Logan and Albert Conservation Association
The Queensland Government's Connecting SEQ 2031 transport plan unveils a sustainable transport vision for the next 20 years - according to Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk and Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace.
This draft document which informed the PARK RIDGE CONNECTOR CORRIDOR Community Stakeholders Reference Group discussions was annouced as policy just before 'whole' community consulation began on the PARK RIDGE CONNECTOR CORRIDOR.
Clearly this proposed new motorway extending south the Gateway Motorway and join the Logan Motorway - both toll roads - the proposed motorway will be a tollroad.
To download a copy of Connecting SEQ 2031, visit the project website at www.connectingseq.qld.gov.au
Connecting SEQ 2031 has established targets for Logan City Council local government area that aim to:
• increase the public transport share of trips from 5.5% in 2006 to 10% in 2031
• increase the share of walking trips from 8.1% in 2006 to 10% in 2031
• increase the share of cycling trips from 0.6% in 2006 to 7% to 2031
• decrease the share of trips by private vehicles from 85.8% to 73%.
VIABLE Park Ridge Connector (PRC) arterial - or not???
What is The Park Ridge Connector (PRC)? See TMR link here for an explanation
What is your vision for South East Queensland - specifically the new Logan area
- listed in government documents as Mt Lindesay North Beaudesert Study Area. It has been and will continue to be subject to processes called "investigation" in various South East Queensland Regional Plans. As a conservation group LACA's major concern is that the landscape is being fragmented into a patchwork mishmash of disconnected bits of bushland - without long term seasonal studies of flora and fauna.
Significant areas of wetlands and regional ecosystems are threathened by these processes and archaic planning processes. To their credit Logan City and Main Roads gathered a Community Stakeholder Reference Group to determine VIABILITY of a road corridor through the new urban area of Park Ridge.
Community feedback is now being sought - without there being any analysis or discussion of the real costs if intact areas of natural environment are destroyed by a clever piece of engineering.
Globally nations have been talking about TEEB - THE ECONOMICS OF ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY and many nations are placing a value on the benefits we receive freely from nature. The loss of functioning biodiversity has not been included in the economic analysis!!
What does viable mean? The CSRG were told - as you are told - we need this motorway to move freight. There are other options - none of which were discussed at CSRG meetings - but should be discussed.
A timely article appears in the current issue of GMAGAZINE - How the Dutch got their cycle paths. Enjoy the video here
Dutch cities could not cope with the traffic, recognized the peak oil situation and economic crisis. People power helped government to acquire A POLITICAL WILL TO CHANGE. Can we take some advise from Ablert Einstein who said
We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them
Check out the refined area of interest for a major motorway at this link
If you are concerned about the nonviabilty of a six lane 100 metre freight road corridor please make that clear on your feedback form.
Consider coming along to a LACA meeting to discuss options and work towards creating a sustainable environment for future generations.
Contact Anne Page President3297 0624 Kathy Faldt Vice President or Ted Fensom from BREC [Brisbane Regional Environment Council] 3801 1208 to discuss your concerns.
It is also important to discuss your concerns with both your local councillor and Logan CEO. Contact also Minister for Roads and Minister for Environment.
The DA reference number is MCUI/1/2011 - an extension for submissions until the Close of Business COB 02/11/2011.
Under the previous Beaudesert Town Plan many igloos appeared almost overnight and caused a great deal of angst in the community. Council deemed it to be an as of right use for owners of rural residential properties to carry out operational works to level land and cover their acreages with plastic constructions for their protected horticulture practices. A community taskforce was established and LACA Logan and Albert Conservation Association was a member of that taskforce.
A reliance on toxic chemicals to manage weeds and pests is one of the biggest concerns that LACA shares with the Safe Living Action Group an alliance of like minded people who care about this issue and are prepared to try and do something about it. The product ROUNDUP is very widely and commonly used - with the unwary accepting that it is safe. It may be safer than some but it is not without its negative impacts. This is just one article about safety issues.
During testing for water safety no chemicals registered for use on crops being grown in igloos were found in water tanks on properties adjacent to those igloos. The only chemical found was related to use in another industry. Recently in the Greenbank area many bird deaths have occurred. Both Biosecurity and DERM were called in and a deregistered chemical - known to kill birds has been identified as FENTHION included in this report from NTN and WWF on page 8.
The use - legal or indiscriminate of such toxic chemicals - harmful to both human and native species in not acceptable in any area of Logan - or any residential living area globally. All industries wanting to rely on dangerous chemicals should not be allowed near human settlement or environmentally sensitive areas of our city. Logan 2026 City Directions aspires to be a clean green city known for its stewardship of the natural environment and reduced pollution.
Can we be excused for believing that if we or our farmers can freely buy products to use to clean our houses, grow our food, manage pests and weeds they are safe to use? There are many products previously registered for use and sale that have been withdrawn because community action has led to reviews. Globally there are now many watchdog groups which monitor toxicity levels and impact on humans.
It is unfortunate that the process of removing toxic chemicals and processes is long and tedious. In Australia we have the The National Toxics Network (NTN). Read about it here.
NTN support communities involved in hazardous waste management, pesticides and environmental health issues. Committee members are involved in a range of national advisory bodies including the Hazardous Waste Reference Group, the Stockholm Stakeholders Reference Group, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) Community Engagement Forum and Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority APVMA committees.
There is currently a petition to Hon. Julia Gillard MP, The Prime Minister of Australia and Senator the Hon. Joe Ludwig MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and an open letter to support the Australian Government's intention to introduce reforms to better protect human health and the environment and strongly urge governmeny to deliver a strengthened regulatory framework that truly results in improved protection for all Australians and our environment.
CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE TO SIGN THE PETITION. WHY SHOULD YOU?
• More than 80 of the pesticides registered in Australia are no longer authorised in Europe
• At least 17 pesticides registered for use in Australian agriculture are known, likely or probable carcinogens, and 48 are potential hormone disruptors
• 8 chemicals with known safety risks have been under review by our regulator for more than 13 years, some for more than 15 years
• Over 40 chemicals have been nominated for review because of concerns about their safety.
LOCALLY
- LETS AVOID TOXIC CHEMICALS
- LOOK FOR CLEANER SOLUTIONS
- BUY LOCALLY PRODUCED PESTICIDE FREE FOOD FROM LOCAL MARKETS
- ENCOURAGE FOOD PRODUCERS TO GROW ORGANICALLY and SUSTAINABLY
- COMMUNICATE OUR VISION TO THOSE MAKING DECISIONS FOR OUR FUTURE
- HAVE A SAY IN ALL FORUMS
Residents are asked to participate in the Logan City Council's phone-in and web-based community koala survey on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October 2011
Report Your Wildlife Sightings here
Council would appreciate any sightings (or evidence) of threatened or locally significant wildlife you may have encountered in Logan, by submitting the following sighting details. You may also provide records of any deceased animals, such as roadkill animals, as this information is also important.
For the phone-in survey, please call 07 3820 1103 between 8am and 5pm to record your sightings from the weekend.
Information that we will be collecting on the day includes sex, health, location, behaviour and the trees species in which it is located. This information will help us obtain local data about koala distribution and inform planning and management. Of course if you do not know all of this, LOCATION is most important - other details help paint a better picture.
Thanks for helping with wildlife sightings - at all times.
The koala in the image above Babe was rescued from dogs in the Jimboomba area 2009. Legislation requires the koala to be released in the same general area after recovery. Read some of Babe's story here.
Teviot Downs residential DA declared a 'controlled action'.
A decision on 12th October last week by the Federal Government on the Teviot Downs residential DA has declared it a 'controlled action'. This means that the proposed development now requires assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act ( EPBC Act) before it can proceed.
The controlling provisions included were listed threatened species and communities ( section 18 and 18A EPBC Act) and Commonwealth land ( sections 26 and 27A in the EPBC Act) . One of the threatened species of significance in the area around the proposed Teviot Downs residential estate is the federally endangered spotted tail quoll.
The Federal government will now assess the preliminary documentation for the proposed development and the Federal Environment Minister, Mr Tony Burke, will make a decision on whether to not approve, approve or approve the proposed development with conditions.
LACA's President, Anne Page, welcomed the decision by the Federal government. She said, "The spotted tail quoll is listed as an endangered species under the EPBC Act. Residents continue to report sightings of quolls in our local area and this decision highlights the importance of residents reporting wildlife sightings in our local area."
COAL SEAM GAS PROTEST IN THE PADDOCK
BEAUDESERT SUNDAY 16 October
NATIONAL PROTEST DAY - PROTECT OUR WATER
WHERE - 180 - 208 Brisbane St 9 vacant land opposite Beaudesert High School Car parking at Westerman Park and walk to gate from there.
TIME - meet at 10.30 am for 11 am (helicopter flyover time to be confirmed)
LOCK THE GATE SIGNS - can be purchased from video store in Beaudesert near Coles or at the Solar Shop
BANNER - MAKE YOUR OWN - JOIN WITH FRIENDS - MARK OUT LAND WITH LIME
There will be a helicopter flyover to capture the protest for national press.
RSVP - please reply by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are hoping to attend this protest site
Click on image to find out who our heroes are hanging the banner from Mt French.
There have been no surveys to determine density and / or health of koalas in Scenic Rim area.
KOALAS NOT COAL!!
COAL AND COAL SEAM GAS INDUSTRY ARE PUBLIC ENEMIES NUMBER ONE WITH REGARD TO HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING.
Report of the Senate Inquiry into Koalas
The Report of the Senate Inquiry into Koalas, The koala – saving our national icon, was finally tabled in Federal Parliament on 22 September. It is a very readable document and its nineteen recommendations provide a sound framework for important first steps in improving the chances of saving koalas in areas where their numbers have declined significantly.
Minister Burke says he also welcomes the Report and that he will be working through the Committee's recommendations as well as the extensive assessment undertaken by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee and comments from the public in his own assessment of whether or not to list the Koala under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. While the situation is complex, we believe the Act does lend itself to a vulnerable listing in areas where koala populations have declined significantly or are at risk of doing so.
We call on Minister Burke to find a way to do the right thing and list.
The recommendations can be read here
Of particular importance is Recommendation 17
5.82 The committee recommends the Environment Minister consider options to improve the conservation status of the diverse and rapidly declining koala populations in New South Wales and Queensland to ensure a nationally resilient population is maintained. These options include listing the koala as vulnerable under the EPBC Act in areas where populations have declined significantly or are at risk of doing so.
UNLESS THERE IS FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT REQUIRES ALL ACTIVITIES WITH POTENTIAL TO IMPACT NEGATIVELY OF THE SURVIVAL OF THE KOALA IN ITS NATURAL HABITAT BE REFERRED FOR FEDERAL JURISDICTION LACA FEARS THAT KOALAS WILL VANISH FROM THE LANDSCAPE OF SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND.
Current Queensland Policy is smoke and mirrors with most developments ULDA TMR road power water infrastructure being interested only in the lowest cost for their 'job'. Future health and wellbeing of any wildlife is not part of the cost of the activity. There have been no detailed seasonal study for any fauna or flora - apart from Melaleuca Irbyana . Claims are being made that species are locally extinct - at the same time residents are reporting active koala movements.
Image above clearly shows a koala crossing the open land on property behind me. My unmowed native grass paddock would prevent me from seeing a koala crossing. Your sightings are invaluable as data to protect our wildlife.
October 16th National Day - Protesters on Peaks
Coal Seam Gas and coal mining threaten the Scenic Rim
Mega Quarries and other industrialised infrastructure are also signigicant threats to the quiet peaceful rural amenity that makes the Scenic Rim Region an eco tourism destination.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO LEFT TO SEE ABSEILORS INSTALLING THE BANNER FROM THE TOP OF MT FRENCH - as seen on Channel 7 news.
Visit website http://www.keepthescenicrimscenic.com/ to join movement, support in any way - stay in touch with the action!
GREENBANK QUOLL WORKSHOP INFO DAY
Wildlife Queensland would like to invite you to a special Quoll Seekers Network event!
What: Quoll Discovery Day
When: Sunday 30 October 2011 from 10am - 1.00pm
Where: Greenbank Sport and Recreation Club, 720 Middle Rd, Greenbank, Logan City, south of Brisbane.
Who: Leading quoll researcher Dr Scott Burnett; QSN project officer, Alina Zwar and a live quoll or 2 with Martin Fingland from Geckoes Wildife Presentations.
Why: To share knowledge about local quoll sightings and find out how to get involved with the surveys.
RSVP by 24 October to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone Alina or Ewa on 3221 0194.
The spotted-tailed quoll is a cryptic creature - unlike its northern cousin which is highly visible in its habits and habitat close to humans. Our local quoll has been unseen in this area for over 70 years until road kill was taken by a local cyclist to the Queensland museum for identification a few years ago. This was positively identified as spotted-tailed quoll. Not a lot is really understood about these local wildlife creatures except that they are extremely elusive and shy. They are carnivorous, feed on road kill and have become road kill, are great climbers and are attracted to chickens, which has also lead to their death by angry farmers before they were listed as nationally endangered by the federal government under the EPBC Act.
Unfortunately there are many threats to the long term survival of many of our local wildlife within the bushland areas of Logan. Loss of habitat is the greatest threat as we clear bushland without adequate flora and fauna studies. There is as yet no legislated necessity for adequate connected core habitat to be conserved. Wild dogs and foxes - and our baiting methods to controll them are also a threat. The introduced cane toad also causes death of quolls.
ADOPT-A-QUOLL program offers one way to help. Find out about it here.