Pittwater Online News

Stand Up For Nature protest in Pittwater: NSW Govt. Biodiversity Legislation Review

Pittwater Natural Heritage Association (PNHA): April 13, 2016

New Laws to protect our Environment? 

We presented a petition of over 10 000 signatures to Rob Stokes' office yesterday after the Stand Up For Nature protest, attended by about 40 people from many NGOs. 

Weakened offset provisions actually exempt developers from protecting bushland. This could expose urban bushland to destruction and permit developer profit. Watch out for the draft legislation coming soon.

Biodiversity Legislation Review

The NSW Government is considering the recommendations of an Independent Expert Review Panel of biodiversity laws which delivered its final report to the Minister for the Environment in December 2014. 

Find out more at:environment.nsw.gov.au/biodiversitylegislation/review.htm

NSW Black-throated Finch to be Declared EXTINCT

April 15, 2016

The southern species of the black-throated finch has been given the preliminary status of extinct by the New South Wales Scientific Committee in a  Preliminary Determination as; 

'In NSW there have been only three confirmed records of the Black-throated Finch (southern) since 1990, the last occurring in 1994 (Ley and Cook 2001; DOE 2015). Since 1994, the subspecies has not been recorded in NSW, despite general surveys (Barrett et al. 2003; BTFRT 2004) and in 2000 specific intensive searches in the Inverell-Ashford, Tenterfield and Boggabilla districts in locations withsuitable habitat and historical records (Ley and Cook 2001). The ongoing lack of records indicates that the southern subspecies of the Black-throated Finch is extinct in NSW as was suggested by Higgins et al. (2006) and DOE (2015).'

The document attributes the loss to; 'Loss and degradation of habitat appear to be the major threat to the Black-throated Finch (southern) (BTFRT 2004, 2007; TSSC 2005; Garnett et al. 2011). The decline of the Black-throated Finch (southern) in northern NSW and southern Queensland coincided with the introduction of livestock (primarily sheep) grazing in the early 20th century (Franklin 1999; TSSC 2005; Garnett et al. 2011; Forshaw et al. 2012). Grazing by livestock and the introduced European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is thought to have degraded grassland habitats and riparian vegetation leading to a reduction of seed availability from native grasses (Franklin 1999; TSSC 2005; Garnett et al. 2011). The clearing and fragmentation of woodland for agriculture, especially cropping, which has been particularly extensive in the southern part of the subspecies’ range, are also likely to have had a negative impact on the Black-throated Finch (southern) through the loss and degradation of riparian breeding habitat (Woinarski and Caterall 2004; TSSC 2005; BTFRT 2007; Garnett et al. 2011; Forshaw et al. 2012). Altered fire regimes and the spread of weeds and exotic grasses may also have been detrimental to the subspecies (Woinarski and Caterall 2004; TSSC 2005; BTFRT 2007; Garnett et al. 2011). All of these threats are on-going and are likely to be exacerbated by periodic drought (Garnett et al. 2011; Forshaw et al. 2012). ‘Clearing of native vegetation’, and ‘Competition and grazing by the feral European Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.)’ are listed as Key Threatening Processes under the Act.'

Top: A Black-throated Finch at Baltimore Aquarium, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Photo courtesy Chris Williamson.

Mandalong Coal Mine: Modification to Mandalong Southern Extension Project

Modification application to modify the Mandalong Southern Extension Project (SSD-5144). For additional information refer to Statement of Environmental Effects.

Project is currently on public exhibition and opportunity for public submissions is available

Assessment Type SSD Mod

Project Type: Mining, Petroleum & Extraction

Exhibition Start 22/04/2016

Exhibition End 06/05/2016

Dept of Environment and Planning page: 

majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=7584 

From Modification document:

"The Project involves the direct clearing of 8.5 hectares of native vegetation .."

Modification Document Application at: HERE 

Confused ACCC Gas Supply Report misses the point

April 22, 2016: by Lock the Gate Alliance

The report released today from the ACCC inquiry into the east coast gas market, which calls for an end to State based  gas moratoriums and regulation ignores the concerns in the community about the uncosted impacts of unconventional gas, says the Lock the Gate Alliance.

“The ACCC acknowledges that the cause of the current disruption in the east coast gas market was the rushed development of LNG exports from large new coal seam gas development in Queensland, but bizarrely, it seems to propose that more rushed unconventional gas development will alleviate this problem,” said the Alliance’s National Coordinator, Phil Laird.

“The environmental and social costs of gas to consumers and to affected communities has not been properly considered by the ACCC.

“The reason why moratoria are in place in Victoria and Tasmania, and why they are proposed in the Northern Territory and New South Wales, is because environmental regulation, insurance and management are not up to the job of preventing irreversible damage being inflicted on the public by unconventional gas operations. We’ve seen the disaster in Queensland, and clearly need more regulation, not less. 

“Weak, ambiguous approval conditions blur company liability and the failure to ensure gas drillers hold comprehensive environmental insurance to mitigate risk of environmental harm means that the gas industry is freeloading on the environment and affected communities.

“Only in November last year, prior to COAG, communities called on the Australian Government through the ACCC to look into the unconscionable way uninsured gas companies use the threat of land courts to force their way onto farmers land in Queensland and effectively transfer the environmental risk onto the landholder. 

“There was no response. Now we hear of a report calling for the end of state-based moratoriums, and loosening of regulation, making communities the scapegoats for problems that have been entirely the making of the greedy gas giants, and poor planning by State and Federal Governments. 

The reality of environmental externalities in Queensland has come home to roost where In the last few days Underground Coal Gasification company, Linc Energy and minerals processor, Queensland Nickel have collapsed leaving in their wake massive environmental liabilities. Liabilities borne by the community, not consumer markets.

“The Queensland Government has had to legislate to try and claw back these liabilities after the fact. A comprehensive environmental insurance requirement would ensure that the financial cost of future environmental hazards was being met now.

“Unlike the closed ACCC processes, the Federal Inquiry into Unconventional Gas has heard devastating evidence of environmental externalities from affected community members. Dewatered aquifers, water bore blow outs, uninsured cowboy outfits, falling mental health, contaminated land and air. All of which are  happening in Queensland now.

The rest of Australia has heard and seen the impacts to Queensland communities and are rightly saying ‘we don’t want that here’. The ACCC should go back to the drawing board, engage with communities about impacts, and properly quantify the costs of unconventional gas to people and the environment” he said. 

The ACCC report is available here. 

Lock the Gate Supports Ban on UCG; Congratulates Qld Govt

April 18, 2016

Lock the Gate Alliance has welcomed the announcement by the Qld Government today that underground coal gasification will be banned.

Underground coal gasification has previously caused water contamination at Kingaroy, and at Hopeland near Chinchilla it has led to the contamination of 30,000 hectares of land with dangerous gases, after catastrophic failure of the underground gasifiers.

Drew Hutton from Lock the Gate Alliance said ‘We’d like to congratulate the Qld Government, and the Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk, on taking this important step.

“This technology has failed repeatedly in Qld and it is simply too dangerous to accept.

“We’ve been working for more than six years to have important farmland, water resources and local communities protected from the risks that this industry poses.

“Underground coal gasification has failed catastrophically in two of its three trial projects in Queensland over the last decade.  However, there was yet another project currently proposed by Carbon Energy at Dalby.

“No-one would jump in a car that fails 70% of the time, so why should landholders have to put up with a technology that is so demonstrably unsafe?.

“We believe this should be a bipartisan issue and would like see support from all political parties, including the LNP, to end this dangerous polluting industry.

“It is positive that no other community will ever have to go through what has happened to people at Hopeland, but we still need urgent action to address the damage that has occurred there.

“We want to see Linc Energy and their former Chair Peter Bond held accountable for the far-reaching impacts of underground coal gasification on farmland at Hopeland.

“We are calling on the Qld Government to act urgently so that they do not escape their responsibilities by going into liquidation.

“We want to see the Qld Governments proposed Chain of Responsibility Bill passed through Parliament this week, and applied to ensure that Peter Bond and others are required to cover the clean-up of the site and to pay any penalties that may arise from the court prosecution, as well as covering any remedies sought by affected landholders” he said.

QLD LNP returns to Newman-era special treatment for mining industry

April 21, 2016: by Lock the Gate Alliance

Startling revelations/media reports that Queensland Shadow Minister for the Environment, Stephen Bennett, leaked information about new environmental laws to the Queensland Resources Council raise serious questions about the influence of mining over the State's Opposition.

The alleged leak of the Government's Chain of Responsibility law, or part thereof, has been referred to the Parliamentary Ethics Committee. It is understood Mr Bennett has apologised to the Parliament for this action.

Lock the Gate president, Drew Hutton, said an apology by Mr Bennett was insufficient, if proven these allegation would represent represents a serious breach of parliamentary rules and a subverting of democracy.

Lock the Gate Alliance has called for the Shadow Minister Bennett to abstain from the parliamentary vote today on the bill that is subject to Parliamentary Ethics Committee investigation.

"A leak of government law to the Queensland Resources Council is not a simply lapse of judgement, it undermines our democracy and raises serious questions about whether the LNP has been compromised.

"We're calling for Stephen Bennett to abstain from the vote that is likely today on the Chain of Responsibility Bill, which is designed to hold mining executives to account, because he has been hopelessly compromised by the exposure of this leak to the mining industry.

"The Newman era was characterised by decision after decision that gave special favour to the  mining industry over the rights of the community. Voters rejected this cosy relationship by voting the party out of government but it seems bad habits die hard.

"I have to ask: what is the level of influence exercised by the mining industry on the LNP?

"Do they write policy on mining for the party?

"One thing is certain, they left concerns about farmers behind them a long time ago, and are now acting directly contrary to the best interests of their constituents," he said.

New Qld Chain of Responsibility law holds mining executives accountable to pay costly mine clean up bills

April 22, 2016: by Lock the Gate Alliance

The Lock the Gate Alliance has welcomed the passage of new laws this morning to prevent mining and resources industry executives from leaving Queensland taxpayers with costly clean up bills for developments. 

The Chain of Responsibility Bill is retrospective and should deal with issues such as the liabilities for Clive Palmer's Yabulu nickel refinery and Peter Bond’s Linc Energy underground coal gasification project at Chinchilla.

Drew Hutton, Lock the Gate Alliance president, said Queensland communities had long been calling for stronger laws that ensured mining and resource executives were held accountable for the costs of rehabilitating sites. 

“The passing of the Chain of Responsibility Bill today is a big step in the right direction for protecting Queenslanders from cowboy operators who want to skip out on doing the right thing by the environment, our health and local communities,” he said.

“We can’t accept a situation in Queensland where future generations are being left to foot an exorbitant bill to even begin to clean up the mess, due to the refusal of mining billionaires and executives to do the right thing.

"For decades mining companies have walked away from mines, without doing any or adequate rehabilitation of the site, leaving the cost of cleaning up that site to the taxpayer. This bill will hold executives and other associated parties accountable to cover costs.

“A great next step would be boosting resources for the Department of Environment and Natural Heritage in order for it to effectively enforce these new laws and defend our communities and to increase the upfront costs levied on companies” he said.

The Bill is available on Qld parliament's website, here.

No intention to revive Coal Seam Gas on the North Coast

19.04.2016: Department of Planning and Environment Media Release

The NSW Government has reiterated that it has no intention of developing coal seam gas on the North Coast.

The map in the draft regional plan simply identifies significant resources and industries across the area. 

It does not indicate that coal seam gas extraction will occur. 

The Department of Planning and Environment is encouraging the community to make submissions on the draft Plan until Thursday, 2 June 2016.

The draft Plan can be viewed at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/northcoast

___________________________

Gasfield Free Northern Rivers demand action from the Planning Department

Media Release: April 19, 2016: Gasfield Free Northern Rivers 

Gasfield Free Northern Rivers demand action from the Planning Department.

Concerned residents of the Northern Rivers are gathering today at Council Chambers as the NSW Planning Department arrives in Lismore to brief the Lismore City Council on the Draft North Coast Regional Plan.

“The people of Lismore, Casino, Kyogle and surrounds have been left out of briefings and it’s just not good enough, so we are here today to send our message to the planning department.

“They should be offering a community briefing in Lismore so that we can clearly send our message to Minister Stokes and Premier Baird, that this regional plan must be amended to remove the references to CSG that it currently includes.” said Dean Draper, spokesperson for Gasfield Free Northern Rivers.

“As well as this removal we are demanding that the plan clearly spells out that there will be no unconventional gas exploration at all for the life of the plan. We want it made very clear that the Northern Rivers is a no-go zone for unconventional gas.

“We applauded the Baird government for their actions earlier this year, buying back the licences covering our region, and we want to see them stay the course. We want a government that reinforces its actions in writing, and what better place to put their intentions to protect the Northern Rivers than the Regional Plan for the North Coast.

“We’re currently seeing an influx of Labor politicians, who are here to woo the people of the Northern Rivers. They clearly know what we want and are here seeking our votes. This NSW government, and the National Party risk losing the people of the Northern Rivers forever if they don’t thoroughly follow through with complete protection for our region.

“Promises must be put in to action, the government must make it crystal clear what their intentions are for our region. If this government thinks that we will not remain vigilant then they are in for a rude awakening. We are resolute, determined and ever-watchful for any threat to our region.” he said.

Australian scientists to join international colleagues for Antarctic circumnavigation voyage

19th April 2016

Scientists from the Australian Antarctic Division will investigate the impact of micro plastics on the Southern Ocean food web and use innovative technology to undertake an Antarctic whale survey during an international circumnavigation voyage of Antarctica later this year.

The ‘Antarctic Circumnavigation Expedition’ is a philanthropic project initiated by polar explorer Frederik Paulsen and coordinated by the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.

The three-month voyage will visit 13 of the major island groups surrounding the Antarctic continent, including Australia’s Heard Island.

The voyage will depart Cape Town in December and will call into Hobart

Australian researchers will lead seven of the 22 projects planned for the voyage which were selected through a competitive scientific assessment process following a world-wide call for applications.

Australian Antarctic Division scientists will be joined by international scientists from a range of institutions, along with Chief Investigators from Curtin University, Monash University, Swinburne University and the Museum of Western Australia.

Australian Antarctic Division Principal Research Scientist, Dr Dana Bergstrom, will lead one project investigating the impact of micro plastics on the Southern Ocean food web.

Micro plastics are generated by two major pathways: primary micro plastics, such as microbeads, and secondary micro plastics, derived from the breakdown or wear and tear of larger discarded plastics.

“Millions of tonnes of plastics reach marine environments every year and while the Southern Ocean is assumed to be relatively free of pollutants, increasing quantities of plastic are washing up on sub-Antarctic islands and on the Antarctic coastline,” Dr Bergstrom said.

“By sampling surface waters for free floating micro plastics, as well as looking for evidence of ingestion by zooplankton, seals and seabirds, we will investigate the extent to which micro plastics have reached the Southern Ocean ecosystem and whether they have entered the food web.”

A second project led by Australian Antarctic Division Marine Mammal Acoustician, Brian Miller, will undertake the first circumpolar survey for Antarctic whales in a single voyage.

Dr Miller said that the current status of many whale populations remain poorly known.

“Many species of Antarctic whales make loud distinctive sounds, and within a species these sounds may vary with the geographic region in which they are recorded,” Mr Miller said.

“We will use new instruments and methods to listening to the whales which will provide us with data on the distribution of Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and sub-tropical whales.”

“There will be a highly skilled team of international experts in this field on board, and supporting us from ashore, and we’ll be working hard during the voyage to make the most of this unprecedented opportunity to cover the entire Southern Ocean in a single voyage.”

Mr Miller said precise information on whales is important for the conservation and management of the Antarctic marine environment.

Australian Antarctic Division Chief Scientist, Dr Gwen Fenton, said the voyage is a valuable opportunity for Australian scientists to work alongside international colleagues.

“With very generous philanthropic support, particularly from Mr Frederik Paulsen, the voyage provides a rare and exciting opportunity for Australian scientists to participate in an international scientific expedition,” Dr Fenton said.

“It is particularly pleasing to see so many Australian-led research projects being selected to take part and demonstrates the leading edge science being undertaken by Australian scientists.”

The Australian Antarctic Division is on both the technical and steering committee for the expedition. The national polar programmes of France, Norway, Russia, South Africa and the United Kingdom are also involved.

Read more about the voyage on the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne website.

Retford Park Gifted by James Fairfax AC to National Trust Australia (NSW)

April 20, 2016: National Trust Australia (NSW) 

The National Trust of Australia NSW has received the largest gift in its 70 year history of conserving the built, cultural and natural heritage of NSW. Philanthropist and arts patron, Mr James Fairfax AC, gifted his historic Retford Park home to the National Trust of Australia along with a significant endowment for the property’s ongoing conservation and maintenance. 

Speaking at the handover ceremony at Retford Park yesterday, Mr Fairfax said: “It has long been my wish that Retford Park be preserved so that future generations can see how the property was lived in and used. I know that I am transferring the property into safe hands to be preserved for future generations of Australians.” 

Dr Clive Lucas OBE, President of the National Trust, commented: “The National Trust is honoured to receive this gift of the magnificent Retford Park property and the accompanying endowment which together represents the largest gift ever received by the Trust.

Continuous Naval Shipbuilding

18 April 2016:  Prime Minister and Minister for Defence – Media Release

The Turnbull Government is securing a sustainable long-term Australian naval shipbuilding industry.

Today the Government is announcing the build locations for 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels and up to 21 Pacific Patrol Boats, in addition to nine Future Frigates previously announced.

These announcements provide for two shipyards to implement the Government’s commitment to a continuous build of naval surface ships in Australia. Major warships will be built in Adelaide and minor vessels in Henderson, Western Australia.

These three projects will ensure Australia retains a sovereign capability to build and sustain its naval vessels. Together they represent close to $40 billion worth of investment in Australia’s future naval capabilities and our naval shipbuilding industry.

They will directly secure more than 2,500 jobs for decades to come. They will also generate thousands of additional jobs with suppliers.

Offshore Patrol Vessels

First pass approval for the Offshore Patrol Vessels, with construction to begin in Adelaide from 2018, following the completion of the Air Warfare Destroyers and transfer to Western Australia when the Future Frigate construction begins in Adelaide in 2020.  This approach ensures that jobs and skills are retained in Adelaide.

As part of the Competitive Evaluation Process three designers have been shortlisted; Damen of the Netherlands, Fassmer of Germany, and Lurssen of Germany to refine their designs.

This program is estimated to be worth more than $3 billion and will create over 400 direct jobs.

Future Frigates

First pass approval for the Future Frigates. Three designers – BAE Systems with the Type 26 Frigate; Fincantieri with the FREMM Frigate, and Navantia with a redesigned F100 –  have been short-listed to refine their designs. The frigates will all be built in Adelaide, incorporating the Australian-developed CEA Phased-Array Radar.

The Competitive Evaluation Process is on schedule to return second pass approval in 2018, which will allow for construction to commence in Adelaide in 2020.

This program is estimated to be worth more than $35 billion, and will directly create over 2000 jobs.

Pacific Patrol Boats

Combined first and second pass approval for the replacement Pacific Patrol Boats.  Austal Ships Pty Ltd has been selected as the preferred tenderer to construct and maintain up to twenty-one replacement steel-hulled Pacific Patrol Boats in Henderson, Western Australia.

Subject to negotiations, this program is estimated to be worth more than $500 million and will directly create over 130 jobs.

Austal proposes to conduct support of the replacement Pacific Patrol Boats including deep maintenance from Cairns, Queensland. In total, through-life support and sustainment (including deep maintenance) for the Pacific Patrol Boats is valued at a further $400 million over the life of the boats.

Today’s announcements are central to the Government’s comprehensive Naval Shipbuilding Plan. These three significant ship builds will deliver the necessary infrastructure requirements across the Adelaide and Henderson shipyards. They will create new jobs, develop necessary skills and broaden cooperation between industry and government.

The Turnbull Government is committed to maximising the opportunities for our Australian Defence industry to participate in these shipbuilding programs. Through the Defence Industry Policy Statement the Turnbull Government will reset the relationship between Defence and industry, driving jobs and innovation which will have spillover effects into the wider economy.  In particular, the new Centre for Defence Industry Capability will help small to medium enterprises identify opportunities to join the supply chains necessary to deliver these ambitious naval shipbuilding projects.

The Government’s historic continuous build program will ensure the Navy receives its future capability requirements while delivering the certainty that shipbuilders need. 

Secrets of Kokoda Revealed

April 20, 2016: CSIRO

With ANZAC Day approaching, CSIRO in collaboration with the Department of Environment, has announced the delivery of a trove of data on local plants and animals to the people of Papua New Guinea, to help manage conservation and tourism in the area made famous during the Second World War.

Focusing on the Kokoda Track and Owen Stanley Range, the data is based on specimens collected from the 1950s up until the present day, housed at CSIRO's natural history collections in Canberra.

Over the past three decades, Australia has made spectacular, world leading advances in managing and mobilising its biodiversity data. The Kokoda project represents a huge investment in making PNG's biodiversity available within PNG.

Mr Brendan Lepschi of the Australian National Herbarium said Papua New Guinea was a global hotspot for biodiversity.

"The data we are providing to the people of PNG is a 'snapshot' of biodiversity over time, which can help with understanding what grows and lives where and why, enabling better conservation management, especially given the increased human activity in the Kokoda area," Mr Lepschi said.

Australian National Herbarium staff worked through the collections, making sure specimens were correctly identified, before capturing detailed information, in the Herbarium's electronic specimen database.

"We began with the Ericaceae, a group that includes showy plants such as rhododendrons and is richly represented in the Kokoda area," Mr Lepschi said.

"We then included information on birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians from CSIRO's Australian National Wildlife Collection, as well as butterflies, dragonflies and beetles from CSIRO's Australian National Insect Collection.

"We'd like to add other plant groups, including ferns, figs and umbrella trees.

"Making PNG collection data available in PNG is vitally important as it can provide decision makers with a sound basis for future work."

Although data from PNG flora and fauna collections are becoming increasingly accessible in Australia, they are not available to researchers in PNG itself. The PNG Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) has recently invested considerable resources through the Kokoda Initiative to develop a national biodiversity database, making repatriation of such data possible.

Mr James Sabi of CEPA said the project was very important for PNG.

"It brings together a great deal of biodiversity information from collections all over the world into one place, managed by PNG," Mr Sabi said.

"It's a substantial vote of confidence from the international community that PNG now has the systems and expertise to manage and provide access to this information, and will enable CEPA to make better biodiversity management decisions."

There are special challenges in working with the Herbarium's PNG collection. The flora is less well known than that of Australia, many species are undescribed and specimens are often fragile due to having large, soft leaves that become crisp and brittle when dry.

"Biological collections from 50 or 60 years ago tend to have less label data, including things now considered essential such as latitude and longitude. Identifying exactly where a plant was collected can be difficult due to the complex and changing geography of PNG villages," Mr Lepschi said.

This work was funded by the Australian Department of the Environment to validate and provide biological collection data to the PNG Conservation and Environment Protection Authority for inclusion in the PNG National Biodiversity Information System.

The Australian National Herbarium is part of the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, a joint venture between the Department of the Environment's Parks Australia Division and CSIRO.

Photos: The wing of a Superb Bird of Paradise Lophorina superba which is among some of the specimens collected in PNG by CSIRO. © Martin Ollman

CSIRO botanist Lyn Craven (1945 - 2015) holding a fruiting stalk of a nipa palm (Nypa fruticans), near Ravikivau, Purari River delta, Papua New Guinea, 19 Feb. 1966.© Dick Schodde.

Call Out For Next Generation of YouTube Talent – Screen Australia and Google Help Filmakers Skip Ahead – Pool of  $750,000 Available

MEDIA RELEASE: Monday 18 April 2016

Screen Australia and Google are back with the third instalment of Skip Ahead, the program that helps new generations of online storytellers expand their vision and the scale of the content they create on YouTube. With past Skip Ahead alumnae including Aunty Donna (103,489 subscribers • 12,202,848 views), SketchShe (763,971 subscribers • 85,634,620 views), Mighty Car Mods (1,816,456 subscribers • 244,207,055 views) and Axis of Awesome(288,469 subscribers • 46,005,519 views), the program is also a step in building sustainable screen careers.

The program will provide project funding of up to $250,000 each for three successful Australian YouTube content creators who have existing YouTube channels with a substantial subscriber base.  The funding is for successful applicants to make a longer narrative-driven film of at least 30 minutes in length, which may be a one-off film, or could act as a pilot for a series or proof of concept for a feature, provided it can be viewed as a standalone piece of entertainment.

Skip Ahead encourages any genre of narrative film, but it should play to the applicants’ strengths and their audience’s expectation, and represent a clear step in terms of storytelling ambition and production values.

The project will be expected to premiere on the filmmakers’ YouTube Channel, but they will be able to explore other releases such as theatrical event screenings and top tier film festivals. As part of its support for Skip Ahead, Google and Screen Australia may also facilitate networking opportunities between creators and Australian production companies interested in skills exchange or creative collaboration.

Mike Cowap from Screen Australia said: “This is an extraordinary program for YouTubers to make the leap from short form to longer content. We are constantly blown away by what YouTubers achieve with very little resources. This is a great opportunity for our local content creators to get the extra support they may need to take their work to the next level. ”

“Skip Ahead fosters the next generation of Australian storytellers by providing funding, education and support for the production of new online content. The first two rounds of Skip Ahead winners created fantastic online series and we hope this third wave of funding for long-form content will help budding Australian filmmakers reach global audiences on YouTube.” said Kristen Bowen, Head of Top Creators — APAC, YouTube Australia.

Previous recipients of Skip Ahead funding are eligible to apply.

For further information about Skip Ahead, including assessment and eligibility criteria, please click here.          

Applications close on 20 May 2016. Successful applicants will be announced in June 2016.

Junior Lifesavers of The Year Announced

Thursday 14 April 2016: SLS NSW

Two young lifesavers have capped off their Nipper careers in grand style by taking out the Junior Lifesaver of the Year Award (JLOTY) in Sydney on Thursday.

Byron Vinkovic (Shellharbour SLSC) and Ella Cook (Narrabeen Beach SLSC) impressed the judging panel during this week’s development program at the Collaroy Learning Centre.

They were among 22 Under 14 finalists from the 11 branches in NSW nominated to take part in the annual leadership and development program which brings together like-minded young lifesavers in their final year of Nippers.

“It feels amazing and I was shocked and excited when I heard my name. It’s great to win this award as sometimes our branch isn’t recognised as much as the others so to win something this big is amazing – nothing compares to it,” a clearly delighted Byron Vinkovic said.

Like many of his peers, the young South Coast lifesaver was introduced to the beach early in life, and once he entered the water for the first time as an U8 Nipper he was hooked.

Throughout the JLOTY program the young lifesavers participated in a variety of workshops as well as recreational activities all designed to develop the leadership potential of the lifesavers and highlight the many opportunities in Surf Life Saving.

“I’ve learned so many new leadership skills and ways of thinking. I learned a lot about self-reflection and thinking about how I could be a better person, especially through the resilience workshops and talks by previous Junior Lifesavers of the Year,” Byron said.

Ella Cook has been involved in Nippers since she was very young and believes this week’s program has been one of the highlights of her years in surf life saving.

“It was really good how quickly the friendships developed and I think that was because we are all like-minded and share a similar interest. In fact on the second day people were already saying that it felt like they had known each other for years,” said Ella.

“I can honestly say the whole experience was amazing and I got so much out of it. I’ve met some new lifelong friends and have learned so much which I can now take back to my club where all the youth members can benefit from this knowledge,” she said.

The experience of the JLOTY Program reinforced both Byron’s and Ella’s ambitions to stay involved with their clubs.

“I really want to get my Bronze and Silver Medallions and become a Patrol Captain. The other thing I would love to do at some stage is become an IRB Crewman as it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and my long-term goal is to go to university and get a degree in some form of medicine,” said Byron.

Ella also wants to take advantage of the range of opportunities offered in surf life saving.

“I really want to get my Bronze Medallion which I can do next season and go from there. I would love to become an IRB Crewman and gain qualifications in spinal management and all the other skill areas as well.

“Eventually I would like to be on the club Board of Management as well as try to implement a program that myself and the other Sydney Northern Beaches Branch representative developed during JLOTY,” Cook added.

Both Byron and Ella will be honoured as part of the annual Awards of Excellence to be held in Sydney in August.

2015/16 SLSNSW Junior Lifesaver of the Year Branch Finalists

Jorja Williams - Helensburgh - Stanwell Park SLSC (Illawarra)

Keehan Reilly- Helensburgh - Stanwell Park SLSC (Illawarra)

Grace Kuhnell - Wauchope Bonny Hills SLSC (Mid North Coast)

Isaac Plunkett - Port Macquarie SLSC (Mid North Coast)

Annabelle Smith - Broulee Surfers SLSC (Far South Coast)

Jake Shaw - Pambula SLSC (Far South Coast)

Chloe Walker - Coogee SLSC (Sydney)

Michael De Francesco – North Cronulla SLSC (Sydney)

Poppy Smyth – Coffs Harbour SLSC (North Coast)

Patrick de Carle – Sawtell SLSC (North Coast)

Ella Cook (Narrabeen Beach SLSC) (Sydney Northern Beaches)

Zizo Ayoub – Dee Why SLSC (Sydney Northern Beaches)

Annelise Romer – Forster SLSC (Lower North Coast)

Jordan Fowler – Forster SLSC (Lower North Coast)

Jade Williams – Cooks Hill SLSC (Hunter)

Luke Walmsley – Caves Beach SLSC (Hunter)

Cerys Cousins – MacMasters Beach SLSC (Central Coast)

Dylan Barrett – Ocean Beach SLSC (Central Coast)

Jessica O’Donnell – Nowra-Culburra SLSC (South Coast)

Byron Vinkovic – Shellharbour SLSC (South Coast)

Hayley Smith – Cudgen Headland SLSC (Far North Coast)

Zane Patience - Cabarita Beach SLSC (Far North Coast)

Outdoor light has role in reducing short-sightedness in kids

April 6, 2016L QUT

Increasing exposure to outdoor light is the key to reducing the myopia (short-sightedness) epidemic in children, according to ground-breaking research by Australian optometrists.

Optometrist and lead researcher on the project, Associate Professor Scott Read who is the director of research at QUT's School of Optometry and Vision Science, said children need to spend more than an hour and preferably at least two hours a day outside to help prevent myopia from developing and progressing.

Speaking at the Australian Vision Convention in Queensland on the weekend, Professor Read said it was not 'near work' on computer and other screens causing myopia, but a lack of adequate outdoor light.

"While screens are contributing to children spending more time indoors than in previous years, the research shows they are not the direct cause of the increased incidence of myopia," he said.

"Optometrists need to make their patients aware that less than 60 minutes' exposure to light outdoors per day is a risk factor for myopia.

"It looks like even for those with myopia already, increasing time outside is likely to reduce progression."

Optometry Australia president Kate Gifford said "this new finding is of significant importance in our endeavour to mitigate the growing rate of myopia in children."

In February, it was announced that half the world's population will be short-sighted by 2050 with many at risk of blindness.

The global study, published by the Brien Holden Vision Institute, forecasts that 10 per cent of the world's population will be at risk of blindness by 2050 if steps are not taken to stop myopia turning into high myopia (requiring glasses with a prescription of minus five or stronger).

The QUT study measured children's eye growth via study participants wearing wristwatch light sensors to record light exposure and physical activity for a fortnight during warmer then colder months to give an overall measurement of their typical light exposure.

"Children exposed to the least outdoor light had faster eye growth and hence faster myopia progression," Professor Read said.

The above is reprinted from materials provided by Queensland University of Technology. 

Madonna of the Rocks Murrine

Murrina (common pluralization murrine) is an Italian term for colored patterns or images made in a glass cane (long rods of glass) that are revealed when cut in cross-sections. Murrine can be made in infinite designs—some styles are more familiar, such as millefiori. Artists working in glass design murrine in a variety of ways from simple circular or square patterns to complex detailed designs to even portraits of people. Murrine are designed by layering different colors of molten glass around a core, then heating and stretching it into a rod. When cool, the rod is sliced into cross-sections of desired thickness with each slice possessing the same pattern in cross-section.

The murrina process first appeared in the Middle East more than 4,000 years ago and was revived by Venetian glassmakers on Murano in the early 16th century.

Madonna of the Rocks: SOLD OUT 

 (2 1/4" x 1 3/16")    The most elaborate murrini to date involving hundreds of component parts, fully shaded detail throughout. Artist Loren Stump’s signature is in the Madonna's brooch.

This work is one of several by Artist Loren Stump 

Visit: www.stumpchuck.com

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