Environmental

New measures to protect one of the Tweed’s most beloved birds

Published

6 months ago

15 November 2023

Liam

An osprey flying high in the Tweed after a successful fishing expedition. The species is listed as vulnerable to extinction in NSW. Photo: Sally Hinton

New measures to protect one of the Tweed’s most beloved birds

Safeguarding of osprey population taken to new heights with interactive website and calls for community help – This November, Council is shining a spotlight on one of the Tweed’s favourite top-order predators – the osprey, listed as vulnerable to extinction in NSW.

To help educate the community about the local osprey population, Council has launched a new webpage and online StoryMap – a tool which provides an informative, fun and interactive way for residents and kids to engage and learn about these amazing birds.

Ospreys are integral to biodiversity in estuarine ecosystems and their presence in waterways can be an indicator of good waterway health.

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Council’s Team Leader Coast and Waterways Tom Alletson said working to protect the local osprey population has been a focus of Council’s for many years.

In March this year, Council installed this artificial osprey nesting platform at Hastings Point Holiday Park. The nest was relocated from its precarious location on a light pole on the Hastings Point Tweed Coast Road Bridge.

“Ospreys in the Tweed are much admired and cherished by locals and tourists alike,” Mr Alletson said.

“Council is working to ensure ospreys are secure in the wild, their habitat is protected and restored and they remain an iconic member of our community for future generations.”

Council is also urging the community to help the local osprey population in three ways:

Dispose of fishing line and tackle responsibly.
Help monitor nest sites during breeding season from March to November – contact via Council’s website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/osprey.
Protect and rehabilitate estuarine osprey habitat for future generations via Council’s River Health Grants scheme.

Mr Alletson said in the Tweed Shire, osprey observations have been recorded from the Tweed Coast to the upper limits of Tweed River Estuary at Murwillumbah.

“As we last recorded in the 2022 breeding season, there were 27 artificial and two natural nests in the Tweed Shire, with 20 active breeding sites,” he said.

An osprey overlooking its artificial nest site on the Tweed Sand Bypass jetty. Photo: Dean Lock

“We’d love the community to help monitor ospreys to find new nesting sites or keep an eye on the ones that are there. We want to ensure this species not only survives, but flourishes, and continues to breed successfully in the Tweed.”

The removal of established, native riparian vegetation over time in the Tweed has significantly reduced suitable nesting sites and habitat connectivity for the local osprey population. In the absence of tall, mature trees, the majority of the Tweed’s vulnerable osprey population now rely on artificial nesting structures during their annual breeding season, from March to November.

Installation of secure, artificial nesting structures for osprey and riparian restoration and revegetation are key to Council’s holistic approach to improving the health of local waterways.

Protecting the Tweed Coast osprey population is one way Council is looking after the Tweed’s environment for future generations to enjoy.

To learn more, visit the new StoryMap interactive site or find out how you can volunteer to monitor nesting sites, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/osprey.

For more Tweed Shire news, click here.

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Related Topics:Environmental News local news tweed heads news

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Environmental

NSW Government supports Northern Rivers green bin education

Published

1 month ago

17 April 2024

Liam

NSW Government supports Northern Rivers green bin education

North East Waste has received an $89,700 grant from the NSW Government to help educate Northern Rivers residents about what types of waste can and can’t go into FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bins. The funding aims to ensure that food waste and garden waste such as plants stays out of landfill. It also aims to keep green bins free from contaminants like plastic.

Earlier this year, North East Waste and its member councils (Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Tweed) announced that Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bins should now only be used for food scraps and garden waste. This means that materials like paper, cardboard and teabags do not go into green bins as they can contaminate the final compost made from the organic content.

North East Waste Education Coordinator Linda Tohver said the assistance from the NSW Government would help councils to continue promote the right message and increasing awareness in the community.

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“The response from community has been positive so far, and we need to keep spreading the word,” Ms Tohver said.

“The messages are simple to follow and will help keep potentially harmful items out of our green bins so that we can create the best quality commercial compost from residents’ food scraps and garden waste.”

What CAN go in your green bin	What CAN NOT go in your green bin
Fruit and vegetable scraps	Fibre-based products (bamboo, cardboard, paper etc)
Meat and bones	Paper towels, serviettes, tissues, napkins
Seafood and shells	Compostable or biodegradable products (excluding AS 4736-2006 kitchen caddy liners )
Pasta, bread, rice and cereal	Vacuum cleaner dust
Eggs and dairy products like cheese	Washing machine and dryer lint
Loose tea leaves and coffee grinds	Pet poo and poo bags
Garden waste (leaves, clippings, weeds etc)	Tea and coffee bags
Council approved compostable kitchen caddy liners that comply with AS 4736-2006 and the paper used to wrap food scraps.	Treated wood and timber
	Plastic

For more information, visit here. The ‘Let’s Get our Scrap Together’ campaign is proudly supported by the NSW Government.

For more environmental news, click here.

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Environmental

Never bin your batteries – just B-cycle them

Published

2 months ago

27 March 2024

Liam

Community Recycling Centres (CRC) B-cycle

Never bin your batteries – just B-cycle them

Advertorial by Newaste

Batteries disposed of in bins are causing fires in waste trucks and facilities across the country, endangering workers, damaging equipment and wasting a valuable resource that could otherwise be recovered.

To prevent battery fires occurring – Never bin your batteries!

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Here’s how to dispose of batteries safely:

Remove from appliance
Tape terminals with clear sticky tape to prevent short circuiting
Place in ventilated glass container and drop off promptly at your nearest B-cycle drop-off point

One of Richmond Valley Council’s Community Recycling Stations, located at the Council Administration Office in Casino where small quantities of handheld batteries can be dropped off for recycling.

B-cycle drop off points are available at many large local high street retailers. To find your nearest, visit bcycle.com.au/drop-off/

Alternatively, you can drop them at one of the regions 8 FREE council run Community Recycling Centres (CRC) or for very small quantities drop them at one of the 30 small council drop off stations (CRS) spread across the region in libraries, community centres and council administration centres. To find out more contact your local Council or visit www.newaste.org.au/crc

Community Recycling Centres (CRC)

This project is a NSW Environment Protection Authority Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy initiative, funded from the waste levy

For more environmental news, click here.

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Environmental

LAND NEAR DRAKE VILLAGE SITE RETURNED TO ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY

Published

2 months ago

20 March 2024

Liam

LAND NEAR DRAKE VILLAGE SITE RETURNED TO ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY

The NSW Government will return a large parcel of land near Drake Village west of Tenterfield to the local Aboriginal community following a successful land claim.

A total of 104.4 hectares of Crown land across two adjoining blocks at the western edge of the village will be returned as freehold land to the ownership of Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council following the land claim by the NSW Local Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC).

Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, Local Aboriginal Land Councils and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council have a right to lodge land claims on Crown land.

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Land claims must be assessed against non-discretionary statutory criteria in the Act, including whether the land was lawfully used or occupied at the time of the claim, or was needed for an essential public purpose.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said: “The return of this land to the Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council will ensure the future of this important site can be put to productive use for the benefit of the local community.”

“Returning land to Aboriginal people provides tangible economic, social and cultural benefits to Aboriginal and broader communities and we are pleased to see a positive resolution for this land.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The resolution of land claims such as this is a key aspect of Closing the Gap, empowering Aboriginal people and communities.”

“It delivers on several Closing the Gap targets including supporting economic participation for Aboriginal communities and maintaining the connection of Aboriginal people to land and water.”

The NSW Government will return a large parcel of land near Drake Village west of Tenterfield to the local Aboriginal community following a successful land claim.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

“With the return of this land, we pay our respects to the Traditional Owners, the Ngarabal people, alongside the Jukembal, Bundjalung, Kamilaroi, Githabul and Wahlubul peoples who share a connection to the area. We are proud and privileged to share a rich local history.”

“Through acknowledging the past and our local Aboriginal communities’ connection to Country we will all benefit from deeper cultural understanding, which forms a stronger foundation for a more prosperous future.”

Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Michelle Nagas said:

“The approval of this land claim is very exciting. It involves a substantial block of land close to Drake Village which provides strong opportunities.”

“We will have discussions with the land council and consultations with the community on future use of the site.”

NSW Aboriginal Land Council CEO Yuseph Deen said:

“The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) congratulates the Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council on the return of country to Aboriginal hands.”

“A key strategic goal of the NSWALC is pursuing economic self-determination, independence and prosperity for Our people.”

“Central to this is land acquisition and activation; securing the highest and best use returns and generating ongoing benefits fosters prosperity for Local Aboriginal Land Councils and Aboriginal communities.’

“This is particularly important in rural and remote areas of NSW.”

For more environmental news, click here.

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