Green groups have come under fire again this week with the Abbott government pushing its plan to change environment laws, after actions by Queensland conservation groups, contributed to Indian mining company Adani’s environment approval for its massive Carmichael coal mine being set aside.

Three crossbenchers say they will not vote for changes in the form being proposed by the government, which is to repeal a section of Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act that allows conservationists and other community groups to challenge environmental approvals.

Farmers have hit back in fury as under the proposed changes many farm organisations will also be denied standing to challenge federal environmental approvals in the court.

The attorney general, George Brandis, told the Senate on Wednesday the government would only abolish 487(2). There are three parts to section 487 and (2) is the part allowing individuals to take court action. Repealing only that section would stop individual farmers taking action, but leave the sections that allow both environment and farming peak bodies to continue to take action as they do now.

We will be following this closely over the coming weeks.  Read the statement by Environmental Justice Australia here.

MASG’s Wasteless Project

MASG Reverse Garbage and Recycling Initiative

Mount Alexander Sustainability Group are mapping business waste in the townships of Castlemaine, Maldon, Newstead and Taradale that can be re-purposed.
We want to link businesses with waste to individuals, community groups and schools that need it: it’s that simple!

Local businesses
Do you have waste items that you could give to individuals, community groups and schools that need them? Do you want to save money on your garbage bills? We want to hear from you!

Individuals, Community Groups, Schools

Find out more here:
www.masg.org.au/wasteless

or Contact MASG:
Ph: 5470 6978
admin@masg.org.au

MASG Battery & Light Globe Recycling

Local sustainability educator Jay Smith, invites young people, groups and individuals interested in youth leadership to two special events. Jay works out of the Synergize Hub in Bendigo and is passionate about educating and empowering people to create thriving communities, with vast experience in youth and community sustainability education and engagement. Jay is also a member of the AYCC, Victorian Young Greens and the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group.

Empower Young People in Your Community:
‘Learning Lunch': 27 August

Jay Smith will share his experiences in tackling this question head on through OzGreen‘s Youth Leading the World initiative, a project which empowers young people to take positive action on environmental and social sustainability issues in their local communities.

This award winning initiative is currently running in over 100 communities, both across Australia and globally. Project partners include government, youth and community organisations, schools, universities, TAFEs and businesses.

Local Young People Leading the World:
Sustainability Assembly 4 September

Jay also invites you to come along to the ‘Youth Leading the World’ Sustainability Assembly inspired by the ideas of young people in our community, which will accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.

Students from Winters Flat, Elphinstone and St. Mary’s Primary Schools will present their action plans which they developed during OzGreen’s Youth Leading the World Congress in Castlemaine in late July.

To register your interest in attending the Assembly, please contact:
Jay Smith, Youth Leading the World, Mallee Coordinator, OzGreen.
Ph: 0439 611 696
jsmith@ozgreen.org.au
RSVP Thursday 27 August.
 

Stand with Farmers for a Gasfield Free Victoria:
@ The State Library 20 September

The Victorian Auditor General’s report on unconventional gas has just been released, warning that well recognised risks may make unconventional gas mining unsuitable for Victoria because of it’s dense population, scarce water resources, and high reliance on agriculture.

Auditor-General John Doyle said: “Victoria is not as well placed as it could be to respond to the risks and impacts that could arise if the moratorium is lifted’ and there were “major problems” with the state’s current regulation of unconventional gas, managed by the departments of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, and Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

For other ways to contribute to the campaign to protect Victoria from Unconventional Gas, head to: http://www.melbourne.foe.org.au/protect_victoria

‘An Evening with Tim Flannery’ 26 September

MASG are delighted to be working with The Hub Foundation to support the delivery of this event.

Professor Tim Flannery, Chief Councillor at the Climate Council, will discuss how Australia can prepare itself for a clean energy future, provide an update on the latest climate science, and outline the current impacts of climate change in Australia.

Fancy brunch with Tim Flannery? Become an Event Supporter and this is one of the benefits, as well as tickets to the main event.
It will be a great chance to meet Tim informally over a delicious breakfast prepared by the team from the Gov Cafe (at the Old Castlemaine Gaol) as well as other like-minded supporters and sponsors.

To purchase your ticket head to the link: http://www.mash.org.au/an-evening-with-tim-flannery/

For more info contact:
Jo Kaptein jo@hubfoundation.org.au
Ph: 0455 589 065

Any profits generated will be shared between local sustainability organisations and the Climate Council.
 

Call for Volunteers: Local Lives Global Matters
16-18 October

“Never doubt that a small group of committed individuals can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that has ever changed it” Margaret Mead