Media Release

22 March 2021

Highlights:

• Donors commit $29,000 to protect our rivers systems
• Urannah Dam threatens a wetland of national significance that is home to 30 rare and threatened species.
• Dam will return just 26 cents in benefits for every dollar it costs

The Swim For Our Rivers fundraising event held last Saturday raised a total of nearly $29,000 for campaigns to protect Irwin's Turtle and the Burdekin River system.

Mackay Conservation Group and North Queensland Conservation Council held simultaneous swim events in Mackay and Townsville on the weekend.

"We were really pleased with the level of support we received from our communities," said Peter McCallum, Mackay Conservation Group coordinator.

"235 individual donors contributed $120 each on average."

16 March 2021

Highlights:

• Turtle discovered by Steve Irwin could be sent to extinction by a dam
• Community members raising funds to protect the turtle
• Dam will return just 26 cents in benefits for every dollar it costs

Back in 1990, renowned naturalist Steve Irwin was fishing with his father Bob when he spotted an unusual looking turtle in the Burdekin River system. The pair captured and photographed the animal before releasing it back into the wild. The photos were sent to a researcher who believed it was new to science. 

It took another three years until scientists could examine a real turtle and confirm that it was in fact a new species. In honour of the Irwins, the turtle was named Elseya irwini, commonly known as Irwin's Turtle. 

We have a bunch of brainstorming sessions and other events coming up that we would love you to be involved with as the campaign to save our Urannah and our precious waterways builds!

Call Party
When: 17th March, 4:30pm 
Where: The Environment Centre

We are jumping on the phones for Urannah! 
No matter if you have any experience with phone banking or not you can be involved. Everything will be provided, including exactly what to say, so you don't need to worry about a thing. 
Snacks provided. 

Please shoot me an email if you have any questions or hit the button below to RSVP (All Welcome) 

Volunteer Brainstorm Meeting
When: 24th March, 6:00pm 
Where: The Environment Centre

Come join us for this community brainstorming event & volunteer meeting.
If you have an idea you think should be put in to play in order to protect Urannah Creek, then this is the night to have your voice heard.

Likewise, if you're just looking to find ways that you can be involved, then we would also love you to join us.

We are after both; people who can be available both physically through volunteer acivities such as handing out flyers, to remote roles that may involve sending letters or making calls.

Whatever your capacity we will have lots of upcoming volunteer positions and we are hoping you, our community will be able to help us map out what these will look for in this meeting. 

RSVP Today using the button below.
All Welcome

We are look forwards to working with you all in whatever way you have capacity to be involved. please never hesitate to reach out with your ideas & thoughts directly as well.

Media Release

Friday 26 February 2021

Clive Palmer's Central Queensland Coal Project proposal, which would be located on the coast just 10 kilometres from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, has raised fears of an environmental disaster among local residents and scientists alike.

Today the Queensland Government accepted the project's Environmental Impact Statement and determined that the project could go on to the next level of environmental assessment despite significant environmental concerns.      

The Independent Expert Scientific Committee that reviewed the project slammed the proposal, saying the coal mine would present “very significant risks to ... the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the Broad Sound Fish Habitat Area (Queensland’s largest fish habitat and on the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia)”

Why do scientist think the extinct Northern Gastric Brooding Frog may still be found in the warm waters of Urannah Creek, west of Mackay? If you missed our webinar on this unique creature to our region, the Northern Gastric Brooding Frog, click below.

Another reason we need to band together as a community to #SaveUrannah