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Stop Lend Lease and The Australian Government Killing Koalas Habitat.

Izzy Bee from Izzy’s Koala World puts the issue clearly in this short 1 minute video:

The following is our belief only without prejudice

Koalas are likely to be extinct in New South Wales, Australia by 2050.

Lend Lease are killing thousands and thousands of trees and Koala Habitat for a 1,700+ property development on the last healthy and disease free colony of Koalas in Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia. The development is called Figtree Hill.

The only 2 people that have the power to stop this are Michael J. Ullmer AO, Chairman of Lend Lease and Tony Lombardo, CEO of Lend Lease.

We are asking people to call and email the Lend Lease CEO and Lend Lease Chairman to ask them to save all the trees and all the Koala Habitat for the Gilead and Figtree Hill developments and turn it into National Park.

Please call Lend Lease Chairman Michael J. Ullmer AO now on +61 2 9236 6111 or email him at joanne.lucas@lendlease.com (Executive Assistant)

Please call Lend Lease CEO Tony Lombardo now on +61 2 9236 6111 or email him at lendleaseceo@lendlease.com

Please call talkback radio now: how to call talkback radio guide

Full Story Below

Lend Lease killing habitat of the Last Healthy Colony of Koalas in NSW
One Third of Australia’s Koalas Killed in bushfires of 2020/21. Koalas likely to be extinct in New South Wales by 2050
Figtree Hill property development would kill thousands and thousands of trees.
Total size of Figtree Hill property development is on land over 850 Hectares. Equivalent to over 450 Sydney Cricket Grounds.
Trees Already Being Killed by Lend Lease Company

STOP LEND LEASE AND THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT KILLING KOALAS HABITAT.

“Save The Trees And Animals Campaign.Com” Is calling on ALL sections of Australian and International Business, Politicians, Conservationists, Unions, and Individuals to assist us in stopping the Lend Lease company, and the Australian Government from killing thousands and thousands of trees and bushland, which forms part of the last healthy and disease free colony of Koalas in New South Wales, Australia.

Koalas are likely to become extinct in New South Wales, Australia by 2050. Unless immediate action is taken, part of the Koala habitat will be lost forever as Lend Lease have already begun killing trees in the area.

The Koala Habitat is in the Campbelltown area of Sydney, Australia. Lend Lease intends to turn the area into a huge housing development called Figtree Hill. The total area of the property is over 850 Hectares, and it is not yet known how many thousands and thousands of trees will be killed.

Save The Trees And Animals Campaign.Com is also trying to protect ALL the trees, bushland, and vegetation in the Greater Macarthur Growth Area, and to save the entire Macarthur Area from massive overdevelopment. The bushland should then be turned into national park.

Quote from Save The Trees And Animals Campaign.Com, “Why should any trees or habitat of the last remaining healthy Koala colony in New South Wales, Australia, be killed for just another property development?”

A local community group, “Save Sydney’s Koalas” took Lend Lease to court to say that the action of Lend Lease was unlawful, but The New South Wales Land and Environment Court dismissed the appeal from the community group and has allowed Lend Lease to move ahead with killing the trees and part of the Koalas’ habitat.

The project has the full support and approval from all levels of Australian Government: The local Campbelltown Council, The New South Wales State Government and The Australian Federal Government.

In the film, “Extinction: The Facts”, Sir David Attenborough has said “We are facing a crisis … one that will have consequences for us all.”

The only way to save this Koala Habitat and all the trees likely to be killed is to apply enough pressure to Lend Lease and The Australian Government to immediately protect all of the trees and vegetation, and turn the bushland into National Park.

We must call on the CEO and Chairman of Lend Lease. We must call on the Australian Prime Minister and The Australian Opposition leader, and do whatever we can to save this part of Koala Habitat before it has been killed forever.

Telephone for assistance and to assist us:
Contact +61 2 9565 4264 or email savethetreesandanimalscampaign@gmail.com

To save the Koala Habitat and ALL the trees and vegetation likely to be killed for this Lend Lease development, please do the following:

Telephone Lend Lease CEO Tony Lombardo +61 2 9236 6111 or email him at: lendleaseceo@lendlease.com

Telephone Lend Lease Chairman Michael J. Ullmer, AO +61 2 9236 6111 or email him at joanne.lucas@lendlease.com (Executive Assitant)

Telephone the Australian Prime Minister: +61 2 6271 5111

Telephone the Australian Labor Leader (Opposition) : +61 2 6277 4022

Start a phone tree. Call three friends and let them know what is going on and ask them to phone three friends to phone three friends and so on.

Share this post with all your friends, colleagues and acquaintances, the media and on all social media platforms. Join one of the many community groups trying to save the Koalas.

Call talkback radio, both AM and PM and talk about the issues to as many people as possible.

Call 2GB now 131 873

Guide to calling all other talkback radio

Contact Lend Lease Board: https://www.lendlease.com/au/company/leadership/#/global-leadership/the-board

Contact Lend Lease Global Leadership Team:
https://www.lendlease.com/au/company/leadership/#/global-leadership/global-leadership-team

To join our mailing list for future communication, rallies, marches or other actions, please click here.

YOUR OWN ACTION! (If you have any creative, fun, safe, legal and peaceful ways of helping to get Lend Lease to stop killing critically endangered Koalas Habitat and any trees, please let us know! Get in touch +61 2 9565 4264

More Information Click Here

Izzy Bee from Izzy’s Koala World puts the issue quite clearly…

An Open Letter to Lend Lease Chairman Michael J. Ullmer AO: Stop Killing Trees and Koalas Habitat for the Figtree Hill Development.

LETTER TO MICHAEL J. ULLMER AO, CHAIRMAN LEND LEASE.

3 November 2021

Michael J. Ullmer AO, Chairman

VIA EMAIL: joanne.lucas@lendlease.com

Dear Mr Ullmer,

I am writing to you as I am upset about your Lend Lease’s plans to kill part of the Koalas habitat for the Figtree Hill development in Campbelltown, Sydney, Australia.

As you are no doubt aware, Koalas are likely to be extinct in New South Wales by 2050.

I acknowledge that you plan to keep a portion of the Koalas habitat and build some tunnels under Appin Road, but I do not understand why Lend Lease has to kill any trees for this development, or indeed any development anywhere.

Could you please explain why Lend Lease has to kill trees for this development?

A woman I spoke to in Campbelltown said “It’s as hot as Hades out here anyway and no one wants to live here, it’s a hole.”

I do not see how killing any more trees will improve the situation.

I respectfully request that you stop killing any more trees or other vegetation for this development and work with the government to turn the area into National Park. If you will not do this, could you please explain why not?

As you said in your interview with Narelle Hooper, editor in chief of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, following the Banking Royal Commission:

“Reflecting on history in the context of the debate about the purpose of the corporation and the primacy of shareholders, Ullmer says there’s economist Milton Friedman’s camp, which refers to the whole objective of corporations as the maximisation of profit for shareholders, and the likes of Lendlease founder Dick Dusseldorp.

“In 1972, [Dusseldorp] gave a speech talking about the need for companies to find a common interest that went beyond the bottom line profit to broader accountability to employees, to communities that the companies serve, and to the environment,” says Ullmer.
“That’s been part of the Lendlease ethos ever since. I think we’ve seen that play out through the role of the Royal Commission. If you don’t take those things into account, there is enormous damage to shareholder interests.”

Reference: https://aicd.companydirectors.com.au/membership/company-director- magazine/2019-back-editions/march/michael-ullmer

I hope that your vision is more in line with Dick Dusseldorp’s speech rather than being in Milton Friedman’s camp. This would also reflect the Business Roundtable Purpose of the global corporations in the USA: https://www.businessroundtable.org/purposeanniversary

I sincerely hope that you and CEO Tony Lombardo will have a change of heart and save these beautiful trees and the entire habitat of the last healthy colony of Koalas in NSW

Looking forward to hearing from you at your earliest opportunity. Yours sincerely,

John Bellamy
Save The Trees And Animals Campaign.Com

Email: savthetreesandanimalscampaign@gmail.com Mobile: 0414 755 621
Telephone: +61 2 9565 4264

Tony Abbott and Barack Obama Kissing! (Koalas)

All The World’s Leaders Love The Koalas!

Hopefully they’ll be able to get in touch with the Lend Lease CEO Tony Lombardo on 02 9236 6111 or email him lendleaseceo@lendlease.com to save ALL the Koalas Habitat! 🙂

URGENT: Immediate Help Required To Stop Koalas Becoming extinct on the Australian East Coast

Saving Sydney’s Koalas: http://savesydneyskoalas.org/

Koala Gardens: https://koalagardens.net.au/koala/2021/10/14/every-campbelltown-koala-counts/

________________________________________________________________________________

STORY:

It is believed that Lend Lease and The NSW Government may be killing up to 900 Hectares and up to 600,000 trees in and around the colony of the last healthy population of Koalas on the east coast of NSW.

This is for a property development of 1,700 homes.

The Koala Habitat is in immediate threat of being destroyed.

The only way to stop the killing of the koalas’ habitat is to put enough pressure on Lend Lease and the Australian state and Federal Governments to stop all tree destruction in the development until the issue has been assessed by The World Heritage Organisation, The United Nations, and any other relevant environmental organisation, environmentalist or institution.

This message just needs to get to the right person. Perhaps that person could be you! Please share this cry for help with everyone you know as the trees are in immediate danger! Perhaps you could start a phone tree – call three people and get them to call three people and so on and so forth.

For more information please go to these websites and for how you can take action. Please also remember to call Lend Lease!

Saving Sydney’s Koalas: http://savesydneyskoalas.org/

Koala Gardens: https://koalagardens.net.au/koala/2021/10/14/every-campbelltown-koala-counts/

_________________________________________________________________________________

IN THE MEDIA:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-28/court-ruling-will-doom-appin-koalas-groups-say/100497324

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-14/lendlease-sustainability-reputation-figtree-hill-development/13058076

https://www.smh.com.au/environment/sustainability/thousands-of-homes-among-their-gum-trees-the-assault-on-sydney-s-last-healthy-koalas-20211014-p5905h.html

This blog article is our belief only without prejudice.

THE PROOF IS IN THE PLANTS

A most wonderful new book has been released today by Simon Hill called “The Proof Is In The Plants”.

Our health is in a crisis and so is our climate.

What if there was a way of eating that may help us live healthier for longer and protect the future of our planet, too?

The good news is that evidence now shows a plant-based diet may offer us exactly that – and straight-talking nutritionist Simon Hill has done the hard work translating the science into actionable advice for everyday life.

Through 3 parts the Proof is in the Plants will walk you through why we are confused about what to eat, how our food choices affect our health and how to make changes to your plate to lead a healthy plant-based lifestyle.

More Info

100% of the proceeds Simon receives will be donated to Half Cut, a not-for-profit organisation that is protecting the Daintree Rainforest from deforestation and rewilding parts of the world that have already experienced deforestation.

The Plant Proof website also has a plethora of other information on the personal and planetary benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, an amazing podcast series and delicious sounding recipes

More about the Author Simon Hill

The Animal, Tree and Homeless Campaign congratulates Simon for releasing this wonderful book!

More Info click here.

To order your copy of the book click here

Reconfiguring Moore Park golf course to create more public land. Your say matters.

From The City of Sydney:

When space at Moore Park was allocated for a golf course in 1913, the surrounding land was predominantly industrial. Moore Park now neighbours the Green Square urban renewal area, the densest residential community in Australia.

We’d like your feedback on 2 potential options to create new parkland by reconfiguring the golf course from an 18-hole to a 9-hole course.

Read More

Processed meats need a closer look – Australian Medical Association.

https://ama.com.au/ausmed/processed-meats-need-closer-look

Photo from Plant Based News

Processed meats need a closer look

The time for compassionate action and leadership on this important issue by the Australian medical profession has arrived
04 Aug 2017


OPINION
By Dr Alphonse Roex and Dr Heleen Roex-Haitjema

In October 2015, the authoritative International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) confirmed that processed meat causes cancer and red meat is a probable carcinogen (Table 1.1,2 ).

IARC Carcinogenic Classification GroupsLikelihood to cause cancer in humansType of meatExamples
1Causes cancerProcessed meatsBacon, ham, sausages, hot dogs, hamburgers, ground beef, mince, corned beef, beef jerky, canned meat, offal and blood
2aProbably causes cancerRed meatsMeat from mammals: pork, veal,  beef, bull meat, sheep, lamb, horse meat and,Meat from hunting: wild boars, deer, pigeons, partridges, quail and pheasants

Table 1. Based on the IARC’s data on the carcinogenicity of processed meat and red meat.1,2

The IARC assessed more than 700 epidemiological studies regarding red meat and more than 400 provided data on processed meat. The IARC estimates that worldwide the consumption of diets high in processed meat results in approximately 34,000 deaths annually and diets high in red meat in 50,000 avoidable cancer deaths per year. Eating an extra portion of 50 grams of processed meat daily increases the relative risk of colorectal cancer by 18 per cent.

The strength of evidence that processed meat is a carcinogen is comparable with tobacco smoking and asbestos.3,4

Diets high in animal protein show a 75 per cent increase in total mortality, a 500 per cent increase in diabetes, a 400 per cent increase in cancer risk, and produce significantly higher levels of IGF1, a potent cancer-promoting hormone.5

Chronic diseases are responsible for considerable human suffering and contribute heavily to the burden of disease nationally. Australia’s ever increasing total healthcare expenditure has in 2016 for the first time surpassed 10 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product. It is estimated that 55-60 per cent of this total is spent on chronic disease management.

Nearly two years have passed since the World Health Organisation’s report on the categorisation of processed animal products as carcinogenic. The time has come that we doctors take the initiative to inform our citizens and create systems, processes and policies to protect our patients and communities from further harm from such known carcinogens. We were finally moved to show united leadership 60 years ago in regards to smoking. Ultimately, after roughly 7000 scientific publications showing the relationship between smoking and lung cancer, healthcare providers became advocates for the best available medical evidence trumping the lures of a treasured habit for many of their patients (and indeed, fellow colleagues).

The American Medical Association in the USA has led the way by calling on hospitals there to improve the health of patients, staff and visitors by (1) providing a variety of healthful food, including plant-based meals that are low in fat, sodium and added sugars, (2) eliminating processed meats from menus and (3) providing and promoting healthful beverages.6,7,8

Springmann et al. estimated the effects of consuming less – or no – animal products on global population health should a transition to a more plant-based diet be made leading up to 2050. Conclusions reached were a reduction in premature deaths, abundant economic benefits and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Table 2.9

Healthier diets compared to present omnivorous dietCharacteristics dietsHuman health benefits:millions of premature deaths avoidedEconomic valuation: value-of-statistical life approach.Trillion of AUD saved per year
Healthy Global Diet (WHO)Less meat and sugar; More vegetables and fruit5.127.6
VegetarianMinimal animal products: dairy and eggs only 7.336.8
VeganNo animal products: plant-based only8.139.4

Table 2. Human lives and money saved in 2050 if the world population would adapt more healthful diets. Based on publication M Springmann et al.9

We understand that our AMA is aware of the issue and we are engaging with its Public Health team.

The time for compassionate action and leadership on this important issue by the Australian medical profession has arrived. All medical administrators, procurement officers, caterers and doctors (in association with registered dietitians) should then feel encouraged, empowered and supported to play a role in implementing the elimination of processed meats in medical institutions.

Views expressed in the above Opinion piece are those of the authors and do not reflect official policy of the AMA.

The authors’ credentials are listed below:


Dr Alphonse Roex MD PhD, FRANZCOG

Senior Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology The Lyell McEwin Hospital South Australia
Senior Lecturer, The University of Adelaide
Medical degree: Utrecht University, the Netherlands
Specialist degree and PhD: Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Member PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (Washington DC USA)
International presenter on Nutrition and Health

Dr Heleen Roex-Haitjema, Paediatrician (not practising)
Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition, Cornell University, New York
Certified Food for Life Instructor, The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Washington DC
Medical degree: Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Specialist degree: Free University Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Member PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (Washington DC USA)
International presenter on Nutrition and Health.

References

  1. Bouvard V, Loomis D, Guyton KZ et al. on behalf of the IARC Monograph Working Group. Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat. Lancet Oncology 2015.
  2. http://publications.iarc.fr/Book-And-Report-Series/Iarc-Monographs-On-The-Evaluation-Of-Carcinogenic-Risks-To-Humans. Volume 114 (2015).
  3. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to humans. Volume 83 (2004) Tobacco Smoke and Involuntary Smoking.
  4. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to humans. Volume 100C. (2012) Asbestos.
  5. Levine ME et al. Low Protein Intake is Associated with a Major Reduction in IGF-1, Cancer, and Overall Mortality in the 65 and Younger but Not Older Population. Cell Metabolism 2014;19:407-17.
  6. https://janeunchained.com/2017/06/23/ama-comes-out-against-serving-processed-meats-in-hospitals/
  7. http://www.pcrm.org/nbBlog/american-medical-association-passes-healthy-food-resolutions
  8. https://wire.ama-assn.org/ama-news/ama-backs-comprehensive-approach-targ…
  9. Springmann M. et al. Analysis and valuation of the health and climate change co-benefits of dietary change PNAS doi:10.1073/pnas. 2016; 1523119113.

Article available at: https://ama.com.au/ausmed/processed-meats-need-closer-look

Landmark legal win for climate and community

Image: Sydney Morning Herald – Janie Barrett

Link to full article.

Chief Justice of the Land and Environment Court Brian Preston SC handed down his judgment today in a landmark case, refusing approval of a new coal mine to be built just outside of the town of Gloucester in the NSW Upper Hunter Valley. This is the first time an Australian court has refused consent for a coal mine on the basis of its climate change impacts.

8 Feb 2019: The Court also poses a foundational question for all future fossil fuel projects: “the wrong time” test.

The Court accepted our scientific evidence and the concept of a global carbon budget. NSW Environmental Defenders Office CEO David Morris stated “In the face of that acceptance, the judgment presents a foundational question for all decision makers. It is this: given that, if we are to remain within the global carbon budget, only a finite amount of additional carbon can be burned, and that existing approvals already exhaust that budget, why should this particular project be prioritised over any other, or displace an existing approval? That is ‘the wrong time’ test and will prove an insurmountable barrier for many projects going forward”.

Representing community group Groundswell Gloucester, EDO NSW argued the mine was contrary to the public interest and principles of ecologically sustainable development because of its significant social and climate change impacts.

The Court accepted those arguments in deciding to refuse approval for the mine, finding that carbon emissions from the mine will contribute to global warming, such that approving it will not assist in achieving the rapid and deep reductions in emissions needed in order to meet Australia’s Paris targets.

Significantly, the Court held that it was not important that emissions from the mine would be a fraction of global total emissions, noting that the global problem of climate change needs to be addressed by multiple local actions to mitigate emissions. The Court also found that the mine’s economic benefits had been substantially overstated.

The Court found that the Rocky Hill coal project will cause a variety of serious negative social impacts to the Gloucester community, including visual, noise and dust impacts, and significant impacts to Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, stating that the mine will severely impact on people’s sense of place.

In summing up his judgment, Chief Justice Preston SC said: “In short, an open cut coal mine in this part of the Gloucester valley would be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Wrong place because an open cut coal mine in this scenic and cultural landscape, proximate to many people’s homes and farms, will cause significant planning, amenity, visual and social impacts. Wrong time because the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) of the coal mine and its product will increase global total concentrations of GHGs at a time when what is now urgently needed, in order to meet generally agreed climate targets, is a rapid and deep decrease in GHG emissions. These dire consequences should be avoided. The Project should be refused.”

David Morris concluded, “This is a seminal moment in the development of climate litigation in Australia – and will weigh heavily on the minds of decision-makers considering whether to approve new fossil fuels projects.”

This landmark case puts Australia well and truly on the map in terms of international climate change litigation. The NSW Environmental Defenders Office is at the forefront of public environmental interest lawyers using the law to protect our climate and environment for current and future generations.

BACKGROUND

This was a once in a generation case: the first hearing of its kind since the historic Paris Agreement, in which a superior jurisdiction Australian court heard expert testimony about climate change, the carbon budget and the impacts of burning fossil fuels.

Acting for local community group, Groundswell Gloucester, the Environmental Defenders Office, with counsel Robert White, heard from expert witnesses on visual and noise impacts, climate science and energy finance, the economics of coal, town planning and the social impacts of a mine on the town’s doorstep.

This included detailed evidence from Emeritus Professor Will Steffen on the global carbon budget, which must not be exceeded if temperature rise is to be kept at less than 2C on pre-Industrial levels. Steffen said that in order for Australia to meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement, the coal reserve at Rocky Hill cannot be developed: “Step number 1, if you’re really serious about the Paris targets, is no new fossil fuel developments… You cannot reduce emissions by increasing them.”

The court also heard from energy analyst Tim Buckley on the risk that the coal mine would become a stranded asset, given market trends away from coal; acoustics expert Stephen Gauld on the noise nuisance from the mine; and anthropologist and expert on regional communities and displacement Dr Hedda Askland on the social impacts should the mine go ahead.

David Morris, CEO of EDO NSW: Our argument was based on science, economics and – we argued – the proper application of the law. The climate contention as a ground for refusing this mine was innovative; the first time climate change has been addressed this way in an Australian court using the concept of a carbon budget as its basis.

Like so many great ideas – its strength was its simplicity. While there was lots of necessary evidence and discussion about the carbon budget, geopolitical climate policy and Australia’s legal framework for climate change, ultimately our argument was simple:  if you accept the science, then the local legal framework compels you to refuse the mine because it’s clearly not in the public interest to increase emissions.

As Professor Steffen said, “it’s one atmosphere, it’s one climate system, it’s one planet – and so we need to start thinking more carefully about the net effect of wherever coal is burnt, or oil or gas… The project’s contribution to cumulative climate change impacts means that its approval would be inequitable for current and future generations”.

Sixty community objectors, including farmers, doctors, Traditional Owners, old people and young people, gave evidence. Some were opposed because of noise impacts, others worried about how the mine might tear at the fabric of their community. Many were very concerned about their children and grandchildren and the kind of world they will live in if projects like this, which contribute to climate change, continue to be approved.

Other articles: The conversation

Australian Financial Review

ABC.NET

Australian Mining

The Guardian

Sydney Morning Herald

Gloucester Advocate

Mining Monthly

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