Logan and Albert Conservation Association
Moratorium on fossil fuel mining call from LOCK THE GATE
An undemocratic process has disenfranchised the Australian people with regards to the development of the coal and unconventional gas mining industries in Australia.
An undemocratic process has disenfranchised the people of Queensland with regards to the development of lands subject only to ULDA APPROVAL.
The LOCK THE GATE Alliance is a national alliance of community, industry and environmental groups and individuals.
The long-term cost of our water, food security and our communities is at risk.
Fossil fuel extraction has a detrimental effect on the health of people and the environment.
Our most productive food production land is at risk. The precautionary principle is not beng applied. What happens to the world's biodiversity?
Read the factsheets to gain a better understanding of processes involved.
What is the real cost of short term economic growth - for overseas investors?
DID YOU HEAR THAT KOALA LAST NIGHT?
A long term resident of Greenbank last night reported hearing the unmistakable calls / grunts of koalas in trees on his property. This information was relayed to me less than 40 minutes after the noisy koala. Evidence available to us that koalas are NOT locally extinct in Greenbank . We were both attending the SAVE GREENBANK CAMPAIGN meeting 23 February2011
If we can prove that our resident Greenbank Jimboomba Flagstone koalas are alive and well we will have a greater chance of delaying inappropriate development.
Many of us have resident koalas that we see but do not report. Please report your sightings to LACA president Anne Page mkpage@bigpond. We have arranged to have our wildlife sightings accepted by DERM and ULDA.
SPOTTED TAILED QUOLL have also been seen in the area. We need to update that data also. GLOSSY BLACK COCKATOOS are another significat species. While all species are important to the survival of the habitat humans also need to have a healthy lifestyle, the more iconic species named carry greater levels of protection.
Carabella Resources Limited’s (www.carabellaresources.com.au/Projects/BarneyViewAndMaroon ) plans to commence coal exploration in the scenic Mt Barney valley at Barney View in 2011 have been exposed this week. Local residents and council were caught completely unaware of the impending plans of this profit-driven shareholder company, who’s ultimate aim is to exploit the finite natural resources of The Scenic Rim.
The planned coal exploration and coal mine is adjacent to World Heritage-listed Mt Barney National Park, and is a designated “National Landscape” and is called “Australia’s Green Cauldron” (this is a Parks Australia and Tourism Australia project ) http://www.australia.com/campaigns/nationallandscapes/AustraliasGreenCauldron.htm
Innes Larkin, owner/operator of Mt Barney Lodge said “Carabella Resources Ltd is planning to explore and potentially mine coal in a region of national significance, it has been listed as the third most biodiverse region in Australia. We intend on sending a clear message to the State Government to protect our shared environmental assets and halt coal exploration immediately”.
TAKE ACTION FOR OUR WILDLIFE TODAY
The biodiversity of SEQ is threatened - and that includes we humans. Our wildlife species need the humans who co-exist with them enjoying the same ecosystem services as the wildlife to speak up and contact the governing authorities.
We need each other to continue to enjoy our healthy lifestyle that is so popular. However, if you do not reduce our damaging impact on the natural environment, then we will destroy what we love. If we do not all tell governments that their planning is inadequate then we will lose our iconic and state emblem - the koala - except perhaps for those born in captivity who are unable to survive in natural bushland areas - like Freckles.
FRECKLES pictured aside attended Logan's LEAF event 2010. She is an ambassador to alert us to the plight of all koalas - especially those in SEQ and in all ULDA areas - Greenbank, North Maclean, Flagstone, New Beith, Yarrabilba, Undalla, Ripley and the whole Scenic Rim area which has other threats - mining and quarrying to support the huge population coming our way. CANBERRA was not planned in 6 months. Business as usual is no longer an option. Consultants for the high density housing proposal at Greenbank suggest that our local koalas are already extinct?
WE know that is not true because we see and hear koalas throughout our area.
WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THE DATA TO ULDA and DERM SO THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO UPDATE ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND STUDIES AS THEY NOW EXIST
Please send your information to LACAs President This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we can collate and forward to ULDA and DERM.
Go through all of your photos so we can produce a gallery of our local wildlife and add to our submissions
Come along to the next public meetings - every Wednesday at Greenbank www.save.greenbank.com.au for details.
Dr. Paul Epstein from the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard’s Medical School has written an article quantifying the true costs of coal in terms of economic, health and environmental impacts. Dr. Epstein’s study details how each stage of coal’s life cycle (extraction, transportation, processing, and combustion) has enormous costs, all of which are directly borne by the public. Notably, the report estimates some $74.6 billion a year in public health costs for Appalachian communities, mainly from increasing healthcare burdens, injury and death.
Beyond the direct health damage coal extraction and burning has on communities, the American public is paying $187.5 billion due to air pollutants, $29.3 billion for mercury poisoning, and anywhere between $61.7 and $205.8 billion for global warming emissions. Although this is an American study we in Australia - and South East Queensland will be bearing similar impacts. Read more about this story or an executive summary here.http://wvgazette.com/static/coal%20tattoo/HarvardCoalReportSummary.pdf
This is timely research as our Queensland Government approves more mining exploration amidst the World Heritage listed Mt Barney. All over South East Queensland mining companies are wanting to extend the exploitation of our areas most valued for the richness of biodiversity. During the 2011 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS for people which seeks to have members of the human species become more aware of our connections with healthy forest systems. Healthy forests equals a healthy life sustaining enviroment for healthy people.
Beyond dollar evaluations, qualitative impacts include harm to air quality,watersheds, land, plants, animals, families and communities. The proposed technology of CCS is costly and risky, and is projected to magnify the ecological and health footprint of coal. The extent of environmental harm is such that instead of more coal mines we should be phasing fossil fuel production out and bringing in renewable non degrading processes - especially where we can apply closed loop cycles - as does nature.
The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) has invested resources in the management and delivery of wildlife and inventory information to its internal and external clients. The Environmental Information Systems Unit is the custodian of the WildNet and Wetland Information Capture System (WIC) applications and works with DERM and external partners for the acquisition and delivery of a range of wildlife and survey information.
The reporting of wildlife - both dead and alive - to DERM IS A CRITICAL ACTION for all citizens to do.
WHY is reporting of wildlife SO IMPORTANT?
Sightings are entered into a data base and are used in DESKTOP STUDIES by consultants researchers and others to help compile environmental assessments that are part of development applications.Sometimes the citizen scientists' wildlife sightings may be the only record.
Wildlife Online allows internet users to request species lists for selected areas, specified points or defined areas. The options include species (all, plant or animal), type (all, native or introduced), status (all or rare and threatened), records (all, confirmed or specimen), date (all or since 1980) and output (pdf or text file).
Species lists for protected areas (national parks, conservation parks and resources reserves), forestry areas (State forests and timber reserves) and Local Government Areas in
Users can also request species lists generated from summarised sighting data for buffered points or defined areas using coordinates (decimal degrees). The submitted requests are processed every 15 minutes and the resultant species lists are sent to the user’s email account as an attachment. The species outputs includes kingdom, class, family, scientific name, common name, introduced flag, NCA status, EPBC Act status, number of records and number of specimens.
For more information about
LACA Logan and Albert Conservation Association strongly urges all new residents in any area to find out what wildlife has been recorded in the area and also to continue to update the online database. This list can also be useful to help you identify a spcies you see in your area. The information has been adapted from a document DERM sent to us. This is that document.
DERM_Internet_Wildlife_Information_Systems012011.doc 113.50 Kb 18/02/2011, 17:34
LACA also has an online form you can fill in which we forward to DERM. Locate this in lefthand column front page. While sightings of koalas are critical because there are some planning regulations that may help - though they are still inadequate - all species are important.
Greenbank citizens win extension - until 15 March 2011
Greenbank community residents held its second meeting Wednesday 16 February 2011. State member for Lockyer IAN RICKUSS MP attended both meetings and urges all citizens to use the power of the people to gain the attention of the state's political leaders.
Channel 7 News provides coverage Thursday 17 February 2011 news.
We were delighted to hear that his representation on community behalf has granted us a two week extension to be better abled to make more and more detailed submissions to ULDA about the Teviot Downs Estate development proposal. Submissions are now due 15 March 2011.
There have been no wildlife surveys conducted by the developer / consultant or ULDA. Development application documents suggest that
koalas in Greenbank area are locally extinct.
RESIDENTS OF GREENBANK FLAGSTONE JIMBOOMBA NORTH MACLEAN CHAMBERS FLAT CEDAR GROVE
know this is NOT TRUE.
We know because we see them, hear them, and have seen and heard them, for many years. However if we have not sent in sightings of wildlife to DERM Department of Environment and Resource Management, that data is not available when desktop studies are done.
Spotted tailed quolls have also been confirmed as being in our area - but not listed in the environmental report for the development. Dr Scott Burnett did a study for Beaudesert Shire Council pre amalgamation. LACA and its members contributed to funding this study - but it is not available to the general public.
Why not? Who owns the study? Is it with other publically funded studies we are unable to access - even with RTI Right to Information process.
If you have not already sent your wildlife sightings in to DERM - or don't know how - contact LACA president Anne Page next meeting 23 February and record your sightings - to be sent to DERM.
Shadow Minister for Planning Lawrence Springborg also attended the public meeting. His advice is for all residents to contact their political representatives and have all extended family and friends to raise this ill-planned proposal with their political representatives. The politicans have the power to change the regulations.
Our job is to make sure they hear what we are saying. Take action. Sign the petition to be tabled in parliament.
Send in a properly made submission. Attend meetings arranged by http://www.savegreenbank.com.au/
Save our local wildlife from extinction. We are all in the one boat. We all benefit from and need the natural environment.
The human species has much to learn to live a truly sustainable life within the resources that are provided on the planet. All species have to breathe drink eat and have shelter. Nature has provided us with opportunities to model our lifestyles without destroying what we enjoy.
Who is listening and watching with an open mind?
Michael Pawlyn delivers his talk : Using nature's genius in architecture here.
There is no waste within nature's ecosysyem services. All products, species have a role to play in a closed loop system. Our throw away - out of sight - out of mind lifestyle is creating many challenging for the global and local human community to research and solve in creative innovative ways. Biomimicy - when we understand the process and system - potentially has answres for us.
Business as usual is not the solution. Rushing in and rebuilding and repeating errors and poor decisions from the past is not the solution.
Michael Pawlyn describes three habits of nature that could transform architecture and society: radical resource efficiency, closed loops, and drawing energy from the sun.
COMMUNITY PLANS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS - state government directive
Queensland Government requires all local councils to consult wih community and produce a document called a community plan. Timeframe for completion is December 2011 - unless council has been granted an extension - as is the case with LOGAN CITY COUNCIL which has until 2013.
SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL is currently collecting your vision for the future. This is where you are invited to have your say.
Concerned Residents Meeting
regarding
Coal Exploration and Mining at Barney View
Beaudesert Times journalist Gary Corbett broke the news on Wednesday last week, that Coal Mining is headed to the Mt Barney region. Carabella Resources Limited is cashed up and they already have State Government Mining Licences to allow Coal exploration within the next few months at Barney View, Maroon, and the western Boonah-Rathdowney Road corridor. If this proves to be worthwhile, mining is the next step.
Information about Mt Barney and Maroon is provided here.
This is of great concern to the environment, farming, tourism, local businesses, reisdents who value the rural charm and values of their chosen lifestyle, and those who live near road corridors. A preliminerary community meeting will be held at Mt Barney Lodge (15 minutes from Rathdowney) which is at the southern end of the investigation area. It will be held at 2pm on Friday 18th February.
The purpose of the meeting is:
All are welcome to attend, and RSVP's or further enquiries should contact info@mtbarneylodge .com.au or 5544 3233.
World Heritage listed Mount Barney National Park values are threatened by incompatible continued mining of fossil fuel. Many local businesses supported Queensland's Carbon Diet to reduce our greenhouse gas output. Granting of such licences is beyond belief with our current knowledge and understanding of the global state ot the environment.