Stand up for water, not coal! Support coal communities group Rivers SoS

About Rivers SoS' court challenge to the expansion of Metropolitan coal mine

In June, NSW Planning Minister Keneally approved a $50 million expansion of the Metropolitan Collieries under Part 3A, the first decision since a major government inquiry into the impact of coal mining on water in the Southern Coalfields. The approval allows for longwall mining to take place directly under the Woronora Dam, one of Sydney’s most reliable drinking water sources.

In what could be a landmark case, the Environmental Defenders Office is working with Rivers SOS to take the NSW Government to the Land and Environment Court to challenge the legality of the mining approval process.

The integrity of our water supplies has never been more threatened, with predicted climate change-induced drought and damaging impacts on the catchments due to longwall coal mining of an extent and intensity never seen before.

At Climate Camp 09 in October, more than 500 people marched to the front gates of the Metropolitan Collieries and peacefully occupied the entrance road to the mine. They were protesting the mine’s expansion and voicing concerns over water, climate and jobs in NSW.

Speakers include Lee Rhiannon (Greens MLC), Dootch Kennedy (Illawarra Aboriginal Land Council - TBC) and Julie Sheppard (Rivers SoS)

If you can, wear or bring something blue, to show that our water is more precious than coal!

Outside the NSW Land and Environment Court
255 Macquarie Street (near St James Station)
Wednesday November 25, 8 to 9am

If you need more information, contact Holly on 0417682541. Rivers SoS are looking for donations to run this important case. If you can support, contact Julie on linju1@virginbroadband.com.au

Tell Kevin Rudd: don't dump on Indonesia. Australian carbon colonialism - stop the offsets! Kevin Rudd's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme allows for 100% of Australian emissions reductions to be found offshore. Federal Treasury predicts at least 50% reliance on offshore credits to achieve the lowest reduction in emissions (5%). Kevin Rudd is now looking for cheap offshore offsets for Australian emissions. Indonesia is the first target, with the AusAid funded Kalimantan Forests and Climate project designed to establish reduced deforestation as an acceptable offset. Local groups in Indonesia, including WALHI, Indonesia’s largest environment organisation and the Indonesian Union of Small Farmers are opposed to Australia’s offset schemes and are protesting tomorrow at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. These Sydney actions are in solidarity with Indonesian indigenous peoples now on the receiving end of Rudd's carbon colonialism. Join Friends of the Earth Sydney Collective for a lunchtime protest against offsets and dumping our climate responsibilities on Indonesia.1-2pm Wednesday 25 November, Kevin Rudd's Sydney Office 70 Phillip St, Sydney (between Bent and Bridge Streets, closest train stations are Circular Quay or Circular Quay)

Rally: Stop the NT Intervention. Racism is not a special measure! Unconditionally restore the Racial Discrimination Act . 12.30pm Thursday 26 November FAHCSIA Office, 280 Elizabeth St marking the final day of federal parliament sittings for 2009. Speakers include: Larissa Behrendt Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning UTS and NAIDOC Indigenous person of 2009 and George Newhouse human rights lawyer. Organised by Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney. For more information contact: Paddy 0415 800 586 or Mon 0415 410 558. www.stoptheintervention.org.

West Papua: Film + Information Evening
Come and see the acclaimed film: FORGOTTEN BIRD OF PARADISE
Directed, filmed and produced by Dominic Brown [U.K.]
Secretly filmed inside the Indonesian province of Papua. This is the first scheduled showing of this film in full in Australia! http://www.forgottenbirdofparadise.net/Home.html
Presented &Supported by: Peter King University of Sydney
Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies; Doug Sewell,President
Anabaptist Association Australia & NZ; Julie Brackenreg
HopeStreet Urban Compassion.

Friday 27th November 7.30pm Uniting Church Hall, 37 St John’s Rd Glebe

Rally in Support of Same Sex Marriage. Saturday 28 November 2009, 1.00 pm, Sydney Town Hall.Further details: Heidi Claus 0419377396, Ben Cooper 0412325231, Emilia Lewonski 0401519593. www.caah.org.au or www.equallove.info

Latin American Solidarity Fiesta
Featuring "Aramandito Y Su Trovason" Sydney's finest traditional Cuban band. Plus:Flamence Dancers, Latino DJs, Reggaeton, film footage, Latin American food and cocktails. 6.30pm, Saturday, November 28 Petersham Town Hall, Petersham. Organised by The Latin American Forum: Grupo Solidario Ibiray, Sydney, Fondo Raul Sendic, Frente Farabundo Marti De Liberacion Nacional, Committee for Human Rights Guatemala & Green Left Weekly. Tickets $15/$10 Ph 9690 1977 for bookings and more info ALL WELCOME!

Welcome refugees RALLY
No "Indonesian solution" Close Christmas Island Let the boats land here

2pm Sunday 29 November Sydney Town Hall

Organised by the Refugee Action Coalition
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713

Sydney Central branch delegate elections for 7th National Conference, Wed Dec 2, 6.30pm, Resistance Centre, 23 Abercrombie St, Chippendale. Come along and vote for your delegates to conference. The Socialist Alliance National Executive has set a delegate ratio of 1:10. Please check that your membership is current to maximise our branch's delegation.
More information: Peter 9690 1977 or 0401 760 577.

Protest Israel's Vice Prime Minister on his visit to Sydney. 11am Thursday, December 3 Martin Place, Sydney

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=176236173370&mid=163fbe7G2706e0fcG31bdc9bG7

Book Launch and Party: How To Make Trouble. Iain McIntyre and Dave “No War” Burgess and NoToPope Rachel Evans will be there with music by Lee Memorial, The Kleber Claux Memorial Singers and NinetyNine. 8pm-12am Saturday December 5 The Red Rattler Theatre, 6 Faversham Street, Marrickville.