Featured Events
Events hosted by the ASF Conservation Commission. Recordings available here for download
Renewable Energy, The Nullarbor and Deep Decarbonisation
How do you answer questions of environmental costs and energy production as Australia moves from fossil fuels to renewables? Using the planned industrialisation of the Nullarbor, via a hydrogen project using wind and solar, as a case study, Mr Patrick Larkin will explore some options.
Patrick Larkin is an SC, practicing in NSW, and has worked in the areas of environmental, corporate, and administrative law over the decades. He is a speleologist and thus brings a unique view to these ethical issues.
Join us to find how we protect the largest arid karst region in the world - the Nullarbor, and if the planned energy project is worth it.
Tue, 17 June, 8pm - 9.30pm ACST
Winning in an Unfair System: The Implications of Yessabah Caves Campaign.
Why did the mining company David Mitchell-Melcann decide to mine at Yessabah Hill using without an environmental impact assessment?
Why did members of the Australian Speleological Federation take the company to court?
At left: a Map of the Yessabah mining lease in 1986 showing Yessabah Bat cave and other cave entrances.
Source: R.A.L Osbourne.
Find out what happened and why it is important.
Tue, 6 May, 8pm - 9pm ACST
Water in an Arid Land: the Nullarbor's Groundwater
Professor John Webb, Latrobe University, talks about the Nullarbor's groundwater, Taking us on a journey from the north of the Plain where the water is drinkable, to the Roe Plain, where it's salter than seawater.
A joint presentation by the Conservation Commission of the Australian Speleological Federation and the Victorian Speleological Association
A retrospective of cave and karst exploration
For the past 20 years the Victorian Speleological Association has explored the Nullarbor Plain. What did they find, and why is it important for all of us to know about this iconic region of Australia?
20 Years on the Nullarbor
What do we value? The Nullarbor, On the Line
Film Screening: "On the Line, Nullarbor"
It's a 5min documentary narrated by Dr Richard ‘Harry’ Harris SC, OAM that explores the beauty and fragility of the Nullarbor caves and karst system, and the urgent need for its protection.
Followed by Panel Discussion
This was an ONLINE Event: The film and discussion are now available to download on Vimeo
Watch the 5 minute film on YouTube
Panel Discussion
Engage with leading experts in speleology, conservation, and environmental science as they discuss the challenges and strategies for safeguarding the Nullarbor.
Dr Matej Lipar: Head of the Physical Geography Department of the Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Slovenia. Topic: The Evolution of the Nullarbor’s Arid Karst & its Caves over the last 15 million years.
Dr Liz Reed, Senior Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide. Topic: Beneath the Nullarbor: cave records of lost biodiversity.
Dr Clare Buswell: Chair, Conservation Commission, of the Australian Speleological Federation. Topic: What Matters, Jobs , Growth and Energy or Caves and Karst?
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The ASF acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of the land, rivers, and sea on which we live, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge and respect the deep spiritual connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to Country, especially to caves.
email: asf.caves.conservation@gmail.com
