The Conservation Council of SA welcomes more time for discussion before the release of the Marine Park Draft Management Plans.

Tim Kelly, Conservation Council CE said, "Having sanctuary zones in the sea is a big change for many people, and all parties must feel they have been heard and had input into this process. A fresh start will enable discussions to take place in a more constructive environment.

"While our core objective is to get good marine conservation outcomes for the state, there is plenty of potential for common ground across all stakeholder groups, and the Conservation Council of SA welcomes the opportunity to engage with all parties in this new phase."

Marine parks are a critical investment in the future of our state. They will protect our marine resources and will provide an enormous boost to our ecotourism opportunities.

"Marine scientists are warning us that we do need to act to preserve our underwater environments for the future. Marine resources are not limitless, and if we want to enjoy complete marine ecosystems in the future we must give our iconic areas some  protection and breathing space", said Mr Kelly.

"Most people intuitively understand and support the concept of no-take marine sanctuaries and the benefits they provide. Biodiversity is boosted beyond the sanctuary zones, with bigger fish, more fish and more species variety.  It's no accident that angling competitions are often held adjacent to marine sanctuaries.

"If we all work together, there is a tremendous opportunity for the state. "The input of all stakeholders will help to make sure the real and lasting benefits will far outweigh the cost."

 

Release Ends

 

For further information on the Blueprint for a Sustainable Future go to:

http://www.conservationsa.org.au/blueprint.html

For additional media information or to arrange an interview please contact Noriko Wynn, Policy and Communications Officer on 0411 028 930

 

 

 

Misleading claims about proposed new marine parks has led to unnecessary alarm in coastal communities, a national alliance of conservation groups said today.

The Save Our Marine Life alliance of 11 conservation groups said there is already overwhelming evidence of the benefits of marine parks in Australia and overseas in protecting fish and the marine environment.

The Save Our Marine Life alliance called on opponents to marine parks to also examine the evidence of the economic benefits of marine parks, such as the lucrative tourism industry the Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks has created.

The inaugural Plan was launched in March, 2004, it was updated in 2006 and the Government of South Australia has just completed its formal consultations on the development of the next Strategic Plan.

Conservation SA contributed in a number of ways, including; Providing our top five issues as conversation starters at community consultationsParticipating at (public and alliance/peak body) workshopsProviding a submission for the second round of SASP consultations (closed Wednesday 8 December 2010)

We are also anticipating that we will have further opportunities to discuss the next SASP before a final version is released. If you would like to discuss this with us further or want to provide us with your thoughts on the next SASP please email general@conservationsa.org.au

Submissions on the Guide to the Basin Plan will be accepted by the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) up until 17 December. Submissions made by this date will inform the Draft Basin Plan which will be released in the first half of 2011. If submissions are received after 17 December they will inform drafting of the Final Basin Plan.

Conservation SA Guide to the Basin Plan response.

If you would like to discuss any issues we have raised in our submission please call our office on 08-8223-5155.

Submissions on the Guide to the Basin Plan will be accepted by the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) up until 17 December.

There are a number of ways you can contribute to the Guide to the Basin Plan including:

Making a submission online by following the easy to follow instructions Phoning the MDBA on 1800 230 067 (free call) and providing your comments over the telephone Contributing to the online forum Sending an email to engagement@mdba.gov.au Posting your feedback to Murray Darling Basin Authority, GPO Box 3001, Canberra City 2601 Faxing your feedback to MDBA on 02 6230 7579 Asking questions and providing comments at one of the MDBA forums (contact MDBA for further information)

MEDIA RELEASE 12 March 2010Conservation Council of SA (Conservation SA), SA Council of Social Service (SACOSS), SA Unions (SAU), and Local Government Association of SA (LGASA) have compared notes on their state election prioritiesand agree that the major challenges facing the state include: Providing water security Strengthening local community and managing population growth Providing services and infrastructure to meet the needs of the growth Meeting the environmental sustainability challenge Creating and securing green jobs for the future

MEDIA RELEASE 3 March 2010

Minister for Environment and Conservation, the Honourable Jay Weatherill and the Conservation Council SA (Conservation SA) today launched the Green Hubs project at the Woodville Bowling Club.

Warning: mkdir() [function.mkdir]: File exists in /cust-web/g/h/K2244028/sites/www.ccsa.asn.au/html/components/com_customproperties/helper.php on line 267

MEDIA RELEASE 24 October 2009

The Conservation Council of South Australia, the state’s peak environmental body, has unveiled its policy blueprint ‘South Australia in a Changing Climate: A Blueprint for a Sustainable Future’.

The conservation sector has welcomed Environment Minister Jay Weatherill’s declaration of the outer boundaries of South Australia’s marine park network.

“The Minister Weatherill should be congratulated for providing leadership and putting the future of South Australia’s coasts and oceans ahead of opposition from vested interests” said Julie Pettett, CEO of CCSA.

“Well-designed marine parks with adequate sanctuary zones help replenish fish stocks and provide a big boost to the tourism sector and regional ecomomies” said Ms Pettett.

The conservation sector is calling for the creation of large marine park sanctuary zones to ensure the longterm survival of South Australia’s unique, but currently unprotected marine life.

For the full media release, click here (298.88 KB).

MEDIA RELEASE 24TH JUNE 2009

The Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA), the state’s peak environmental body, tonight announced the joint winners of the annual Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection, Peter Laffan and the River Lakes and Coorong Action Group. Minister for Environment and Conservation, the Hon Jay Weatherill MP, presented the awards.

Peter Laffan, of Aldinga Beach was recognised for his work with the Save our Gulf Coalition, and the Aldinga Bay Coastcare Group. The River Lakes and Coorong Action Group was recognised for its work opposing the Wellington Weir, its work on the over-allocation of water from the Murray-Darling River system and many other significant activities.

The Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection is awarded to the person or group who has made an outstanding contribution to environmental protection over the previous 12 months, and faced significant challenges in doing so.

Julie Pettett, CCSA CEO, said “Individuals and groups like these play a critical role in our democracy”.

“They work tirelessly to ensure public participation in the political processes that shape our environment. They keep our leaders accountable. And they make sure that no-one can forget the plight of some of our most precious and valued natural places.”

“Society and South Australia’s ecosystems would be greatly worse off without the strength and determination of our Jill Hudson award winners, and the many other active community members their work supports,” she concluded.

For further information contact ConservationSA 8223 5155

MEDIA RELEASE 4TH MAY 2009

Like the majority of Australia’s environment and climate groups, the Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA) is bitterly disappointed with the Federal Government’s backflip on its election promises to take strong action on climate change.

MEDIA RELEASE 1ST MAY 2009

SA's peak environmental body the Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA), has today criticised BHP-Billiton after the release of the Environmental Impact Statement for its Olympic Dam expansion.  The special deals the company wants are unreasonable, unwarranted and will come at the expense of the natural environment.

MEDIA RELEASE 19TH JUNE 2009

The Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA) launched its latest publication, The Green Guide at 6pm Thursday 25th June at the Irish Club, 13 – 15 Carrington St, Adelaide. To obtain a copy of the Green Guide, please contact the Conservation Council on 8223 5155.

The Green Guide: opportunities for young people in the environmental movement is a youth-orientated guide that facilitates youth involvement with environmental organisations in South Australia, recognising the growing relevance of volunteer experience in employability.

 

CCSA’s Youth and Business Roundtable initiated the production of this 80+ page booklet over a year ago, compiling a comprehensive register of a wide range of volunteer-based environment organisations. The booklet also profiles young people and prominent South Australians who have thrived in roles that protect South Australia’s precious environment, and who started out their careers by volunteering.

“People are starting to realise that you can have a real job in environmentalism, and we hope that The Green Guide will be a starting point for many young people to access valuable opportunities in the environmental sector,” said Sam Taylor, of the Youth and Business Roundtable.

With generous sponsorship from the State Government’s Office for Youth, Flinders University, Flinders Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and NRM Jobs, the project involved over a dozen young people throughout its lifecycle. Its goal was to identify barriers for young people trying to engage in the environment and conservation sector.

The Green Guide is the first booklet of its kind and will be distributed to all schools, universities and libraries in South Australia – 5000 copies will be available at many locations around Adelaide.

“This guide provides a great opportunity for young people to make contact with the environment movement – we need to encourage more involvement from youth to safeguard the future,” said Julie Pettett, CCSA CEO.

Free copies are available from CCSA or selected outlets around Adelaide.

For further information contact Jamnes Danenberg, CCSA Campaigner on 8223 5155 or 0411 028 930

MEDIA RELEASE 11TH JUNE 2009       Download : Plan B: An Agenda for Immediate Climate Action (1.07 MB)

A series of compromises by the federal government on its pre-election commitment to take strong action on climate change has led to national and peak state-based environment organisations today uniting in opposition to the proposed emissions trading legislation.

An emergency meeting of the environment organisations, representing more than 400,000 Australians, in Canberra has also produced a new report outlining a suite of measures that can be in place within two years to put Australia within reach of halving its greenhouse emissions within a decade.

The environment organisations involved are: The Wilderness Society, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Environment Victoria, Queensland Conservation Council, Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Conservation Council of SA, Environment Tasmania, Conservation Council WA, and Conservation Council ACT Region.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Conservation Council of SA, Julie Pettett said the government’s approach to climate change was dangerously inadequate because it does not respond to the latest science and instead has been hijacked by vested interests.

 

“There is emerging consensus among leading international climate scientists that there is already too much carbon in the atmosphere and that we need to pull out all stops to avoid reaching catastrophic tipping points within the climate system.

“We face a climate emergency but the government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) fails all Australians and it undermines international negotiations. It fails the climate, fails the environment and fails to capitalise on the enormous opportunities in growing a green economy.

“We need a price on carbon but not one that locks in rising greenhouse pollution in Australia.”

Greenpeace spokesperson Jeremy Tager said small targets and half measures by the government through its proposed CPRS legislation had led to a failure to address the root cause of Australia’s growing greenhouse emissions.

“Australia’s energy emissions have increased by nearly 50 per cent since 1990 and now accounts for more than half of Australia’s total greenhouse pollution.

“The only way to tackle this threat to all Australians is to fast track the switch to clean renewable energy by phasing out coal-fired power stations, directing subsidies into renewable energy generation, energy savings and doubling the renewable energy target.”

“Environment groups have outlined a suite of measures that can be implemented right now to put Australia back on track to halve our emissions over the next decade, which the leading scientists are saying is what is needed,” Ms Pettett said.

“The good news is that many of these measures will create jobs, reduce fuel and electricity bills and create a new clean energy economy.”

Plan B: An Agenda for Immediate Climate Action outlines five essential measures that are proven and ready to be implemented:

A National Energy Savings Program – includes a green overhaul of buildings in Australia over the next decade to create new jobs and reduce the 30 per cent of carbon emissions that buildings account for; Fast Track to a Renewable Energy Economy – includes doubling the current Renewable Energy Target to 90,000 gigawatt hours by 2020 and phasing out coal-fired electricity plants; Shift to Low Emissions Vehicles and Sustainable Cities – includes setting targets for fuel efficiency, development of sustainable transport infrastructure and incentives for development of electric vehicles; Protection of Native Forests as Carbon Stores – includes ending logging of old growth and high-conservation value native forests to permanently protect the huge amount of carbon stored in them, and; A National Green Jobs and Industries Plan – Up to 80,000 green collar jobs are possible in Australia by 2030 if incentives through government policy are provided, such as through the development of the renewable energy sector, sustainable agriculture and tourism

This weekend the environment groups will join community climate action groups and tens of thousands of people expected to take in national climate emergency rallies to be held in every capital city.

Media enquiries: Julie Pettett, CCSA, 0417 879 439

Jeremy Tager, Greenpeace, 0400 376 974

Paul Sheridan, media relations, 0410 516 656

MEDIA RELEASE 4TH JUNE 2009

The Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA) is disappointed the environment is again at the bottom of the Rann Government’s priorities in the 2009 State Budget. While initiatives for transport infrastructure and renewable energy funding are welcomed, the vast bulk of this funding is coming from Commonwealth sources. Closer to home, the impact on SA’s natural environment looks bleak as across-the-board cuts will see jobs slashed and programs cut in the Department of Environment and Heritage.

MEDIA RELEASE 6TH MAY 2009

SA's peak environmental body, the Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA), has called on the Federal Government to enact its election commitment of a national ban on lightweight checkout-style plastic bags.

“South Australia’s plastic bag ban has now come into force and the sky hasn’t fallen,” said CCSA campaigner Jamnes Danenberg.

“Instead we’ve seen the South Australian public backing the initiative, bringing their own reusable bags or using calico and ‘green’ bags provided by retailers.”

“With industry in Western Australia now calling for a bag ban, we believe it’s time for the Federal Government to take the lead and enforce this world’s best practice right across Australia,” Mr Danenberg said.

MEDIA RELEASE 28TH APRIL 2009

The Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA), SA's peak environmental body representing over 55 member groups, has today re-iterated it's support for the SA's plastic bag ban. With the ban due to come in to force on May 4th CCSA is looking forward to the initiative delivering positive results along a triple bottom line.

This is another example of SA leading the way to a cleaner, healthier and greener society and environment said Julia Winefield, CCSA's Policy & Communications manager.

MEDIA RELEASE 3RD APRIL 2009

Warning: mkdir() [function.mkdir]: File exists in /cust-web/g/h/K2244028/sites/www.ccsa.asn.au/html/components/com_customproperties/helper.php on line 267

The Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA) South Australias peak environment body representing over 55 member groups, is proud to announce the call for nominations for the annual Jill Hudson Award for Environmental Protection.

The Award recognises an outstanding contribution to environmental protection during 2008, by a member of the South Australian community.

The purpose of the Jill Hudson Award is to recognise the efforts of those who make a stand for the environment, said CCSA CEO Julie Pettett. download (95.98 KB) nomination form

MEDIA RELEASE 31ST MARCH

MEDIA RELEASE 24TH MARCH 2009

The Conservation Council of South Australia, South Australia’s peak environmental body with over 55 member groups, have today criticised the State Government for the deliberate guillotining of critical scrutiny of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Roxby Downs expansion.   The Government has announced that the EIS which is scheduled for release on May 1st will only be open for comment for eight weeks. This is less than required for a suburban shopping centre! The Roxby EIS will detail what will be the single biggest project in South Australia’s history. The largest document ever produced in SA, the EIS must address major issues such as: the massively increase in demands for SA’s power and associated infrastructure, the huge demand for water and the impacts on the coast and marine environment through the construction of a proposed deep sea port and desalination facility at Point Lowly.

Warning: mkdir() [function.mkdir]: File exists in /cust-web/g/h/K2244028/sites/www.ccsa.asn.au/html/components/com_customproperties/helper.php on line 267
MEDIA RELEASE 27TH FEBRUARY 2009

The Conservation Council of South Australia, South Australias peak environmental body with over 55 member groups, is proud to be a part of Clean Up Australia Day this Sunday March 1st.

CCSAs award winning Reef Watch program, now in its 11th year, is again donning the rubber and heading to sea to see what they can see (and clean it up!)

Over one hundred divers will be joining in to make this years clean up the biggest yet! Participants will be snorkelling or SCUBA diving, helping pick up rubbish and monitoring the marine environment for feral marine species.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Conservation Council of South Australia, South Australias peak environmental body with over 50 member groups, is holding its Summit on Energy in a Changing Climate tomorrow on Feb 5th. The keynote presentation will be given by Dr Chris Riedy, the Research Director of the Institute of Sustainable Futures from the University of Technology, Sydney.

Dr Riedys keynote will focus on the immediate priorities for action including the urgent need for reopening the space for meaningful voluntary actions in emissions reductions. CCSA will then present its Energy Report including over 50 draft policy recommendations for subsequent discussion and debate by the expert stakeholder panel representing business, industry and the social sectors.

The Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA), South Australias peak environmental body with over 50 member groups, collectively representing tens of thousands of South Australians, says today that the Rudd Government has betrayed the Australians who voted it into office on the strength of its Climate Change promises.

It has betrayed the children of today and tomorrow. And it has betrayed those in the world who have contributed the least but will suffer the most from Climate Change.

This is not the action of a government serious about Climate Change, says Julie Pettett, CEO of CCSA. This is failing to act for the future of Australia.

The Conservation Council of SA (CCSA), the peak conservation body for SA, is holding its Summit on Coast & Marine in a Changing Climate tomorrow Dec. 4th.

MEDIA RELEASE

MEDIA RELEASE

MEDIA RELEASE

29th October 2008

EMBARGOED to 7PM Thursday Oct. 30

Warning: mkdir() [function.mkdir]: File exists in /cust-web/g/h/K2244028/sites/www.ccsa.asn.au/html/components/com_customproperties/helper.php on line 267

MEDIA RELEASE

The Conservation Council of South Australia (CCSA) the peak conservation body for SA, today appeared before a federal inquiry into the impacts of climate change on coastal communities and called for a moratorium on coastal development in areas less than one metre above sea level.The testimony accompanied the Councils submission, which focused on the need for long-range planning to recognise the threats climate change and rising sea levels would pose to large parts of the Australian coastline.With over 80% of the Australian population living near the coast, inundation of vital infrastructure, marinas and housing poses serious risks said CCSA CEO Julie Pettett.