The red and black image you see above was a sticker we used in the 1960s in our campaign to save the Great Barrier Reef from mining. The campaign was successful and led to the creation of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

We never thought we’d have to defend this natural wonder of the world from mining development again, but we were wrong.

Right now, the biggest dredging operation ever attempted inshore from this globally-renowned paradise is underway in Gladstone Harbour. It’s one of at least six major industrial developments underway or planned along the Great Barrier Reef coast to accommodate the rapidly expanding coal seam gas and coal export industries.

Recent concern from UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee about impacts of LNG processing plants and massive dredging operations on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef, and its effects on the long-term health of the Reef, is cause for national embarrassment.

The Queensland Tropical Cyclone Consultative Committee is holding workshops across Queensland to prepare for the summer season and ensure the community is prepared, in particular people living in the Lockyer Valley, Darling Downs and Ipswich areas. Advice from the Bureau of Meteorology is that Queenslanders can expect to see above-average rainfall and storm activity this season as well as a slight increase in the number of Tropical Cyclones.

Starting in November, the ATA in conjunction with bankmecu presents a series of free online presentations to share practical knowledge about energy efficiency, sustainable building and water conservation at home.
Webinars will be broadcast live for view over your web browser, and will be available for playback on demand afterwards. The first webinar is at 11am on Tuesday 8 November on the topic of rainwater harvesting and greywater, with a presentation from ATA experts followed by a Q&A session between audience and the ATA.

Register here for the ATA's Rainwater Harvesting and Greywater webinar

Right now, the Federal Environment Minister is considering how much of Australia's tropical North and Northwestern waters he will safeguard in new marine reserves. 

The Minister is planning to keep just 3% of the North and 12% of the Northwest safe from drilling, mining and over-fishing. This proposal is totally inadequate and will not protect our turtles, dugong, whales, fish and dolphins from destructive fishing and industrial development.

Can you act now and help save out tropical sealife? Please send Minister Burke a message that we need a network of large marine sanctuaries across northern Australia.

The uniqueQCC link to the cyber action is
http://www.saveourtropicalsealife.org.au/act-now/?org=6

The HOPE organisation today stated its position on the Coal Seam Gas (CSG) industry in Queensland .In line with a number of other regional, community, farming and conservation groups, HOPE is calling upon the State Government to impose a moratorium on any new proposals to expand CSG operations until a set of realistic controls are imposed on the industry which results in the proper protection of precious agricultural, ecological and water resources within the State for the long term future.

HOPE President Mr Frank Ondrus said that HOPE was not totally opposed to CSG extraction, or coal mining more generally, but that there had to be more of a focus on a fair go for all Queenslanders in terms of the balance of costs and benefits coming out of these fossil fuel extraction industries in the State.

Think of tropical seas and you probably think of healthy turquoise waters abundant with sea life, not an industrial wasteland choked with oil rigs and gas pipelines. But industrialisation will be the future for Australia’s northern seas unless we take a stand.
The tropical waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Top End, Kimberley, Pilbara and Ningaloo are a haven for endangered sea turtles, vulnerable dugong, rare snubfin dolphins and migratory humpback whales. Yet absurdly, less than 1% of these vast waters are currently protected.

A global study found that this is one of the last remaining healthy tropical marine environments left on the planet1. But increasing pressure from the rapidly expanding oil and gas industry, seabed mining and overfishing is putting it all at risk.

Oxfam Australia (as a member of Oxfam International) recently launched GROW, a major new global campaign aimed at tackling the deep injustices inherent in the world’s food system. We've put together some resources for  those who may be interested and wanted to share them as it appears you are an organization that is both concerned and involved with the environmental issues facing both the local and international community, so believe  you will find this information useful for passing on to your members.

On behalf of the Queensland Coastal Conference Steering Group Committee we are pleased to invite you to register for the Queensland Coastal Conference 2011.

We encourage you to take advantage of the early bird registration rates on offer until Wednesday 31 August 2011. Please visit the registration page for a full list of registration types, rates and the inclusions.

To learn more about the Queensland Coastal Conference 2011 please visit the website.

Hello Friends of RG! 

We are pleased to announce the long awaited launch of the new Reverse Garbage website! Check it out today! Other exciting things on the horizon include a new Reverse Emporium exhibition, Materialistic and a new School Holiday and Wacky Wednesday Workshop program just in time for Spring!  

www.reversegarbage.com.au