The Fight To Save Our Coastline

BY TYLER FARDELL


When the proposal for Advent Energy to conduct seismic testing off the coast of Newcastle was approved by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, many residents and councillors were left shocked and disappointed.

Gas drilling has been a dirty subject for a while after it was shown how much damage has been done to our Great Barrier Reef and oceans health.

But now Advent Energy has been given the all clear to proceed with testing along the Hunter's coastline, much to the displeasure of Greens Councillor John Mackenzie.

"This is very much a backwards step", he said. "Drilling for gas here would be a burden on the community, economy and the environment".

Cr Mackenzie will be pushing for Newcastle City Council to request help from either the State or Federal Governments at a council meeting this Tuesday.

"No-one in Newcastle wants to see our pristine coastline ruined and it's important council takes a stance that reflects this".

Chevron Wheatstone Oil Rig in West Australia
Photo source; The West Australian

Newcastle Council Joins Push To Ban Plastic Bags

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Council is joining with others across the state in calling on the state government to ban single use plastic bags.

A recent global study found 83 percent of drinking water supplies contained micro-plastic, while clean-up crews remove thousands of kilograms of plastic containers and bags each month from the mangroves which line the Hunter River at Carrington.

Greens Councillor, John Mackenzie says it's time the NSW government followed the lead of other states and ban the bag.

"...quite an extraordinary situation really when you have every state and territory in Australia as well as the major retailers like Coles, Woolworths and Aldi all committed to getting rid of single use plastic bags, and the only ones lagging behind is NSW," he said.

Newcastle Greens Councillor John Mackenzie