CCWA Monthly Newsletter

By Clive Stubbington • 

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 March! From the Vice President Welcome to the March CCWA monthly newsletter. Our President, Richard Yin, is currently enjoying a short break overseas so I’m stepping in as Vice President for this edition. We are eagerly anticipating our new Executive Director, Jess Beckerling, taking up her position next week! There is much work to be done to redouble our campaigning activities in nature conservation, stopping fossil fuel expansion and transitioning to a safer climate as well as working more closely with our allies and members. I attended the recent CCWA/Greenpeace/Environs Kimberley ‘Save Scott Reef’ launch event at the beautiful Fremantle Town Hall. The excellent event was very well attended and emphasised the importance of preserving one of WA’s greatest natural wonders. More on the launch below! Next on the events calendar is our upcoming Environment Matters forum on 23rd April. The forum is entitled Burning Matters and it is co-hosted by Denmark Environment Centre and Fire & Biodiversity WA (FabWA). Join us to explore current prescribed burning policy and practice, why it matters, and most importantly, what actions you can take to protect our precious south west forests in the climate crisis. I hope to see you there. Dr Giz Watson Vice President

Happy 100th birthday to one of our founding members The Western Australian Naturalists’ Club, one of the oldest conservation groups in Australia and one of the four founding members of CCWA, is celebrating its Centenary this year. For 100 years the Naturalists’ Club has enabled Western Australians of all ages to gain an understanding and appreciation of our unique plants and animals and our terrestrial and marine environments while providing a hub for amateur and professional naturalists to share knowledge and expand on their fields of interest. During this time, the Club has also progressively become more involved with conservation issues, reflected in the Club’s Mission Statement: Encouraging the study and protection of the natural environment. Mark the Club’s centenary by joining them for several events this year. Centenary Events Program updates

Fossil Fuels The Fossil Fuels and CCWA team launched our new campaign to Save Scott Reef from Woodside’s dangerous Burrup Hub Project with Greenpeace Australia Pacific and Environs Kimberley on Thursday 14th March at Fremantle Town Hall. 300 people came to support the sold-out event, and it was fantastic to see so many enthusiastic people ready to take action!  We saw what makes Scott Reef such a special place and learnt about the fight to stop the same project over a decade ago, and how we can win against Woodside again by banding together. Finally, the world-renowned musician John Butler treated us to a performance. Help us call on Minister Tanya Plibersek to protect this precious marine ecosystem! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the event – the launch was inspiring, demonstrating a strong shared commitment to Scott Reef and its natural wonders. Photos: Save Scott Reef Fremantle Launch event – Photo credit: Jake Parker CCWA President, Dr Richard Yin, and the team presented to WA Labor Caucus on why we need stronger climate legislation. With 12 MPs present and engaged in debate regarding the bill, this was a terrific step in lobbying for a referral of the bill to a parliamentary committee followed by an enquiry.

Better Climate Across March, the Better Climate team has actively engaged in a series of initiatives aimed at advancing the clean energy agenda and shaping sustainable policies. We’ve highlighted the critical need for training the clean energy workforce of tomorrow, emphasising the importance of transitioning current workers to new opportunities – read more here. The passage of the State’s Electricity Industry Amendment Bill was celebrated, though we remain cautious about potential loopholes – read more here. Our ’25 Ideas for a Better Climate’ project also continues to progress. If you wish to collaborate with your input or be part of the consultation, please email [email protected]. The team has been joining forces with other organisations to support the development of a green labour force and green industries in WA. We’ll be sharing more information on this in the coming months.

Citizen Science Volunteer Robyn Devenish has been trialling bat box monitoring at Samphire Cove to help determine the effectiveness of existing roosting boxes. Protecting roosting habitat and effective roost habitat replacement are important actions that will help our bat populations. If you’re aware of a bat roost, please let us know by completing this form.   To expand on Robyn’s work, we’re looking for 2-3 volunteers to take part in a monthly bat box monitoring trial at Canning River Regional Park. Commitment will be 1 afternoon, once a month for 12 months. We’re also on the hunt for any WA megabat wildlife carers or researchers that are interested in assisting with an educational project in partnership with WA Museum.   Please email [email protected] if you’d like to get involved or find out more about these opportunities. Thanks to all our volunteers that help with our Citizen Science projects – the program wouldn’t exist without you!  Photo: Bat box at Samphire Cove

Help Save Our Marine Life The State Government has proposed a new marine park along WA’s south coast – from Bremer Bay to the South Australian border – and they are asking for your feedback.   There is currently no marine protection along these coastal waters, despite the south coast being globally recognised for its incredible marine life – much of which is found nowhere else in the world.   With temperate reef species at higher risk of extinction than tropical species, the South Coast Marine Park must contain enough sanctuary protection to safeguard our precious marine life and coastal lifestyle into the future.  But the current plans are missing sanctuary protection for critical habitat for endangered Australian sea lions, endangered Southern Right Whales and the extraordinary Recherche Archipelago.  Public submissions close on June 16. Please add your name to help protect our spectacular south coast today. Protect our South Coast Donate today! The critical work undertaken by the CCWA team is only possible thanks to generous support from individuals like you. Please consider donating today to ensure CCWA can remain a strong voice for the environment and fiercely advocate for better outcomes for nature and climate in WA. Donate Write your Will for free online!  It’s no surprise that CCWA supporters care passionately about protecting WA – many of our generous funders want to ensure their support lives on and that WA’s iconic nature is safeguarded for future generations. We have proudly partnered up with Gathered Here to offer all of our members and supporters the opportunity to write your Will for free online. Preparing your Will is the best way to make sure your wishes and intentions are followed and ensure that you leave a lasting legacy you can be proud of. Write Your Will Upcoming Events

Environment Matters: Burning Matters – why changes to prescribed burning are needed – Part 2 Join CCWA, Denmark Environment Centre and Fire and Biodiversity WA (FabWA) for this Environment Matters forum where we will be discussing why changes to current prescribed burning methods are needed.Despite mounting evidence of the adverse effects of existing prescribed burning practices on biodiversity, there’s been a concerning lack of acknowledgment of the cumulative damage across our Conservation Estate. Community and conservation scientists have voiced their concerns to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and the government, yet these concerns often remain unaddressed.This is a free event and light refreshments will be provided.  WHEN: Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024, 6:00pm-8:00pm WHERE: Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre, 555 Leach Hwy, Winthrop, WA,6150, Australia RSVP

CCWA regulatory submissions for March 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 and consultations in March include: · Department of Water and Environment (DWER) – Submission to licence application for Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers. · Call for the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to NOT APPROVE:         o Westport: Outer Harbour Port Development, Kwinana         o Robe River Mining Co – West Angelas (Public Environmental Review)         o Holiday Accommodation Goode Beach · EPA – Appeal of Limestone Quarry, Lot 4 Binningup Road · Submission to the Department of Industry, Science and Research (DISR) on the consultation requirements for offshore oil and gas storage regulatory approvals · Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act – calling for assessment of Burrup Peninsula Seawater Supply Scheme Upgrade as a controlled action. · Submission to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) on:        o The Draft Pilbara Bioregion: EPBC Act Policy Statement        o Australia’s new Nature Positive Laws · Submission to the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) – Eureka marine seismic survey · Meetings with:        o the Appeals Convenor to discuss CCWA’s appeal of DWER’s award of a Licence to Myalup Pty Ltd for Rose Farms WA, requesting sufficient information is provided to the public.        o Cockburn Sound Management Council        o Boskalis WA to discuss their marine sand mining proposal in the Cambridge Gulf News & Media

New amendments to offshore gas bill fall short of expectations Insidious Power Grab by the Gas Industry: Peak Environmental Bodies in Canberra to Oppose Offshore Petroleum Bill Uranium is unwanted, unsafe and uneconomic CCWA calls for renewables not nuclear

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.