To all loyal members, past members and supporters it is with sadness that the Coastwatchers Association, the first environment group to form in Eurobodalla Shire is winding up after 42 years. The association formed in 1983 in response to proposals … Continue reading
The Coastwatchers Association Incorporated (Coastwatchers) is the leading community environmental and conservation group serving the South Coast of NSW. Coastwatchers works principally in the Shire of Eurobodalla from South Durras to Wallaga Lake, (and including the major towns of Batemans … Continue reading
Our aspiration is to rescue deforested alluvial lowlands and ensure they are connected by koala-compatible forested corridors. The Eurobodalla Koala Project maintains its own website at eurokoalas.com.
Wildlife and communities on the NSW South Coast will benefit from more than half a million dollars of funding over the next three years for projects to heal and regenerate the region following the devastating 2019-2020 bushfires. Continue reading
This review argues that Bodalla State Forest, where a sighting was reported in October 2021, must be a priority focus for any Eurobodalla-wide koala population revival. Coastwatchers volunteer group Eurobodalla Koalas reviewed the koala habitat significance of Bodalla State Forest, … Continue reading
This submission was uploaded to the yoursay.marine.nsw.gov.au/stage 1 website on January 21st 2022.
The East Lynne carrying capacity study suggests the area could support up to four resident koala groups as a best-case scenario, if natural post-wildfire recovery is accompanied by deliberate land management intervention. There might also be one small koala resident … Continue reading
Breachwatch Citizens Science Digital Toolbox While native forest logging remains a reality, strategic use of Citizen Science Tools by concerned locals results in key environmental forest features being protected and timely reporting of industry non-compliance to the EPA to ensure “breaches” … Continue reading
Natural Resources Commission – Final Report Coastal IFOA operations post 2019/20 wildfires The leaked Cabinet in Confidence NRC report recommends: 1) No logging of Narooma and Nowra management zones, where logging was identified as posing an “extreme risk” to environmental values for … Continue reading
Please click here to view an up-to-date Forestry Corporation 12 month plan of operations in Google Drive, maintained by Coastwatchers’ Forest Working Group. (Link will open in a new tab or window.)
Study context and purpose The NSW Government has recently announced a target of reducing the state’s emissions by 50% by 2030 on 2005 levels. Meeting this target while driving increased prosperity requires the realisation of the cheapest sources of abatement. … Continue reading
Subject: Matt Kean’s announcement that there will be no appeal of the NSW Land and Environment Court finding that the NSW Environment Protection Authority has a duty to take serious action on greenhouse gas emissions.
The NSW Government has today announced the opening of nominations to identify and protect Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value (AOBVs) on both private and public lands across NSW. Environment Minister Matt Kean said these new legal instruments will fill a … Continue reading
The Dargues mine is close to the village of Majors Creek at the top of the Moruya River catchment, and so represents a risk to the ecosystem health of the river, riparian areas, the estuary and potentially nearby coastal areas should there be any significant release of contaminants from the mine. It is important for us to monitor the operation of the mine and its environmental performance, and this is done through Coastwatchers’ membership of the Dargues Mine Community Consultative
Committee (CCC) – we are represented by Stewart Needham. The CCC meets quarterly, usually in Majors Creek, and since mining operations have been in progress most meetings have been preceded by a visit to the mine site. These visits focus on the processing plant and water management systems and structures, as these are the areas where the community has most concerns (ie noise, dust, truck movements etc, and water quality and management). Continue reading
The period for initial consultation on the Revised Eurobodalla Koala Recovery Strategy 2021 is now complete: see below (pending any further advice on improvements). Some minor changes have been made and we can update the document at any time if … Continue reading
Nine community organisations signed an open letter to Kristy McBain, Federal MP for Eden-Monaro, written by ACF Community Eden Monaro group regarding The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
The launch will be at Lot 16 Annetts Pde, Mossy Point, at the intersection with George Bass Drive (the site of a controversial development proposal. Eurobodalla Koala researcher Keith Joliffe said “We chose this location to highlight the fragmentation and … Continue reading
The Native Vegetation act 2003 was replaced on August 25th 2017 and current legislation governing the clearing of native vegetation is the Local Land Services Act 2013 and the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
You may also like to look at the NSW Rural Fire Service 10/50 vegetation clearing rules.
Eurobodalla Council has signed a landmark 10-year agreement to source the bulk of its energy from renewablesfrom July.Electricity generated by solar farms at Parkes and Griffith, and from wind farms in the New England area due tocome online in 2024, … Continue reading
The Dargues Gold Mine (often called the Dargues Reef Gold Mine) is situated in Majors Creek above the Araluen Valley, at the headwaters of the Araluen Creek, which runs into the Deua River, the water supply for much of the Eurobodalla Shire.
Coastwatchers has been involved in various ways with the Dargues Gold project since 2010. Though the mine was finally approved and built, cyanide processing of the ore is not carried out on site; instead the ore is trucked away for processing.
Details of some of Coastwatchers’ involvement appears below. Much information can be found at the NSW Government’s Major Projects website; you can click through to their Dargues Gold Project page here.
The information below was copied from the website of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW (of which Coastwatchers is a member). Forestry Corporation NSW is planning to restart logging in South Coast native forests in the coming weeks. Following the Black Summer … Continue reading
Authors: Charles Victor Barber, World Resources Institute; Rachael Petersen, Earthrise Services; Virginia Young, Australian Rainforest Conservation Society; Brendan Mackey, Griffith University, Cyril Kormos, Wild Heritage. The climate change and biodiversity crises that the world faces are closely intertwined – and … Continue reading
Gilmore Electorate Communities Environment Program 2019-20 For the year 2020 the Commonwealth Government granted $2,800 through the Gilmore Electorate to The Coastwatchers Association Inc (matched in-kind by Coastwatchers) under the Communities Environment Program. The purpose of the grant was identification … Continue reading
Coastwatchers is writing to report Forestry Corporation NSW (FCNSW) and contractors regarding the following
actions in South Brooman State Forest Compartments 58A (Eden Region) to be investigated and prosecuted as
relevant by the EPA Continue reading
The Beagle Editor, Commenting on ‘lnnes presses to Switch off Biodiversity to allow bushfire rebuilds‘ It is really sad to hear this coming from the Mayor of our council. Our recently amended environmental regulations in NSW are already quite relaxed … Continue reading
25 June Coastwatchers is a signatory to a letter to Nippon Paper organised by Rainforest Action Group. A petition is also now live. One of the signatories to the letter organized a letter delivery and secured some local press. Also see press releases issued by … Continue reading
Media Release June 26th 2020
Also, below is the the submission from the Environmental Defender’s Office.
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation which commenced July 16th 2000. The EPBC Act enables the Australian Government to join with the states and territories in providing … Continue reading
Coastwatchers member Stewart Needham is a member of the Dargues mine Community Consultative Committee. He submitted the following document in relation to the Dargues Mine Water Management Plan.
The information below was sent by the Nature Coast Marine Group regarding the abolition of sanctuary zones in the Batemans Marine Park without scientific assessment or public consultation and even without consulting the Batemans Marine Park Advisory Committee. Click through … Continue reading
This article appeared in the Moruya Examiner / Bay Post on November 27th 2019.
Stewart writes: I attended the last Dargues Reef CCC meeting on 30 September as an observer, and since then my nomination has been formally accepted so that I will be able to fully participate in the next CCC meeting to … Continue reading
Lake Brou is a beautiful coastal lake lying just 2.5 kms south-west of Potato Point near Bodalla on the NSW South Coast. It is part surrounded by Eurobodalla National Park to the north-east, east and south-east, and forms part of … Continue reading
Batemans Bay High School Student Environment Council is busy preparing a Year 12 Wellbeing Native Garden. Beds have been prepared and Lilli Pillis planted. “Next step is planting natives in tubs and installing planter baskets on the wall” said teacher … Continue reading
New connections were made and ‘light-bulb moments’ were plenty when nine high-school students spent the weekend of October 26th & 27th 2019 immersed in nature. Held at Meringo Point Sanctuary, Eurobodalla Young Legends 2019 saw the students mentored by Angus … Continue reading
The Commission invites comment on the draft monitoring program for the Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approval (IFOA) from all interested parties. The NSW Forest Monitoring and Improvement Steering Committee is independently chaired by the Natural Resources Commission. The Coastwatchers Association … Continue reading
This is a 3.3 megabyte PDF document that shows the various zones of the Batemans Marine Park.
Coastwatchers is a proud member of Climate Action Gilmore Events this week Accelerate Film 9 May, Kinema Narooma. The 3rd and final screening of the 350 Australia Accelerate will be held on Thursday 9 May at 6pm. This screening will be … Continue reading
Climate Action Gilmore is a coalition of Eurobodalla 350, SHASA (Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance), Nature Coast Marine Group and The Coastwatchers Association Inc. The Greens – Carmel McCallum The Greens have a target of 100% renewable electricity by 2030 … Continue reading
Doubts have been cast over the independence of a NSW marine park advisory body after a senior Liberal minister appeared to indicate to a meeting of recreational fishers he had influence over the make-up of the committeee. Read the full … Continue reading
Dear Corn Trail Supporters 27 February 2019 News Sent 27 Feb Stop Work Orders demanded for compartment 517 logging above Corn Trail, Beagle Weekly Feb 26, 2019. Stop Work Orders demanded for compartment 517 above Corn Trail – Mike Kelly … Continue reading
C Stop Work Orders demanded for compartment 517 logging above Corn Trail, Beagle Weekly Feb 26, 2019. Stop Work Orders demanded for compartment 517 above Corn Trail – Mike Kelly says our precious native forests worth more as carbon sinks. This … Continue reading
DARGUES REEF GOLD MINE MINER’S COMMUNITY INFORMATION MEETING When 6.00 pm Wednesday 30 January Where Majors Creek Hall The operators/owners of the Dargues Gold Mine, Diversified Minerals Pty Ltd, will be holding a community information session to provide: an update … Continue reading
Background: Gold was discovered at Majors Creek in 1870. Mining commenced in 1871 and lasted until 1890. It recommenced during the First World War from 1914 until 1916. Reopening the Dargues Gold Mine at Majors Creek was again proposed in 2009. … Continue reading
Media Release – Broulee Meeting – Rural Lands Strategy 18 November 2018 A public meeting will be held on Sunday 18th November at 2pm at Captain Oldrey Park, Broulee to raise awareness and engage with the community about the effects … Continue reading
UPDATE ON THE RURAL LANDS STRATEGY/PLANNING PROPOSAL OCTOBER 2018 Most of you will be aware that Eurobodalla Shire Council adopted the Rural Lands Planning Proposal on 28 August 2018 as exhibited with only very minor changes. Our monitoring suggests some … Continue reading
Most of you will be aware that Eurobodalla Shire Council adopted the Rural Lands Planning Proposal on 28 August 2018 as exhibited with only very minor changes. Our monitoring suggests some 1100 submissions were received by Council by 28 August … Continue reading
“The Office of Environment and Heritage has reviewed your latest planning proposal resulting from the Rural Lands Study. Given that none of the changes that we suggested in our 2016 submission on this planning proposal have been adopted, we still retain a … Continue reading
Local Land Services SE submission re RLS June 2018 (106KB .pdf)
RFS RLS PP Response 28 June 2018 (5MB .pdf)
DPI Fisheries – Rural Lands Strategy Response – 22 June 2018 (111KB .pdf)
Presentation to Council Tues 14 Aug 2018 (67KB .pdf) This presentation to Eurobodalla Shire Council was made by Reina Hill (Vice President of Coastwatchers) on Tuesday August 14th 2018 in support of Councillor Mayne’s motion that council defer voting on the … Continue reading
The NSW government has recently announced its intention to drastically weaken the logging rules (Integrated Forestry Operations Approval—IFOA) to remove numerous protections for NSW’s threatened species, koalas, old growth & rainforest and waterways. Coastwatchers IFOA remake submission with covering letter. (80KB … Continue reading
Submission to Environment Protection Authority from South East Region Conservation Alliance, the Great Southern Forest and the National Parks Association Far South Coast Branch, July 13th 2018. IFOA submission – SERCA, GSF, NPA – July 13 2018 (662KB .pdf)
Please find below an article regarding Helen Rees who was a long serving member of Coastwatchers. JULY 5 2018 – 1:52PM (article reproduced from the Batemans Bay Post and shared on the Coastwatchers Facebook page) Life’s dream blossomed RECOGNITION: Helen Rees and … Continue reading
New Logging Rules NPA IFOA_BriefingNote_May18V3 (170KB .pdf)
OEH response to Eurobodalla Rural Lands Strategy Planning Proposal (305Kb .pdf) OEH Attachment 2 – Maps of where OEH has retained an objection to the zoning or minimum lot size pgs 1-10 (5MB .pdf)
Coastwatchers submission 22 June 2018 RLS Proposal amendents to ESC LEP 2012 (245KB .pdf)
Public Access before the Ordinary Council meeting of June 12th saw three very strong representation presented to Councillors in regards to the proposed Rural Lands Strategy. Please click here to read the full article on The Beagle website.
Are you interested in seeing plastic waste reduced? Moruya Business Chamber are looking for volunteers to help launch a major initiative in Moruya to try and end the use of plastic bags in shops. Volunteer Advertisement (148KB .pdf) The “BYO Bag” … Continue reading
Eurobodalla Shire Council is proposing very significant planning changes under their new Rural Lands Strategy Planning Proposal If we don’t object to these changes the conservation values and long term future of this beautiful area will be compromised.
ESC RLS Guide Letter June 2018 (123KB .pdf) ESC RLS Guide Letter June 2018 (9KB .docx) ESC RLS Guide Letter June 2018 (110KB .rtf) The text of the above guide letter appears below. Name . Address . Date . General Manager Eurobodalla Shire … Continue reading
The axing of E3 zoning in the Eurobodalla is just one of Coastwatchers’ concerns about the Eurobodalla Shire Council’s Rural Lands Strategy, currently on public display.
