NPA NSW

NPA News Summer 2023

Posted by NPA NSWon December 5, 2023December 7, 2023in Summer 2023Leave a comment

Executive Committee

The Annual General Meeting and Annual Meeting of State Council were held in November. Welcome to the new Executive Committee, elected 18 November 2023

President: Grahame Douglas
Vice President: vacant
Secretary: George Pund
Treasurer: vacant
Members: Ian Donovan, Jonathon Howard, Ted Woodley

Thanks were given to all members who served on the Committee in 2022-23.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting included presentation of the Annual Report and Annual Financial Statement. There were three presentations on current campaigns from NPA members Warwick Pearse, Tim Carroll and Paula Flack.

(L-R) David Stead, Julia Pucci, Deb Wilson, Frank Dennis, Leonie McGuire, Peter Wilson, Kevin Evans. Photo: Gary Dunnett

NPA Volunteer Awards 2023 and Annual Dinner

For the first time since the Covid pandemic, we had a face to face gathering over dinner, at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre in Surry Hills. Unfortunately our guest speaker wasn’t able to attend on the night. However, it was a great success with short presentations by our President, Dr Grahame Douglas, and CEO, Gary Dunnett. A highlight of the night, apart from catching up with old friends and meeting several people in person for the first time, was the presentation of the Volunteer Awards by George Pund, Secretary and David Stead, our MC for the evening.

Some awards were presented at the dinner, while others will be presented later.

Congratulations to all award recipients, and thank you to all who nominated someone for an award. Our volunteers are the beating heart of our organisation.

The NPA Volunteer Awards were established in 2004 to honour Prudence Tucker, a longstanding and dedicated member of NPA. The Awards recognise consistent, persistent, innovative and significant effort by members in support of NPA’s aims, projects and member activities.

NPA Award recipients:

undertake volunteer work for NPA over an extended period
support the objectives of the organisation
achieve results through exceptional effort or innovative means
show determination, perseverance and initiative
provide a role model to others.

Award categories and recipients

Activity Leadership

for contribution of leadership and coordination to the NPA Activities program over a substantial period of time.

Janet Rannard (Sydney)

Always well prepared

Provides excellent commentary – features and history of places
Constantly checking on walkers progress and welfare
Has lead more walks to cover other leaders being unavailable

Fritz Wehrmann (Sydney)*

NPA member for 19 years
Nominated by the Wednesday walkers

Local Achievement

for wide-ranging contribution to a Branch over a substantial period of time

Tim Carroll (Macarthur)

NPA member for 36 years
Held various roles in the Macarthur Branch
Has guided legal challenges to illegal works in reserves – notably Dharawal National Park
Recently produced comprehensive maps of land available for inclusion in Upper Georges River National Park – this work superior to other proposals developed so far.
Shoulders great work loads and provides friendly advice

Lyn Orrego (Coffs Coast)

Recently joined NPA

Long term forest campaigner with local knowledge of the proposed Great Koala National Park areas
Major and sustained commitment to the Great Koala Park Technical Working Group

John Pile (Coffs Coast)

Recently joined NPA
Recognised koala expert in the Coffs Harbour Region
Consistently surveying for evidence of koala in Pine Creek State Forest
Rallying opposition to the threat of logging by preparing submissions, engaging stakeholders & briefing media

Warwick Pearse (Sydney)

Championed the Jervis Bay new area proposal
Aims to manage for conservation areas outside reserves that support bio-diversity, threatened species & connect isolated reserves.
Assessment of conservation value without reference to ownership – ‘tenure blind’
Project in consultation phase & is receiving plaudits for the quality of technical analysis & strength of case presented

Organisational Support

for contribution of time and effort in support of NPA’s organisational structure over a substantial period of time.

Bryan Johnstone (Armidale)

NPA member for 16 years
Multiple branch roles including State Council
Extensive knowledge in land management – his perspective is much appreciated in Branch decision making
Deep understanding of World Heritage and Gondwana Rainforest parks in the Armidale region

State Conservation

for contribution to substantial State-wide conservation outcomes that have benefited both NPA and the wider community.

Anne Dickson (Sydney)

past president of NPA
Led preparation of NPA Strategy 2023-2027
Driving force in Membership Committee leading membership engagement program (part of NPA Strategy)
great insight into organisational dynamics with a deeply respectful approach to engaging with the diversity of views

Dave Gallan (Far South Coast)

Multi-term President of Far South Coast Branch & State Council member
Works with a network of conservationists, researchers, community leaders & politicians to advocate for protection of the biodiversity of the southeast
As a photographer and documentary maker has shown the values of his region to an international audience
Has documented the generations of conservationists who fought for protection of the magnificent south east forests

Excellence in Conservation

for outstanding and extended service in conservation and to NPA over a number of years.

Jane Judd (Sydney)

Representative on numerous statutory & community forums
Displays a deep respect for First Nations culture, heritage & custodianship of land
Leadership role in NPA’s campaign to protect The Pilliga from mining, infrastructure and forestry
Contribution across environmental education, local advocacy, & state wide planning & policy development

Ted Woodley (Sydney)

Member of Executive & State Council since 2007
Worked tirelessly on the campaign against impacts of Snowy 2.0 scheme on fragile and unique Kosciuszko National Park (KNP)
Mounted highly effective and technically sound arguments against Snowy 2.0
Highly effective in engaging the media and has become a respected contact for reporters.
At the forefront of NPA’s legal

*Sadly Fritz Wehrmann passed away last month. Fritz was nominated by the Wednesday group he walked with. The award will be given to his family.

Another environmental failure by Snowy 2.0

Posted by NPA NSWon December 5, 2023December 5, 2023in Media Releases, Snowy 2.0Leave a comment

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued yet another direction (https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/news/media-releases/2023/epamedia231204-snowy-hydro-issued-with-clean-up-notice-for-contaminated-soil ) to Snowy Hydro to stop polluting Kosciuszko National Park.

The latest EPA Clean Up Notice relates to Snowy Hydro’s mismanagement of spoil from blasting and tunnelling in the national park. It follows six environmental breaches over the last year, including a $15,000 fine to project contractor WeBuild for allowing 9000 litres of polluted water into the Yarrangobilly River.

National Parks Association NSW supports ‘Yes’ at the Voice Referendum

Posted by NPA NSWon September 26, 2023September 26, 2023in Media ReleasesLeave a comment

The State Council of the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) has endorsed the ‘Yes’ campaign for The Voice referendum on 14th October 2023.

State Council is the governing body of NPA and is composed of delegates from geographically based branches across NSW and from specialist committees. It expressed support for The Voice at its first meeting (Saturday 16th September 2023) since the date for the referendum was announced

There was unanimous support for the ‘Yes’ campaign from delegates.

‘NPA Branches and members have over many years worked closely with traditional owners and Indigenous Australian organisations dedicated to caring for country. These groups have strived with us to preserve natural areas and to ensure that they are managed in the best way possible’, said Dr Grahame Douglas, NPA president

‘Support for the referendum question is important because it recognises and respects the continuing culture of Indigenous Australians. It also provides a way for the knowledge gained over tens of thousands of years to be shared and integrated with western knowledge and scientific inquiry.’

‘The knowledge of Indigenous Australians about the ecology of Australia and the care and management of Country is central to preserving our much-loved landscapes. The Voice provides a way of ensuring that the people who hold that knowledge can prosper and contribute beyond what they have already generously given to solving the critical environmental problems that Australia faces’, concluded Dr Douglas.

ENDS

Media Contact: NPA CEO, Gary Dunnett. NPA President, Dr Grahame Douglas 02 9299 0000 

Big step towards creating the Great Koala National Park welcomed

Posted by NPA NSWon September 12, 2023September 12, 2023in Media ReleasesLeave a comment

The National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) welcomed the NSW Environment Minister’s announcement to halt timber harvesting operations within koala hubs of the Great Koala National Park.

‘We’re very relieved that the NSW Government has finally agreed to suspend logging in 106 mapped Koala Hubs, which are some of the most significant areas of koala habitat within the Great Koala National Park and NSW’ said Dr Grahame Douglas, NPA president.

‘NPA’s next priority is expanding that protection to the remainder of the proposed Great Koala National Park, especially the habitats and connecting corridors that are so essential to the long-term survival of koalas.’

NPA also welcomed the release of Minister Sharpe’s announcement of consultation and assessment processes to ensure the Great Koala National Park aligns with the highest standards of environmental protection.

‘NPA presented the original Great Koala National Park proposal to the former NSW Government in 2016. We’ll participate throughout the consultation and assessment process to help to bring this long overdue park into reality’ concluded NPA CEO Gary Dunnett.

ENDS

Media Contact:
NPA CEO, Gary Dunnett. NPA President, Dr Grahame Douglas 02 9299 0000

Crunch Time | Saving Tura’s Biodiversity

Posted by NPA NSWon August 31, 2023August 31, 2023in Spring 2023Leave a comment

Jordan Mundey and Jacob Shields, Filmmakers

When a 33-year-old Zombie DA threatens to wipe out a crucial piece of native bushland in Tura Beach on the New South Wales south coast, a group of passionate locals’ band together to tackle the imminent devastation. Told through the eyes of local experts, Crunch Time rewrites the narrative regarding how much power communities have in combating coastal developments.

Putting a Price on Nature

Posted by NPA NSWon August 31, 2023August 31, 2023in Spring 2023Leave a comment

Anne Reeves and Rachel Fitzhardinge, NPA Park Management Committee

Introduction

Classical economics does not deal with social or environmental issues. The intrinsic and complex world of nature, our life support system, is overlooked. Accordingly, national economic accounts do not identify negative impacts of economic activity on nature, the environment, nor recognise measures that would benefit the environment and human well-being.

Read More “Putting a Price on Nature”