CCWA Monthly Newsletter

Dear NRPG members and interested,

For your information – Heres the latest Newsletter from CCWA.

Best Wishes

Clive

Hi Clive, welcome to the CCWA Monthly Newsletter for January – the CCWA team have been working hard with our members and groups to kickstart the new year! From the President CCWA has started the new year running with the Executive Committee, staff and member groups engaged to meet the challenges before us.  Alongside the ongoing work being conducted by the Fossil Fuels, Better Climate and Citizen Science teams, our attention is sharply focused on the proposed regressive changes to environmental protection laws governed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Amidst a climate and biodiversity crisis, now more than ever we need a strong EPA, so CCWA are mobilising to vigorously defend its independence. I ask all groups and supporters to join us in this critical advocacy – you can read more about our upcoming actions below. Our work in these spaces can only continue because of the financial support we receive. Thank you to all who continue to support us through funding and donations, which ensure we can continue to make a difference. Dr Richard Yin President Save Our EPA – Protect WA Nature CCWA is joining forces with member groups and other environmental organisations across WA to campaign for greater protection of WA nature. Amid climate and biodiversity crises, WA needs stronger environmental regulation.  The Cook government’s proposed changes to WA’s environmental assessment processes threaten to fast-track industrial projects, curtail the independence of the WA Environmental Protection Authority and reduce public consultation; posing a direct threat to WA’s natural heritage.  In response to this threat and to push for stronger protections, CCWA is driving a movement-wide campaign. Save the date!   On Tuesday 13 February, from 11:30 am, join the movement-wide rally to protect WA nature at Parliament House.  Find out more info here: https://www.ccwa.org.au/save_our_epa  Please share the link with your networks!  Learn more about the EPA and the proposed changes Join our first Environment Matters event for 2024 where we will be delving into the concerns surrounding the EPA’s proposed overhaul. Monday 12 February at the State Library from 6-8pm, RSVP here.   RSVP Program updates Fossil Fuels We are taking action against the largest polluters in Western Australia: the gas industry. Our focus for 2024 is to prevent the Burrup Hub gas expansion plans. We are coordinating a response for Minister Whitby’s imminent decision on Woodside’s North West Shelf extension, part of the Burrup Hub mega gas project. If you want to get involved in our Go Beyond Gas movement, join us here. The WA Climate Bill will be finalised in early 2024. We urge all supporters to contact their MP to strengthen the Climate Bill, starting with a Paris Agreement-consistent interim target of a state-wide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of 49% by 2030 and a clear path to establishing an independent expert climate change authority. Petition Delivery at Dumas House – Go Beyond Gas campaign skit Better Climate In January, the Better Climate team continued our focus on stakeholder engagement and on finalising the first draft of our decarbonisation report, “25 Solutions for a Better Climate”. January also marked an announcement from Alcoa that the business will curtail production at their Kwinana Alumina Refinery, meaning thousands of job losses for those currently working at the refinery. The announcement is a timely reminder that the Federal and State Governments need to speed up investment in a Green Jobs Industry. You can read Better Climate’s media release about the curtailment here. After the announcement from Alcoa, more critical mineral mines and refineries, most notably those within the nickel industry have either announced closures or slowed down due to the 40% drop in the price of nickel worldwide. Better Climate continues to work alongside stakeholders, especially the union movement in our advocacy for better solutions for climate action within Western Australia.   Citizen Science In January we had our first WA Bat Network meetup and night walk event. We have more night walks planned this year; details can be found in the WA Bat Network Facebook group or email [email protected] if you would like to receive information via email. We also continued with our bat monitoring pilot, and carried out acoustic bat surveys in beautiful Northcliffe. With the help from local businesses and the Northcliffe community, we’re hoping to set up regular monitoring and surveys of our target species, the elusive Western Falsistrelle bat – a species we still know little about. CCWA member group Green Skills Denmark carried out their annual citizen science fauna monitoring at Balijup Sanctuary. CCWA is delighted to support this well-deserving conservation project and is happy to hear the quenda population, as well as other native wildlife, are continuing to breed and do well. Balijup Eco-Camp at the Balijup Sanctuary – Citizen Scientists’ fauna monitoring We Need Your Support 2024 is set to be a big year for CCWA. We are tirelessly advocating for robust environmental protection, and working towards critical actions in the global fight against climate change. CCWA remains dedicated to being a forthright voice for the environment and facilitating collaborative efforts in WA to ensure that tangible and effective outcomes are achieved. Please consider donating today to support the important work being carried out by our team. Every donation helps to protect nature in WA. Donate Upcoming Events Environment Matters: Safeguarding WA’s EPA and Environment Join CCWA for our first Environment Matters event for 2024! We will be delving into the pressing concerns surrounding the Cook Government’s proposed overhaul of Western Australia’s environmental assessment system. Conservation organisations across the state are sounding the alarm on these changes, emphasising the potential threats to WA’s unique nature and the independence of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).  This event aims to shed light on the potential threats posed by the proposed changes, providing a platform for informed discussions on how we can collectively address these challenges. Together, we can advocate for policies that strengthen the independence of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and protect the natural treasures that make WA truly unique.  WHEN: Monday, February 12th, 6pm-8pm WHERE: State Library Theatre, 25 Francis Street, Boorloo/Perth WA 6000 RSVP Rally: Save Our EPA – Protect WA Nature! Caving into pressure from industry groups, and with no community consultation, the Cook Labor government has announced plans that will undermine WA’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).  Amid a climate and biodiversity crisis, the proposed changes would destroy public confidence in environmental decision-making and pave the way for accelerated destruction of WA’s already stressed, unique and world-renowned nature.  To protect the living systems on which we all depend, we need our EPA to be rigorous, science-based, independent and consultative.  CCWA is joining forces with organisations and groups across our state to rally on the steps of Parliament on the first sitting day for the WA Government.  WHEN: Tuesday, February 13th, 11:30am WHERE: Parliament House, Boorloo/Perth WA 6000 RSVP Event in Collaboration Feeling the Heat: Stories and Strategies for Western Australia’s Rising Temperatures With record-breaking global temperatures on the rise, we’re feeling the heat now more than ever. Join CCWA’s Go Beyond Gas movement and the Western Australian Council of Social Service for a discussion of the health and social impacts of climate-fueled high heat and heat waves. We will delve into key concerns around high heat and heatwaves and strategic methods of adaptation and mitigation. WHEN: Thursday, February 8th, 6pm-8pm WHERE: UWA Social Sciences Lecture Theatre, Saw Promenade, Crawley WA 6009 – a live stream option will be available for those unable to attend in person RSVP Event in Collaboration Health Concerns of Gas, a WA Perspective This event will inform you of the health risks of gas, covering concerns about gas use in the home, its impacts due to air pollution, and the health impacts from climate change and WA’s vulnerabilities. It will also provide some context by illustrating WA’s contribution to Australia’s emissions and gas projects still being planned. Hosted by Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARCC), Australian Conservation Foundation Perth Community, Conservation Council of WA (CCWA), and Earthwise Community. WHEN: Saturday, February 10th, 10am-12pm WHERE: Earthwise Community, 315 Bagot Road, Subiaco WA 6008 RSVP CCWA regulatory submissions for January CCWA lodges submissions to regulatory bodies on projects of public interest and which involve activities that pose significant risks to the environment. Some of our submissions lodged and activities this month include: Department of Water and Environment (DWER) – Submission on the clearing of vegetation on Rottnest Island for staff accommodation.  Meeting with the Appeals Convenor to discuss CCWA’s appeal of DWER’s award of a Clearing Permit to Perth Surf Park.   Referral of Cougar Sand’s Extension of Sand Extension project to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) under Section 38, for residual and cumulative impacts to significant environmental values.  – Submission to the Shire of Waroona – Comment on the Development Application for Cougar Sand’s Extension of Sand Extension  Call for the EPA to not approve:  – HyEnergy Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Project (Province Resources Ltd) – Garden Street extension (City of Gosnells) Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, calling for the assessment of Rangedale Landholdings as a controlled action.  News & Media Alcoa Kwinana Alumina Refinery closure is a stark reminder that Federal and State Governments need to speed up investment in a Green Jobs Industry. Pipeline damage adds to escalating concerns around Woodside’s dangerous Scarborough Project CCWA respectfully acknowledges the Whadjuk People of the Noongar nation, along with the Traditional Owners of all Countries where it works. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. CCWA seeks to always walk alongside our Aboriginal partners, recognising their continued connection through land, sea, culture and community. Conservation Council of Western Australia · 1186 Hay Street , West Perth, WA 6005, Australia