In December news, nature laws enacted, end of year appeal, Food Co-op & Cafe fundraiser day, new Energy Justice collective launch, Djaara worktrip to Wombat forest, 2026 Snow gum summit tix, Forest events, climate strategy response and update, Metro Tunnel review, plus more!
Rounding off 2025 with a huge win for the environment when a deal was finally done to re-write the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. You can read our analysis and response, A big day for nature.
Many thanks for your generous support this year, we couldn’t do it without you! FoE Melb office will be on a break 25 Dec - 4 Jan and enews will be back Feb 2026. Happy holidays!
End of year appeal
With your support Friends of the Earth will continue to be relentless in its ambition and action to build resilient communities in the face of climate change, protect forests, and challenge systems that are eroding environmental and social justice. Bringing accountability and change with a grassroots approach has been the backbone of Friends of the Earth’s success. Please help us continue our work into the next year. You can make a tax deductible donation here.
Food Co-op Market Day Garage Sale Fundraiser & end of year hours
Our Food Co-op and Cafe is hosting a market day and garage sale in store on 13 Dec. We’ll have cakes, flowers, drinks, plants and a special daily lunch bowl with some live music from our volunteers! Come celebrate the end of the year and all our wonderful volunteer contributions with an iced matcha and slice of carrot cake. Drop into 312 Smith Street to join in the fun and support the Food Co-op to keep thriving in 2026! *End of year hours Food Co-op & Cafe: closed Wed 27 Dec, open 29 Dec - 30 Dec 10am-4pm, closed 31 Dec & 1 Jan. Back to normal hours from 9.30am-5pm 2 Jan 2026.
FoE and Protect Our Winters collaborative events report back
Friends of the Earth (FoE) and Protect our Winters (POW) recently collaborated on a series of events in north east Victoria as both groups aim to ramp up their efforts in that part of the state in coming months. Read more & take action.
Join us for our last forest collective meeting of the year at FoE Melb Yami Lester room. Bring a plate to share 12 Dec 4pm-5.30pm RSVP here.
Djaara work trips continue in 2026
Friends of the Earth hosts regular field trips in the Wombat forest with representatives from the Galk-galk Dhelkunya (forest gardening) team of DJAARA. Our approach to their management of the Wombat forest is outlined here.
These work trips are a good chance to meet and chat with members of the team, ask questions about Djaara aspirations for the forest, and contribute some practical solidarity. The worktrips happen at the test site in the Wombat Forest, which is managed by Djaara (just south of Daylesford, near Leonards Hill). The next one will happen on 30 Jan 2026 details & RSVP here. (Please rsvp so we know how many people are attending).
Snow gum summit 2 comes to the Snowy Mountains March 2026
In February, FoE hosted the first ever snow gum summit which delved into how to respond to the twin threats of longer and more intense fire seasons and the spread of dieback. You can read a report on the summit here.
The second summit will happen in Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains over the weekend of March 14 and 15. There is an initial announcement here. Tickets are on sale here.
Energy Justice collective picnic launch 10 Dec 2025
Victoria’s Climate Change Strategy 2026-30 was released by the Victorian Government on 20 November 2025. It sets the state's course for reducing emissions as well as strengthening climate resilience over the next five years. The Strategy has good plans in place to improve the state's climate preparedness, but it is lacking in certain aspects and has seemingly stepped back on building upon the "foundations for transformational adaptation" it supported the laying of in the previous strategy.
We need concrete, clearly laid out Adaptation Action Plans (due in 2026) that implement the recommendations made in the Inquiry into Climate Resilience and ensure the achievement of the immediate and extensive adaptation solutions needed to prepare Victorian communities and keep everyone safe as we adapt to a changing climate. Read Act on Climate's full response.
Read Act on Climate Dec update here.
Metro Tunnel and the western suburbs
The Metro tunnel will increase capacity on the congested Sunbury line, and provide the west a dramatically improved connection to the Parkville hospital precinct and the University of Melbourne, making travel for work and for study vastly easier.
However, whilst the Metro Tunnel will provide some relief for commuters who have been dealing with over-crowded station platforms for years, many across the west will miss out on the new opportunities that the Metro Tunnel provides if the government doesn’t act to make sure people can get to the station without having to drive.
Read more.
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