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Upper House committee calls for stricter air quality standards for coal-fired power stations

November 18, 2021

A NSW Parliamentary committee today called for tighter air-quality controls on coal-fired power stations to improve public health. Observing the NSW standards had not been revised for 25 years, the Legislative Council Planning and Environment Committee reviewing the Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Clean Air) Bill 2021 [1] found the state’s coal-fired power stations were: lagging behind...

90-year community conservation campaign concludes with Gardens of Stone declaration

November 13, 2021

The declaration of the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area today is the culmination of possibly the longest conservation campaign in the state’s history. [1] “It has been a long time coming but it was definitely worth the wait,” Nature Conservation Council Chief Executive Chris Gambian said. “This is a very significant...

Hydrogen Hub funding rules not so sweet for Hunter biomass start-up Sweetman Renewables

November 11, 2021

The NSW Government has ruled out funding hydrogen production companies if they use native forest biomass at any stage of production. [1] The guidelines for grants under the government’s $70 million Hydrogen Hub Initiative will be a blow to Hunter-based sawmiller and clean-energy wannabe Sweetman Renewables. Sweetman had hoped to use native forests as feedstock for electricity generation...

Local environment groups welcome $200 million funding pledge for urban river restoration

November 09, 2021

The Nature Conservation Council welcomes Federal Labor’s pledge to allocate $200 million for urban river restoration if it wins the next election. [1] In a statement the ALP has committed to establish a $200 million Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, which would fund about 100 projects, ranging from smaller community group projects worth well under $1 million to larger...

Submissions into extending Vales Point pollution licence close this week

November 09, 2021

Public submissions to the Environment Protection Authority’s review of Vales Point Power Station’s nitrogen dioxide emissions close at 5pm this Wednesday, November 10. [1] Hundreds of people have added their name to a joint online submission by the NSW Nature Conservation Council. Central Coast...

Address To The Nature Conservation Council of NSW Annual Conference

November 06, 2021

Delegates, ladies and gentleman. I’ve travelled here this morning from Bidegal country in Sydney’s south, on the northern banks of the George’s River. And I speak to you now from Gadigal land, here in Chippendale. I pay my respects to ancestors and elders of all...

Legislating emissions targets would be a step forward for NSW

November 06, 2021

The Nature Conservation Council urges the NSW Government to support the ALP’s proposal make emissions targets legally binding by enshrining them in law. [1] The NSW Government has committed to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and halve them by 2030. “We have applauded...

Rylstone should have been spared the trauma of the NSW Government’s coal obsession

November 03, 2021

Nature Conservation Council Chief Executive, Chris Gambian said: “It is great news that the threat of coal mining, which has hung for almost a year over the heads of the Rylstone community, has now been lifted. “They should never have been subjected to...

Land clearing in NSW must end for Australia to meet its new COP26 deforestation pledge

November 03, 2021

The Nature Conservation Council calls on the NSW Government to urgently develop strategies to halt and reverse deforestation in NSW in line with the international agreement signed by Australia yesterday at the COP26 climate conference. [1] Australia was one of more than 100 countries...

Want to save Sydney’s koalas, Minister? Here’s our top tips

October 27, 2021

Environment Minister Matt Kean doesn’t have to wait for the Chief Scientist’s advice before acting to save the state’s only chlamydia-free koala colony. Environment Minister Matt Kean told a Budget Estimates hearing yesterday he was awaiting advice from the Chief Scientist before deciding how to save the koalas of southwest...