#NSW

#NativePlants #Wildlife #Pollinators #BloomScrolling #Gardening #NSW #Australia

17 hours ago

Before rushing off for a very busy fun time last weekend, we managed to plant out a few more Australian natives.

Lemon Myrtle [Backhousia citriodora]

One of the most popular Australian native herbs, Lemon Myrtle’s tangy leaves can be used in teas, syrups, glazes, cakes, biscuits, dressings, sauces, ice creams, dips and any protein dish. As a dried and crushed herb, it takes fresh seafood to the next level. This subtropical rainforest tree also attracts bees & insects. The essential oil distilled from its refreshing lemony scented leaves has antifungal and antibacterial properties.

From the centre of a clump of elongated glossy green oval leaves, a cluster of white fluffy flowers with pale yellow centres presents itself like a bouquet.

Native Daisy [Brachyscome multifida ‘Mauve Mystery’]

This easy-care Australian native daisy is grown for its dainty green foliage and masses of mauve and white flowers produced throughout the year. It’s also tough enough to withstand children’s play areas. Whether grown as a clumping perennial or ground cover, its flowers attract pollinators, especially butterflies.

A pale golden butterfly rests on the petals of a pastel mauve daisy, seen in a group of other mauve and white daisies with bright yellow centres amongst soft green foliage.

Bower Vine [Bignoniaceae - Pandorea jasminoides]

A subtropical Australian native evergreen climbing shrub (a distant relation to Jacaranda) with beautiful bell-shaped blossoms gathered in bunches. They range in colour from white (‘Lady Di’) to pale rosy pink with a flower throat in deep cerise pink. A hardy, vigorous growing perennial vine in coastal environments, but avoid planting above pipes due to its penetrating root system. We are growing it in a large tub.

This plant attracts bees and other pollinators, while its fruits open to release many seeds. Thus, it’s named after ‘Pandora’, which for us means seeds of hope, rather than the conventional connotations of Ancient History.

A cluster of soft white trumpet-shaped flowers with deep pink throats seen against a leafy green background.

Scented Gum [Eucalyptus olivacea - Summer Scentsation]

A hardy compact flowering gum tree with silver-grey foliage and fluffy yellow flowers, which produces a spectacular summer display from Christmas to early autumn. Their blossoms are rich in nectar and together with their alluring fragrance, attract native wildlife, including wild birds and pollinators. The flowers are also useful as a long-lasting cut flower for the home.

Large frothy yellow flowers peak out from between grey-green eucalyptus leaves like pom-poms.

8t3v3n

20 hours ago

Extremely heavy & in some cases record-breaking rain has fallen across NSW in the 24hrs... 351mm falling at one Sth Coast location.
...remarkable..., & not just because of the massive totals in many areas... widespread nature of the falls https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/phenomenally-heavy-rainfall-across-new-south-wales/1648794 #NSW #NSWWx #OzWx #Wx

NathanaelCBR

1 day ago

#NSW rainfall recorded In the past 22 hours since 9:00am yesterday:

Jervis Bay Airfield: 213mm

Ulladulla: 193mm

Moruya (Burra Creek): 192mm

Point Perpendicular: 176mm

Lake Conjola: 149mm

Nowra: 106mm

Deniliquin: 104mm

Mount Darragh: 102mm

Nerriga: 97mm

Kiama: 95mm

Braidwood: 95mm

Forbes: 93mm

Cowra: 54mm

Tidbinbilla: 53mm

Tuggeranong: 49mm

Young: 46mm

Canberra: 43mm

Thredbo Top Station: 32mm

8t3v3n

2 days ago

Tasman Sea 'warm blob' to fuel heavy rain in NSW, Vic this week https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/tasman-sea-warm-blob-to-fuel-heavy-rain-in-nsw-vic-this-week/1647091 #OzWx #Wx #Vic #NSW #TheBlob

Tim Richards

3 days ago

"Why can’t Australians enjoy such a pleasant way to travel, given sleeper trains are going through a major resurgence in Europe, partly in response to climate change? It’s a good question, and there’s a simple answer: because the New South Wales government doesn’t want you to."

For Traveller, I discuss the impending removal of sleeper trains between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane - and imagine what could exist instead, based on the European experience.
---
NSW sleeper trains: Why the government shouldn’t ditch them https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/reviews-and-advice/sleeper-trains-are-making-a-comeback-why-are-ours-being-axed-20231114-p5ejwl.html

#Train #Trains #SleeperTrain #Australia #NewSouthWales #NSW #RailTravel #TrainTravel

MacPherson

3 days ago

#Dutton’s picks lose in the run for a #NSW #senate seat #auspol #Sharma

Anthony Arblaster

3 days ago

My family saw this little fella near #Araluen in #NSW over the weekend.
#EchidnasOfMastodon #SilentSunday

A little echidna exploring a little ditch.

#Newcastle #StopCoal #PeoplesBlockade #RisingTide #ClimateChange #NSW #Australia

4 days ago

Protesters blockaded the world’s largest coal port for 30 hours over the failure of government to act on climate change, preventing more than half a million tonnes of coal from leaving the port of Newcastle.

“Pancakes were being made, tea drunk, #dolphins swam nearby and people watched the sunset and sunrise. Those involved say it was a magical experience.”

- Rising Tide local organiser Alexa Stuart

Protesters spent the night on the water, rostered in two-hour shifts.

Climate protesters take to the water in kayaks at Horseshoe beach in Newcastle to block access to the world’s largest coal port. Photograph: Roni Bintang/Getty Images. Source: Guardian Australia.

#Figbird #Australia #Native #Wildlife #Habitat #Queensland #NSW #Birds

6 days ago

Figbird paid a visit today.
Here’s a male Green Figbird feasting on Palm berries.

Figbirds, (Sphecotheres vieilloti), found in eastern and northern Australia, the Kimberley region in Western Australia and in PNG on the edges of rainforests, frequent Mangrove and Melaleuca swamps, woodlands and trees in suburbia. They are sometimes nomadic, chasing fruiting trees where they mostly feed high in the canopies. Insects and seeds are also on the menu.

A number of Australian native fruit trees can only be germinated by fruit-eating birds eating their seeds. Figbirds are not endangered, having adapted well to human habitation. Plants associated with this species are: Moreton Bay Fig, Ficus macrophylla, Port Jackson Fig, and Ficus rubiginosa.

This Green Figbird male has a distinctive red patch of skin around his eyes, black head, white breast, with olive green feathers on his back. He holds a red berry in his beak, the abundant red fruit of a palm tree, seen completely filling the background of this image. Photo provided by Marj Webber.

Newcastle things.

Stop killing koalas - Lower speed limits
Spike in koala deaths prompts call for better road design, lower speed limits in NSW

"We do have an issue that roads are being designed without wildlife mitigation as part of the initial design. We do think that any new infrastructure must have mitigation measures built in from the get-go and that makes people safe too, the people who are stopping and braking and swerving, and the wildlife rescuers who are putting their lives on the line to try and save these animals."

"30 koala deaths have been recorded on a short section of a road outside of Sydney over 12 months...In northern NSW, Friends of the Koala say 120 koala "strikes" were recorded on local roads over the same period with the majority dying."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-23/nsw-environment-groups-want-road-changes-to-stem-koala-deaths/103140848
#Koalas #roads #cars #NSW #GlenifferRoad #SaveTuckersNob #wildlife #crashes #speeding #MobilityDesign #extinction makers

#BloomScrolling #NSW #Australia

In the Western world, yellow flowers represent emotions like joy, friendship, hope and truth.

Taken during this morning’s rain shower.
These large evergreen shrubs have flowered consistently here for about 15 years, so probably not the short-lived variety of St. John’s Wort.

A 5-petalled yellow flower with multiple wispy stamens that end with a tiny white globe, seen against a background of green foliage.

Mojo ♻️

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/21/irrigators-overdrew-40000ml-of-water-from-nsw-rivers-audit-finds-as-farmers-protest-buy-backs

Irrigators in #nsw have withdrawn the equivalent of 16,000 Olympic swimming pools’ worth of #water over their allowed limits from #waterways throughout the state. #waterusage #rivers #cotton #driestcontinent #DriestcontinentonEarth #australia

https://www.lyrebirddreaming.com/post/join-me-to-block-with-world-s-biggest-coal-port?cid=b15ce4a3-f959-40e3-84d9-2bd18c52975d
#StopCoal #PeoplesBlockade #Newcastle #RisingTide #NoToCoal #GregoryAndrews #NSW #Australia

The People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port
NOV 24 – 27

Dozens of people bobbing in various coloured kayaks hold a line that stretches across the waters of the bay. They hold up a white sign with red lettering that reads END COAL.

jed

This is shameful work from transport for #nsw

Pyrmont is a high density inner city neighbourhood with loads of #publicTransport options. All their process documents insist on putting people first but apparently ripping out a pedestrian crossing is fine.

#NSW #NSWPolice #StitchedUp
Wonder what he'll get.

The seriousness is extreme.
He corrupted the law enforcement process and the legal process and that resulted in an innocent person being jailed.

Thinking around 15 years could be in the best interests of the community in terms of signalling to others that corrupting law enforcement is most serious.

But would not be surprised at non-custodial sentence.

What you reckon for the sentence?

#NativeForests #LoggingIndustry #koalas #wildlife #Bushfires #law #lawfare #NSW #Braemar #MyrtleStateForests #NEFA #EDO #EPA #court #vidence #ForestryCorporation #NorthEastRegionalForestAgreement #ClimateEmergency #biodiversity

Ruling leaves koala populations exposed but door opens to further legal action
>>
https://www.edo.org.au/2023/11/20/ruling-leaves-koala-populations-exposed-but-door-opens-to-further-legal-action/

North East Forest Alliance laments Land and Environment Court loss, says koalas will suffer
"The Land and Environment Court has rejected an application to stop logging in two bushfire affected forests in north-east NSW."
"This was our last official legal attempt to try and save the koalas. "They're going to take out most of their feed trees."
>>
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-20/nefa-court-challenge-nsw-forestry-corporation-dismissed/103127218

neil howard :verified_paw:

A Cruise ship in Sydney
#operaHouse #sydney #NSW #travel #harbour #photography #ship #travel

The bow of a massive cruise ship docked in Sydney Harbour, with the Opera House in the background

#Pollinators #Parrots #ForestGardening #NSW #Shade #Bees #Gardening #Climate #Australia

Since Stormbird and others (Maestro Tree Frog and progeny) have been calling out for rain in the evenings, we took the opportunity to plant out some buddleia plants (butterfly bush), two different types of ginger (native and edible), and some palm trees - to help fill in a pocket of rainforest canopy and provide food for insects and birds.

During late winter, masses of bees and native parrots feed on local palm blossoms (and later fruit) when little else is in flower. And in the long term, cool shade will be at a premium for all living things during the hot summers ahead.

Alexander Palm Tree with masses of green and red fruit.

Killing for Country

" ‘I can’t argue away the shame’: frontier violence and family history converge in David Marr’s harrowing and important new book"

"A monumental study of the on-the-ground nature of colonisation in New South Wales and Queensland... His forebears’ role in murdering scores of First Peoples during the land grabs that preceded the creation of Australia."

"At the core of this narrative is a simple truism of colonialism: land is the ultimate commodity, the raw material."
>>
https://theconversation.com/i-cant-argue-away-the-shame-frontier-violence-and-family-history-converge-in-david-marrs-harrowing-and-important-new-book-215050
#TruthTelling #colonialism #Australia #frontier #violence #SettlerSociety #FamilyTruthTelling #families #NSW #Queensland #archives #trove #book #FirstNationsPeoples #FrontierWars

The hunger for invasive weeds on the NSW Mid North Coasts

On the Weed Wide Web "we found 155 different declared invasive plants just being sold on one platform, and just in one year...Invasive plants have effectively cost Australia an estimated $200 billion since 1960, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to monitor online trade of species."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-18/invasive-plume-poppy-weed-efforts-spread-biosecurity-officers/103103342
#weeds #online #flora #gardens #exotics #NSW #MidNorthCoast #InvasiveSpecies #biosecurity #biodiversity

jed

#trains #publictransport #transit #sydney

Why are #nsw trainlink so hostile to #bikes ? I just saw a woman get told off for trying to take a Brompton style fold up bike on-board. They did let her put it on in the checked luggage section but not without some shouting.

For context regular size bikes can only be taken on board if placed in a giant cardboard box.

There is so much scope for rail/bike tourism and ofc last mile bike trips.

It shouldn't be this hard!

Rural Fire Service (RFS) confirms the death of a volunteer firefighter in the Walgett region.

The RFS volunteer was working on the Hudson Fire in the Walgett region when he was struck by a falling tree.

Fellow RFS members rendered first aid until ambulance crews arrived - the patient was then transported to a Lighting Ridge medical facility where he tragically passed away.

Commissioner Rogers has expressed his sincere sorrow at the passing of a dedicated volunteer who was helping to protect the community.

"This gentleman made the ultimate sacrifice. His tragic and untimely death is a solemn reminder about the dangers faced by our firefighters.”

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and firefighting colleagues at this terrible time. We are offering every assistance to his family and fellow brigade members.”
#RFS #Walget #NSWFires #NSWRFS #NSW #bushfires #Austrailia

Mojo ♻️

Chery (Great Australian Pods)

Italian confectionery company the Ferrero Group #nutella is giving up on a $70 million #hazelnut farm near Narrandera in southern #NSW, saying the long-term #climate is unsuitable #driestcontinent #globalwarming https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2023-11-16/company-behind-nutella-ferrero-stops-growing-hazelnuts/103103160

Craig Smith (he/him) 🏳️‍🌈🦁

@stufromoz that damn sneak probably knows (or pretends to know) a lot about other people's dirty laundry
#ZedZero #Zed #ACT #NSW

The old signage at Werris Creek Station is great - with an Xplorer sitting on the platform #werriscreek #newengland #nsw #bentsabout #latergram

Aby Darling

#Medical #Drugs #PleaseShare #Australia #NSW #DrugsUser #HarmReduction #HarmMinimisation

⚠️Heroin has been found in cocaine in NSW⚠️

(⁠ Repost from ACON and DanceWize NSW)
⁠
NSW Health is warning of the potential dangers from heroin being present in the cocaine currently in circulation around Sydney following one death and two hospitalisations.⁠
⁠
A single line of ‘cocaine’ powder containing opioids (such as heroin) can kill or cause dizziness, paleness, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, vomiting, difficulty breathing.⁠
⁠
What to look out for?⁠
⁠
-Pin-point pupils⁠
-Difficulty speaking or walking⁠
-Drowsiness⁠
-Loss of consciousness⁠
-Slow breathing/snoring⁠
-Skin turning blue (if light skinned) or grey (if dark skinned)⁠
⁠
How can you protect yourself?⁠
-Don’t use alone.⁠
-Tell your friends what you thought you were taking.⁠
-If you’re using a new batch, start out with a small dose.⁠
-Be careful if mixing different drugs.⁠
⁠
Carry Naloxone:⁠
Naloxone can be ordered for FREE (+ shipping charge) as a nasal spray or injectable from the NUAA website: ⁠

➡️ nuaa.org.au/thn
⁠
You can also get Naloxone for free from ACON NSPs in Sydney, Newcastle and Lismore. Or use the Your Room website to find your local NSP or pharmacy that stocks Naloxone:⁠

➡️ yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au/getting-help/Pages/Naloxone.aspx⁠

More info:

➡️ health.nsw.gov.au/aod/public-drug-alerts/Pages/cocaine-heroin-nov23.aspx
➡️ pivotpoint.org.au/life-saving-program-at-acon-ns

alexkess

#sydney #northernsydney #nsw

Freshwater Pool

Tristan

Craig Smith (he/him) 🏳️‍🌈🦁

Fur seals basking on rocks at Guerilla Bay Lookout, #NSW #Australia #photography

You can tell many abandoned CBC bank branches by the NAB branding name plate on the front - the local branch dates back to 1907 and closed in the mid 1980s possibly #werriscreek #newengland #nsw #bentsabout #latergram

Tom Ellard

Just got surveyed by the NSW government about what assets I think should be provided for artists working in the inner Sydney area.

Took the chance to whine on behalf of a few people here - I hope my biases (music work spaces + live online with streaming visuals etc.) are in keeping with the omnes. Also some access to Moore Park (Disney/Netflix campus).

They also pitched an indigenous arts area on Macquarie St. Not much I can offer here for obvious reasons. #NSW #arts #music #studio

#NSW #austraila
Total Fire Bans will be in place tomorrow, Wednesday 15 November, for the Northern Slopes and North Western areas.

Hot and windy conditions are forecast across the state, increasing the fire danger, with several areas forecast to experience high fire danger.

visit the #RFS website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fdr

#NSWFIRES #Bushfires

"a total fire ban means no fires in the open."
Map of NSW showing two areas of total fire ban in the north of thr state.

Joanne Jacobs

Hard but fabulous choice. #nsw #AustralianoftheYear https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-13/cancer-richard-scolyer-georgina-long-nsw-australian-year/103100362

Sounds like the landed gentry of Gleniffer is practicing for the hunt or war. Some baron of the bush has been shooting around for an hour at 32 C. It has the sound quality of an elephant killing machine, a 44 Magnum? Wildlife are in hiding.
#WildWest #Bellingen #NSW #LandedGentry #Gleniffer #GunCulture #pollution #SoundScape #wildlife

Mojo ♻️

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-11/beowa-national-park-name-change-ceremony-part-of-truth-telling/103094360

After years of lobbying the state government, traditional custodians have gathered to celebrate the removal of the name of Scottish #slave trader Ben Boyd from a #nationalpark on the #NSW far-south coast. #firstnations

neil howard :verified_paw:

Surfers at Newcastle beach at Sunset yesterday.
#newcastle #beach #landscape #sunset #photography #travel #olympus #nsw #australia

Sunset over a sandy beach cove , with people surfing on the waves, and playing on the beach

#NSW #australia
A Total Fire Ban will be in place tomorrow, Saturday 11 November for the Northern Riverina area.

Hot, dry and windy conditions are forecast with high fire danger.

Landholders undertaking harvest operations should stop harvesting regularly to check the weather conditions against the Grain Harvesting Guide before deciding whether to continue due to the increased risk of fire.

For more information visit the #RFS website: https://brnw.ch/21wEjT5

For information on Harvest Fires and the Grain Harvesting Guide check: https://brnw.ch/21wEjT6

#NSWfires #bushfires

Why are dead and dying seabirds washing up on our beaches in their hundreds?

"Millions of short-tailed shearwaters (Ardenna tenuirostis), commonly known as muttonbirds, return to southern Australia from the Arctic each spring – a round trip of up to 35,000km.Muttonbird wrecks have happened on rare occasions since time immemorial, but are becoming more common.The many ideas about what is causing wrecks range from storms and overfishing to plastic, blue-green algae and irradiated water from Fukushima."

"When muttonbird wrecks occur, the casualties are starving. These birds weigh only half their healthy body weight. The factors leading to this starvation start before they reach Australia."
>>
https://theconversation.com/why-are-dead-and-dying-seabirds-washing-up-on-our-beaches-in-their-hundreds-217349
#birds #seabirds #muttonbirds #wreck #NSW #migration #starvation #MarineHeatwaves #salmon #overfishing

skua

https://australianlawyersandadvocates.com.au/police-powers-to-stop-and-search-persons-and-vehicles-in-nsw/

@luciedigitalni
With a 75% failure rate I think it is clear that being selected by a #DrugDog is not a basis for #ReasonableSuspicion.

Looks like the cops are using the dogs to justify fishing expeditions.

In #NSW fishing expeditions would not be lawful.

(#Queensland on the other hand ... )

#NSW #austalia
#RFS :
We are currently monitoring a large number of lightning strikes caused by storm activity that is stretching across the entire length of the state and into Queensland. These lightning strikes can start new fires and with the fire danger likely to increase towards the weekend, it's important you report all unattended fires to Triple Zero (000) immediately.

visit the Hazards Near Me app or #RFS website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fnm #NSWFIRES #NSWBushfires

Map of nsw showing a wide band of yellow Lighting strikes from Victoria to Queensland.

From Eden out to broken hill and up the central west to Queensland

NathanaelCBR

https://www.gofundme.com/manage/help-nat-get-to-the-warrumbungles

I'd love to get up to the Warrumbungles #NSW before summer so if you can help I'd appreciate it, otherwise fingers crossed the bushfires stay away this fire season and I can go next year once I have a job again.