Media Activities

02/06 2019 Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE
Sunday, 2 June 2019

Householders' Options to Protect the Environment Inc.

PO Box 6118 - Clifford Gardens, Toowoomba QLD 4350
(22 Vacy Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350)
Ph: 07 4639 2135; Email: office@hopeaustralia.org.au
Website: www.hopeaustralia.org.au
Facebook: facebook.com/Householders.Options.to.Protect.the.Environment
ABN 48 036 173 161

Think Globally. Act Locally!

Queensland Govt’s “Climate Change Week”, 2 -8 June 2019

Sunday, 2 June 2019

The Queensland Government is committed to transitioning the state to a low-carbon, clean growth economy and adapting to the impacts of a changing climate.

As a part of this commitment, the Queensland Government will host political, business and community representatives from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region at Queensland’s first ever Climate Week from 2–8 June 2019.

Climate Week QLD 2019 will provide a forum for leaders and sub-national governments to share ideas and build a community of action against climate change.

Activities throughout the week includes a public program of arts, music, and panel discussions, a First Nations Summit, and climate leadership training with former US Vice President Al Gore and the Climate Reality Project for between 800 and 1,000 people.

Community groups, businesses, universities, not-for-profit groups, schools, landholders and individuals have been invited to host a climate action event during climate week.

Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE) Inc. is hosting an information stall and ‘plant’ give-away outside Grand Central Shopping Centre, corner of Victoria and Margaret Streets, Toowoomba on Wednesday 5 June from 10am.

Please come along and collect some useful information on being “energy-wise” and a free shrub.

Frank Ondrus, President – HOPE Inc., ph 07 4639 2135

01/06 2019 Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE
Saturday, 1 June 2019

Householders' Options to Protect the Environment Inc.

Think Globally. Act Locally!

Using Drones to Survey Landscapes - Gowrie Creek from Above, Tuesday, 18 June 2019

Saturday, 1 June 2019

A community interest event, supported by Toowoomba Regional Council and Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE), is being held to provide an aerial perspective of Gowrie Creek from the Water Treatment Plant to the tree plantation in west Gowrie Junction. Gowrie Creek was flown with a drone at a height of 30m with the occasional rise to 50m. This provides a unique perspective of the creek and will interest local residents with a chance to see the creek from above and ask questions about the creeks condition.

This community event is free and will be held on Tuesday 18th June March in the Gowrie State School Resource Centre starting at 7pm and finishing at 9pm. A light supper will be provided mid event.

The presenter will be Steve Cupitt from Crossroads Rural & Environment. Steve is an environmental scientist and drone operator. Steve will be supported by Frank Ondrus, President of HOPE.

Come along to have a look at “Gowrie Creek from above”, see if you can spot your house and ask Steve about the issues you think may be facing the creek.

To secure a seat, please either contact Steve Cupitt (mob: 0428 874 938 or email steve.cupitt@crossroads-enviro.com.au) or Frank Ondrus on email at office@hopeaustralia.org.au or phone 4639 2135 by Monday 17th June.

Frank Ondrus, President – HOPE Inc., ph 07 4639 2135

11/03 2019 Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, 11 March 2019

Householders' Options to Protect the Environment Inc.

Think Globally. Act Locally!

OPEN LETTER TO AUSTRALIANS

Monday, 11 March 2019

Dear Citizens,

RE: Protecting our environment for future generations!

HOPE supports the call from the Places You Love (PYL) Alliance (http://www.placesyoulove.org/).

In 2014, Places You Love Alliance convened an Australian Panel of Experts in Environmental Law (APEEL) (http://apeel.org.au/) to review Australia’s existing environmental legislation and to provide recommendations to better protect and enhance our environment. Some of the major issues of concern were:

Climate change – emphasis should have been on early mitigation and not ‘sorry, it’s too late’ adaptation policies
Deforestation and rampant land-clearing for agricultural purposes
Adverse/perverse impacts caused by mining (particularly coal, CSG, quarrying materials)
Decreased funding of key environment related departments - impacting staffing levels and their ability to adequately monitor compliance and then prosecute breaches
Loss of protection for our marine environment

APEEL’s technical reports and set of recommendations may be found at http://apeel.org.au/.

“Over recent decades, the Federal Government’s lack of ‘fair dinkum’ stewardship of Australia’s environment has been appalling to say the least,” said Mr Frank Ondrus, President of HOPE Inc.

“HOPE and many of its environment NGO colleagues have responded to a range of community consultation exercises held by the Federal Government. The various ‘committees’ undertaking these consultation exercises have prepared reports containing recommendations to reflect the community’s environmental concerns. Regrettably, the majority of these reports’ recommendations have never been fully implemented. Hence, the angst and frustration that we feel,” said Mr Ondrus.

Ultimately, actions rests with you! When you cast your vote in the 2019 Federal Election, place the environment first.

Frank Ondrus, President – HOPE Inc., ph 07 4639 2135