THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE CEC

1989

In 1988 Harris-Daishowa proposes a pulp mill on the Clarence near Rogans Bridge. Ian Causley calls it 'a red-letter day for the Clarence.' The community mobilises. Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition (CVCC) is established to fight the proposal. Members are environmentalists, fishermen, bee-keepers and others. CVCC collects data to show the Clarence would lose out. Polluted effluent, noxious emissions, massive forest depletions likely to impact on fishing, farming, honey and tourism. Clarence Environment Centre is established as a public face for the fight against the pulp mill as well as having an on-going role in environmental advocacy. Shopfront is set up in Fitzroy St near Villiers St (the site was recently demolished).

1990

CEC having attracted 80 members moves along Fitzroy St towards what is now the Grafton Well-being Centre. Graeme Richardson, Minister for the Environment in the Hawke Govt launches the shopfront. Catalogued library started. Local people starting to use the Centre as an information resource. Pulp mill is a major issue for Page in the Federal election. Harry Woods wins Page for Labor after 23 years of National Party rule. Harris Daishowa drops pulp mill proposal. 561 ha of Chaelundi State Forest, one of the largest old growth forests left in NSW proposed for logging. 600 year old tallowwoods earmarked for cross arms on power poles. Forestry Commission starts logging while NPWS is assessing wilderness values. Timber mills say without access to it they'll have to close down. NEFA establishes a blockade to stop illegal roading and logging. Forestry Commission eventually forced to admit an EIS is required. EIS is shown by NEFA and others to be flawed. Forestry Commission does further studies and proceeds to log.

1991

On-going non-violent direct action at Chaelundi. NEFA precipitates the first endangered species legislation in NSW (Endangered Fauna (Interim Protection) Act), consequentially protecting the habitat of endangered old growth dependent species in Chaelundi; State election - Greiner-Murray Govt scrapes back in. CEC receives $13,500 funding for Rainforest Remnants Rescue Project. Two botanists survey local rainforest remnants and compile a report listing attributes and threats to each site. The project is publicised through the Daily Examiner, a rainforest remnants dance, a rainforest exhibition of arts and a display at the library. NEFA takes the Forestry Commission to court following cabinet's rejection of a recommendation for Wilderness Protection at North Washpool. . The action challenges the adequacy of the Commission's 1980 EIS. In an out-of-court settlement the Commission agrees to prepare a new EIS and rehabilitate 200 ha of rainforest. This gains a 2-year respite for the forest. CEC members join Coastwalk, walking from Evans Head to Corindi to publicise coastal issues. CEC supports Clarence Valley Recycling Group. Calico shopping bags made and sold at CEC shop. CEC surveys state election candidates for their environmental views. Martin Frolich looks best. CV LETS established, operating from CEC. CEC supported Association of Iluka Residents in opposing destruction of koala habitat to make way for the Iluka retirement village. CEC supports campaign against state govt decision to re-open Shelley Beach for 4WD access. CEC campaigns against imports of tropical timbers from Asian rainforests. We learn about the plight of the displaced Penan people of Malaysia. BBC Hardware boycotted.

1992

CEC moves to Bacon St (site recently demolished) National Forestry Policy Statement undertakes to halt destruction of high conservation value forests until adequate assessments are completed. Struggle continues to protect old growth forest. CEC joins NEFA to defend Bindery-Mann proposed wilderness, Wild Cattle Creek and Mistake State Forest, working together with Bundjalung and Kumbangeri people. CEC does an action outside Boral sawmill in Koolkhan to protest old growth logging. National media coverage. New push for pulp mill. CEC participates in Grafton Futures conference. CEC says any acceptable pulp mill would discharge zero effluent and use non-timber crops. Nymboida councillor Gaine Cartmill pushes for dam on the Little Nymboida River

1993

Coffs Harbour, looking to augment its water supply, proposes various schemes including damming the Bellinger and Bobo Rivers. 'Off-stream' storage dam proposed at Kangaroo Creek, filled from the Nymboida River. CEC calls for alternatives, including slow-down of growth in Coffs Harbour, water reuse, demand management, rain tanks. Coutts Crossing Tidy Towns Committee sacked by Nymboida Council for planting 'wall-to-wall trees throughout the village'. Committee suspected of being infiltrated by greens. Continuing struggle against old growth logging. Wingham. Chaelundi EIS challenged in Land & Environment Court by NEFA as inadequate. NEFA applies for an injunction to stop logging. Coffs Harbour Council proposes Look-at-me-Now Headland for an ocean outfall for sewage. CEC joins campaign to oppose, calling for effluent reuse, composting toilets, water conservation devices, and moratorium on new connections to the sewer until waste water issue resolved. CEC presents a submission at the Commission of Inquiry. Outfall does not proceed. Moratorium applied to Northern Beaches..

1994

Old growth forests still being illegally logged contrary to the National Forest Policy Statement. Continuing protests. Boral boycott. Logging at Wild Cattle Creek breaches harvest plan, code of logging practice and licence-to-kill conditions. Massive stands of old growth tallowwood and brushbox destroyed in compartment 579. New Forestry Act regulations allow forestry officers to have people camping in State Forest arrested for trespass. New fines $ 2,000. Continued opposition to proposed Kangaroo Creek Dam. Coffs and Clarence councils sign agreement for regional water supply - inter valley water transfer. Friends of the River plug the inlet pipes of the Nymboida hydro station, restricting the flow so water rises and flows over the weir. Grafton Council proposes Regional Waste Landfill at Sandy Crossing near Coldstream River. CEC opposes, calling for waste minimisation. CEC opposes introduction of wheelie bin garbage service to rural areas . CEC assesses local State of the Environment Reports CEC campaigns to expose Mitsubishi as destroyers of native forests in Asia and South America. Legal aid becomes available for people wishing to protect the environment.

1995

Newborn Clarence Greens field Daryl Thompson in Clarence for state election. ALP wins. Bob Carr Premier. The Stump Truck comes to Grafton to highlight the plight of old growth forest. State government commits to establishing a Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) process. State & Federal governments commit to establishing comprehensive, representative and adequate reserve system and adopting ecologically sustainable forestry management practices. JANIS criteria established national reserve criteria including that 15% of pre-1750 distribution of each forest community should be reserved. CRAs planned for five regions including north-east NSW. Federal Govt requires states to identify Deferred Forest Areas for moratoria on logging before woodchip licences were renewed. DFAs to include forests likely to be required for a reserve system. CEC carries out detailed assessments on Grange, Candole and Clouds Creek Deferred Forest Areas. CEC organises Hiroshima Day gathering in Grafton. French nuclear testing in the Pacific. Regional Water Supply Scheme proposes to build a pipeline from the Nymboida River via Coutts Crossing to an enlarged Karangi Dam, increasing the supply to Coffs Harbour and providing the link to the Coffs system. Regional off-stream storage proposed at Kangaroo Creek as a later stage. Kangaroo Creek dam site found to have Aboriginal culturally significance. Peaceful action at the Nymboida River weir with canoeists siphoning extra water over the weir wall. Regional Water Supply Scheme ties the scheme to environmental flow allowances being developed by state government. CEC continues to promote alternatives. State government introduces Threatened Species Conservation Act after nearly a decade of campaigning by conservation groups. SEPP 46 (land clearing) - also introduced .

1996

CEC moves to 17 Skinner St South Grafton. Federal election. Sue Higginson stands for Greens in Page. Causley retains Page in Howard government. Regional Landfill now proposed at Armidale Rd between Grafton and Coutts Crossing. CEC opposes. CEC campaigns against plastic bags. Clarence Rainforest Rescue Group set up. Initial plan to revegetate South Grafton riverbank opposed by residents. New site chosen at Corcoran Park. Grant received of $6,000. Forest rally in Grafton. Forest decision: New National Parks at Richmond Range, Fortis Creek, Chaelundi, Nymboida-Binderay (including Wild Cattle Creek), Bellinger River. Dunggir, Mount Boss, North Brother, Mount Royal. Wilderness areas declared at North Washpool, Binderay-Mann, Guy Fawkes, New England, Macleay Gorges, Werrikimbe, Kunderang and Barrington. But new 5 year licence agreements for timber industry set at 60% of 95/96 allocation. $120 million funds for industry restructuring. Proposal by Ross Mining to mine gold at Timbarra Plateau. Heap leach pad method uses cyanide. Potentially disastrous for water quality and aquatic habitat. Aboriginal heritage issues. Approved by Tenterfield Council. CEC supports Timbarra Protection Coalition campaign.

1997

Forest reserve process (CRA) underway. Cracks appearing in process. Community Advisory Group formed as part of Regional Water Supply project. Conservationists walk out. Preliminary studies on Kangaroo Creek. Alternative Water Group set up. Value Management Study identifies dam and pipeline the preferred option.

1998

Reconciliation group forms at CEC. Community reconciliation barbecue at Corcoran Park. CEC involved in Healthy Rivers Commission into the Clarence River. Commission of Inquiry announced into Regional Water Supply Scheme. State govt creates Clarence Vegetation Management Committee to draft a veg plan. CEC gets a representative. Valleywatch & Landcare also represented. Much intrigue. CEC sends representatives to local govt Bushfire Committees Healing Room set up in CEC - healing, meditation. CRA process continues. Reserve system is not meeting agreed criteria. Timbarra protests continue. Federal election. Coalition wins. John Corkill stands for Greens in Page. Causley retains Page.

1999

Regional Water Supply EIS goes on display. Commission of Inquiry terms of reference cover the dam - not the pipeline. CEC presents submission and highlights role of Nymboida hydro station. State election. Karen Rooke stands for Greens. Harry Woods wins Clarence for ALP. Bob Carr Premier. Nymboida Council wants to destroy wildlife corridor at Coutts Crossing, including square-fruited ironbarks. CEC action at Coutts on Threatened Species Day. Council spares some trees. Old growth at Sherwood Forest being logged. NEFA blockade. Timbarra protests continue. CEC representative on mid north coast (later upper north coast) Water Management Committee. Original aim was to identify problems and solutions catchment by catchment- terms of reference later changed to water-sharing plans only.

2000

Commission of Inquiry recommends 30,000 megalitre dam at Shannon Creek. Regional Water Supply approved by state government. Timbarra continues. Our very own environmental and cultural disaster waiting for gold prices to rise. Cyanide, acid drainage and mercury in water. Depletion of aquifers. Greens draft bill to ban cyanide mining. Subtropical lowland rainforest in the Clarence Valley listed as a threatened community under Threatened Species Conservation Act. CEC involved in Green Policing, making sure State Forests complies with licence conditions. Inaugral CEC Dead Stick awards. Nominees: John Howard for wrecking the republican movement etc, Nymboida Council mayor, engineer and manager for damaging the Coutts wildlife corridor, DLWC staff on Veg Committee for interfering, Ian Preston for the Regional Water Project, Grafton Council for refusing to fly the Aboriginal flag. Logging in Chaelundi, Sheas Knob, Clouds Creek, Ellis Creek State Forests. Proposal for charcoal plant at Gunnedah.

2001

CEC moves to South Grafton Emporium at 29-31 Skinner St. CEC lobbies for year-round bushfire hazard reduction permits. Electricity market deregulated. Clean Green Energy Co proposes wood-fired power station at Koolkhan. CEC mounts campaign. Sugar mills also proposed to generate 'green' power. CEC supports Broadwater Action Group. New Renewable Energy Regulation opens the door for biomass power generation. Forest Products Association says no native forest waste to be burnt. New definition of native forest waste. CEC runs education campaign on how to buy true green energy. CED wraps car in plastic in Woolworths carpark for World Environment Day. Shopping public dutifully ignores. Federal election. Truth overboard. John Howard still PM. Greens run candidate in Page - John Corkill. Causley wins Page. Green vote increases. CEC does September 11 Globalisation action. Money feast. Dead Stick award to Wilson (have to cut down trees to save forests) Tuckey, Col Dorber for his part in the Clean Green Energy Co, Ian Causley for supporting One Nation, Transgrid for clearing 35 kms in National Park, NSW Farmers for over-reacting to Regional Veg Plan, ALP and Coalition for passing the Immigration Exclusion Zone Act, Howard, Bush & Beazley for warmongering, Phillip Ruddock for being cruel to refugees, Australian electorate for voting for racism. Seed of Hope nominees: Shirley Adams for voting for Aboriginal flag to fly, Australian Boats for East Timor, Australian Greens, Robert Hill for closing Uluru to tourists to mark the death of an elder. Rare flora catalogued at Shannon Creek dam site by local residents. Timbarra mine closed. Not viable. New owners Delta Gold have to rehabilitate site. Green policing continues. Forests still need to be protected: Mt Marsh, Pine Creek, Marengo, Sheas Knob. CEC member physically threatened while on a tree platform at Sheas Knob. Stump Truck goes in Jacaranda Parade, behind CEC Peace Float.

2002

Bob Carr rules out stand-alone native forest biomass power plants in NSW. Wood-fired power station proposal shelved while FPA ponders definitions. Problems with fuel contracts. Draft Regional Veg Plan comes out. Plan doesn't go far enough but better than nothing. New legislation exempts clearing for plantations from Native Veg Act. Drought. Work begins on water pipeline from Coutts Crossing to Coffs. Cowboy contractors working overtime. No erosion control on earthworks, damage to creeks. EPA gets involved. River levels at an historic low. CEC joins Clarence Water Users Coalition. Clarence community mobilises. CEC calls for investigation of Nymboida hydro station; better protection of Nymboida River flows; no pipeline operation until a long-term supply is in place; defence of flora and fauna at Shannon Creek; rehabilitation of pipeline route; moratorium on development in Coffs and Clarence connecting to water supply; desalination pilot project and improved demand management. Shannon Creek residents lobby for dam access road to be re-routed along Shannon Dam pipeline corridor. At least 30 significant plant species found. Refugee Forum in Grafton. CEC does 'Faceless People' action in support of refugees. Temporary reprieve for Sheas Nob old growth forest.

2003

Iraq is invaded by US-initiated coalition of the willing. CEC holds peace rally at See Park. Drought breaks. Regional Water Supply pipeline complete. Nymboida flow is at 72 mL per day, the lowest this century. Water flows to new development at Coffs Harbour. Continued lobbying for re-routing of dam access road. State election. ALP returned. Mark Purcell runs for Greens in Clarence. Greens preference deal with ALP results in protection of old growth forest icons. Cansdell wins Clarence for Nationals. 15 new National Parks.

2004

CEC supports campaign to end old growth logging in Tasmania Continued lobbying by CEC members to re-route Shannon Creek access road. Clarence councils amalgamate. CEC joins other Clarence conservation groups to put the administrator on notice that the green movement has high expectations of councils acting responsibly towards the environment. Ecological Footprint indicator created by the CEC. Environmental workshops for kids run at the CEC. Federal election. Mark Jackson stands for Greens in Page. Causley wins Page. Howard still PM. CEC 15th birthday. Much work for us in the future. Lucky we're still here. Yay!!