Environmental organisations such as Mackay Conservation Group have focused on preventing the Adani mine from being constructed for several years. We have built a movement of two million people around the country who support organisations that are part of the Stop Adani alliance. That leads some people to wonder why we aren’t focussed on the other mines planned for the Galilee Basin and elsewhere.

In 2012 it appeared that the first cab off the rank would be the GVK-Hancock Alpha mine. It attracted a lot of attention from the environmental movement. That project hasn’t gone anywhere, while Adani has been eyeing off opportunities to open its mine with generous support from taxpayers including low-interest loans and special royalties deals.

Because of people like you, we have stopped coal being dug up from the Galilee Basin for 7 years. 

The Stop Adani movement has only been around since early 2017 after Matt Canavan threw $1 billion at the project, and Annastacia Palaszczuk declared the project ‘critical infrastructure’.

People power stopped that loan and forced Australia’s big 4 banks and over 50 financial institutions, insurers and contractors to rule out supporting the project.

There are still many approvals left until Adani can dig up coal. And with your help, we can win.

Join our community to take action on climate change and move Australia beyond coal!

13 June 2019

Queensland Government has ignored science by giving away water to Adani

Mackay Conservation Group has today condemned the Queensland Government’s approval of Adani’s Groundwater plan. The group expressed disappointment that the government had given in to bullying by the billionaire mining company and ignored the science, risking Queensland’s water.

Mackay Conservation Group community organiser Emma Barrett said, “Today’s decision has ignored expert warnings that Adani’s mine could permanently damage Queensland’s groundwater. Leading water scientists tell us that Adani’s modelling is flawed, not fit for purpose and risks drying up the ecologically important Doongmabulla Springs.

The Doongmabulla Springs is home to four endangered plant and animal species including birds, herbs and grasses.

Tomorrow (June 8) is World Oceans Day, so it’s time to consider the big blue bits that cover 70 per cent of our Earth’s surface. We know that our oceans are being damaged by human activity including overfishing, mining and dumping of waste. Together we can protect and restore our oceans.

Plastic waste is accumulating in huge garbage patches that will remain in the oceans for decades or even centuries. The garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean is almost as big as Queensland. There are over 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the world’s oceans, that’s more than 600 items for every single human alive today. 

04 June 2019

Tackling air pollution is the theme for United Nations World Environment Day on June 5. Air pollution affects nine out of ten people worldwide and causes seven million premature deaths annually.

The major sources of air pollution are transport, energy generation and agriculture, especially methane from livestock. The burning of waste in open air and build up of organic waste in landfills also contributes to the issue.

Mackay Conservation Group campaigner, Emma Barrett, says that air pollution is a solvable issue.

“When we take actions to tackle air pollutants we see almost immediate improvements in air quality.

“Mackay is in a great position, we still have good air quality and we can start planning for our region to maintain it. That way we will avoid the serious health effects of air pollutants that are affecting other communities.

Over 30 people enjoyed a fun and social afternoon stroll along Town Beach for our Beautiful Walk in May. Clear skies, warm weather and the low tide proved the perfect mix for the group to learn more about Mackay's iconic beach!

Joined by three guest speakers, the attendees were given a special insight into the natural value of the area. Patricia Julien spoke about the geographical history that has completely reshaped Town Beach. Cyclones, coastal processes and development have transformed the shoreline to something different over only a few decades.

Mackay & Districts Turtle Watch Association spokesperson, Fay Griffin, explained the significance of our region for sea turtles. While Town Beach isn't a major nesting site, Mackay's coastline is dotted with areas used frequently by nesting turtles. All species of sea turtles are considered to be endangered or vulnerable, making our local shores an incredibly important area in the conservation of these wonderful animals.

The Mackay Conservation Group has condemned the Queensland Government’s fast-track approval of Adani’s controversial Black Throated Finch management plan that will sign the death warrant for the endangered bird and ignores the company’s poor record in breaching environmental laws.

Mackay Conservation Group community organiser, Michael Kane, said the decision was politically motivated and the approval process had been rushed, manifestly inadequate and compromised.

“With the decision today, Australians now have a front row seat to the real time extinction of the endangered Black Throated Finch due to political expediency and a lack of leadership” he said.

“The truth is once Adani bulldozes the tiny finch’s last viable habitat, the birds will literally starve to death in great numbers. This is an extinction that we can stop today. There is still time for the Premier to walk back this process.

Yes, you read right - Mackay Regional Council is giving away free native plants! The first free giveaway is at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens this Saturday, June 1 from 9am - 2pm.

It's all part of a new program aimed at increasing the number of native plants in local gardens. Ratepayers can choose four native plants each year to take home and add to their backyards.

Native plants can provide habitat and food for local wildlife, need less water than exotic plants and survive easily in our warm, tropical climate.

Book your ticket before midday on Tuesday 4th June to help bring the new Sea Shepherd film to Mackay! If enough tickets are pre-booked, 'Defend, Conserve, Protect' will screen on Wed, June 12 6:30pm at BCC Cinemas, Mackay City.

This powerful documentary is screening in regional and city locations ahead of World Oceans Day on June 8th. 

Filmed in the world's only international Whale Sanctuary of Antarctica, 'Defend, Conserve, Protect' follows the Sea Shepherd crew in their fight to protect endangered Minke whales from the Japanese whaling fleet. Narrated by Ghostbusters star, Dan Aykroyd, it's an inspiring call to stand up for what you believe in.

Photo supplied by Jeff Tan

For those who may have missed it Thursday 22 May was world turtle day, a special day to celebrate and raise awareness of these iconic creatures.  

Here in Central Queensland we have a wealth of sea and freshwater turtles including the unique Irwin’s Turtle (Elseya irwini). Irwin’s turtle was unknown to science until 1990 when it was discovered by renowned conservationists Bob and Steve Irwin.

Irwin’s Turtle is a fresh water turtle found only in the Broken-Bowen River system in central Queensland and has an estimated range of only 25km. Very little is known about Irwin’s turtle and there may be as few as 5000 individuals.Population studies of Irwin’s turtle have found that juvenile turtles, particularly young males, are under-represented.  These kind of population imbalances are concerning and may be caused by increased predation, making the species especially vulnerable to population shocks, habitat destruction and climate change.