Logan and Albert Conservation Association
Redlands Council has made its submission and encourages residents to make submissions to the Queensland Government on outstanding issues in the draft SEQ Regional Plan. See here
SHOULD LOGAN CITY AND SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCILS SHARE THEIR VIEWS AS OPENLY WITH RESIDENTS? Tell me if I missed the information on councils' websites. The same issues exist in Logan Scenic Rim Region and all SEQ council areas. What submission will council make to state government on our behalf? Do they know what our vision is?
A special general meeting of Redland City Council held on 10 March 2009 identified the following as key issues that remain to be addressed in the draft plan.
'Towards a Global Green Recovery', produced on behalf of the German Foreign Office, was written by Ottmar Edenhofer, co-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and Nicholas Stern, chair of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK. Stern's message for G20 summit is clearly that stimulus packages must focus more resources on clean energy and averting climate change. Nature.com news reports here and has link to report document.
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
EXTRA TIME FOR SEQ REGIONAL PLAN SUBMISSIONS
South East Queenslanders have an extra month to provide feedback on the draft SEQ Regional Plan 2009 – 2031.
New date Friday May 1, 2009
Read the press release here. This has come about because a significant number of people and groups have asked for this to occur. We expressed concern for unavailability of essential documents and also lack of 'consultation' opportunity during the election period. While it is less than requested, we thank the new Minister for Infrastructure and Planning The Honourable
Those groups asking for genuine protection of natural resouces - flora and fauna, water and air, sustainable development and population targets believe that rhetoric does not match reality ie the government documents acknowledge these principles but are not walking the talk yet.
The draft South East Queensland Regional Plan can be viewed at: www.dip.qld.gov.au or at Council chambers.
Given a choice would you stop the State Government from massively increasing South East Queensland's population?
Use this link to Queensland Conservation Council's online submission form and have your say.
The State Government's Draft South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-31 responds to development industry pressure by forcing 735,000 new dwellings to be built for another 1.3 million people, bringing South East Queensland's 'target' population to 4.4 million (the size of Sydney!) by 2031 or sooner. These dwellings are to be built on remaining open land /greenfield sites and squeezed into existing urban areas. South East Queensland is already under huge stress; another 1.3 million people will worsen the problems already threatening our quality of life:
Remember, personalised submissions get more attention. To edit your submission and add your own points just place your cursor either before or after the main text and type in normally. Your points will be a part of your submisson. Go to QCC Queensland Conservation Council website here to make your online submission http://qccqld.org.au/SEQ_submission.html
Send your submission by 3rd of April for your voice to be heard
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe Tuesday, March 31, 2009 announced the public consultation period has been extended to 1 May instead of closing of this Friday.
Population: The elephant in the room viewpoint expressed by John Feeney in BBC article which looks at the global population situation raises similar concerns of carrying capacity at the global level.
"Our inability to live as we do, at our current numbers, without causing pervasive environmental degradation is the very definition of carrying capacity overshoot."
An alliance of environmental and community groups wants South-East Queensland residents to demand the State Government stop destroying the region's environment and quality of life with huge population increases.
This SEQ regional plan submission coupon has appeared in SEQ newspapers. You can clip and send the coupon too. 
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Under the State Government's Draft SEQ Regional Plan 2009-31, the population of the region would swell by another 1.3 million people within 20 years - to the same size as Sydney.
'This massive planned increase in population will condemn SEQ to an ever-worsening quality of life and eliminate any chance we might have of living sustainably,' said Simon Baltais, spokesperson for the alliance of groups that includes the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, Sustainable Population Australia, the Nerang Community Association, Queensland Conservation Council, ( LACA is a member of QCC). Sunshine Coast Environment Council, Gold Coast & Hinterland Environment Council (Gecko) and the Community Alliance for Responsible Planning (CARP) Redlands.
'The numbers proposed under the draft plan will bring SEQ's total population to 4.4 million,' Mr Baltais said. 'This draft plan will push another 750,000 dwellings into existing urban areas and wildlife-friendly greenfield sites.
Queenslanders have until Friday 3 April to respond to the Draft SEQ Regional Plan 2009-2031.
Some groups eg GECKO have written to the new Ministers: Minister for Infrastructure and Planning The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe and Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability The Honourable Kate Jones to request an extension and delay of the implementation of the Plan until some issues have been resolved -
Read Gecko's letter here. 
gecko_request_seqrp_rewrite.doc 43.00 Kb 31/03/2009, 19:16
You could base your own letter on this example.
An example of a Properly Made Submission to Draft SEQ Regional Plan 2009-31 for Redlands is available here properly_made_submission_regional_plan_2009_redlands.doc 68.00 Kb 28/03/2009, 15:44 for your perusal and adaption to suit your area and concerns. Many of our concerns are common to many areas.
Much of PNG's forests remain unexplored, and have been kept in pristine condition thanks to the care of the local tribes who inhabit them.
"Their intimate knowledge of and stewardship over a large tract of this vast upland wilderness has led to conservation of their wildlife and environment," said Bruce Beehler from Conservation International.
The tribes rely on the wilderness for hunting as well as gathering forest products, and the region provides fresh drinking water to thousands of people living in the Enga Southern Highlands as well as Western and Saudaun provinces.
Click on the frog image to see other photos on National Geographic website and read about those species. Uniquely adapted to their habitat, females lay their eggs underneath river stones, and tadpoles have mouths that can suction onto slippery rocks.
Other new species include jumping spiders, a striped gecko, and a tiny chirping frog. More than 600 species, old and new, were documented during the expedition into the vast Kaijende uplands, one of the Papua New Guinea's largest mountainous wilderness areas. The forests also are significantly critical as they absorb large amounts of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, and this absorbsion helps with slowing global warming.
However, deforestation has been occuring and is reported in this National Geographical story. Satellite images from 1998 and 2008 depict this clearly and according to a study of three decades of satellite imagery 8 million hectares of forest were lost between 1972 and 2002.
Join the fight against climate change and convince the government to act, writes Simon Sheikh.
At other times in our history, youth have been the vanguards of movements that have changed the world. Climate change is quickly becoming the hottest issue for young people and youth are poised to lead the way once again.
Power Shift 2009 is Australia's first national youth climate summit. You can join Simon Sheikh at the event in Sydney this July. The music industry has joined his GetUp organisation in throwing their weight behind the event. So far bands like the Cat Empire, Regurgitator, Blue King Brown, Skipping Girl Vinegar, Mr Percival and many more have come on board to support the event. Check out powershift.org.au for all the details.
Right now youth have the moment to convince our politicians to aim higher. As they debate how much to reduce our nation's carbon emissions, how much to invest in renewable energies, like wind and solar, and how to help Australians with the transition to a new green economy. Youth are leading the call for strong solutions. Read Simon's article for Earth Hour here in the Sydney Morning Herald. EARTH HOUR 28 MARCH 2009 8.30-9.300 TONIGHT
This classic Dr. Seuss story tells the tale of the Once-ler, an industrious new comer who exploits a beautiful paradise, and the Lorax, who "speaks for the trees, for the trees have no tongues" and warns the Once-ler of the perils of overuse.
"The Lorax" is an engaging and educational tale with a hopeful message for the future. Although it is intended to appeal to younger children its message is one we could all heed. Planet Ark's website contains the 24 minutes cartoon adaptation as part of its promotion for Get Growing on Schools Tree Day, Friday 31st July 2009. The book of The Lorax is published by Random House (ISBN: 0394823370).
There are many useful resources and links for schools - and everyone interested in planting trees.
Vote for the earth on March 28th by turning off the lights for Earth Hour 2009! Now in its third year running, the event is an incredible display of solidarity among the green movement, and this year they're looking for 1 billion participants to turn off their lights next Saturday between 8:30pm and 9:30pm. Don't miss out on this chance to raise awareness for climate change and cast your vote for the earth in the fight against global warming!
THIS IS THE WORLD'S FIRST GLOBAL ELECTION, BETWEEN EARTH AND GLOBAL WARMING.
On March 28 you can VOTE EARTH by switching off your lights for one hour.Or you can vote global warming by leaving your lights on.