Month: July 2022

Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action (BSCA) is proud to be launching another climate legal case today, this time against the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) over its approval of the extension of Whitehaven Coal’s Narrabri Mine extension.

Represented by the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO), BSCA argues that the IPC’s approval of the mine extension in April was unreasonable, irrational and illogical and not in the public interest because of the project’s impacts in driving further climate change-fuelled extreme weather events such as the Black Summer bushfires and Sydney’s current flooding events. 

The IPC’s April decision allows Whitehaven Coal to extend operations up to 10km south of its existing mine with a 500m-wide coal seam and extract an additional 82 million tonnes of coal to 2044.   

The project will generate at least 479.57 Mt CO2-e in emissions (roughly equal to Australia’s current annual greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, which were 488 MtCO2-e) at a time when greenhouse gas emissions must be rapidly reduced to limit the devastating impacts of global warming. 

After successfully suing the NSW EPA last year to force it to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, BSCA is taking action in the NSW land and Environment Court to have the IPC’s approval overturned. 

“Today, thousands of people across NSW are battling record floodwaters for the third time in only a few months. Homes, businesses, farms, infrastructure are being destroyed and lives are being lost and imperilled.

“As bushfire survivors we stand shoulder to shoulder with all climate survivors, determined to fight for safer communities. We know what it is to lose everything in a climate-fuelled event. We have felt the weight of lives turned upside down as we rebuild only to see the next disaster roll towards us,” stated spokesperson for Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action Fiona Lee, who lost her home in the Black Summer fires. 

The Bureau of Meteorology State of the Climate Report 2021 revealed the number of extreme fire danger days in Australia had increased tenfold since the 1960s, with 143 extreme fire danger days in the decade of the 2010s compared to 14 in the decade of the 1960s.

If Australia continues to emit climate damaging greenhouse gases, extreme weather events will only increase in number and severity. In this court action, Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action will argue that in the face of indisputable evidence on the climate impacts, no reasonable person could conclude that this mine was in the public interest. 

Instead of approving new mines and expansions, Australia should be investing in clean, renewable energy sources that will provide jobs and reliable, cheap power. 

EDO Director of Legal Strategy Elaine Johnson said: 

“This case marks a line in the sand. The IPC has a duty to make legally reasonable and justifiable decisions. Our client says that it cannot be reasonable, rational, logical or in the public interest to approve a mine which will be a major new source of climate pollution in 2022.

“The IPC had before it indisputable scientific evidence on the impact emissions from this mine extension would have on our climate.  This mine produces not just thermal coal, but significant amounts of fugitive methane as well.

“Decision makers can no longer ignore the huge body of undisputed scientific evidence that says we must rapidly reduce emissions and leave coal and gas in the ground if we are to have a liveable planet.”

The State Government’s popular Dine & Discover NSW program has closed with almost $1 billion in direct spend injected into the economy during the 16-month lifespan of the program, which ended with a record-breaking final week.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said about 23,642,000 vouchers had been redeemed by customers since March 2021, with more than 1.1 million redemptions on the final day.

“The program has been a phenomenal success, with close to 72 per cent of vouchers redeemed across 16,736 NSW businesses,” Mr Dominello said.

“The vouchers have provided many businesses with a financial lifeline so they could survive and transition to a post-covid economy that is going from strength to strength every day.

“More than 5.5 million adults, which is about nine out of ten eligible adults, registered for the program, with the average customer spending almost $42 per voucher.

“I would like to thank all participating businesses for their support of the program.”

Redemption uptake was strong with 95.2 per cent of users cashing in at least one voucher, 67.3 per cent redeeming at least four and 38.9 per cent scanning all six.

Mr Dominello said there are still more than 70 ways for households to save and boost their budgets, with information available via Service NSW.

“Families will continue to receive hip pocket relief with Parents NSW Vouchers and Stay NSW Vouchers available until 9 October 2022,” Mr Dominello said.

For more information visit Savings Finder at https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/savings-finder

A dedicated Aboriginal Cultural Space will be established at the Museum of Sydney, the site of First Government House in NSW. 

The cultural space will feature voices, significant stories, truths and histories of Aboriginal culture and people.   

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the initiative is part of the NSW Government’s broader commitment to delivering symbolic and practical outcomes for Aboriginal people and the wider community across the state. 

“The Aboriginal Cultural Space will be a place where the community can talk openly and constructively about history and culture,” Mr Perrottet said. 

“The decisions made and actions taken at the first Government House had profound and long-lasting impacts on Aboriginal people across this country and region. 

“This site will create a place for these stories and perspectives to be shared, while celebrating the enduring living culture of Aboriginal people.”    

The Aboriginal Cultural Space will be established progressively by Sydney Living Museums in partnership with the Aboriginal Languages Trust.   The development of the space will be informed by extensive consultation with the Aboriginal community, and a series of exhibitions, public programs and workshops that will take place on site.  

The site’s existing collection will be reinterpreted and contextualised to represent Aboriginal stories and perspectives until the entire space is dedicated to the culture and history of Aboriginal people. 

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the Arts Ben Franklin said Australia should be a society that remembers, talks about and reconciles with its past.  

“Our history matters and it is filled with moments both dark and delightful. To acknowledge our past effectively, we need spaces where difficult truths and uncomfortable perspectives are free to be expressed,” Mr Franklin said. 

“History is happening now and we will work tirelessly with partners and community to bring into being a place that will engage with the past with a mind for the future.” 

Sydney Living Museums Head of First Nations Cultural Engagement Peter White said the space is a new model for cultural institutions, where Aboriginal people, places and perspectives are included. 

“Sydney Living Museums cares for 12 of the most historically significant places in the country, including a world-heritage site, and NSW State Archives has one of the world’s best archival collections, with a cultural worth beyond measure,” Mr White said. 

“Together, we hold unparalleled documentation of our past; what happened, where it happened, how it happened and why it happened. 

“There’s an expectation from community to bridge the gap between institutions and community and we want to do as much as we can to make what we have as accessible, honest and relevant as we can.” 

Aboriginal Languages Trust Chair Jason Behrendt said the partnership between the Aboriginal Languages Trust and Sydney Living Museums and State Archives and Records Authority is an important first step in building an enduring relationship based on mutual respect and understanding of our shared history. 

“For Aboriginal people, languages are part of our living culture. It is a fundamental part of identity – a physical, intellectual and spiritual connection to culture, country and community,” Mr Behrendt said. 

“This partnership will shine a spotlight on languages as living culture through expanding First Nations content, programming and services at First Government House in line with our statutory roles and strategic objectives.” 

Today’s announcement coincides with the start of NAIDOC Week – reflecting the theme ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’. 

Netball NSW has made the immensely difficult decision to cancel the final day of the 2022 HART Junior State Titles as a result of severe weather in the Sydney area.

Competition for the three-day event got underway on Saturday morning with thousands descending on the Penrith District and Baulkham Hills Shire Netball Associations.

While play, for the most part, was able to be completed on Day 1 a decision was made to cancel games on day 2 (Sunday) with a risk assessment to take place on the morning of day 3 (Monday) to see if competition could start again.

A full assessment was carried out by staff, umpires and safety officers at both venues and unfortunately, due to a number of factors such as flooding, dangerous court conditions and issued weather warnings Netball NSW has no option but to cancel all of Monday’s play.    

Tim Fava, Executive General Manager of Community & Pathways at Netball NSW, said he understood the tough decision would cause huge disappointment.

“Having had the last two years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, to see this year’s event fall victim to the weather after getting off to a great start is simply heartbreaking for everyone involved,” he said.

“Firstly, our thoughts are with all of the players, coaches, umpires, team managers and fans who put so much into their campaigns, many of whom have come from places as far away as Ballina and Wagga Wagga,” he said.

“It is a similar feeling of disappointment for the wonderful people at Penrith and Baulkham Hills who have been such brilliant hosts, all of our commercial partners – in particular Naming Right Partner HART Sport – and of course our staff who worked tirelessly to get us to this point.

“We had such energy and excitement at both venues on Saturday morning despite the rain, which has gotten much worse since then. While the rain is currently intermittent, the water impact on the courts and the surrounding areas makes it impossible to go ahead in a way that ensures the safety of all.” 

The Titles are a vital part of the Netball NSW pathway and showcase the strength of the game’s grassroots with representative players, umpires and officials from all over the state coming together to take part.

Penrith welcomed teams from Divisions 1 & 2 of 12U, 13U and 14U age groups, while Baulkham Hills hosted Divisions 3 & 4 of the categories.

Due to teams only being able to get one day of play in, no State Champions or Division winners will be crowned for 2022.

“Given the risks involved this was really our only option” Fava explained. “I would like to reiterate again how difficult it has been the come to this decision, but it is the correct one as the wellbeing and safety of our netball family must, and always will, come first.”