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Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Creating a sustainable future without gas

Latest News

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Richmond MP again called on for immediate Gaza ceasefire 

On Saturday, March 16 Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine unfurled a 20m scroll with the names of murdered children and host a ‘die-in’ action at the office of the federal Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot (Labor).

Mullum and Byron locals lock on at Ewingar State Forest

Byron Bay and Mullumbimby locals Emma Briggs and Bassi Brown locked onto machinery at Ewingar State Forest, in the Upper Clarence area, yesterday as they called for an end to native forest logging. 

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

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UK court seeks assurances from US over Julian Assange

The UK High Court of Justice has released a 66 page judgement seeking more information from the United States relating to Australian citizen Julian Assange, which it says it needs before deciding whether to grant the WikiLeaks founder leave to appeal his extradition.

Peter Garrett gives Bluesfest the nod

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Crookwell farmer Charlie Prell.

With a fossil-fueled storm brewing, Farmers for Climate Action (FCA) say the Federal Government’s Technology Investment Roadmap places too much emphasis on the ongoing role of fossil fuels, especially gas, and must focus more on investment in clean energy alternatives.

FCA CEO Wendy Cohen says with one degree warming, Australian agriculture has already experienced a 22 per cent decline in profits. ‘This is a matter of survival for many farmers.

‘Any genuine climate policy has to involve keeping fossil fuels in the ground. I am worried that the Technology Investment Roadmap discussion paper is misrepresenting gas as a sustainable option, while not providing enough funding for clean energy sources.

Mc Cohen says the government has an important role in creating a market for emerging clean energy technologies, such as hydrogen and battery storage. ‘I would suggest this roadmap focus more on these, and less on fossil fuels.’

Energy sector responsible for more than 80% of emissions

FCA Deputy Chair, and Crookwell farmer Charlie Prell, says that rather than playing around with tricky fixes designed to ingratiate themselves to the fossil fuel lobby, the Government just needs to get on with creating a real sustainable future for all.

‘The energy sector is responsible for more than 80% of emissions in Australia. It is also the sector that has mature clean energy technologies that are cheaper than fossil fuels,’ said Mr Prell.

‘Rather than designing opaque  mechanisms to allow them to keep subsidising fossil fuels, the Government needs to embrace a rapid transition to 100% renewable energy.

‘This will provide hundreds of jobs and billions of investment dollars to regional Australia, not to mention extra income for farmers. Farmers are sick of the subterfuge. We just want to get on with it.’


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5 COMMENTS

  1. This COVID-19 will look like a trivial expense compared to what the federal govt. is setting us all up for, with its appalling lack of respect for scientific understanding and warnings regarding climate collapse.
    And then there’s going to be the enormous cost of lives and psychiatric funding for the many survivors, incapable of comprehending existential extinction in process.

  2. How many times do we have to say it!
    Keep fossil fuels in the ground. Clean
    Energy sources are cheaper than
    ‘fossil fuels’. Wake up.

  3. Seriously what are you talking about Charlie ?
    100% renewables you fairytale stuff mate ..
    Firstly what materials are used to build wind farms
    And solar ? Coal , coal , coal .. you cant build
    Any wind farms or solar without coal ..
    Renewable technologies are at least 50 years away to replace base load power if at all !! You all are
    Protesting against your own prosperity!
    Charge a electric car base load power!
    Yes you however are on the money with 100s
    Of jobs!!! thats not 10s of thousands that work
    In the resources industries, and who are incidentally keeping the economy going during the Covid 19 Pandemic!!
    As per Mungos latest Article.
    Now if you talk about Nuclear well that would
    Be different story yet the Greens have put this
    To bed long ago ..70 % of France and Sweden
    Are powered by Nuclear power..
    FACT 100 % renewables there would be no
    Economy’, and certainly no Welfare !!!
    Iam all for a better planet , however Australia’s
    Contribution to Global emissions is 1.3 %
    And as for Billions of investment charlie
    One of Australia’s largest builders Downers
    just pull out of the Renewable industries
    Why ! To much Red tape and not enough money in it ..any many more builders to come ! Watch this
    Space !

  4. Tim obviously live in the shire ?
    Can you please fact check your concerns regarding
    “Climate collapse ” its a emergency right ?
    Meaning !! “A serious, unexpected, and often Dangerous situation requiring immediate action ”
    Okay only need one example Tim lets start with the
    Byron shire Council! They declared a Climate emergency right ? Could you please give a example of where this climate collapse is affecting the shire ??
    You all talk the talk on Climate change!!
    Now walk the walk with some Answers..

  5. Base Load Power: A Myth Used To Defend
    Fossil Fuel. The concept is misinterpreted
    & out-of-date. [Check it out].

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