27 days out from the beginning of the 2023 Australian Summer and drought intensifies in Northern Rivers region

 

By 30 October 2023 NSW Dept. of Primary Industries' Combined Drought Indicator mapping showed that drought was intensifying along the North Coast of the state, from Port Macquarie-Hastings up to the NSW-Qld border. 

NSW DPI Combined Drought Indicator mapping, 30 October 2023
Click on image to enlarge

 An est. 42.8% of the region is experiencing intense drought; with another est. 41.6% in drought; and 15.5% considered drought affected.

As of the end of October, the North Coast region was the most affected by the growing drought conditions. State-wide almost half the land area is yet to experience drought. With only est. 3.2% of the total land area listed as in intense drought; est. 13.8% in drought; est. 33.8% drought affected; and the remaining 49.2% unaffected by drought conditions. 

Recent drought history from January 2017 to October 2023 of three Clarence Valley parishes which include major population centres.

Click on images to enlarge

Clarence Valley Council, News, 31 October 2023:

Clarence Valley community urged to reduce water use

A combination of low rainfall and high consumption has put Clarence Valley on the brink of water restrictions.

Due to low flow conditions in the Nymboida River, Clarence Valley's water supply is currently being sourced from Shannon Creek Dam.

Clarence Valley Council has Permanent Water Conservation Measures in place. However, dry conditions are predicted to continue and current projections indicate water restrictions are likely in the near future.

Several neighbouring councils have already implemented water restrictions including Bellingen Shire and parts of Tweed Shire, while Rous County Council, which services Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley, anticipates Level One water restrictions will be activated before Christmas.

"It is now an important time for the community to make a concerted effort to adhere to the permanent water conservation measures in order to delay the introduction of water restrictions," CVC Manager Water/Sewer Operations Andrew Potter said.

"Water consumption across the Clarence Valley has steadily risen in recent weeks, including several days above capacity."

The Rushforth Road Water Treatment Plant (RRWTP) has maximum capacity to provide 22 megalitres per day. Average daily consumption (22.39ML/day) exceeded 22ML for the first time in the week ending Sunday 22 October, when consumption peaked at 28.01ML.

There have been another ten days of more than 22ML being pumped out of RRWTP since 21 September, when temperatures reached 37 degrees for the first time heading into the warmer months.

"Generally warmer weather correlates with higher water consumption," Mr Potter said.

"We understand people are keen to keep their lawns and gardens alive. However, we urge people to consider ways they can reduce their usage….

Measles infection alert for NSW North Coast, August 2023

Measles was officially declared eliminated from Australia in March 2014, which means that outbreaks in Australia

now start with a single non-immune individual contracting infection while overseas and coming/returning to Australia. [National Centre for Immunisation, Research and Surveillance, Fact Sheet, 2019]

After a two and a half year respite Measles popped up on the public health radar in New South Wales again in February, March, April and July 2023.

With a low number infections being identified on incoming international flights up to late July 2023 and one case with no identified source.

The latest instances triggering limited period alerts for Rose Bay, Randwick, Minnie Waters, Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga.

Those most likely to be susceptible to measles are infants under 12 months of age who are too young to be vaccinated, anyone who is not fully vaccinated against the disease, which may include some adults, and people with a weakened immune system. [NSW Health, 21 July 2023]

NSW Health, Measles alert for Mid North Cost and Northern NSW, extract, 7 August 2023

The Mid North Coast and Northern NSW Local Health Districts are urging people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles and to get vaccinated if not up to date, following the notification of a case in the region.

It is likely the case acquired their infection whilst travelling in Bali, where a high number of cases have occurred in recent months. The case visited several locations in NSW while infectious, and contact tracing of potential high risk persons is underway.

Dr Valerie Delpech, Acting Director, Northern NSW Population and Public Health Directorate, said anyone

who was in the same locations as the cases should be alert for signs and symptoms of measles until 18 August, and check their vaccination status.

People may have been exposed to the case in the following locations:

• Coffs Harbour University football field, AFL North Coast under 10 competition – on Sunday 30 July between 9am-10am

• Woolgoolga AFL sports field, AFL North Coast under 12 competition – on Sunday 30 July between 11am-12pm

• Hazard reduction burn, Minnie Water Road, Minnie Water – on Monday 31 July 8.30am-5.30pm

These locations do not pose an ongoing risk to people…..

Songlines imagery of the Gumbaynggirr, Yaegl and Bundjalung nations installed along the Pacific Highway from Woolgoolga to Ballina

 

https://youtu.be/cvLEgG2jOj4

 

The Echo, 9 June 2023: 

Aboriginal artworks have been installed at nine overpass bridges spanning four lanes on the new Pacific Motorway between Woolgoolga and Ballina on the north coast of New South Wales.

The new artworks along the Woolgoolga to Ballina Aboriginal Art Trail depict the creation stories and ancient travel routes (Songlines) of the Aboriginal nations of the region.

The Woolgoolga to Ballina Aboriginal Art Trail is part of the Pacific Highway upgrade project which also included upgrading nine interchanges, more than 170 bridges and more than 350 other connecting roads.

Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot says the artworks tell the ‘Songlines’ of the Gumbaynggirr, Yaegl and Bundjalung nations, reflecting their physical and spiritual belonging, and connection to Country. ‘The artworks are in place on nine highway overpasses, along a 155-kilometre section of highway between Woolgoolga and Ballina.

‘The artists were selected by local Aboriginal communities and stakeholders, and their artworks communicate the rich and ancient history of these nations.’

Transport for NSW is planning a community event involving all the artists and their communities, to be held in the coming months.

For more information visit www.pacifichighway.nsw.gov.au/drive-songlines.

Australian Government-NSW Government Pacific Highway Upgrade: Drive The Songlines Aboriginal Art trail

Images by North Coast Aboriginal artists from 7 of the 13 sites along the highway

Iluka Interchange - southbound

Maclean Interchange - northbound

Woodburn Interchange - northbound

Tyndale Interchange - northbound

Coolgardie Interchange - northbound

Arrawarra Interchange - northbound

Glenugie Interchange - northbound

Click on images to enlarge

NSW Government DPI lease on its existing cattle tick inspection & treatment facility at Kirra in South East Queensland is currently suspended - Saffin calls for facility to remain in operation and a long-term plan to be developed to protect North Coast cattle industry

 

MICK VEITCH MLC
SHADOW MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL NSW

JANELLE SAFFIN MP
MEMBER FOR LISMORE

NSW LABOR CALL FOR ADVISORY GROUP ON NORTH COAST TICK FACILITY

NSW Labor are calling for a regional stakeholder advisory group to be urgently formed to help develop a path forward to tackle the threat of cattle tick infestation on NSW North Coast farms.

NSW Shadow Minister for Agriculture Mick Veitch and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin are making this joint call as the NSW Government lease on the existing tick facility at Kirra in South East Queensland is currently suspended.

Mr Veitch and Ms Saffin insist until a long-term plan is agreed upon by the government to mitigate this issue, the Kirra facility must remain open and operational.

The State’s successful cattle tick program was established in 1920 in recognition of the grave threat of tick infestation for the NSW cattle industry. To not have a current management plan in place neglects the needs of many farmers on the NSW North Coast.

Mr Veitch said, “The NSW Government’s consultation on this has been woeful.

“NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall needs to step in and sort out a long-term solution to an issue which puts many local farmers’ livelihoods at risk.

Ms Saffin, who has been in close consultation with Tweed Shire graziers’ regarding their concerns said, “The Government’s priority must be ensuring the community that our multi-million-dollar cattle industry is protected from threats such as this”

DATE: WEDNESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 2021

North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) is heading to the Federal Court to challenge the New South Wales North East Regional Forest Agreement

 

"The North East Forest Alliance was formed in 1989 as an alliance of groups and individuals from throughout north-east NSW, with the principal aims of protecting rainforest, oldgrowth, wilderness and threatened species. NEFA has pursued these goals through forest blockades, rallies, court cases, submissions, lobbying, and protracted negotiations" [https://www.nefa.org.au/about_nefa]

On 30 July 2021 the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) lodged its latest case in the Federal Court against the Commonwealth and NSW Governments.

If you live anywhere on the NSW North Coast, want to preserve our unique, biodiverse forests for future generations and are considering making a donation, go to: 

 https://chuffed.org/project/nefa-is-taking-government-to-court.

 https://youtu.be/XM-N1bnzhvk

Environmental Defenders Office (EDO), Latest News, 4 August 2021:

NSW Forest Logging Agreement Faces Legal Challenge over Climate, Biodiversity

In a legal first, Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is heading to the Federal Court to challenge a New South Wales Regional Forest Agreement (RFA).

The North East RFA covers logging in the coastal area between Sydney and the Queensland border. It exempts logging in native forests from federal biodiversity law.

Originally signed between the Commonwealth and New South Wales in 2000, it was renewed in 2018 for another 20 years with rolling extensions that could continue indefinitely.

In the summer of 2019-20, devastating bushfires ripped through native forests in the RFA region, including areas of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.

On behalf of client the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA), EDO will argue that when the North East RFA was renewed, the Commonwealth did not have regard to endangered species, the state of old growth forests or the impacts of climate change, as the EDO will argue it was required to do.

NEFA is asking the Federal Court to declare that the North East RFA does not validly exempt native forest logging from federal biodiversity assessment and approval requirements (EPBC Act).

NEFA is acting to protect native forests, which provide critical habitat for vulnerable and endangered species such as koalas and greater gliders and to ensure that the laws that regulate logging in these forests are up-to-date and fit for purpose. It is the first legal challenge to an RFA in New South Wales.

Senior Solicitor Emily Long has carriage of this case under the supervision of Andrew Kwan.

EDO is grateful for the assistance of Jeremy Kirk SC and James Johnson and Claire Roberts of counsel who are briefed to appear in this matter.

EDO Chief Executive Officer David Morris said:

“We are challenging the Federal Government over its failure to assess how another 20-plus years of logging, against a background of a changing climate, will impact our forest ecosystems, endangered species and old growth forests.

“The Commonwealth didn’t want to incur the costs of conducting a proper assessment, waving through a 20-year extension of native forest logging without proper scrutiny.

“Under the current system, if a population of koalas is being threatened by a new development, the project needs to be assessed at the Federal level. But if the same population of koalas is being threatened by a logging project, it’s been rubber stamped on the basis of 20-year-old environmental assessments.

“We have known for years that as the climate changes, fires will follow. And yet the North East RFA was renewed without an assessment of how climate change will impact the health and resilience of our native forest ecosystems. Less than 12 months later, fires began ravaging native forests across the region.

“This RFA is a powerful instrument that allows the forestry industry to bypass Federal biodiversity assessments. To be robust, these agreements must be founded on the latest scientific knowledge on climate and the state of our forest ecosystems.”

20-year Extension of Native Forest Logging

Myrtle State Forest Courtesy of NEFA

Regional Forest Agreements are signed between the Commonwealth and the states, allowing forestry operations to be exempt from assessment and approval under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC ACT).

There are ten RFAs in force around Australia. The North East RFA is one of three in New South Wales, the others are the Eden RFA and Southern RFA.

Image: NSW Environment Protection Authority

The North East RFA encompasses a huge area spanning from NSW’s Central Coast to Queensland’s Gold Coast. It encompasses critically endangered ecosystems such as Central Hunter Valley eucalypt forest, New England Peppermint Grassy Woodlands, as well as Lowland and Littoral rainforests.

The ecosystems under the agreement include vital habitat for vulnerable and endangered species such as the grey-headed flying fox, the greater glider, the spot-tailed quoll.

In order for an RFA to exempt native forest logging from the usual federal biodiversity assessment and approval requirements, when the Commonwealth enters into an RFA it is legally required to have regard to assessments of environmental values – including endangered species and old growth – and the principles of ecologically sustainable management. EDO will argue for NEFA that when the North East RFA was renewed in 2018, the Commonwealth was required to, but did not assess climate change, endangered species or old growth forests.

In the subsequent 2019-20 bushfire season, the Black Summer bushfires devastated these ecosystems and the species that call them home, changing native forests in these regions beyond recognition.

According to the Natural Resources Commission 2020 report, 2019-2020 Bushfires: Extent of impact on old growth forest2, 28% of the Upper North East section of the North East RFA was fire affected, with over 65% of the forest canopy in that area being either totally or partially burnt. 23% of the Lower North East section of the North East RFA was fire affected, with 52% of the forest canopy in that area being either totally or partially burnt. 

On behalf of NEFA, EDO will argue that the lack of crucial assessments before the 2018 renewal means the decision to extend the North East RFA was not made in accordance with the relevant legislation. As a consequence, the Federal Court should find the North East RFA does not lawfully exempt logging in the north east RFA region from federal biodiversity assessment and approval requirements.

It's not only Jack Frost who is about as Winter approaches - sharks are active in NSW North Coast waters

4-6 metres Tiger Shark caught in waters off Tweed Heads in 2015
IMAGE: The Sydney Morning Herald 

It may be getting cold and windy as Winter approaches on the NSW Far North Coast, but that doesn’t mean that sharks aren’t about.

On Saturday 17 April 2021 a 2 metre unidentified shark was spotted at Turner’s Beach, Yamba, and on Monday 19 April a 3 metre Tiger Shark was sighted at Byron Bay’s main beach area.

Due to bad weather conditions drones have been unable to regularly patrol Ballina’s beaches since Friday 16 March 2021 and drumlines have not always been in position.

Therefore the last official shark sighting in Ballina waters was a tag and release 1.94 metre Bull Shark caught on the drumline at Shelley Beach, according to @NSWSharkSmart.

Bull Shark breeding season is still in full swing in coastal river estuaries and won't finish until the end of May.

Green Turtle hatchlings race to the sea at beach near Evans Head, NSW

 

Green Turtle hatchings making their way to the sea near Evans Head, NSW
IMAGE: Rick Pagotto

NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, media release, 9 March 2021:

Furious flipper action has been seen on a remote beach near Evans Head as tiny sea turtle hatchlings emerged from their buried nest and made a break for the ocean.

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchling, Evans Head 

Andy Marshall from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said more than 100 Green Turtles hatched last week and their first moments were caught on camera by a local photographer coincidently walking the beach.

“These eggs have been incubating underneath the sand since around December and the hatchlings all emerged over a few hours in the early dawn,” said Mr Marshall.

“NPWS and NSW TurtleWatch are keeping a keen eye on around 7 more sea turtle nests along the coast as they should also hatch over the next few months.

“Along the NSW coast we expect the hatchlings will either be green turtles (Chelonia mydas) like the ones we saw at Evans Head or the endangered loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), both are generally around 5cm in length when born.

“If anyone sees a hatchling please don’t pick it up or interfere with its path to the sea, instead report it immediately to NPWS or NSW TurtleWatch so we make sure these little ones make it safely to the water,” Mr Marshall said.

Holly West from NSW TurtleWatch says early reports and information from the public is vital in being about to monitor these hatchlings.

“With such a large coastline to cover it is likely that we could have missed some nests being laid and may miss them hatching so public help at this time is vital,” said Ms West.

“Hatchlings should emerge at night as they are safer from predators and the heat of the sand but there are of course always stragglers, so we are asking people to keep their eyes peeled, especially close to sunset and sunrise.

“As well as reporting all sightings, you can help these baby turtles by removing your rubbish from the beaches, drive slowly along the beaches, and stay off the dunes,” Ms West said.

If you find a sea turtle hatchling along the beach please notify NSW TurtleWatch immediately on 0468 489 259, or contact NPWS on 1300 0PARKS.

NSW TurtleWatch has been developed by Australian Seabird Rescue, in partnership with NSW Government's Saving Our Species program. Visit Saving Our Species for more information on green turtles.

More photos: Dropbox: Green turtle hatchlings

The Future Eaters have re-commenced logging in forests affected by the 2019-20 mega bushfires

BREAKING: We’ve obtained video footage of logging happening in unburnt forests just weeks after fire ripped through masses of NSW’s forests!

With so much forest destroyed by the fires, it’s critical we look after what’s left if our wildlife is to survive. pic.twitter.com/j65UNRj3RE

— Nature NSW (@naturensw) February 29, 2020

Styx River State Forest, in the New England Tablelands region of New South Wales, covers 16,000 hectares. 

The Brisbane Times reported on 26 February 2020:

Conservation efforts in NSW to stop more species becoming extinct in the wake of this season's unparalleled bushfires require more than half a billion dollars over the coming four years. 

Emergency intervention to save as many as 30 endangered species alone needs $15 million this year and $35 million in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 fiscal years, according to a spreadsheet circulating among state government agencies and obtained by the Sun-Herald. 

A burnt area of the Styx River State Forest in northern NSW.Logging has resumed in the area despite most of the region being burnt.

The leaked requests come as Forestry Corporation resumed logging in unburnt refuges in the Styx River State Forest despite risks to species including nationally endangered Hastings River mice.....

While officials wrangle over conservation funding, industrial-scale logging has resumed in fire-hit regions such as the Styx River, inland from Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast. 

Chris Gambian, chief executive of the Nature Conservation Council, said the logging would have "immensely negative ecological impacts" given so little of the Styx River forest was unburnt. An endangered Hastings River mouse, from a photograph taken in January 2018. 

“The fires mean that whatever we thought before about wildlife and species has to be scrapped and reassessed," Mr Gambian said, adding he had asked the Environment Protection Authority to issue a statewide stop-work order for logging in native forests state until the effects of the fires are known. 

“Logging remnant forests after such a disaster is like sending a demolition crew in to conduct a cyclone recovery operation," he said. "It is hard to imagine a more harmful intervention." 

Mr Gambian noted the government's own analysis indicated at least 32 threatened animal species alone had lost at least 30 per cent of their habitat due to fires, and were now "teetering on the brink".....

A Forestry Corporation spokeswoman said the majority of production crews on the north coast had moved from native forests to hardwood timber plantations after the fires. 

"A small number of selective harvesting operations that commenced prior to the fires have continued under the strict regulations governing native forestry in NSW," she said, adding that crews in the Styx River State Forest were "finalising work in this location" and will move some harvesting operations into fire-affected forests "in the near future".....

Diversity of opinions on NSW North Coast towards the short-term holiday letting sector

Mirage News, 11 February 2020: 

Residents’ views differ widely across the NSW North Coast on the impacts of short-term holiday letting (STHL), according to the results of a Southern Cross University survey.  

Most residents (71%) and approved accommodation providers (64%) favour rental caps for permanently non-hosted investment properties; while just 34% of Airbnb hosts residing in the region support day limits for such properties. There were more than 1,600 responses to the survey. 

The finding is part of research aimed at giving locals a say in decision-making about how to manage short-term holiday letting in the NSW North Coast region. The survey focussed on the area between Tweed and Kyogle in the north to Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest in the south. Residents in 12 council areas were surveyed: Ballina, Bellingen, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, MidCoast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond and Tweed. The research follows a similar study by the same Southern Cross University researchers in the Byron Shire in 2018. The project was undertaken in partnership with Destination North Coast. 

Drs Tania von der Heidt, Sabine Muschter, Deborah Che and Rodney Caldicott from the School of Business and Tourism at Southern Cross University spent several months surveying 1,632 residents in the NSW North Coast region, including 320 Airbnb hosts, 169 approved accommodation providers and 1143 other residents. 

Dr Muschter said one significant finding was slightly more than two-thirds of approved accommodation providers and other residents believed caps are needed when the property is without a host – temporarily or permanently. 

“In other words, most residents favour a model involving mandatory on-site management for any short-term holiday letting,” said Dr Muschter. 

The majority of the short-term holiday lettings are listed on online rental platforms, notably Airbnb. Across the 12 council areas Airbnb listings increased 371% over the past three years – from 4,072 at the end of 2016 to 6,456 at the end of 2019. The rate of growth in the 12 council areas has outpaced that of the Byron Shire, which grew by 195% in the same time period, albeit from a higher base. In December 2016 the number of Airbnb properties in Byron (1,172) was already more than three times as high as that of the next biggest tourist destination in the North Coast – Tweed – which had just 289 Airbnb listings at end of 2016. 

Dr von der Heidt said the data suggests the other surveyed council areas are following the Airbnb trend that started in Byron Shire. 

She said the study demonstrated a diverse range of perceptions of the sector with many championing the positive impact to tourism, the local economy and employment, while around half of the respondents highlighted social impacts such as traffic, parking and neighbourhood lifestyle and called for more regulation. 

“While Airbnb hosts did not wish for their operations to be regulated, most approved accommodation providers and other residents want more regulation on short-term holiday letting including adequate reporting avenues to lodge complaints of misconduct, appropriate enforcement of non-compliance, and the introduction of compulsory public liability insurance for guests and third parties,” Dr von der Heidt said. 

According to the latest data from Destination North Coast, the NSW North Coast’s multiple tourist hubs are valued at approximately $12.5 million per day. Even though tourism generates 9.4 per cent of regional jobs and supports 7,000 business, the North Coast faces many tourism pressures, including the burgeoning peer-to-peer accommodation platforms.....

In November 2018, with a view to shaping the implementation anticipated state planning legislation, Clarence Valley Council resolved to submit to the NSW Government "an expression of interest in allowing short term rentals for 180 days a year in R2 low density residential coastal areas (Yamba, Iluka, Angourie, Wooloweyah, Brooms Head, Sandon, Wooli, Diggers Camp and Minnie Water) but allowing short-term rentals for 365 days a year in all other residential areas where tourism pressures are not as pronounced and was allowed with a development application previously."

By February 2019 The Daily Examiner was reporting that there were 330 active Airbnb lisitings in the Lower Clarence, with the vast majority being in Yamba.

NSW coastal weather alert 8 February to 9 February 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=24&v=YiBW4yCS7TI&feature=emb_logo

Lots of small tree-dwelling mammals on the NSW North Coast need your help

https://youtu.be/IFr_vd-D8MU

Nature Conservation Council of NSW

An estimated 800 million animals have died in the recent bushfires. 

Donate here to help us provide nest boxes for fire-affected wildlife! 

https://chuffed.org/project/help-buil... 

 There is an urgent need to provide shelter for the thousands of animals that survived the fires. Lots of small tree-dwelling mammals, including sugar gliders, possums and bats, rely on tree hollows for shelter. 

Without these hollows, many animals fall prey to feral animals such as cats and foxes. 

With this campaign we hope to place nest boxes of various sizes on the North Coast to provide emergency shelter for hundreds of animals affected by the recent fires.