Logan and Albert Conservation Association

HELPING THE ANIMALS AFFECTED BY 'NATURAL' DISASTER

The flooding in Queensland has been pretty devastating - thousands of families have lost homes or possessions. If you'd like to donate money or supplies, please do so here: http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

The losses of pets, farm animals and wildlife remain untold. Continual emergency broadcasts are urging South-East Queenslanders to seek higher ground amidst further devastating rises in flood levels, but for millions of animals in affected regions there can be little or no warning. Animals Australia gives coverage here

Wildlife  pets and farm animals also need our help. If you'd like to help buy supplies and food for displaced animals, please do so here: https://donate.rspcaqld.org.au/flood. to support services organised by RSPCA for domestic animals, farm animals and our native wildlife. Please read this page to see how much various items cost.

RSPCA's Townsville and Fairfield Shelters sent crates to help authorities deal with domestic pets stranded in Theodore and  have now set up a temporary Shelter at the evacuation centre at Central Queensland University. They have also set up a data base of foster carers in the area who can look after pets and livestock during the crisis. There are three Inspectors plus a boat and a volunteer ambulance devoted to animal rescues. To date their efforts have been encouraging, particularly in regard to livestock and native wildlife

Queensland Wildlife Rehabilitators Council QWRC have wildlife rehabilitators who have been affected by the floods with many who are currently isolated and unsure of when they can get supplies in. In addition, power outages may cause loss of food stocks for wildlife in care - with more animals coming into care. Should any rehabilitator be in need of assistance please contact your local QWRC representative or the QWRC Chair Annie Saunders (Ph 07 4975 6281) who will do all in their power to get you the assistance required.QWRC is continuing to monitor the flood situation across QLD as it relates to wildlife and wildlife rehabilitators.

A trust fund is set up to receive donations. Donations can be made to the wildlife disaster relief fund by direct deposit to the QWRC Trust Fund account BSB 814-282 and account number 30932248 using your surname as a reference. QWRC will ensure all funds are distributed where they are most needed.

Wildcare Australia Inc is a non-profit organization located in South East Queensland dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of native wildlife and then release once fully rehabilitated. Be prepared and if you find wildlife in distress please find comprehensive information on this website on how you can assist the animal in need. The home page of Wildlife Australia also explains several ways for you to help financially during this flood crisis situation. Many wildlife volunteers are directly impacted by the floods as well as the wildlife already in care.  Emergency Hotline - 24 hours / 7 days 07 5527 2444.

Donate to Koalas, Pademelons, Gliders, Birds......Who really cares?  Go to this page to make donations to Wildcare Australia.

The images of the devastating floods in Queensland and other areas of Queensland and  Australia have shocked the world. Three quarters of the state of Queensland, an area the size of France and Germany, is under water and some 31 towns including our capital city Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Dalby and others in South East Queensland  have been inundated.
Tens of thousands of people have lost their homes, their businesses and lives have been lost. Surviving victims have described the floods at Toowoomba as "an inland Tsunami", "a devastating wall of water" and "an angry force of nature".

Donations are being accepted to help the many human victims through the Queensland Premier's Department. Go to: http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html  for more information.
Damages from the floods are impacting every aspect of life in the area including access to clean water and food and shelter, food production and, ironically, coal mining – Queensland's largest primary industry.

Xiang et al. show that in a Chinese village in an area endemic for fluorosis that the higher the fluoride in the children's blood the lower the IQ of the children studied. Pre-published by Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) on Dec 17, 2010. Fluoride Action Network FAN's Press Release: Fluoride in Water Linked to Lower IQ in Children can be read here.

The whole peer reviewed research article publihed online at EHP can be read and downloaded here. EHP is a publication of the U.S. government. Publication of EHP lies in the public domain and is therefore without copyright.

 To be completed

Research findings of effects of Fluoride are reported worldwide - more warnings of deleterious harm from over dose.

In today's society with greater access to information becoming better informed is relatively easy. It is also easier to publish in our digital world - but care is always  needed to verify the credentials of those who publish and who benefits from disclosure - or non disclosure of information.

 Professor Paul Connett states that without studies to investigate and validate all safety concerns there is no assurity. Authorities made decisions which have not been based on sound science. If you don't look you don't find the connections between fluoride and public heath concerns. The practice of fluoridation has been and is being protected before public health.

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS for PEOPLE

International Year of Forests, 2011 (Forests 2011) website, is a global platform to celebrate people's action to sustainably manage the world's forests. The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. Here, you will find information regarding events being organised throughout the International Year as well as interactive web tools and resources to promote dialogue on forests.

300 million of the world's people live in forests.

Forests cover 31% of or planets land.

80% of terrestial biodiversity live in the forests.

Forest products trade is valued at over $320 billion.

The world's forests provide livlihood food and shelter and are responsible for cleaning our air and the water cycle which recycles the earth's water. They are invaluable to mankind for providing an environment where in we can thrive. Man has yet to learn within the parameters of the global system to live in harmony with nature - using her bounty in a sustainable manner. Other species with whom we share the forest ar part if the interrelated connection of all species.

Yet despite what we know now about the richness and riches of the world's forests there are some - large corporations - who with government support and license continue to exploit those resources without paying the real costs.

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS for PEOPLE and the International Forest Film Festival aims to raise awareness on the importance of forests, their relationship with people and the planet we share, and consequently, to inspire a sense of personal responsibility/stewardship for a greener, more equitable, sustainable future.

Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pest control, and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity and control pests. This however is achieved by excluding the use of synthetic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides; plant growth regulators, livestock feed additives, and genetically modified organisms. Organic farming benefits from the recycling and use of natural products. By supporting local, sustainable and organic farms in your local community you also support the larger community of which we are all a part. Organic farming is the way forward towards a healthier life and a cleaner environment. Words from Navdanya's Diary.

This journal is following the global situation relating to the food crisis, food security, impact of industrial agriculture on biodiversity and places our local - South East Queensland and nationally - food situation within the global context. This online journal by respected Indian scientist and

Give Mother Earth A Chance

Dr Vandana Shiva is a physicist, environmental activist, author and eco-feminist. Speaking at the Sydney Opera House for the City of Sydney Peace Prize she delivers an incredible and inspirational lecture - online video here - Give Mother Earth A Chance. LACA members and supporters will be inspired . Watch here.

"If commerce starts to undermine life support, then commerce must stop, because life has to carry on." This is the central premise of Dr Vandana Shiva's passionate address in which she lambasts global corporations for waging war against nature in the name of profits. Shiva argues that when commonly used agricultural herbicides have names like "Round Up", "Squadron", "Avenge", one can see there is war being waged against nature...and the humans are winning at the cost of their own future. To Vandana Shiva, fighting for peace for 'Mother Earth' is the broadest peace movement we can engage in.

She calls for a form of 'Earth Democracy', that re-imagines the biosphere as a citizen, that has universal rights that need protecting and defending.

Vandana Shiva : Sydney Peace Prize Talk from WisdomKeepers Productions on Vimeo.

A world-renowned environmental leader and recent recipient of the  2010 Sydney Peace Prize, Vandana Shiva is at the forefront of the global Environmental and Earth Justice Movement. Dr.Shiva is the author of many books, including Earth Democracy, Water Wars, and Staying Alive. She brings a vital, passionate voice and practical solutions to the most important issues of our times.  With Soil Not Oil, Vandana Shiva connects the dots between industrial agriculture and climate change. Shiva shows that a world beyond dependence on fossil fuels and globalization is both possible and necessary. Unwavering and truly visionary, Soil Not Oil proposes a solution based on self-organization, sustainability, and local community rather than corporate power and profits.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade The Honourable Stephen Robertson has recently announced new laws to reform the way Queensland Urban Utilities, Unitywater and Allconnex Water deal with their customers. 

A new ombudsman service for water bill complaints also has been created

Read what the minister has announced here.

Mr Robertson said customers not happy with water bills could access a new Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland from 1 January 2011.

Many residents of Logan have voiced their concerns about water charges and are very unhappy with the response from Allconnect as Jimboomba Times records in letters to the editor.

Yeerongpilly transit oriented development may provide some useful information for the Greater Flagstone area residents - may being the operative word. The Yeerongpilly TOD Concept Plan of Development supporting report outlines how the Yeerongpilly TOD may be developed over the next five to ten years and sets out strategies for various aspects such as transport, community development and environmental sustainability.

See the concept plan here.  HAVE YOUR SAY.

The difference between Yeerongpilly and Greater Flagstone is that the former is to be built in an area which has already been developed - while Greater Flagstone is termed greenfield which means that there is currently no major development there. In order to 'manage growth' government prefers large landholders. Since these large landholders have been landbanking for future development - and financial gain.