This year, CAFNEC celebrates 30 years as the peak regional non-government environment organisation for Far North Queensland. We were established in 1981 by concerned local and regional community members with an interest in nature conservation and environmental protection. We should all feel very proud of the incredible achievements the organisation over this time which have only been possible due to the tireless efforts of past and current CAFNEC members, supporters, staff, management committee members and volunteers.

Our mission as an organisation is to ensure the unique and special natural heritage of Far North Queensland is protected – if you would like to help us we would love to have you as a member. So, BECOME A MEMBER ONLINE or download our MEMBERSHIP FORM and help protect our special region.

Check the latest news, events and campaign news in ECOTONE, our quarterly members magazine.

We recently held the Reinventing Progress conference in Cairns. The conference, with a program featuring the best and brightest of Australia's sustainability leaders, was a great success and tickets sold out. You can view presentations from each of the speakers along with video footage of the day HERE.

Protect our Coral Sea

Time is Running Out - Act Now to Protec Our coral Sea

Right now the Australian government is deciding the fate of Australia’s Coral Sea. The government’s draft plan for this iconic area leaves out the majority of species-rich coral reefs and important breeding sites for tuna and marlin. Many of the jewels in the crown of the Coral Sea remain unprotected as they lie in the western half: only two of about 25 unprotected reefs are given a high level of protection. By extending the proposed marine national park to include the western half of the Coral Sea, the Australian government could create the world’s single largest marine national park.

Take 20 seconds to help Protect Our Coral Sea and send a quick note your locam Federal MP and to the Environment Minister Tony Burke.MORE

Take Action to Help Protect our Gulf and Top End Oceans

In the coming weeks, the Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, will decide how much of Northern Australia's waters are to be protected in marine sanctuaries.
These sanctuaries will help protect species like the Flatback Turtle, Dugong and the Australian Snubfin Dolphin from destructive industries like oil and gas exploration and illegal and over-fishing.
The science is clear that Northern Australia's waters need an extensive network of large marine sanctuaries to protect our unique sea life.

Precious Mangroves At Risk

The Barron Delta Mangrove Protection Campaign was launched to protect the mangrove wetland threatened by the proposed redevelopment of the Cairns Airport. Mangrove wetlands are an endangered ecosystem and integral to the survival of our oceans, commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, and of course the inhabitants of the strange mangrove world. Find out more at www.mangroveprotect.com.au

We are currently supporting the ‘Renewable Energy NOW for FNQ’ campaign. The primary goal of this campaign is a rapid transition to renewable energy, with a long term goal of 100% for our region. This campaign was launched with a public forum in May 2011.

Plan B: An Agenda For Immediate Climate Action

The Cairns and Far North Environment Centre together with the leading national and state environment groups have come together to make it clear we do not support the Federal Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) in its current form.

We’re concerned the level of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere are already above safe levels, and the CPRS will not effectively reduce carbon pollution.

We’ve put together a Plan B of measures that could be enacted in the next two years and would set Australian up to meet the vital target of halving our greenhouse pollution over the coming decade.

The environment groups behind Plan B, with a combined membership of more than 400,000 Australians, call on the Rudd Government to abandon the fundamentally flawed CPRS and commit Australia to this new approach to tackle climate change.

Plan B outlines five priority areas where we could achieve significant pollution reduction in the next few years and make deep cuts in emissions over the next decade.
1) Prioritise saving energy
2) Fast-track the switch to a renewable energy economy
3) Drive the shift to low emissions vehicles and sustainable cities
4) Protect our forests and woodland as a carbon store and make agriculture a part of the solution
5) Grow the green job economy

The Plan B agenda will provide tens of thousands of green jobs based on saving energy; enable a fast transition away from coal and towards renewable energy; and protect precious forests and establish carbon sinks.

ELLA BAY - STILL A HELL OF A BAY TO GIVE AWAY

Attention all lovers of FNQ's natural environment. Please take a moment to add your name to the growing list of concerned community members and groups who oppose the highly inappropriate development proposed for Ella Bay north of Innisfail.

This special coastal spot and all the wonderful wildlife and plants there are greatly threatened by a massive urban and tourism development which is to include up to 6 luxury resorts and over 500 new residences.

The development site is completely surrounded by World Heritage Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef. The best use for this land is low impact recreational and cultural use, not another concrete jungle.

We urge you to add your name today to those acting to save this iconic place by signing this pro-forma letter requesting that the development's impact on sea turtles be assessed. Recent documentation of sea turtle nesting sites in and around Ella Bay must lead to the investigation of the proposed developments impacts on these, and other, threatened marine animals.

Please send your response to the Federal Department of the Environment and don't forget to date your letter and include your postal address!

DOWNLOAD the letter to Minister Burke and send today.

See HERE for more information on the turtle nesting sites and the implications for the development.
See HERE more information on the proposed development:

Urge your councillor to support hillslope and habitat protection package before council

DOWNLOAD this letter and email, post or fax it to the your local councillor. Every letter counts. Call Cairns Regional Council on 4044 3044 to find out who your local councillor is.

Save Our Slopes and Whitfield Hill Community Action Group’s have handed Cairns Regional Council a report outlining 25 proposals dealing with around 60 areas of hillslope and vegetation rezoning, including the slopes of False Cape. All proposals deal with zonings within the Cairns Plan that are in conflict with it’s own Desired Environmental Outcomes and asks that these areas be designated ‘Conservation’. This would entitle private landowners to build a house and caretakers residence but prohibit allotments from being subdivided.

This years’ Local Government Elections saw several sitting councillors elected on a platform of hillslopes and habitat protection. Now is the time for this council to deliver on these promises. Action today will not only help preserve the nature and character of our region, but will also allow future decisions to be made without having to be defended through expensive legal action.
CAFNEC fully supports these proposals and urges all Councillors to support the package. It is now scheduled to go before Council in February, following a January 22nd meeting with all Councillors.

SAVE THE WALSH RIVER - NO NULLINGA DAM

DOWNLOAD the campaign action kit and help protect the Walsh river from being needlessly dammed.