The Minster for Planning approved a massive dredging operation in the South Arm of the Hunter River – adjacent to the old BHP site – Now, BHP want the dredging to happen to make way for the third coal terminal.

The project has altered substantially since first approved, and the Minister is considering significant modifications without further public consultation.

From Rising Tide....

Community walk-in on coal terminal construction
Saturday 8th December, 11am
Meet at Kooragang wind turbine, Newcastle

Need help to get there?

The People's Blockade of the World's Biggest Coal Port

The blockade was an enormous success...

It was fabulous! Congratulations to everyone who took part...

See Rising Tide Newcastle for more details and to keep abreast of the campaign against coal expansion

The NSW Government has taken the disppointing and cowardly decision to approve the controversial Anvil Hill coal mine proposal near Denman, just days after hundreds of people travelled to the Upper Hunter to spell out their opposition to the mine.

Anvil Hill has become a focal point for the campaign to reduce NSW's contribution to climate change from export coal but has also been fiercely criticised for the massive loss of remnant woodland it will cause, and its impact on regionally important waterways.

NSW Coal Action Alert

Logging to be assessed in Redgum forests -- but new parks are urgently needed

Following court action taken by the National Parks Association of NSW and a four-day blockade by NSW Red Gum Forest Action the NSW Government has agreed to prepare an environmental impact assessment for all red gum forestry in the Riverina (State Forests, TSRs and Crown leases).

SUBMISSIONS NEEDED ON BIOBANKING – DEADLINE LOOMS

You can dowload the documents from the DECC website

The Hunter Community Environment Centre is here to help activists... if you want to meet up with other environmentalists, become a member of HCEC, use the Centre's facilities, find out about local, state and national environmental issues, or get help getting in touch with other active members of the community, come along to HCEC and we can help you.

There are so many different ways to contribute. Come and find out how you can be a part of campaiging against the causes of climate change, working for forest and woodland protection in the Hunter and other parts of NSW, advocacy for marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management.... or whatever issue you feel strongly about.

One great and under-utilised tool available to activists who are finding it hard to discover what Government Deptartments (no matter which government) are up to, is Freedom of Information law.  Although much abused by said Government Departments, FOI allows access to information that they might otherwise want to keep to themselves.  The attached sample letter is a good first guide to submitting an FOI request: Remember, lots of departments might not want you to get this information and there are lots of tricky ways they can pretend that you're not allowed to have it. HCEC has experience dealing with a number of these excuses, so if in doubt, we'll be happy to give advice. Give us a call 49261641