Category: Autumn 2021

Dendrobium Mine Expansion Refused

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Dr Peter Turner, NPA Mining Projects Science Officer

To the great relief of many, the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has refused the proposed expansion of the Dendrobium coal mine, south west of Sydney. Approval would have continued the highly damaging mining introduced in 2013, from 2024 to 2048.  The refusal constitutes a reality check for the mining company, and the Department of Planning. The Department had been the consent authority since a Commission of Inquiry approved the mine in 2001.

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What has happened to the planned Sydney Marine Park?

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Some insights and history from a marine activist and a marine scientist

Gary Schoer, Secretary, Southern Sydney Branch NPA

Dr Ross Jeffree, National and International Project Officer, Southern Sydney Branch NPA

Sharnie O’Connell, Marine Campaigner, NPA

Southern Sydney Branch first became aware of the possible threats to Sydney’s underwater marine ecosystems when plans were announced for sand mining offshore from Royal National Park in 1990. Faced with looming shortages of building sand from the Kurnell sandhills, Boral proposed that available technology would allow these largely sandy habitats to be exploited, thus filling potential gaps in supply.

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Hill End Historic Site – Draft Plan of Management

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 Ross McDonnell, NPA Treasurer and former NPWS Regional Manager

It is hard to imagine a current government purchasing most of an historic town, with live-in residents, and transferring it to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The foresight of doing so in 1967 to protect heritage values and to add a new reserve to the historic site category was courageous and commendable.

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Book Review: Call of the Reed Warbler

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A new agriculture, a new earth, by Charles Massy

Group review by NPA book group

The NPA book group had a very interesting discussion of this rich book on February 8. Members brought different perspectives. Some had farm backgrounds but most of us had not. One member had a family connection to the author. Another has a son considering farming as a career. A third found it valuable to read the book twice.

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