Gnomes at bottom of garden

Gnomes at the bottom of the garden

Some in the State Government, like Minister Costa, don't think they should be doing anything about climate change...

well...

Climate change is happening and all spheres of government need to show leadership.

Scientists are now in agreement that climate change is happening, that it is happening faster than predicted and that it will affect us all. [Third Assessment Report 2001 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)]

There is no scientific disagreement that human-induced climate change is the greatest threat to life on earth, and that the major contributor is carbon dioxide. Climate change is caused by increased amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from human activities, particularly burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. These increased amounts of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide are sent into the atmosphere, trapping heat from the sun and wrapping a hot blanket around the earth in the same way that a greenhouse captures the sun’s warmth.

Carbon dioxide levels have increased from 280 parts per million (ppm) in 1750 to over 375 ppm today – higher than any previous levels that can be reliably measured (that is, in the last 420,000 years). [Third Assessment Report 2001 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)]

Even the most cautious assessment by the Australian Government points to CO² emissions as the major cause of climate change: “The current rate of increase in CO² in the atmosphere is unlikely to have been experienced during at least the 20,000 years and is the most likely explanation along with other greenhouse gases for climate change” . [Climate Change Q&A Greenhouse Office Dept of Environment and Heritage 2006]

Increasing greenhouse gases are causing temperatures to rise; the Earth’s surface warmed by approximately 0.6 centigrade degrees over the twentieth century. [Joint Science Academies Statement on Climate Change G 8 plus Brazil, China and India June 2005]

These increased temperatures are beginning to melt the world’s stored ice, warming the oceans, causing sea levels to rise, drowning islands and flooding coastal areas.

Burning coal is the big climate change contributor.

Australians have the dubious honour of being ranked first in producing the most greenhouse emissions per capita in the world at 27.9 tonnes annually, more than double the average of 12.8 tonnes per person for all industrialised countries. [Australians Worst Greenhouse Polluters Clive Hamilton, The Australia Institute August 2002]

Nationally we send more than 530 million tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year, of which 71% is the by-product of stationary energy produced by coal-fired power stations.

In NSW, 90% of the state’s electricity comes from coal-fired power stations [NSW Dept of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability Sept 2006], with six of the eight coal fired power stations located in the Hunter region of NSW. There is a limited amount of ‘green power’ produced in the form of wind, biomass and hydro electricity.

It is recognised that the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle provides a focal point in Australia for energy research in the fields of sustainable energy, environmental impacts of energy and cost-competitive and environmentally-acceptable fuel research and development.

Newcastle is the world’s largest coal export port.

The world’s atmosphere does not recognise whether the coal is burnt in the Hunter or anywhere else in the world.

Seventy seven (77) million tonnes of coal is sent overseas from Newcastle every year.

For every tonne of coal burnt, 3.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide is sent into the atmosphere. [Factors and Methods Workbook, Australian Greenhouse Office Dec 2005 p32]

Expanding the Hunter coal industry will directly increase Australia’s current contribution to global warming and climate change. The current proposal before the NSW State Government for a third Coal Export Terminal on Newcastle Harbour will send up to another 66 million tonnes of coal overseas every year sourced from proposed new coal mines in the Hunter Valley and the Gunnedah basin.

Climate change will affect everyone, including Newcastle residents.

Apart from the reported impacts of climate change on the Hunter wine industry and horse stud industry, climate change will affect Novocastrians by :

* increasing the variability and potency of storms, floods, droughts and other weather disasters
* affecting water resources, stream flows and groundwater recharge, which will in turn affect our food supply, health and industry
* rising sea levels could inundate areas of the Newcastle LGA, including residential areas
* impacting on our threatened species and ecosystems, including our Internationally-recognised wetlands and salt marshes
* posing incalculable economic risks for the future, which far outweigh the economic risks of taking action today – Munich Re, the largest re-insurance company in the world, has estimated that climate change will cost the global economy $300 billion per annum by 2050 if action is not taken [Quoted by Ian Lowe, address to the National Press Club 2005].
* threatening the health of future generations through increased disease, freshwater shortages and worsened air pollution

The Australian medical profession is concerned about the effects of climate change on human health. The Australian Medical Association’s (AMA) position in favour of renewable energy is clearly stated on its website: “The AMA believes that human health is ultimately dependent on the health of the planet and its ecosystem. The AMA believes it is possible to mitigate the possible consequential health effects of climate change through improved energy efficiency, clean energy production and other emission reduction steps.” [Australian Medical Association ]

Newcastle City Council has made great progress towards becoming a sustainable city through the use of bio-diesel in council vehicles, energy and water efficiency measures and its push to become one of Australia’s Solar Cities. The effect of these initiatives will be undone if the Hunter-based coal industry is expanded.

Action to transition away from coal burning is needed

Scientists tell us we have only 10 years to make the shift away from climate-changing fossil fuels to sustainable, renewable energy if we wish to prevent climate disaster. [“I think we have a very brief window of opportunity to deal with climate change … no longer than a decade, at the most” James E Hansen Director of NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies quoted in various US media including WorldNet Daily September 15 2006.]

All our efforts need to be directed to achieving this major shift in our energy sources.

Many energy savings could be made with emphasis on investment and subsidies for efficient and renewable energy backed by government policy at all levels.

There will be no loss of jobs in the coal industry from preventing its expansion. There is, however, the potential to create thousands more jobs from investment in the renewables industry .

We cannot afford to wait for solutions that do not recognise the continuing impact of sending carbon into the atmosphere every day, drawing the planet rapidly to the ‘tipping point’.

The Precautionary Principle, enshrined in the Local Government Act, states that where there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation.

Climate change is happening and it is critical that the Government commit to a “just transition” away from coal dependency for Hunter communities, to support job creation and the retraining and the seeding of new sustainable industries paid for by a levy on existing coal mines.

Action on Climate Change

International Day of Action on Climate Change

WALK AGAINST WARMING
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4th

in Newcastle, Maitland and Sydney

All are urged to join this growing movement demanding deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions through:
* Renewable energy guarantees
* No new coal fired power or mines
* Better public transport

You can participate in either the NEWCASTLE or MAITLAND events, in view of the significance of our port being the largest coal exporter in the southern hemisphere. Help stop expansion of the coal industry and campaign for clean, renewable energy.

NEWCASTLE EVENT:

The recently-formed group, Climate Action Newcastle, is organising an event on Nobbys Beach (rather than a walk). They are asking you to join together to make a huge human sign on the beach, reading:
BEYOND COAL ... RENEWABLES.

To achieve this, at least 800 people are needed. So as well as yourself, please bring your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.

Assemble at 1.00 pm (for a 2.00 pm photo shoot of the display), at the Surf Lifesaving Club end of Nobbys Beach.

It would help if people intending to come could register beforehand.
Please phone 8588 1260 to leave a message.

For further information contact: Vicki Brooke, ph. 0425 243 860.

MAITLAND EVENT:

Assemble 10.00 am at Maitland Post Office
Bring: family, friends, kids & placards for a fun walk ending at Maitland Park with speakers and entertainment. Prizes for Best Slogan, Best Placard, Best Decorated Parasol.
Coordinated through the Nature Conservation Council and Maitland Greens.
For further information: Ph. 4933 2624

SYDNEY EVENT:

Assemble 11.00 am, Martin Place - walk to Botanic Gardens

Supported on the day by:
Mel and Kochie - Sunrise, Channel 7
Kylie Kwong - Celebrity Chef
Uniting Church Reverend Elenie Poulis
Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown
John Robertson, Secretary, Unions NSW
Jennie George, Federal Member for Throsby

.... and The Stiff Gins

The Government will only take real action on climate change and protect our kids' futures if you tell them to. Join thousands of other Australians in a peaceful walk urging action non climate change NOW.

For further information: walk against warming

Fresh thinking needed

Energy Crisis demands fresh thinking

Today’s announcement that NSW is facing potential blackouts and increasing prices for electricity demonstrates the need for an overhaul of the way we supply and use energy.

It seems the biggest single problem is the increasing use of energy guzzling air conditioners on hot days. The major factor in the increasing numbers of hot days is, of course, climate change. Any option that does not reduce greenhouse gas emissions would therefore be counterproductive and must be rejected out of hand.

The people of NSW will not cop Sydney Labor yet again knocking on the doors of their mates in the coal industry. That would be a 19th century solution to a 21st century problem.

The Government has previously announced its reticence to go down the nuclear path, and that is to be applauded. It is a dangerous fossil fuel based red herring that will take decades to come on line. We don’t have that long.

There is no single solution to this problem. One area that ought be examined is demand management. The people of the Hunter have shown an admirable willingness to cut water usage. I have faith in their ability to demonstrate the same sense of public spirit and creativity on this issue. The people however, cannot be expected to make sacrifices on their own. They need government support.

The NSW Government has more gas fired plants in mind for dealing with peak demand. The Greens support this, but only as an interim measure whilst we wean ourselves off coal.

The long-term baseload solution however, is to be found in today’s other major announcement, that being the Federal and Victorian Governments announcing a joint venture to fund a solar plant in northern Victoria. This is only a small step, but at least renewable energy is on Steve Bracks’ and John Howard’s radar.

The time has passed for renewable energy to be considered only as a boutique option. Our future energy needs and the dangers presented by climate change demand that Morris Iemma and Joe Tripodi place it front and centre of their energy plans for NSW.

Wallarah

Wallarah Peninsula

The State Government has jettisoned established planning policies to permit intrusive, overwhelming urban development in the unique heritage village and coastal landscape at Catherine Hill Bay on the Wallarah Peninsula.

It has ignored the protests of two Councils and the decision of the Land and Development Court against the RoseCorp development. It has failed to deliver on an undertaking to have the village added to the State Heritage Register.

The area was at the bottom of the Planning Department’s priorities for development – until the developers tapped Frank Sartor on the shoulder and told him what they wanted. He catapulted their demands to the top of the list, as part of the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy.

The Strategy delivers valuable new National Parks and green corridors, for which the Government is to be commended.

But the NSW Nature Conservation Council’s Annual Conference last weekend condemned the Government’s use of Section 3A of the planning act to permit development on land where no development right currently exists (as at the Wallarah Peninsula).

As a consequence, the NCC said, the integrity and application elsewhere on the coast of Coastal Policy and other established State planning policies was threatened.

The NCC also decided to support the National Trust’s complaint that the development proposal “gratuitously compromised” the natural and cultural value of the village and surrounding landscape.

The Wallarah Peninsula Alliance, which has 30 participating groups in Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Wyong, and operates under the umbrella of the Community Environment Network. It is co-ordinating a campaign to protest the Government’s high handed and arrogant sell out of another coastal icon.

You can follow the campaign on our web site www.catherinehillbay.org.au., go to News and Events. Maps of proposed “development footprints” are on Maps

The Wallarah Peninsula Alliance seeks your support in yet another effort “to stop the rot”.

We urge you to support the NCC resolutions.

Please send your views to, particularly, the Premier and Mr Sartor; see list below.

Please phone or send your comments, with a copy of this letter, to your local State MP (Labor, Liberal, National or Independent).

For further information
WPA Secretary, Brian Cogan (Ph: 4972 5081 Email:bcogan@bigpond.com)
Sue Whyte, President, Catherine Hill Bay Progress Association 02 -49762310,
Email: suewhyte1980@bigpond.com.
Web site: www.catherinehillbay.org.au

Contact list:
Hon. Morris Iemma MP
GPO Box 5341
Sydney NSW 2001
Minister: NSW Premier
Phone: (02) 9228 5239
Fax: (02) 9228 3935
Email: the premier.

Hon. Frank Sartor MP
Governor Macquarie Tower Level 40 1 Farrer Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Minister: NSW Minster for Planning
Phone: (02) 9228 4700
Fax: (02) 9228 4711
Email: the planning minister.

Hon Milton Orkopoulos MP
PO Box 306
Swansea NSW 2281
Minister: Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Phone: (02) 4972 1133
Fax: (02) 4972 1494
Email: swansea mp.

Peter Debnam MP
Suite 102, 332-342 Oxford Street
Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Minister: NSW Leader of the Opposition
Phone: (02) 9369 3017
Fax: (02) 9389 8050

Chris Hartcher MP
PO Box 929
Gosford NSW 2250
Minister: Liberal Party - Shadow Minister for Planning
Phone: (02) 4325 1603
Fax: (02) 4324 2356
Email:chris hartcher.

Multiculturalism

Sunday 22 October 2006
Greens NSW state council calls for bipartisan approach on multiculturalism

The Greens state council meeting in Kiama this weekend has called on the major parties to commit to bipartisan support for multiculturalism, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today.

"Cultural diversity will be a key election issue. The police report on the Cronulla riots highlights the need to rebuild harmony between the communities of NSW. This will not happen without the active commitment of the state's political leaders," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The Greens will campaign in the lead up to the next state election for increased support for ethnic communities marginalised by the policies of the major parties.

"The Greens council called on Premier Morris Iemma and Opposition Leader Peter Debnam to end the use of ethnic profiling.

"There is no evidence that the term 'of middle eastern appearance' helps solve crimes. The term is not used in other states and should not be used in NSW.

"It is time that political leaders stopped scapegoating some ethnic communities in matters of community justice.

"Mr Debnam has disgraced himself and the Liberal Party with his frequent references to '200 Middle Eastern thugs'.

"When Mr Debnam uses such insulting language he is effectively encouraging racist behaviour.

"The conference also called on the major parties to support multiculturalism by expanding SBS television and radio services and increasing the number of English as a Second Language teachers.

"ESL classes need to be available to all students from non-English speaking backgrounds so that language barriers do not damage their education," Ms Rhiannon said.

Freedom of Information

19 October 2006
Greens win review of NSW FOI bill

The Greens private members bill calling for a comprehensive review of the NSW Freedom of Information Act was passed today in the Upper House.

“The Bill was passed by 24 votes to 17. The Government voted against the bill. This is an important win for open and accountable government”, said Greens MP Lee Rhiannon.

“The Government’s decision to vote against the bill shows they are committed to a culture of secrecy.

“The review must be undertaken by a body independent from the government as soon as possible after the bill is passed. The reviewer is to hold public hearings at locations throughout NSW. A report on the outcome of the review must be presented in parliament within 18 months.

“The bill requires that the review consider the timeliness of FOI applications, the expense of FOI applications and the government’s use and misuse of exemptions to refuse access to information.

“The NSW FOI Act is stuck in the horse-and-buggie age and has not been reviewed in its 17 years of operation, despite recommendations from the NSW Ombudsman for over a decade to review the FOI Act.

“In debate, Labor MP Amanda Fazio claimed that the Act is under constant review. But this is a Clayton’s review process. There is no timeline, no call for public submissions and no public report or recommendations. The people of NSW deserve better.

“The government also argued against a review because it is currently updating its FOI procedures manual. This is a dismal defence. The FOI procedures manual is already 7 years overdue, showing what little regard the government really has for FOI laws.

“FOI application fees are so high that people are being dissuaded from using FOI laws and requests are being met with lengthy delays. Government agencies are overusing or misusing exemption clauses, such as cabinet confidentiality, to deny access to information.

“The Bill will now move to the Lower House. It is time Premier Iemma showed some leadership and reformed this key piece of legislation,” Ms Rhiannon said.

Lower Hunter Regional Strategy

Cart before the horse

The State Government has released the final Lower Hunter Regional Strategy and the draft Lower Hunter Conservation Plan. There is no infrastructure plan in sight!

On Tuesday I went to the launch of the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy and the draft Lower Hunter Regional Conservation Plan at the regional offices of the NSW Department of Planning.

There were many community members there, but no other candidates for the up-coming State Election. Didn't they see it as important?

Some points...

The declaration of 20,000 hectares of public land being converted to National Park is a positive, but this is offset by large amounts of environmentally significant land being earmarked for broad scale development.

The amount of land earmarked for development has doubled. This includes around 5000 hectares of prime bushland. Local conservationist’s concerns about some of the areas to be developed appear to have been ignored, as none were removed and ten new areas added. This particularly affects some key areas of coastal vegetation, which is a poor outcome for biodiversity conservation.

It also allows for broadscale landclearing and development in the habitat of the endangered squirrel glider, as well as allowing development that had previously been refused consent by the local council.

Some of the areas proposed for development also have poor access to public transport and major centres. Planning decisions nowadays must be mindful of climate change. The last thing the Government should be doing is encouraging people to get off trains and into their cars.

Some history...

15 July 2003: The State Government released the draft Thornton-Killingworth subregional Strategy which was meant to get a "balance" between conservation and development. This strategy was never finalised.

25 June 2004: Department of Planning formally advised Newcastle Council that it was preparing a draft Lower Hunter Regional Strategy, which would be "informed" by the draft Thornton-Killingworth subregional Strategy.

December 2004: Local planning staff say that the Queensland Govt's draft South East Queensland Regional Plan which integrates urban releases, conservation and infrastructure is a good model. See the final South East Queensland Regional Plan

June 2005: The draft Lower Hunter Regional Strategy was to be released for public comment. Goes to Sydney for approval and gets cut back.

4 November 2005: The draft Lower Hunter Regional Strategy is released for public comment. The document doesn't outline a conservation plan (promised to come later) or an infrastructure plan (promised to come later).

February 2006: After exhibition, the draft goes into a "black hole". Rumours that select "major" landowners are receiving special deals abound.

17 October 2006: The Premier, the Planning Minister and the Environment Minister release the final Lower Hunter Regional Strategy and the draft Lower Hunter Conservation Plan (infrastructure plan promised to come later).

So the Strategy is final without finalising the conservation plan or an infrastructure plan.

Regional Planning Sydney Labor style!

Royal Newcastle Hospital site

Sydney Labor doesn't listen to the community

When the State Government developers released the draft master plan for the Royal Newcastle Hospital site on Christmas eve eve (23 December 2004), the writing was on the wall for the site. The State Government wanted to "maximise" the number of apartments on the site.

Many in the community wanted the State Government-appointed consultants to look at options for the site.

A reasonable question: what is the best use of the site?

Some suggested it would be a good site for a hospital.

Many highlighted that it is and always has been public land and should stay as public land.

Others suggested a park at the front of the site (in front of any 4.5+ star hotel/ conference centre) linking to the beach would be appropriate.

Many highlighted the need for an underground public carpark.

There was a suggestion that the existing buildings on the site could be accommodation for top notch researchers, artists, students, sportspeople and others to create a hub for Newcastle to become a creative city like Palo Alto, Seattle or Oxford.

But the State Government was chasing the dollar, not listening to suggestions from the Newcastle community. And not thinking about the best use of the site.

Newcastle City Council sought to have any development "fit in" with the surrounding CBD, the historic east end, view corridors to the Cathedral and, of course, the over-shadowing impact on Newcastle Beach. The planners at Council, after consultation with the community, came up with 12 storeys as the height limit with a "bonus" of an extra 4 floors if the development was a 4.5+ star hotel. This maximum height would be set back from the beach towards Watt St.

But all this work was to no avail.

The State Government wanted to maximise apartments.

It was announced in Parliament on 4 November 2005 that the State Government would assume control of the site under recent changes to the Planning Law.

And the march to maximise apartments continues.

The State Government has followed the gazetted process of consultation, exhibition, compiling submissions, etc.

But many in the community have said that even after community consultation the original plans didn't change.

The consultation/ exhibition process has been a sham.

The only significant change now has been to recently increase the number of floors - now its 20 storeys. No targetted tenancy arrangements. Just build 20 floors!

Yesterday (18 October), the Department of Planning quietly exhibited in accordance with the Planning Act the subdivision and staged demolition of buildings on the site. Comments can be made until 17 November 2006. See Royal Newcastle Hospital

But is the Sydney Labor Government listening? forget it!

Double jeopardy rule

Tuesday, 17 October 2006
Double jeopardy rule: Greens try damage control

Greens MP and justice spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said the Greens will move to restrict the reach of the government’s radical changes to NSW’s double jeopardy laws due to be debated in the NSW Upper House today.

“The Greens’ amendments will stop the new double jeopardy laws applying retrospectively and limit the time within which a retrial can be ordered to five years after a person is acquitted,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“The Greens completely reject Iemma’s double jeopardy reforms as a disaster for justice in NSW, but believe we should take all steps to at least limit the damage they could cause to innocent people.

“The amendments stop the new double jeopardy laws applying retrospectively to people acquitted before the new laws commence.

“The Greens also seek to impose a time limit within which the prosecution can apply for a retrial of five years from the date of acquittal because finality is a critical aspect of the criminal justice system.

“Without this time limit, innocent people who are accused and acquitted of a crime would never be able to rest easy and get on with their life.

“The government has also introduced a linked bill with the double jeopardy reforms that will establish Innocence Review and DNA Review Panels to assist prisoners who have been found guilty to prove their innocence.

“The Greens have a long history of defending prisoners’ rights and support a review mechanism to help establish wrongful conviction. But we believe the government’s model is fundamentally flawed and a cynical attempt to deflect criticism over its double jeopardy reforms.

“Only prisoners convicted before the new laws commence can apply to prove their innocence, and the panel system will cease operating after 7-10 years.

“Prisoners can only challenge their conviction using DNA, whereas the state can justify a retrial on a wide range of evidence as long as it is fresh and compelling.

“Premier Iemma will be long remembered for the dubious honour of moving to make NSW the first jurisdiction in Australia, and one of the first in the Western World, to discard century old double jeopardy laws,” Ms Rhiannon said.

Dangerous, chaotic energy policy

Monday, 16 October 2006
Howard tying Australia to dangerous, chaotic energy policy

Prime Minister John Howard's support for nuclear power is a sign of a chaotic and dangerous energy policy emerging as the government tries to play catch up on climate change, the Australian Greens said today.

Greens energy and climate change spokesperson Senator Christine Milne said Prime Minister Howard's firm backing of nuclear power for Australia ahead of the report of his taskforce was opportunistic as business and regional government representatives gathered this week for a major climate conference.

"Prime Minister John Howard wants to sell uranium and become a bigger nuclear fuel supplier but in so doing is sending a signal to countries in the region that Australia wants to be nuclear ready," Senator Milne said in Canberra.

"This is a dangerous and foolish thing to do, particularly in the current security climate as the international community responds to North Korea's nuclear weapons test last week.

"The Prime Minister has become a mouthpiece for the nuclear industry which is wrong on climate change. Nuclear power is dirty, dangerous, expensive and too slow to meet the urgent challenge we face.

"No nuclear reactor can be commissioned in the critical 10-15 years we have to seriously address climate change. Deep greenhouse emission cuts are possible without nuclear power.

"Australia needs a coherent energy policy, founded on the imperative of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The government has failed to deliver this and now it is thrashing about trying to play catch up as it realises that climate change is an issue of concern to the community and progressive businesses.

"If the government is serious about addressing climate change it would be supporting energy efficiency and promoting the renewable energy sector in Australia, not sending the industry offshore.

"It's not good enough to simply throw more money at the industry, as the government may well do when it announces the first grants under the Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund later this month.

"The industry needs not only financial support but a policy framework with regulations and a carbon price to promote investment in renewable energy as a substitute for dirty coal power."

Lest We Forget

Lest We Forget: Who was responsible for the Howard Government’s latest blow to democracy?

As most of you would have heard, the Howard Government’s new media laws passed through the parliament this week.

Most independent commentators see these media laws as a major blow to the diversity of information and opinion that fuels our democracy. Australia already has the most concentrated media ownership in the world.

After much discussion, the laws passed through the Senate with the support of the Liberal Party, the National Party and Family First. The legislation was opposed by The Greens, the ALP and the Democrats.

The vote of Family First’s single senator (Steve Fielding from Victoria) was crucial here: Barnaby Joyce - one of the National Party senators who had concerns about the package – crossed the floor on a number of proposed amendments to the legislation, but Family First voted with the Coalition senators to defeat these. At the final vote, Joyce indicated that there wasn’t much practical point in him crossing the floor, because the Family First vote would clearly ensure that the legislation would pass anyway.

So, it’s an opportune moment to remind ourselves of who it was that ensured that Family First was elected to the Australian parliament.

Hint: it was due to the preferences of two of the three parties that voted against the media legislation in the Senate. If they hadn’t given their preferences to Family First, Howard’s media laws would have been defeated this week.

Read exactly how Family First were elected in Victoria here: Me First

Business funds Labor campaign

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
13 October 2006

Business interests funding Labor campaign

The Newcastle Greens candidate for the state seat of Newcastle, Cr Michael Osborne, today said that business interests would be funding Labor’s $100,000 Newcastle election campaign war-chest revealed in the local media today.

“Local people are understandably shocked at this amount, but they should realise that it represents a tiny proportion of the amount donated to the ALP by vested interests,” Cr Osborne said.

“For example, the most recent official electoral returns (for 2004/2005) show that the NSW ALP received $7,673,820.00 in political donations, including large sums from organisations involved in the hotel industry, the gambling industry, resource companies, pharmaceutical companies, and property developers.

“To place this in perspective, the $100,000 that they are intending to allocate to their Newcastle seat campaign represents only 1.3% of the amount they collected from vested interest donors in 2004/2005.

“The fact that the ALP’s right wing Sydney power-brokers feel they have to spend this much on their campaign to win the formerly safe Labor seat of Newcastle is certainly evidence of their desperation.

“But even more important than the question of why the Sydney power-brokers are allocating such a huge amount to their Newcastle campaign is the question, ‘what do those who are financing this campaign expect in return from Labor and from Jodi McKay?’.

“From this perspective, it should surprise no one that the ALP’s Sydney power-brokers were prepared to parachute in a candidate whose affiliations are with the business community, rather than with local grassroots members.

“What other dividends will the ALP’s vested interest donors expect in return for their investment in the Newcastle campaign?” Cr Osborne asked.

“Unlike the two big parties, The Greens do not accept donations from vested interest sources, and are financially beholden to no one,” he said.

“I and other Greens candidates will be vigorously campaigning against the corrupting influence of donations on the political process throughout this state election campaign.”

The figures quoted here are from The Greens Democracy4Sale website, which are based on official electoral funding returns.

UN report condemns housing

A United Nations report on housing in Australia has heavily criticised state and federal governments for failing to provide adequate housing for significant parts of the population.

The UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, Miloon Kothari, said he was “particularly troubled by the inadequate housing and living conditions he witnessed in some parts of the country given that Australia is one of the wealthiest developed countries with a comparatively small population.”

He accused the state and federal governments of failing to address long-standing problems in the provision of housing.

“The report by the UN Special Rapporteur raises very serious issues for the state government,” said Sylvia Hale, NSW Greens MP and spokesperson on housing.

“He visited a number of locations in NSW including Lightning Ridge and Sydney and his criticisms clearly are directed at housing standards in NSW as well as the national picture.”

The interim report, which has been presented to the Commonwealth government for comment before it is finalised, identifies widespread problems such as homelessness, a lack of affordable housing, dwindling public housing stock, waiting periods of up to 10 years for access to public housing and inadequate government provision for long-term safe housing, particularly in rural areas.

It says these problems are affecting a wide range of people, particularly vulnerable groups such as indigenous Australians, refugees, people with disabilities or health problems and those living in rural and remote communities.

During a recent Budget Estimates hearing Ms Hale asked the Director General of Housing, Mike Allen, about the NSW government’s response to the report. Mr Allen declined to comment on the report’s findings and did not commit to making any formal response to the report.

“The Labor government’s refusal to respond to this report shows how little it cares about providing access to adequate housing for the most vulnerable in our community. Despite international criticism of our inadequate housing standards the government continues to ignore the issue,” said Ms Hale.

The Greens will be moving a series of housing bills in parliament, the first one before the end of this parliamentary session. Ms Hale will introduce a private members bill aimed at ensuring all large housing developments include an expanded pool of affordable housing set aside for low to moderate income earners.

Australia set to blow Kyoto

Thursday, 12 October 2006
Australia set to blow Kyoto target

The Australian Greens today demanded that federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell immediately tell Australians the bad news on this nation's greenhouse gas performance rather than release it at the next international climate meeting in Nairobi next month.

Greens climate change spokesperson Senator Christine Milne said that after shifting position this week, Minister Campbell admitted today that Australia may not meet its Kyoto Protocol greenhouse target of 108 per cent above 1990 levels.

"Minister Campbell's admission today that Australia may not meet its greenhouse gas reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol stands in stark contrast to the confident claims that he and Prime Minister John Howard have made for years that Australia is one of few countries that will meet its target.

"The Howard government has refused to take strong action on climate change for a decade, hiding behind voluntary actions and toothless tigers like the Asia Pacific climate partnership (AP6).

"Now the nation is suffering appalling drought, high temperatures and terrible bush fires, Australians have a right to call the Prime Minister and Minister Campbell to account.

"It's time for Minister Campbell to front the nation and explain why our electricity and heat emissions increased by 43 per cent and our transport emissions increased by 23 per cent from 1990 to 2004.

"Releasing Australia's emission projections from Nairobi is cowardly.

"Leading business delegations to China is no substitute for putting a price on carbon in Australia in line with calls from Australia's leading companies."

Senator Milne raised this matter in Question Time Thursday.

Environment horror bill slammed

Thursday, 12 October 2006
Greens slam environment horror bill

The Greens say Environment Minister Ian Campbell's Environment and Heritage Legislation Amendment Bill is a horror bill for environmentalists.

"While most other countries are strengthening green laws, this bill means Australian environment protection will be weaker than at any time since the Whitlam government," Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

"With these laws Fraser Island would be mined, the Franklin River dammed and the tropical rainforests logged. The exemption from federal environment law for logging of old growth forests in current legislation will spread to other areas and other industries."

"My current legal challenge to the logging of Tasmania's Wielangta Forest because it endangers species would be stymied," Senator Brown said.

"The minister has been honest in listing the first benefactors as 'companies, partnerships or individuals undertaking development...'."

"Campbell should be carrying the green flag into cabinet. Instead he's raised the white flag to deregulate the destruction of Australian heritage," Senator Brown said.

"A first casualty of this bill will be the integrity of the world class rock art on the Burrup Peninsula," Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said.

Delay to electric car trial

Wednesday, 11 Oct 2006
Federal Government continues to delay electric car trial

Coalition senators today refused to back an Australian Greens' call for the government to facilitate the trial of the Reva electric car in Australia.

Greens transport spokesperson Senator Christine Milne said the federal government's delay in issuing the necessary permits to enable the Reva trial was unacceptable when the Indian-manufactured vehicle had been approved for use in the European Union, Japan and Malta, and was being tested in several other markets, including the USA.

"The electric car is one of a suite of initiatives that can significantly reduce Australia's dependence on oil, which is critical given the looming crunch as demand exceeds economically viable supplies," Senator Milne said in Canberra.

"This vehicle, which I have had the opportunity to test drive on a private road, also offers the potential to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It has a top speed of 65 kilometres per hour, and can travel up to 80 kilometres before requiring charging.

"For months, the federal government has been frustrating the trial for the Reva, and the importer, the Adelaide-based Solar Shop, now faces the prospect of having to export the car or have it destroyed early next month if a trial does not proceed.

"The Greens are calling on the Local Government, Territories and Roads Minister Jim Lloyd to expedite the matter when transport ministers meet in Canberra on Friday."

Senator Milne's motion was defeated 34 votes to 31.

Money for nothing??

Wednesday, 11 Oct 2006
Triguboff Reveals Why Political Donations From Developers Should be Banned

The Greens campaign to ban political donations from property developers has been strengthened by revelations of direct political influence exercised by Developer Harry Triguboff and his bizarre call to open up the national parks surrounding Sydney for housing development.

“Just like Frank Lowy’s revelations of his meetings with Bob Carr over the Orange Grove development, Mr Triguboff’s revelations about his cosy meetings with current and former Premiers and Planning Ministers demonstrates clearly that large political donations buy both access and influence with this government,” said NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon.

Electoral Office figures reveal that Mr Triguboff’s company Meriton Apartments has donated over $800,000 to the Labor and Liberal parties over the last five years.

“His extraordinary suggestion to put housing estates in the national parks demonstrates both how much damage property developers are willing to do in the pursuit of profit and why they should not be allowed to buy direct political influence in the way Mr Triguboff has,” said Ms Rhiannon.

“The Greens oppose any attempt to develop the national parks. If Mr Triguboff gets his way Sydney will be unliveable; overcrowded, congested, with foul air and not enough water. Mr Triguboff will of course massively increase his own already substantial fortune so I guess he can go and live on his yacht somewhere while the rest of us live in the wasteland he will have created,” said Greens MP and Planning spokesperson Sylvia Hale.

“It is very disturbing that someone with such an environmentally damaging vision for Sydney is able to purchase such direct access to the Premier and Planning Minister.”

“The NSW Greens believe there is a clear conflict of interest between large property developers pushing their developments and the government that determines planning laws and gives consent to major projects. The only way to avoid this conflict is for property developers to be banned from making donations to political parties,” said Ms Hale.

Unlike both the Labor Party and the Coalition parties the NSW Greens do not accept donations from property developers or large corporations.

Marine Park myths

Monday, 9 October 2006
Greens call on Government to debunk marine park myths

Claims that the NSW Greens have done a deal with the Iemma Government on marine parks are ridiculous, according to NSW Greens MP Ian Cohen.

"If we had been involved in a deal with the Government the creation and implementation of these marine parks would be much better than the current arrangements," he said.

"There are a number of things we would do differently. One very important issue that is not properly addressed under the present system is decent protection for the habitat of the critically endangered Grey Nurse Shark.

"The NSW Government needs to do more to educate the public about the benefits of marine parks. I think the reason that some people assume the Greens have an involvement with the marine parks legislation is that, despite their flaws, it appears to be the conservation movement and The Greens that are doing the most to defend the need for them.

"Having said that, the Government is to be commended for at least trying to protect our marine environment, which is more than can be said for the NSW Opposition.

"Marine parks do not represent a lockout. Almost 80% of marine parks are open to recreational fishing. Fishers are far more likely to suffer if marine parks are abolished and fish stocks decline.

"Recreational fishers should be wary of lobby groups hijacking their concerns, some of whom are little more than a front for unrepresentative MPs gearing up for their state election campaigns. It is hypocritical in the extreme for these people to be making false allegations of underhand political deals," Mr Cohen said.

NSW FOI should be revamped

Wednesday, 11 October 2006
Greens launch bill for NSW FOI revamp

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon will today launch a private member's bill that demands a comprehensive and independent review of the NSW Freedom of Information Act to boost public access to government-held information.

"For over a decade the government has ignored the NSW Ombudsman's calls to review the FOI Act. His audits highlight that while the number of people using FOI to try access government-held information is increasing, less and less material is being released," Ms Rhiannon said.

"In an age of government spin-doctoring it is vital that both the media and public can lift the PR veil to scrutinise the operations of government. The Greens will use our bill to put pressure on the major parties to adopt an election platform that commits to reforming NSW's freedom of information laws.

"In the 17 years since the Act came into force the context of government has changed dramatically and technological advancements have radically altered the way information is managed. Yet our FOI laws are languishing in the dark ages.

"FOI applications have almost doubled in the past decade. Meanwhile the percentage of applications where all documents have been released has dropped from 81 percent in 1996 to around 63 percent currently. The number of applications refused in part has more than tripled during this time.

"Applicants are being discouraged by unrealistic fees and lengthy delays in processing requests. Government agencies are overusing or misusing exemption clauses, such as cabinet confidentiality, to deny access to information.

"The growth in public private partnerships and privatisation of services means that information about major public services and infrastructure is being kept under wraps via commercial-in-confidence exemptions.

"The Greens bill requires that an independent review of the Act consider the value of establishing an independent body to manage FOI applications in NSW.

"The review must also examine how the FOI Act can alter the current situation where applicants are in effect left to demonstrate why it is in the public interest to release information. This clearly goes against the spirit of the Act.

"The Greens believe now is the time to move to a system of proactive disclosure, where the bulk of government information is automatically made available via the internet.

Foxes in charge of chook house

Wednesday, 11 October 2006
Radical anti-environment bill for Senate inquiry

The Howard government's radical overhaul of its own Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act must be put to wide public scrutiny in a Senate inquiry, say the Greens.

Greens Leader Bob Brown said the bill to downgrade protection of Australia's environment will be introduced by Environment Minister Ian Campbell this week. It is an anti-environment bill.

"This is a bill to put the industry fox in charge of the environment chook house," Senator Brown said.

"It allows the minister, under the thumb of the resource extraction lobby in particular, to veto the input of Australian citizens in protecting the nation's heritage."

"It will excuse the inexcusable. For example, Campbell's impending decision to allow Woodside to destroy more of the world's greatest rock art site on Western Australia's Burrup peninsula in coming months. This will be a real test for Labor," Senator Brown said.

Council approves 98% of DAs

Newcastle Council approves 98% of Development Applications

It is interesting to note that Newcastle City Council processed 2,268 development applications (DAs) last financial year (2005/06).

Of the DAs received, 2,222 were approved (98%) for a total estimated construction value of $399.7 million.

This value is approximately on par with previous years.

Clean coal is clutching at straws

10 October 2006
Mineral Council clean coal attack plan is clutching at straws

The Mineral Council plan to oppose the Greens NSW election strategy by promoting clean coal shows they have no worthwhile arguments to justify the expansion of the coal industry, Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said today.

The Greens will not be deterred by the Mineral Councils attack on our election platform. We will continue to target the coal industry and expose the clean coal con, Ms Rhiannon said.

Coal is the dirtiest of fossil-fuels. If we are serious about tackling climate change we have to call a halt to opening new coal projects.

The clean coal campaign is an attempt to trick the public into thinking that coal has a future. Coal cannot be cleaned. Coal is a lump of car bon and when it is burnt the same amount of carbon dioxide is emitted.

It is possible to limit the emission of sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide but this will not reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Coal emits 80 percent more carbon per unit of energy than gas and 29 per cent more than oil.

The Greens will use this coming state election to target domestic and ex port coal plans.

The burning of exported black coal is adding to the burden of greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon dioxide emitted by exported coal doubles the emissions that Australia is responsible for.

This has to be factored into any consideration of Australia’s role in contributing to global warming.

As 33 percent of Australia’s on-shore greenhouse gas emissions are caused by coal we should be fast-tracking renewable energy sources.

In attacking the Greens the Mineral Council is simply protecting the coal industry and its dirty technology," Ms Rhiannon said.

Campaign report

Monday 9 October 2006: Day 25 of the campaign and 165 days to the election.

9 October 2006: Both THE HERALD (page 4) and THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (page 2) covered the Climate Change election. THE HERALD (page 4 and 5) also covered the Newcastle seat. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (page 11) covered internet campaigning and this blog spot! KO-FM, 2HD and 2NUR-FM covered my response to the announcement of Cl Tate's candidature for the seat of Newcastle: chameleon.

8 October 2006: On Sunday night, Christ Church Cathedral hosted the annual Liturgy to give thanks for Creation. The range of pets was again delightful (donkey, shetland pony, dogs, cats, rats etc!). Organised by Hunter Animal Watch, the service had reflections by representatives from Delta Society, RSPCA, Wilderness Society, Hunter Koala Preservation Society, Donkey Welfare with Heart, Animal Liberation, veterinary surgeons. All things bright and beautiful...

8 October 2006: THE GREENS had a stall at Darby St Fair again this year. Lots of people signed the petition urging action on climate change. It was great to be able to hand out the first election flyers. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped out on the day! Darby St Fair

8 October 2006: THE SUN-HERALD covered the Stockton Bight to Watagans Green Corridor. This is a plan that the community has been pushing for more than 4 years now and, in the lead up to the election, we're hopeful that the Government will finally make an announcement (watch this space!). Lower Hunter Green Corridors

4 October 2006: THE HERALD reported my concerns about the State Government's newly-imposed "CBD plan" for Newcastle. While the focus on city revitalisation is great (businesses and residents have been calling for this for years) I think the agenda is really about getting a 40 storey tower in Newcastle (that's what Woollongong got from their Sydney-imposed plan).

3 October 2006: The NSW Greens Coal Policy was launched in Newcastle by upper house MP Lee Rhiannon, with myself as candidate for Newcastle, Keith Parsons as candidate for Wallsend, Jan Davis as candidate for Maitland and Bev Smiles as candidate for Upper Hunter. The policy is reproduced here. Good media coverage from NBN, radio stations, THE HERALD and THE DAILY TELEGRAPH.

29 September 2006: Spoke to KO_FM/NX-FM regarding the media release about the woeful situation where the Federal Govt announces a record budget surplus of $15.8 billion and our region's hospitals have only 80% (780) of the (900) beds needed to cater for our population.

29 September 2006: Spoke to 2NC/ABC NEWCASTLE and THE HERALD about the Planning Minister Frank Sartor's approval of the subdivision of the Dan Land.

28 September 2006: 2HD picked up on the media release about the refusal of the developers' lobby, the Urban Development Institute of Australia, to include fair representation on a panel to discuss the future of the Lower Hunter.

More media coverage was outlined in the earlier media report.

The first climate change election

8 October 2006
Greens release NSW election plan

The Greens NSW today released details of their biggest state election campaign, with plans to shift government policy on issues such as climate change, protection of the natural environment and job security, and boost the number of Greens MPs.

"This is Australia's first climate change election. The Greens are campaigning to break the major parties' addiction to coal, to wasting energy and to building inefficient motorways," Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said.

"The Greens election platform sets out how we can have a win for the environment and win for the economy by investing in renewables.

Lee Rhiannon is likely to be re-elected and there is a strong chance she will be joined by the second candidate on the Greens ticket, Dr John Kaye, taking the Greens Upper House team to four MPs. This could be enough to hold the balance of power.

"The NSW Upper House will be a very different place after the next election. There will be a changing of the guard among the independents and minor parties, and Greens MPs are well positioned to play a pivotal role in passing legislation," Ms Rhiannon said.

"More Greens MPs means that the major parties will find it harder to ignore the needs of the community.

"The Carr and Iemma governments have been a big disappointment. Apart from Labor's stand on WorkChoices, their policies are often conservative and driven by the big end of town. The conservative Coalition is much worse.

"If the Greens hold the balance of power in the Upper House in the next parliament, the government will be under greater pressure to deliver progressive policies that work for the environment and communities across NSW.

"I am very pleased to release the Greens 2007 election platform, which outlines how we can restore public services, protect the environment and make the government more accountable to the people of NSW.

"We plan to stand candidates in all 93 Lower House seats.

"More than 2000 Greens members in NSW are ready for an active statewide campaign. Although the major parties use their corporate donations to heavily outspend us, we can match or outdo Labor and the Coalition in mobilising people," Ms Rhiannon said.

NSW Board of Studies attacked

6 October 2006
Julie Bishop attack on NSW Board of Studies is outrageous

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop to apologise to members of the NSW Board of Studies for her insulting remarks linking their work with Chairman Mao.

"Members of the NSW Board of Studies undertake difficult work and are struggling with conflicting needs. Disagreements will inevitably arise over curriculum content but using insulting language is unacceptable," Ms Rhiannon said today.

"Ms Bishop has lost the plot in her attempt to run her own ideological campaign. An unequivocal apology needs to be given to the NSW Board of Studies immediately.

"Ms Bishop has launched this attack as part of her attempt to takeover school curricula and remake them in her own ideological image.

"In this ham-fisted attempt to centralise power in Canberra, Ms Bishop has accused a number of NSW's eminent education experts and administrators of acting like Chairman Mao.

"Professor Gordon Stanley, who is the President of the Board and people like Dr Mary Fogarty have years of experience in education. They have done excellent work supporting the work of teachers across this state.

"Ms Bishop will no doubt be rebuked by her Coalition colleagues in NSW when they realise that the Federal Education Minister has accused a number of leading NSW private school representatives of being Maoists.

"These include Dr Brian Croke, a nominee of the NSW Catholic Education Commission; Mr Phillip Heath, a nominee of the Association of Independent Schools, the Headmasters' Conference and the Association of Heads of Independent Girls' Schools; Ms Caroline Benedet, a parent of a child attending a non-government school, being a nominee of the Council of Catholic School Parents and the New South Wales Parents' Council and Brother Kelvin Canavan AM.

"It is a bit rich when the Minister who has imposed her narrow conservative views of education accuses the NSW Board of Studies of being ideological. Perhaps the Minister's outburst could find its way onto the NSW English curriculum as a defining case study in irony.

"The NSW Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt needs to be standing up to Ms Bishop and defending the Board," Ms Rhiannon said.

Two Sydney Labor candidates

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA RELEASE
8 October 2006

Two Sydney Labor candidates for Newcastle

The Greens candidate for Newcastle, Cr Michael Osborne, today predicted that the newly announced “independent” candidate for Newcastle, John Tate, would join the ALP if elected next March.

“Cr Tate’s record is that of a political chameleon,” Cr Osborne said.

“Newcastle voters should be aware that a vote for either Jodi Mackay or John Tate would still be a vote for ALP Sydney powerbrokers who’ve shown that they don’t give a damn what Novocastrians want - whether it’s taking away local preselections or cutting rail lines.

“The whole background to this saga, and Cr Tate’s continued favourable comments about the Iemma government – which has consistently failed Newcastle – indicate that Cr Tate would effectively become just another Sydney ALP stooge.

“The scenario is very clear to anyone who thinks about it for more than a moment,” Cr Osborne said.

“It’s common knowledge that over the past few years Cr Tate has become close to some of Labor’s Sydney powerbrokers (such as Michael Costa), and he is still emphasising how much he admires the Iemma government and how he wants to work with it. The Premier has also recently indicated his support for Cr Tate.

“It’s next to certain that if Cr Tate wins the Newcastle state seat he will (within a year or so of the election) be offered a Ministry in return for joining the ALP, and there is every indication that he would accept this.

“That way, the Mackay-Tate scenario is effectively a win-win gift for the Sydney ALP powerbrokers, who get their puppet in either way.

“This would not be Cr Tate’s first political about-face.

“When he was first elected as Lord Mayor in 1999, people voted for him on the basis of a record of standing up for the community on things like the cutting of the Newcastle rail line and inappropriate development. However, he quickly learned the art of the political back-flip, and abandoned these beliefs to curry favour with local developers and the NSW Labor government.

“Cr Tate is certainly different in one respect from Ms Mackay – while we are still awaiting a substantial policy statement from the Sydney appointed Labor candidate, we at least know some of the policies that Cr Tate has campaigned for – such as cutting the Newcastle rail line, large-scale waterfront development, and the overriding of local planning decisions by the ALP government.

“On these and other issues, Cr Tate has put the interests of developers and the Sydney ALP before the interests of Newcastle.

“Cr Tate should explain to the people of Newcastle what he has done for the ordinary people of Newcastle in his seven years as Lord Mayor that would make them want to vote for him to represent Newcastle in the NSW parliament.

“Only The Greens have consistently stood firm against Sydney imposed decisions in favour of vested interests,” Cr Osborne said.

Policy-free zone

Tomorrow it will be 25 days since Sydney Labor appointed Jodi McKay. And 25 days with no policy announced...

Only 165 days to go to the election...

The chocolate frog is still up for grabs. For more information, see Endangered species comp

Poor planning ignores people

Why are local communities being alienated from the planning process?

Planning for the future of our towns and cities is not rocket science.

There are a few simple principles that apply...

1. Protect the natural areas - and modern science now knows that islands of nature reserves don't work, they must be connected across the landscape for the species to survive (especially with climate change!).

2. Discuss with the community what "built heritage" should be protected - places of cultural significance including indigenous and historic places with cultural values.

3. Increase densities in city centres and around transport hubs (read railway stations) and stop sprawl (the draft Lower Hunter Regional Strategy talked about "inter urban breaks" to constrain urban sprawl and try to meet principle 1 above)

4. Provide diverse employment opportunities within easy access of residential centres - mix it up, don't create a mega "employment park" at woop woop and hope that'll do the trick. Provide a mix of land uses to create a variety of housing choices and opportunities.

5. Provide parks and open space areas within the urban areas - the parks need to be diverse: "pocket" parks (single lot), small parks, large fields (cricket/football oval) and bush parks are all needed - especially as population densities increase (Hong Kong has 40% of its area in National Parks!)

6. Ensure there are design criteria in place so you don't end up with concrete boxes for houses! Ensure safety is incorporated into the urban form by mixing uses with different day/night usage patterns and by ensuring that all areas have passive surveillance.

7. Urban development should be carefully integrated with transport needs of residents, focusing on providing to future residents high quality public transport, cycling and pedestrian options.

8. Design the buildings to reduce energy use (eg maximise the use of natural light, heating and ventilation and ensure the building is well insulated), reduce water consumption (eg water efficient appliances and install rainwater tanks at the construction stage), use materials that are renewable, easily recycled or reused, design the building to be adaptable (allows for modification in the future (eg when owners get old) without excessive reconstruction); design in the onsite provision of waste and recycling separation and composting/worm farms.

And while we can think of many examples where these simple principles are not applied (or are flagrantly ignored), this is not the reason why people feel alienated from the planning process.

It's that "other" key principle of good land use planning...

9. Involve the community! Let the local communities make the decisions, guided by good over-arching policies and principles. Setup a development process that is open and transparent, where decisions are predictable, everyone can read the rules and "knows the ball game".

So should Newcastle have a 40-storey tower???

Let's have the conversation, guided by good policies and principles (not by Sydney backroom deals with select wealthy developers).

Anvil Hill coal mine

Reported in yesterday's Daily Telegraph...

Two more groups have joined the call for the Government to not allow the Anvil Hill coal mine to go ahead.

The Hunter Valley Breeders Association and the Upper Hunter Winemakers Association (which represents 25 grape growers and winemakers, including Rosemount Estate) have demanded that the mine not be allowed.

The Hunter Valley Breeders Association said the mine would create dust which would make horses sick, further diminish already stressed water supplies and reduce the growing of feed in the area.

The Upper Hunter Winemakers Association said the proposed mine would directly affect some individual members and have the potential to seriously impact on the future viability of our industry in the region.

Katie Brassil, external affairs manager of Centennial Coal (right wing labor, ex-Hunter Economic Development Corporation) said the company welcomed submissions on the environmental assessment.

But will Sydney Labor listen?

A Hunter Just Transition Fund

Today, on the foreshore of Newcastle Harbour, Lee Rhiannon, State Upper House MP, launched the NSW Greens Coal Policy with Greens candidate for the seat of Newcastle, Michael Osborne, Greens candidate for the seat of Wallsend, Keith Parsons, Greens candidate for the seat of Maitland, Jan Davis and Greens candidate for the seat of Upper Hunter, Bev Smiles.

The policy is shown in full below.

Climate change is happening and it is critical that the Government commit to a “just transition” away from coal dependency for Hunter communities, to support job creation and the retraining and the seeding of new sustainable industries paid for by a levy on existing coal mines.

Michael Osborne stated that, if elected, he would introduce a private members bill to establish a Hunter Just Transition Fund to support the move away from climate changing activities like coal burning to renewable industries like the manufacture of solar panels and wind turbines in the Hunter.


Video: The Jodi McKay Policy Challenge

The Greens NSW Coal Policy
Revised August 2006
Principles
1. The overwhelming scientific evidence of human-induced global warming demands that each state and nation substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and bring about an end to the fossil fuel-based economy.

2. NSW, as a major coal producer, user and exporter, has a particular responsibility to break the dominance of the coal corporations and urgently begin the transition to a low carbon and efficient economy which will increase the number and quality of jobs.

3. Given that coal mined in NSW is a major source of greenhouse gases on a national and global scale, The Greens are committed to phasing out the coal industry and its replacement with a jobs-rich clean energy economy.

4. Coal mining results in massive damage to:
4.1. the social and economic viability of communities in the vicinity of coal mines;
4.2. ecosystems, rivers and the geological integrity of landscapes; and
4.3. other wealth and employment generating activities including farming and tourism.

5. As the coal industry has become increasingly mechanised and more capital intensive, the number of jobs in coal mining has significantly reduced in NSW and around Australia. This stands in stark contrast to the enormous employment potential of renewable energy, energy efficiency and public transport where export industries could be developed based on successes in the domestic market.

6. Increasing the capacity of the NSW coal industry will not only damage the environment and employment potential but also frustrate and foreclose on the development of a low carbon economy

Policy Detail
The Greens NSW
7. oppose the development of any new coal mines or the expansion of existing coal mines. We also oppose the expansion of coal handling infrastructure.

During the transition to a low carbon emissions economy, the nation’s energy and metallurgical needs can be satisfied by existing coal mines

8. will work towards stopping development consent and the granting of export licences for all new coal mines.

9. will work to improve the mine development assessment process to take full and unbiased account of:
9.1. greenhouse gas emissions from coal usage whether it is exported or burned in NSW;
9.2. greenhouse gas emissions released during the mining and transportation of coal, including coal seam methane fugitive emissions;
9.3. adverse economic, social and health impacts on local communities;
9.4. damage to rivers, streams and other waterways;
9.5. noise, dust and transport related impacts on local communities;
9.6. damages to the landscape;
9.7. reduction in tourism potential;
9.8. damage to agriculture; and
9.9. loss of cultural and natural heritage.

10. believe that that an immediate start should be made to the transition of the electricity industry to a renewable energy and energy efficiency basis.

11. will work to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions from metallurgical uses of coal are minimised by:
11.1. enforcing world’s best practices in process efficiency;
11.2. maximising feed-stock recycling; and
11.3. a state, national and global transition to selecting manufactured materials that minimise embodied emissions

12. will work to ensure that the operations of existing coal mines conform to the world’s best practices in industrial relations for mineworkers, occupational health and mine safety, environmental protection; and are designed to minimise impacts on local communities including noise, dust and amenity.
In particular, The Greens will work for:
12.1. increased enforcement of current environmental standards and requirements and higher penalties for breaches of mine consent requirements;
12.2. the establishing of local environmental monitoring committees to monitor and audit the performance of all coal mines;
12.3. the development of regional industry-wide environmental monitoring programmes;
12.4. the development and implementation of a programme for revegetation (with indigenous species) of disused coal mining land. Reforestation components of such activities should not be allowed to be used as a carbon dioxide sink in any emissions trading scheme; and
12.5. improved monitoring of the environmental consequences of abandoned mine sites and in particular their impact on the aquatic environment.

13. support the phasing out of all existing subsidies to coal mining . This includes immediately ending the Federal government’s diesel fuel rebate for mining operations.

14. are committed to “just transitions” for communities that have traditionally derived income from coal mining operations, to support job creation and the development of a secure economic future for those communities. Funding for retraining and the seeding of new industries in coal communities should be paid for by a levy on existing coal mines.

15. believe that where coal mines are closed, there is an urgent need for full rehabilitation, not only to restore the area of mine operations but also to protect water quality in all affected rivers and streams.

16. reject the promotion of “clean coal” by politicians and coal lobbyists as nothing more than a marketing tool to disguise the devastating environmental impacts of coal mining and use. Carbon capture and storage (geosequestration) is an unproven technology that is likely to be expensive, risky and limited by availability of appropriate burial sites.

17. oppose substantial funding of "clean coal" research and development at the expense of sustainable energy technology.

18. will campaign for a levy on all existing coal mines to pay for:
18.1. just transitions for communities that are currently economically dependent on coal mining;
18.2. mine rehabilitation where mine owners have failed to leave adequate resources to restore the local environment and protect rivers, steams and ground water; and
18.3. investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

An Inconvenient Truth

For those who have recently seen An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore’s contribution to the climate change debate, you may remember when he says what is likely to happen if the ice shelf in Greenland melted or if part of the ice shelf in West Antarctica melted.

The complete melting of Greenland would raise sea levels by 7 metres (23 feet). But even a partial melting would cause a one-metre (three-foot) rise. Even a one-metre rise would devastate areas in the Lower Hunter, particularly Stockton and inner city suburbs and areas around Lake Macquarie.

A new study, based on data gathered by a pair of NASA satellites orbiting Earth shows that Greenland continued to lose ice mass at a significant rate through April 2006, and that the rate of loss is accelerating. The study appears in the 21 September 2006 issue of Nature magazine.

The study indicates that from April 2004 to April 2006, Greenland was shedding ice at about two and one-half times the rate of the previous two-year period, and had lost roughly 684 cubic kilometres of ice from April 2004 to April 2006 (roughly 1200 Sydney Harbour’s or 400 Lake Macquarie’s).

Some businesses are not burying their head in the sand and recognise that climate change poses serious threats to Australia’s economy and uncertainty about future climate policy heightens the risks associated with investment.

The Australian Business Roundtable on Climate Change (members are BP Australia, Insurance Australia Group, Origin Energy, Swiss Re, Visy Industries and Westpac) was formed to advance the understanding of business risks and opportunities associated with climate change and to help develop effective policy frameworks and market conditions for our low carbon future.

The Roundtable commissioned CSIRO to determine climate impacts on Australia, and the Allen Consulting Group to model the economic effects of producing a 60% reduction on year 2000 emissions by 2050, for its report The Business Case for Early Action. The Roundtable's report shows, for the first time, that it is possible for Australia to deliver significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at an affordable cost, whilst maintaining strong economic growth.

What can we do?

1. We need to all reduce our consumption

Switch to Green Power, turn appliances off at the wall (10% of Australian household electricity use goes on standby power), have short efficient showers, adjust the thermostat on the hot water heater (each degree equals about 10% of energy consumption) and leave the car at home (see Australian Conservation Foundation website).

2. Lobby the Government

The State Government must make an immediate start to the transition of the electricity industry to a renewable energy and energy efficiency basis. There must be significant investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

There must be a phasing out of all existing subsidies to coal mining, including immediately ending the Federal government’s diesel fuel rebate for mining operations.

There needs to be “just transitions” for communities that have traditionally derived income from coal mining operations, to support job creation and the development of a secure economic future for those communities. Funding for retraining and the seeding of new industries in coal communities should be paid for by a levy on existing coal mines.