The Lithgow Environment Group seeks to preserve the balance of nature in our region.

This is especially important given the impacts of the area's industrial heritage.

The Lithgow region contains some of the most biodiverse bushland in the Greater Blue Mountains.

We would like to promote this rich natural heritage, especially given that it has often been under recognised.

Here's more about LEG - its meetings and activities

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The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the NSW energy from waste framework.

Energy from waste options paper

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has progressed a review of the energy from waste framework for the NSW Government and identified potential changes to the framework.

Their new paper outlines options and invites your views on them. Feedback on these potential changes will help the NSW Government to decide on any changes to the energy from waste framework.

They are seeking feedback on three key areas in this waste framework:

1. Changes to precincts;
2. Changes to the definition of ‘thermal treatment;
3. Changes to exceptions for powering onsite industrial or manufacturing processes;

NSW energy from waste framework review | NSW Environment Protection Authority

Energy from Waste - options paper

Have your say online

If you would prefer to provide feedback by email, send your submission to energyfromwaste@epa.nsw.gov.au

Consultation period: 25 February until 8 April 2025

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We can reveal that one of NSW’s biggest mining companies, Centennial, has been storing wastewater from coal mine operations and is seeking permission to dump it in pristine waterways leading to Warragamba Dam.

For more information see the NCC petition and our Mine Watch webpage.

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Lithgow Environment Group acknowledges the scientific credibility of the independent CSIRO and AEMO and agrees with their conclusion that renewable energy, not nuclear, is the way for future power generation.

For more information see our Nuclear Watch webpage.

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Here's Mark's presentation

This was a FREE community event

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For more information and to get your tickets

Here it is on Facebook

This is a FREE community event

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For more information and to get your tickets

Here it is on Facebook

This is a FREE community event

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For more information and to RSVP

Here's a brochure

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In 2019/2020 twelve air pollution monitors in Lithgow & the Blue Mountains gave vital real time readings on the web to everybody in the community.

Over 500 signatures were collected on a petition submitted to Parliament on our behalf by Member for the Blue Mountains Trish Doyle, calling for the program to be extended beyond the initial 12 months.

Now, after a 5 year campaign by the Blue Mountains Unions & Community (BMUC), you can quickly find out the real time quality of the air you breathe via PurpleAir monitors installed across the mountains and around Lithgow using the PurpleAir map.

Bush fire smoke is a known killer. Across the country, more than 400 people died and over 4,000 people were admitted to hospital suffering the effects of bush fire smoke during the Black Summer fires.

There are four live sites in the Lithgow area.

• Portland
• Greenspot Wallerawang
• the UWS Transformation Hub (cnr of Mort St & Bridge St, Lithgow)
• Dargan.

Note. A reading of 0-50: Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk with 24 hours of exposure.

Contact for more Information: Blue Mountains Planetary Health - Ann-Maree McEwan on 0434 180 721 or Blue Mountains Union Council - Peter Lammiman on 0410 153 157.

More about Purple Air Monitors

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Lithgow Community Power Project is hosting an information session and community discussion on Thursday 22 August, at 6 pm at the Workies.

Chaired by David Peters from Lithgow/Hartley Vale, the event features an outstanding panel of independent experts. Read about them here.

It will be a great opportunity to hear the facts on nuclear and renewable energy alternatives — and therefore the economy, jobs and opportunities. As context, there will be a fascinating case study on reopening the mothballed Lithgow Rail Yards for industries doing innovative work relating to energy and rail transport — the solar tourist train running in Byron was Lithgow designed and made.

We’ll also hear from Hay Council’s Economic Development Manager on how their region has responded so positively to the opportunities of becoming a Renewable Energy zone.

Altogether it should be a great night that people can bring their questions to and get answers.

Here's more information

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Community organisations from the seven regional communities where Peter Dutton proposes to house nuclear reactors today launch a regional community alliance and a joint campaign to say NO to nuclear.

Here's the media release

Here's the petition

Here's more information

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A recent edition of the Lithgow Area Local News carries the story of the Lithgow Environment Group - its history and achievements.

Here's Quintin Handley's story

Lithgow Area Local News is part of a collaboration to reduce the risk of future disasters by expanding local communications – from the Lower Mountains to Lithgow.

This project is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.

Lithgow Area Local News was founded by the registered charity The Big Fix Ltd with funding from Wentworth Healthcare and the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network.

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The Lithgow Environment Group (LEG) conducted its 4^th Eastern Pygmy Possum & Nature Walk in the Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area. The aim of the walk was to monitor the Eastern Pygmy Possum nest tubes installed after the Black Summer bushfires.

LEG and local fauna expert Andrew Lothian shared their knowledge of the native flora and fauna in this area.

The first tube inspected contained an Eastern Pygmy Possum; the last tube a Feathertail Glider.

It was later deduced by Judy Smith, The Australian Museum and Andrew that it was a Narrow-Toed Feathertail Glider. The Broad-toed Feathertail Glider has not been recorded in this particular location.

Another distinguishing feature of the Narrow-Toed Feathertail Glider is the white fringed edges of the tail.

Judy & Peter Smith provided an identification document and commented that "to date, we have records of only the Narrow-Toed Feathertail Glider in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area".

Photos from the day  (photos by Julie Favell)
(click the image to see a larger one)

Eastern Pygmy Possum - 14gm female in good health

The next seven tubes were empty. But the last one contained a male Feathertail Glider also weighing 14gm and in good health.