Logan and Albert Conservation Association
In 2004 the Mount Lindesay North Beaudesert Study Area (MLNBSA) was identified for investigation for increased human settlement. Logan and Albert Conservation members have been actively involved in asking to access for background studies and documents that may show support local council support for development in this area and also the onground biodiversity studies to show the existance of wildlife and their essential habitat.
Before 2004 we believe there was no study done to suggest Mount Lindesay North Beaudesert Study Area be included in investigation for increased human settlement. Yarrabilba a Delfin project was in discussion with Beaudesert Shire Council
Despite there being a RTI - Right to Information process LACA has not yet obtained copies of studies produced for Beaudesert Council at $4000000 cost to ratepayers. In fact SRRC and Logan Council both quibble about ownership of documents - and commercial in confidence.
Scenic Rim Council even in 2010 voted to NOT DISCLOSE TO LACA the NAMES of the documents.
These notes are taken from a paper written by David Cole and available from EDO Australian Network of Environmental Defenders Offices Inc (ANEDO).
Any member of the public can get initial free advice from the EDO. Development applications, tree preservation, air, water and noise pollution, forestry, mining, contaminated land, wildlife protection and environmental impact assessment are all areas in which EDOs can help.
The Concept
The precautionary principle in the context of environmental protection is essentially about the management of scientific risk. It is a fundamental component of the concept of ecologically sustainable development (ESD) and has been defined in Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration (1992)[1]:
Where there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation.
It has generally been accepted to include actions by regulators such as the use of statutory powers to refuse environmental approvals to proposed developments or activities
david_cole_on__precautionary_principle_EDO.pdf 122.84 Kb 12/03/2011, 14:39 [1] United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio, 1992 (the "Rio Declaration").
FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY COSTS NEED ALSO TO INCLUDE LONG TERM HEALTH IMPACTS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
HOW CLEAN AND GREEN ARE WE? How do we maintain and improve on what we have?
We humans are not always aware when we are being exposed to toxic chemicals that are polluting our air. We in SEQ South East Queensland especially in Scenic Rim and the south-western bushier vegetated areas of Logan City enjoy the benefits of clean healthy air - maintained freely by our planet earth's ecosysyems. People of Jimboomba and Flagstone are familiar with odiforous vapours which blow in from industry in Beaudesert. Visual pollution to the natural environment as this aerial view of some ecological devestation in Hunter Valley NSW has more hazardous impacts to humans - and other creatures.
International expert Dr Dick van Steenis is our very special guest at our
Expert and Community Forum on the Human Health Impacts of Open-Cut Coal Mining and Coal-Seam Gas Mining
Beaudesert on this Friday 18 March 2011
This is a great opportunity to hear from and ask questions of Dr Dick van Steenis, the author of the UK Coal Health Study www.coalhealthstudy.org
Other speakers are Drew Hutton from the National Lock the Gate Campaign who will provide a broad picture of coal and coal seam gas development in Queensland, Dr Sandra Bayley from Doctors for Science, Sustainability and Social Justice who will talk about the impacts of coal-seam gas water contaminants and the impacts on human health and Emma Kate Rose with Food Connect who will speak on the impacts on food production, and food safety. After hearing from a spokesperson from Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic who will talk about the campaign to protect the Scenic Rim, the evening with close with a question and answer session with the expert panel.
Centacare St Mary's
Petersen Street Beaudesert
6.15 for 6.30 pm start
light supper - gold coin entry
RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 5541 3426
GREENBANK people power - sign the E-petition
Governments - Queensland Government especially with the SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND REGIONAL PLAN SEQRP have been writing and talking about ecologically sustainable development ESD and sustainability.
The eight hundred local residents who gathered on the grounds at Greenbank - outside the hall - to hear CEO for ULDA Mr Paul Eagles and his chief planner Steve Connor appreciate the time given by these busy men to listen to our community concerns. That is also a huge contribution from the local citizens to help our planners developers and government achieve the best possible outcome for our global community.
However using a word or expresion to describe an activity doen't make it so. In 1992, the Commonwealth Goverment offered its own definition of ESD
Ecologically sustainable development is using, conserving, and enhancing the community's resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased.
This description can in no way be applied to the current high density housing proposal which may / may not be appoved before any semblance of community engagement with freedom to access background studies ground truthed and peer reviewed by local specialists.
ULDA is coming to Greenbank 9 March 2011
Why don't we all wear GREEN shirts for the meeting on 9th March to show the ULDA that we are a UNITED community standing as ONE?
This is a real indication of PEOPLE POWER and the hard yards being covered by the community and team leading.
Previously ULDA were unwilling to meet with the community - we have persuaded them to come and listen to us.
WE MUST ENSURE THEY TAKE COPIOUS NOTES - IF NOT THEY ARE NOT LISTENING!
Join FACEBOOK support the campaign and meet other locals
Contacting our political representatives in all levels of government - local state and federal - is important.
Their contact details are here at http://www.savegreenbank.com.au/page1.php
MASCOT Tevvy is still advertising acreage living and space?
See you at the meetings. Well done team!
LACA submission to the Senate Inquiry for koalas
Inquiry into the status, health and sustainability of Australia's koala population
sub49_SENATE_koala_inquiry2011.pdf 02/03/2011, 14:39 
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.