsHertford ChemistAvalon WholefoodFresh Fruit and VegJohnson Bros Mitre TenAvalon MeatsAvalon Rec CentreWatch this space for another venue soon.
A huge thank you to everybody who has helped Boomerang Bags Avalon get this far. But the work is not over yet. Materials and more hands always welcome Facebook page Profile
What Does PNHA do?
On-ground bush regeneration. eg: Asparagus Fern Out Days
Activities: guided walks, bird-watching
Quaterly informative newsletter, online or paper
Members email group for leaset environmental news and events
AGM with Guest Speaker
Free advice for members on managing gardens for Native Vegetation and fauna habitat
Lobbies Pittwater Council and State Government on inappropriate management practices and development
Provides support to Council for PNHA-approved grant applications for environmental projects
Publications: Introductory Field Guide to Birds of Warriewood Wetlands & Irrawong Reserve, $20.00rrp, attractive cards with photos of Pittwater scenes, flora and fauna $2.00
Email: pnhainfo@gmail.com Or click on Logo to visit website.
Permaculture Northern BeachesFacebook page: www.facebook.com/permaculturenb
Want to know where your food is coming from?
Do you like to enrich the earth as much as benefit from it?
Find out more here:
Pittwater's Environmental Foundation
Pittwater Environmental Foundation was established in 2006 to conserve and enhance the natural environment of the Pittwater local government area through the application of tax deductible donations, gifts and bequests. The Directors were appointed by Pittwater Council.
About 33% (about 1600 ha excluding National Parks) of the original pre-European bushland in Pittwater remains in a reasonably natural or undisturbed condition. Of this, only about 400ha remains in public ownership. All remaining natural bushland is subject to encroachment, illegal clearing, weed invasion, feral animals, altered drainage, bushfire hazard reduction requirements and other edge effects. Within Pittwater 38 species of plants or animals are listed as endangered or threatened under the Threatened Species Act. There are two endangered populations (Koala and Squirrel Glider) and eight endangered ecological communities or types of bushland. To visit their site please click on logo above.
Avalon Community Garden
Community Gardens bring people together and enrich communities. They build a sense of place and shared connection.
Avalon Community Garden is a community led initiative to create accessible food gardens in public places throughout the Pittwater area. Our aim is to share skills and knowledge in creating fabulous local, organic food. But it's not just about great food. We also aim to foster community connection, stimulate creative ideas for community resilience and celebrate our abundance. Open to all ages and skills, our first garden is on the grounds of Barrenjoey High School (off Tasman Road ). Become part of this exciting initiative to change the world locally.
www.pcga.org.au Contact us info@pcg.org.au or Visit us atfacebook.com/acga.org; image artwork: www.gravey.com
Avalon Boomerang Bags 2017 Workshops
Boomerang Bag Working Bees run in Mona Vale onTuesdays 11:30am- 5pm.
For those of you unable to come to workshops there are many other ways to get involved, just let us know you're willing by leaving a comment or sending us a message.
Pictured is a Boomerang Bag Box.
The boxes are located at:
Avalon Organics
Hertford Chemist
Avalon Wholefood
Fresh Fruit and Veg
Johnson Bros Mitre Ten
Avalon Meats
Avalon Rec Centre
Watch this space for another venue soon.
A huge thank you to everybody who has helped Boomerang Bags Avalon get this far. But the work is not over yet. Materials and more hands always welcome Facebook page Profile
What Does PNHA do?
On-ground bush regeneration. eg: Asparagus Fern Out Days
Activities: guided walks, bird-watching
Quaterly informative newsletter, online or paper
Members email group for leaset environmental news and events
AGM with Guest Speaker
Free advice for members on managing gardens for Native Vegetation and fauna habitat
Lobbies Pittwater Council and State Government on inappropriate management practices and development
Provides support to Council for PNHA-approved grant applications for environmental projects
Publications: Introductory Field Guide to Birds of Warriewood Wetlands & Irrawong Reserve, $20.00rrp, attractive cards with photos of Pittwater scenes, flora and fauna $2.00
Email: pnhainfo@gmail.com Or click on Logo to visit website.
Permaculture Northern Beaches
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/permaculturenb
Want to know where your food is coming from?
Do you like to enrich the earth as much as benefit from it?
Find out more here:
Pittwater's Environmental Foundation
Pittwater Environmental Foundation was established in 2006 to conserve and enhance the natural environment of the Pittwater local government area through the application of tax deductible donations, gifts and bequests. The Directors were appointed by Pittwater Council.
About 33% (about 1600 ha excluding National Parks) of the original pre-European bushland in Pittwater remains in a reasonably natural or undisturbed condition. Of this, only about 400ha remains in public ownership. All remaining natural bushland is subject to encroachment, illegal clearing, weed invasion, feral animals, altered drainage, bushfire hazard reduction requirements and other edge effects. Within Pittwater 38 species of plants or animals are listed as endangered or threatened under the Threatened Species Act. There are two endangered populations (Koala and Squirrel Glider) and eight endangered ecological communities or types of bushland. To visit their site please click on logo above.
Avalon Community Garden
Community Gardens bring people together and enrich communities. They build a sense of place and shared connection.
Avalon Community Garden is a community led initiative to create accessible food gardens in public places throughout the Pittwater area. Our aim is to share skills and knowledge in creating fabulous local, organic food. But it's not just about great food. We also aim to foster community connection, stimulate creative ideas for community resilience and celebrate our abundance. Open to all ages and skills, our first garden is on the grounds of Barrenjoey High School (off
www.pcga.org.
New Research Centre Forging Energy Efficient Future For NSW
Harbour Trust Invites Community Feedback On Interpretation Strategy For Headland Park
Kooragang Liquefied Petroleum Gas Storage Facility
Second Life For Electric Car Batteries
$3 Million In Grants Now Available For Commuity Recycling Centres
Asparagus Fern
Navigation Warning - NSW Coastal Waters: Whale Migration Season
Energy Locals For 100% Carbon Neutral Plans
From Surf Life Saving NSW Interested in 100% carbon neutral plans, huge solar feed in tariffs and Australian owned and operated in your energy provider? Look no further than SLSNSW's newest partner Energy Locals to see how they will revolutionise your energy plan: energylocals.com.au/providers/slsnsw
From Surf Life Saving NSW
Interested in 100% carbon neutral plans, huge solar feed in tariffs and Australian owned and operated in your energy provider? Look no further than SLSNSW's newest partner Energy Locals to see how they will revolutionise your energy plan: energylocals.com.au/providers/slsnsw
Myna Action Group
Pittwater Natural Heritage Association (PNHA)
Indian Mynas - what a pest - like flying rats. Contact us on pnhainfo@gmail.com for more information and have a look athttps://www.facebook.com/MynaProblems/
Indian Mynas are displacing our native birds. They often nest in and around shops where their food source is. I took this one down this morning in Avalon (no chicks or eggs but I disturbed the female). There were literally hundreds of tiny bits of plastic in the nest which makes you think that all this plastic would be swilling down the stormwater drains into the sea.
Pittwater Natural Heritage Association (PNHA)
Indian Mynas - what a pest - like flying rats.
Contact us on pnhainfo@gmail.com for more information and have a look athttps://www.facebook.com/MynaProblems/
Indian Mynas are displacing our native birds. They often nest in and around shops where their food source is. I took this one down this morning in Avalon (no chicks or eggs but I disturbed the female). There were literally hundreds of tiny bits of plastic in the nest which makes you think that all this plastic would be swilling down the stormwater drains into the sea.
Living Ocean
Website: www.livingocean.org.au
Living Ocean was born in Whale Beach, on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, surrounded by water and set in an area of incredible beauty.Living Ocean is a charity that promotes the awareness of human impact on the ocean, through research, education, creative activity in the community, and support of others who sustain ocean health and integrity.
And always celebrating and honouring the natural environment and the lifestyle that the ocean offers us.
Our whale research program builds on research that has been conducted off our coastline by our experts over many years and our Centre for Marine Studies enables students and others to become directly involved.
Through partnerships with individuals and organizations, we conceive, create and coordinate campaigns that educate all layers of our community – from our ‘No Plastic Please’ campaign, which is delivered in partnership with local schools, to film nights and lectures, aimed at the wider community.
Additionally, we raise funds for ocean-oriented conservation groups such as Sea Shepherd.
Donations are tax-deductable Wildlife Carers and Organisations in Pittwater:
Sydney Wildlife rescues, rehabilitates and releases sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife. From penguins, to possums and parrots, native wildlife of all descriptions passes through the caring hands of Sydney Wildlife rescuers and carers on a daily basis. We provide a genuine 24 hour, 7 day per week emergency advice, rescue and care service.
As well as caring for sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife, Sydney Wildlife is also involved in educating the community about native wildlife and its habitat. We provide educational talks to a wide range of groups and audiences including kindergartens, scouts, guides, a wide range of special interest groups and retirement villages. Talks are tailored to meet the needs and requirements of each group.
Found an injured native animal? We're here to help.
Keep the animal contained, warm, quiet and undisturbed. Do not offer any food or water. Call Sydney Wildlife immediately on 9413 4300, or take the animal to your nearest vet. Generally there is no charge. Find out more at: www.sydneywildlife.org.au
Southern Cross Wildlife Care was launched over 6 years ago. It is the brainchild of Dr Howard Ralph, the founder and chief veterinarian. SCWC was established solely for the purpose of treating injured, sick and orphaned wildlife. No wild creature in need that passes through our doors is ever rejected.
People can assist SCWC by volunteering their skills ie: veterinary; medical; experienced wildlife carers; fundraising; "IT" skills; media; admin; website etc. We are always having to address the issue of finances as we are a non commercial veterinary service for wildlife in need, who obviously don't have cheque books in their pouches. It is a constant concern and struggle of ours when we are pre-occupied with the care and treatment of the escalating amount of wildlife that we have to deal with. Just becoming a member of SCWC for $45 a year would be a great help. Regular monthly donations however small, would be a wonderful gift and we could plan ahead knowing that we had x amount of funds that we could count on. Our small team of volunteers are all unpaid even our amazing vet Howard, so all funds raised go directly towards our precious wildlife. SCWC is TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
Find out more at: southerncrosswildlifecare.org.au/wp/
Website: www.livingocean.org.au
Living Ocean was born in Whale Beach, on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, surrounded by water and set in an area of incredible beauty.Living Ocean is a charity that promotes the awareness of human impact on the ocean, through research, education, creative activity in the community, and support of others who sustain ocean health and integrity.
And always celebrating and honouring the natural environment and the lifestyle that the ocean offers us.
Our whale research program builds on research that has been conducted off our coastline by our experts over many years and our Centre for Marine Studies enables students and others to become directly involved.
Through partnerships with individuals and organizations, we conceive, create and coordinate campaigns that educate all layers of our community – from our ‘No Plastic Please’ campaign, which is delivered in partnership with local schools, to film nights and lectures, aimed at the wider community.
Additionally, we raise funds for ocean-oriented conservation groups such as Sea Shepherd.
Donations are tax-deductable
Wildlife Carers and Organisations in Pittwater:
Sydney Wildlife rescues, rehabilitates and releases sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife. From penguins, to possums and parrots, native wildlife of all descriptions passes through the caring hands of Sydney Wildlife rescuers and carers on a daily basis. We provide a genuine 24 hour, 7 day per week emergency advice, rescue and care service.
As well as caring for sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife, Sydney Wildlife is also involved in educating the community about native wildlife and its habitat. We provide educational talks to a wide range of groups and audiences including kindergartens, scouts, guides, a wide range of special interest groups and retirement villages. Talks are tailored to meet the needs and requirements of each group.
Found an injured native animal? We're here to help.
Keep the animal contained, warm, quiet and undisturbed. Do not offer any food or water. Call Sydney Wildlife immediately on 9413 4300, or take the animal to your nearest vet. Generally there is no charge. Find out more at: www.sydneywildlife.org.au
Southern Cross Wildlife Care was launched over 6 years ago. It is the brainchild of Dr Howard Ralph, the founder and chief veterinarian. SCWC was established solely for the purpose of treating injured, sick and orphaned wildlife. No wild creature in need that passes through our doors is ever rejected.
People can assist SCWC by volunteering their skills ie: veterinary; medical; experienced wildlife carers; fundraising; "IT" skills; media; admin; website etc. We are always having to address the issue of finances as we are a non commercial veterinary service for wildlife in need, who obviously don't have cheque books in their pouches. It is a constant concern and struggle of ours when we are pre-occupied with the care and treatment of the escalating amount of wildlife that we have to deal with. Just becoming a member of SCWC for $45 a year would be a great help. Regular monthly donations however small, would be a wonderful gift and we could plan ahead knowing that we had x amount of funds that we could count on. Our small team of volunteers are all unpaid even our amazing vet Howard, so all funds raised go directly towards our precious wildlife. SCWC is TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
Find out more at: southerncrosswildlifecare.org.au/wp/
13 Drinks A Session: Risky Teen Drinkers Drinking More Than Ever
October 3rd, 2017: by Marion Downey - UNSW
The National Drug and Research Centre Annual Symposium will hear about research that finds the heaviest teen drinkers consume 11 to 15 drinks in one session.
Fewer young people are drinking, but the one in five teenagers who are continuing to drink at risky levels appear to do so in higher quantities than their predecessors and experience significant harms, research to be presented at the National Drug and Research Centre Annual Symposium has found.
The survey of 3,500 of the heaviest drinking top quarter of 14- to 19-year-olds found they were drinking a median (middle point) of 13 standard drinks (15 for males and 11 for females) on a single occasion, and three-quarters had experienced a negative event, including one in five who had blacked out.
In another presentation, research from the sixth year of data from UNSW’s landmark parental supply of alcohol study has found that 17-year-olds given alcohol by their parents in the earlier years, even sips, were more likely to binge drink and show symptoms of dependence and alcohol use disorders than those who had not obtained alcohol from parents or other sources.
A third study on drinking and teens to be presented at the conference has found that teens who drank to cope with symptoms of anxiety and depression were twice as likely to progress to high risk drinking by age 21.
Research led by Professor Steve Allsop and Dr Tina Lam of Curtin University’s National Drug Research Institute surveyed 3,500 14- to 19-year-olds, who were the heaviest-drinking 25% of their age group.
The surveys were conducted face to face and online as part of the Young Australians Alcohol Reporting System (YAARS), a collaboration between Curtin University, UNSW Sydney and Turning Point in Melbourne.
"We have targeted this group because they are underrepresented in our national household surveys," said chief investigator Dr Tina Lam. "We know from other studies that rates of alcohol-related emergency department presentations in Australian teenagers is twice as high as for other Australians and far too many ambulance call outs for alcohol related incidents involve those under the age of 18."
Dr Lam said we don’t know enough about this high-risk group’s heavy drinking sessions.
"These heavy drinking sessions are the ones that are associated with the greatest harms – we wanted to know details such as exactly how much they were consuming, where they were drinking, where they obtained the alcohol and the range of harms they experienced," she said.
"When we asked about their most recent heavy drinking occasion, the median quantity was 15 standard drinks for males and for females 11, and they told us this was a fairly normal drinking session for them, and for most had occurred in the previous fortnight."
The researchers found that much of this drinking was on private premises and that most of those who took part in the study accessed alcohol from friends, but also from licensed bottle shops.
Nearly a quarter of the drinkers under the age of 18 said that the last time they tried to buy alcohol from the bottle shop, the purchase was "very easy" and took less than an hour.
When asked how they chose their drinks, taste was closely followed by price and strength.
But parents who think they might be helping their children by supplying alcohol and supervising sips and whole drinks for their younger teens are putting them at increased risk of binge drinking, says UNSW Professor Richard Mattick, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow at NDARC.
To reduce the risks of alcohol-related harms, parents should avoid supplying alcohol to children.
Professor Mattick and colleagues have been following nearly 2,000 children, and their parents, for the past six years, first recruited into the study at age 12 to 13. By age 17 to 18, any protective effects of parental supply have dissipated, data to be presented at the conference has shown.
"At around 17 years of age children who received alcohol from their parents were more likely to be binge drinking, experience alcohol-related harms and show symptoms of dependence," said Professor Mattick.
"These results contrast with the results we obtained when the children were 15-year olds when parental supply was associated with drinking but not with drinking to excess."
It seemed that the passage of time did not see moderation of consumption, but rather an increase in drinking problems, Professor Mattick said.
"There was no evidence to support the view that in the long term, when teens are on the cusp of adulthood, that parental supply is any way protective," he said. "Rather, to reduce the risks of alcohol related harms parents should avoid supplying alcohol to children."
The reasons young people drink also has an impact on long-term adverse outcomes, said UNSW Senior Research fellow Dr Lexine Stapinski.
Results of a collaboration between UNSW and the University of Bristol in the UK will be presented at the conference. The research analysed how alcohol use changes from adolescence to early adulthood using data from a UK birth cohort.
"We found that risky drinking was more common among young people with an anxiety disorder, and that teenagers who drank to cope with anxiety or depression were two times more likely to progress to higher risk drinking over the transition to adulthood," Dr Stapinski said.
"The next step for our team is to evaluate the impact of an online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program for anxious young people, which aims to enhance anxiety coping skills, and prevent escalation of alcohol use."
One Hour Of Exercise A Week Can Prevent Depression
October 3rd, 2017: by Emily Cook - Black Dog Institute
A landmark study led by the Black Dog Institute has revealed that regular exercise of any intensity can prevent future depression – and just one hour can help.
Published today in the American Journal of Psychiatry, the results show even small amounts of exercise can protect against depression, with mental health benefits seen regardless of age or gender.
In the largest and most extensive study of its kind, the analysis involved 33,908 Norwegian adults who had their levels of exercise and symptoms of depression and anxiety monitored over 11 years.
The international research team found that 12% of cases of depression could have been prevented if participants undertook just one hour of physical activity each week.
“We’ve known for some time that exercise has a role to play in treating symptoms of depression, but this is the first time we have been able to quantify the preventative potential of physical activity in terms of reducing future levels of depression,” said lead author Associate Professor Samuel Harvey, from Black Dog Institute and UNSW.
“These findings are exciting because they show that even relatively small amounts of exercise – from one hour per week – can deliver significant protection against depression.
“We are still trying to determine exactly why exercise can have this protective effect, but we believe it is from the combined impact of the various physical and social benefits of physical activity.
“These results highlight the great potential to integrate exercise into individual mental health plans and broader public health campaigns. If we can find ways to increase the population’s level of physical activity even by a small amount, then this is likely to bring substantial physical and mental health benefits.”
The findings follow the Black Dog Institute’s recent Exercise Your Moodcampaign, which ran throughout September and encouraged Australians to improve their physical and mental wellbeing through exercise.
Researchers used data from the Health Study of Nord-Trøndelag County (HUNT study) – one of the largest and most comprehensive population-based health surveys ever undertaken – which was conducted between January 1984 and June 1997.
A healthy cohort of participants was asked at baseline to report the frequency of exercise they participated in and at what intensity: without becoming breathless or sweating, becoming breathless and sweating, or exhausting themselves. At follow-up stage, they completed a self-report questionnaire (the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) to indicate any emerging anxiety or depression.
With sedentary lifestyles becoming the norm worldwide, and rates of depression growing, these results are particularly pertinent as they highlight that even small lifestyle changes can reap significant mental health benefits.
The research team also accounted for variables which might impact the association between exercise and common mental illness. These include socio-economic and demographic factors, substance use, body mass index, new onset physical illness and perceived social support. Results showed that people who reported doing no exercise at all at baseline had a 44% increased chance of developing depression compared to those who were exercising one to two hours a week.
However, these benefits did not carry through to protecting against anxiety, with no association identified between level and intensity of exercise and the chances of developing the disorder.
According to the Australian Health Survey, 20% of Australian adults do not undertake any regular physical activity, and more than a third spend less than 1.5 hours per week being physically active. At the same time, around 1 million Australians have depression, with one in five Australians aged 16-85 experiencing a mental illness in any year.
“Most of the mental health benefits of exercise are realised within the first hour undertaken each week,” said Associate Professor Harvey.
“With sedentary lifestyles becoming the norm worldwide, and rates of depression growing, these results are particularly pertinent as they highlight that even small lifestyle changes can reap significant mental health benefits.”
The study involved researchers from Black Dog Institute, King’s College London, UNSW Sydney, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, University of Bergen (Norway), Nordland Hospital Trust (Norway) and the Arctic University of Norway.
The HUNT Study is a collaboration between the HUNT Research Centre, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Nord-Trøndelag County Council.
If you or someone you know is in crisis please call one of the following national helplines:
LIFELINE COUNSELLING SERVICE: 13 11 14
SUICIDE CALL BACK SERVICE: 1300 659 467 (cost of a local call)
ANU Welcomes This Year’s Nobel Prize In Physics
3 October, 2017: Australian National University
ANU has welcomed this year's Nobel Prize in Physics for the ground-breaking work to detect gravitational waves for the first time, 100 years after their existence was predicted by Albert Einstein.
ANU Vice-Chancellor and Nobel Laureate Professor Brian Schmidt AC congratulated Professor Barry Barish, Professor Kip Thorne and Professor Rainer Weiss from the United States for winning the award on behalf of an international team in which ANU has played a key role.
"A triumph of physics. The discovery of gravitational waves has led to a new age of gravitational wave astronomy, allowing scientists to unlock many secrets of the Universe," said Professor Schmidt, who won the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics.
"In future, this technique will probe the nature of black holes, neutron stars, supernovae and other things not yet imagined. We may be able to look back to almost the beginning of time - just after the big bang, which we cannot do with light. This is just the beginning, I cannot wait to see what they discover next.
"On behalf of ANU, I congratulate the winners, and ANU and Australian researchers who have helped make this amazing discovery possible."
The Nobel Prize for the first confirmed observation of a gravitational wave, ripples in space-time caused by the cataclysmic collision of two large black holes 1.3 billion years ago, was a landmark discovery that opened up new fields in physics and astrophysics.
Funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and led by ANU, Australia was one of the four partners in the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) along with the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.
"Thorne and Weiss were the founders and architects of LIGO - giants of the field - and Barish brought it to fruition. They are fitting winners of the Nobel Prize," Professor Schmidt said.
ANU supplied equipment and techniques that are used in the Advanced LIGO detectors.
The international team has made three more detections of gravitational waves since the first detection in September 2015.
The leader of the Australian Partnership in Advanced LIGO and Deputy Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery is ANU Professor David McClelland.
"It is fitting and apt that this landmark achievement in the history of physics should be recognised with Nobel prizes for the founders of LIGO," said Professor McClelland from the ANU Research School of Physics and Engineering.
"ANU played an integral role in this amazing discovery, which has led to the award of this year's Nobel Prize in Physics. We are extremely proud to have played a part in this momentous event."
Professor Susan Scott, who is Leader of the General Relativity Theory and Data Analysis Group at ANU, said the 100-year journey of scientific discovery started with Einstein's miraculous theory of general relativity in 1915.
"Two of the greatest predictions from Einstein's general theory of relativity, black holes and gravitational waves, came together in this discovery," said Professor Scott from the ANU Research School of Physics and Engineering.
"Australia has been involved from the beginning 30 years ago in the quest to create the most sensitive instrument on Earth that was required to detect the minute distortions of space-time which we call gravitational waves."
An artist's impression of two black holes merging. Image: SXS
74 Year-Old Mystery Solved: RV Investigator Finds WWII Shipwreck
October 5th, 2017: CSIRO
Researchers on CSIRO’s research vessel Investigator have solved a maritime mystery 74 years in the making with the discovery of the wreck of SS Macumba, a merchant ship sunk by Japanese air attack during Word War II.
The discovery was made early on Wednesday morning (0115 AEDT) during a targeted survey in the Arafura Sea off the coast of Arnhem Land.
The survey was being conducted for the Northern Territory Government while Investigator was en route from Sydney to Broome.
Macumba was a 2,500 ton steel merchant ship that was sunk on 6 August 1943 when two Japanese aircraft attacked at low level and scored a direct hit on the ship’s engine room.
Three of the Macumba’s crew were killed in the attack, with one body never being recovered. Survivors from the attack were taken aboard an escort and the Macumba was left to sink.
While the location of the attack was known, no previous search had been able to discover the location of the wreck. Until now.
Investigator’s advanced multibeam sonar systems were used to locate and map the wreck which was found in 40 metres of water, and appears to be upright and relatively intact.
Marine National Facility Voyage Manager on Investigator Hugh Barker said all on board were pleased to locate the wreck and help solve this wartime mystery.
“The search was important to everyone on board this voyage and a lot of eyes were either glued to monitors or scanning the horizon for the signs of marine life that often point to features underwater,” Hugh said.
“We discovered the wreck in the middle of the night after about 10 hours of searching, which was lucky as we only had a couple more hours available for the search.
“It was also really lucky that we had an excellent team on the sonar who noticed some unusual features on the seafloor near the edge of our search area and asked for the ship to do an extra wide turn outside the search area. That’s when we found it!”
Once the wreck was mapped using the ships sonar systems, a specialised drop camera was then lowered into the water to photograph the site, capturing some incredible footage of the wreck and marine life around it.
“Macumba was about the same length as Investigator and it was likely that the wreck would have formed an artificial reef, providing habitat for a range of marine life,” Hugh said.
“Our drop camera even got a close-up photo of an inquisitive reef shark that seemed to be guarding the site. It was a special night for all on board and we are so pleased to find the final resting place of Macumba.”
Data collected by Investigator will now help inform a detailed wreck inspection report and future management as a protected historic shipwreck.
The search for SS Macumba was a collaborative effort between the CSIRO Marine National Facility and the Northern Territory Government.
The SS Macumba is a merchant ship that was sunk by a Japanese air attack during WWII
First Faculty Showcase Highlights Built Environment’s Finest Work
October 5th, 2017 UNSW Media
UNSW Built Environment’s best minds are seeking solutions to the biggest challenges facing our increasingly urbanised world.
The Faculty held a series of events for University management, industry supporters, teachers and students.
The Built Environment Showcase last week highlighted the critically important work being done by students, researchers, teaching staff and alumni. The Faculty held a series of events for an audience including UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Jacobs, the University management board and executive staff, key industry supporters, teachers and students.
Hosted by the Dean of Built Environment, Professor Helen Lochhead, the Showcase featured some of the ground-breaking research, ideas and technology developed in line with the University’s 2025 strategic priorities – academic excellence, social engagement and global impact.
Australia is one of the most urbanised societies in the world and some of our biggest challenges are exacerbated in our cities by the growing spatial divide between the haves and the have-nots, housing affordability, and climate change, says Professor Lochhead.
"I want people to take away from the Showcase that complex urban issues are front and centre in our imagination and that we really need to focus on them through innovative and interdisciplinary approaches," she says.
"We believe in changing the world through positive engagement in these pressing urban challenges."
In the City Futures Research Centre, Associate Professor Hazel Easthope and Dr Laurence Troy revealed living conditions and construction problems in Sydney’s old apartment blocks and the desperate problems faced by some residents in strata-title properties.
Professor Susan Thompson spoke about the importance of building healthier cities and why good public design is crucial to creating strong communities and mitigating chronic disease, while PhD student Sian Thompson talked about the positive results that come from apartment residents getting to know their neighbours.
Professor Chris Pettit released the latest results from his City Analytics team, including cutting-edge research from the Rapid Analytics InteractiveScenario Explorer (RAISE) tool. This spatial data tool, which allows users to estimate and visualise property values, can predict the price impact of various infrastructure options to better focus infrastructure investment.
On the University’s Red Centre forecourt, Professor of High Performance Architecture Mat Santamouris demonstrated the capabilities of his team’sEnergy Bus and their work mitigating urban heat islands, particularly in Darwin.
In the Liveability Lab, Associate Professor Catherine Bridge spoke passionately about her team’s research and the technology behind the devices that will help older Australians remain self-sufficient in their own homes for longer.
To showcase the Faculty’s global impact activities, Professor James Weirick explained the many benefits of students undertaking international study tours and design challenges; Professor David Sanderson asked whose reality counts when disadvantaged communities face urban disasters; and Dr Laura Crommelin questioned the impact of online property marketplace Airbnb’s operations in Phoenix, London and Sydney, on housing affordability
The Showcase concluded with a dose of social engagement – the Cities@UNSW panel discussion chaired by Professor Lochhead on the implications of spatial inequality in Sydney that revealed the growing divide between the haves and the have-nots.
The Showcase concept was devised by Professor Jacobs to present each faculty’s achievements to the University leadership, other academics and industry partners.
“It’s about giving everyone a chance to pause and reflect on what they have done,” he says.
“This is purely about celebration, achievements, encouragement and enthusiasm.
“Everything I’ve heard today is about what an impact this faculty can make. It is what a great university does.”
Built Environment was the first faculty to hold a Showcase event, with other faculties to follow in November and early 2018.
The Faculty held a series of events for University management, industry supporters, teachers and students.
World-Leading Dementia Scientist To Join UNSW And NeuRA
October 3rd, 2017: by Liz Courtney, UNSW
Professor Kaarin Anstey will join UNSW Sydney and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) to lead an innovative multi-disciplinary team addressing ageing research, with a focus on vital community lifestyle solutions around dementia in the Australian community.
Professor Anstey will take up a Chair in the School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, and a position of NHMRC Principal Research Fellow at NeuRA. She will begin her new position in January 2018, based at NeuRA in Randwick.
This landmark joint appointment between UNSW and NeuRA has been facilitated by strategic recruitment programs: UNSW's SHARP (Strategic Hires and Retention Program) and the NeuRA Discovery Fund.
"I am delighted to be joining this alliance of partners with such excellent records and strengths in innovative and progressive neuroscience research at both NeuRA and UNSW," Professor Anstey said of her appointment.
"I’m looking forward to expanding my research programs on the epidemiology of cognition and dementia with a focus on identifying lifestyle, brain and biological risk factors that lead to cognitive decline, and the impact of cognitive ageing on everyday function and safe driving in the individual and broader community.
"I am also interested in how cognitive decline impacts on the capacity individuals have to make good decisions about their finances and health. I look forward to working more closely with new and existing colleagues."
By 2053, 21% of the Australian population will be aged 65 and over (8.3 million people) and 4.2% aged 85 and over (1.6 million people). This unprecedented demographic shift will result in dramatic changes in the need for health and care services.
It highlights a critical need for preventive health approaches and interventions to enable older adults to retain their independence. Of those aged 65+, 20-25% will have some degree of cognitive impairment, with 5-7% developing dementia.
Professor Anstey believes there is huge scope for research to improve how people age through preventive health strategies, the use of technology and specific skill training.
Using psychological and population health approaches, her research programs focus on interventions to reduce risk of dementia, cognitive ageing and decision-making, interventions to improve driving skill, and longitudinal studies of health and ageing.
Over the next five years Professor Anstey will focus on four key projects: the development of a global research network for dementia prevention and building the evidence base on risk and protective factors for cognitive decline and dementia; physical and mental resilience in ageing; how cognitive decline impacts on decision-making; and how to keep older drivers on the road for longer.
Professor Anstey brings a unique breadth of research expertise applied to real-world problems.
UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Jacobs said: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Anstey, a world leader in ageing and dementia research, to UNSW Sydney.
"Professor Anstey is a member of the WHO Guideline Development Group on Dementia Risk Reduction, reflecting the key roles that our research leaders take in addressing major health problems in our community."
Professor Peter Schofield, CEO and Executive Director of NeuRA, said Professor Anstey would bring a breadth of expertise in both ageing and dementia research.
"She will add a crucial new dimension to our research programs, through her leadership of the longitudinal study of the psychiatric epidemiology of dementia via the PATH through life study," he said.
UNSW Dean of Science Professor Emma Johnston said: "Professor Anstey brings a unique breadth of research expertise applied to real world problems. Ranging from dementia risk reduction programs through to helping to define the parameters required for safe driving in older Australians, her ability to provide intellectual leadership is critical for our success."
UNSW Head of School of Psychology Professor Simon Killcross said: "With specific translational research projects in cognitive health promotion in primary care and promoting older adults’ mobility and good health, Professor Anstey demonstrates how her research agenda will enhance the strengths in Psychology at UNSW. We are the top-rated School in Australia and look forward to her arrival further lifting our performance."
UNSW Professor John Piggott, Director of the ARC Centre of Research Excellence in Ageing Research (CEPAR), said: "We are delighted to have our long-time colleague and CEPAR Co-Deputy Director join us at UNSW. Collaboration is the key to our joint engagement in CEPAR and having Professor Anstey as a campus colleague will greatly enhance our interactions."
Professor Kaarin Anstey. Photo: NeuRA