Logan and Albert Conservation Association
We all need to send this letter - EPBC potential loss
PETITION TO SIGN!
To date the most important piece of legislation in Australia to protect the natural environment from greedy exploitative practices and unsustainable development is the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, EPBC.
It provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places — defined in the EPBC Act as matters of national environmental significance.
Under pressure from big business Federal, State and Territory governments are moving forward with an aggressive plan to wind back our environmental protection laws. By cutting 'green tape', handing important federal approval powers to the states, and fast tracking approvals for large development, federal protection for our most special places and wildlife will be removed, and mining and other destructive development in our forests, woodlands and along our coasts will be accelerated.
History has shown us that the Federal government has a critical role in protecting matters of national environmental significance. Short-sighted development proposals have threatened Australia's natural heritage several times in the past and the Federal government has stepped in to prevent irreversible harm.
Without Federal intervention, the Franklin River would be dammed, there would be oil rigs on the Great Barrier Reef and pristine Shoalwater Bay would be home to a large coal port.
Without Federal protection the KOALA will be doomed to extinction.
The Places You Love campaign was founded by a group of 30 organisations, including HSI concerned with the proposals to wind back our system of environmental laws. We strongly believe that the reforms proposed will set us back decades on hard won protection for our land, water and wildlife
FRIENDS OF THE EARTH have arranged a petition - very easy step to sign to send to Prime Minister Julia Gillard. You might like send to other politicians - by email or snail. Read text of letter you can use or adapt here and
Latest update from RSPCA about
Logan Wildlife Ambulance.
The setup of the Logan Wildlife Ambulance is well underway. A core group of 23 dedicated volunteers have been recruited and have completed their RSPCA volunteer orientation. As soon as the ambulance vehicle is delivered the on-road training of the volunteers will begin - only a week or 2 away now. The volunteers and the RSPCA are looking forward to making a difference to the sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in and around the Logan Shire. At this stage we are not actively recruiting more volunteers but if you are interested in volunteering then please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will contact you to discuss your help in the future. Orientation sessions will be held again in the new year.
Stay tuned for updates....
The sign above is a special request / reminder especially during spring when animals move about to find mates and when young need to find their own patch to call home.
DRIVE AWARE for health and well being of all creatures - from humans to rescuers, birds bees bats reptiles frogs, possums and many more.
Wildlife is at risk on all roads - whether signed or not.
Lets all stay safe as the Christmas season approaches and possibly consider a gift that supports wildlife and its precious habitat that we all share.
Logan's Berrimba Sanctuary - 90 hectares of pristine koala habitat - makes it's
official opening
Saturday 15 December from 1.00 pm to 4.00pm
You and your friends and family are invited to come along and join the celebrations.
Free entry. Free parking. Santa's free gifts for every child.
Opportunity to join FRIENDS OF BERRINBA SANCTUARY, the KOALA ARMY with AKF Australian Koala Foundation and hopefully - yet to be confirmed - register for training as volunteer for Logan's new WILDLIFE AMBULANCE administered through RSPCA.
See flyer here. Berrinba_Sanctuary_Open_Day_Flyer.pdf
FUN, FOOD, WILDLIFE Display, including captive bred QUOLL, singing featuring Lauren Lee Innis-Youren, speakers, raffles and opportunity to win family pass to Movieworld.
And the best ever Xmas present would be to see a resident koala taking
his or her daytime nap high up in a nearby tree.
While this is not guaranteed it is possible as current family members and sanctuary stewards see koalas on a regugular basis. 6 were seen and reported during the recent weekend koala survey.
Displays / information /speakers from Berrimba Sanctuary, registered with HSI Human Society International, Logan and Albert Conservation Association LACA, Brisbane Region Environment Council, BREC, B.I.R.O, education and care group for all birds injured rehabitated and orphaned based in Logan, Save Bahrs Scrub Alliance SBSA, and others to be confirmed.
The government is planning to hand over environmental approval powers to the states through COAG, thereby weakening our environmental law reforms, and threatening unique Australian ecosystems and species. This would mean project approvals could occur without federal oversight. Unfortunately, the states can't be trusted to look after the environment. State governments have a track record of putting short-term gains ahead of national interest when assessing development proposals.
Your action can make a difference! Contact the Prime Minister, the Federal Environment Minister The Hon Tony Burke MP This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Queensland senators to express your concerns.
Make it clear what you are asking for:
Logan Council is to be commended for its first ever allocation of funds towards the rescue of injured and orphaned wildlife. This represents a victory for wildlife care groups and LACA who have been advocating for a funded service to support the voluntary rescue carried out each day by the many tireless wildlife carers across Logan, Scenic Rim and beyond. Read Logan's media release here. The people in these groups have been working liaising with RSPCA in a unpaid capacity, and with local vets who treat some wildlife. Mostly they receive no funds for fuel, shelter, cages, food or medication for wildlife in care. Brisbane may be the exception.
The Wildlife Ambulance will be manned by volunteers with fuel paid by RSPCA-Logan agrement. RSPCA at WACOL have 6 wildlife clinics where triage is administerd by wildlife vets. However for longterm care the animal goes to a carer. If you are interested to train as a driver and wildlife rescuer contact contact RSPCA on 3426 9986 or for further information contact Annette Colling (RSPCA Qld) on 3426 9986 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You will have to complete some paperwork and will receive on-the-job training. Initially it is most probable that the ambulance will have 2 'staff'.
While in November 2012, Logan Council and RSPCA Qld unveiled the keenly-anticipated Animal Ambulance Vehicle - a service primarily for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife there is much more to be done. Council committed $105,500 from its 2012/2013 Budget to the partnership with RSPCA Qld. While this is appreciated it is a paultry amount allocated from our council rates compared with $2million for a new ANIMAL MANAGEMENT CENTRE.
LACA appreciates the invaluable dedication and long term care provided by wildlife carers. This will and must continue . It would be another step forward if some funding were available to assist those dedicated carers.
RSPCA's Operation Spring Rescue explains that care and rehabilitation for each injured wildlife costs about $1000 - and during spring 2600 injured, displaced and orphaned wildlife will rely on RSPCA. In addition there are groups like BARN , ONARR, FAUNA, WILDCARE, ARROW, Batrescue and others who provide rescue longterm care and then release after recovery.These people are the real wildlife heroes.
Health, Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson, Councillor Lisa Bradley, (Division 1), said the ambulance was a result of the formation of the city's Wildlife Rescue Service, a service which was forged from the partnership between Council and the RSPCA Qld.
LACA is looking towards further information being available from the Wildlife Rescue Service to guide further volunteers keen to help.
Meanwhile the best policy for residents to adhere to is one that will reduce the number of fauna trauma.
Six koalas were spotted at Berrinba Sanctuary during the koala count day and reported as far away as South Australia where their GREAT KOALA COUNT is planned for Novenber 28. Also check their FACEBOOK page for more information. The koalas in South Australia are larger than Queensland koalas and have different genetics.
The image aside was taken outside the survey days.
A mother and its young and 2 males were identified indicating a healthy breeding koala colony.
90 hectares of pristine koala habitat with a healthy population is an environmentally significant biodiversity asset for Logan City and indeed the world.
This property is adjacent to Berrinba Wetlands which, according to Logan City Council is being preserved by design with 80 of 120 hectares being protected and rehabilitated. While Council's intentions here may be commendable it is disconcerting that future planning for the adjacent 90 hectares of natural bushland - having the same or more environmental values is not so fortunate.
It is of great concern to our conservation group Logan and Albert Conservation Association LACA that most planning is done without adequate knowledge of the biodiversity and ecosystem services present across the landscape. It is also disconcerting that landscapes without human habitat - greenfield areas, are regarded as available for development. To have a major freight motorway dissect koala habitat is untenable.
Such is the case for Berrinba Sanctuary. The HUMANE SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL (HSI) / Wildlife Land Trust (WLT) recently added the Browns plains property to those other properties being managed as WILDIFE SANCTUARIES - 47 in Queensland covering19,947 hectares.
Some of the values and biodiversity present at Berrinba Sanctuary are available at this page. The longterm survival of this group of koalas is vital to the survival of koalas in Logan and Southest Queensland.
What are your / our values and vision for Logan? Do they include natural landscape areas - connected across the lanscape for safe animal movement - or are we letting someone else decide for us? If we are not mindful then we are in danger of having our paradise paved.
Following ABC radio interviews by Steve Austin with Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson and local resident Andy Morgan, it seems clear that the decision to plan for the Park Ridge Connector (PRC) is squarely with Logan City Council. Responsibility for decision of Gateway Extension Extension motorway through Logan has been handed to council.
While the story in The Reporter October 30, 2012 announces that Deputy Mayor Cr Lutton said council would not say 'no' to the corridor as council wanted it, council has received a petition signed by many Logan residents requesting that council rescind their approval of cooridor.
Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson interview increases transparency of the process. However a road corridor and transport issues cross council boundaries. Devolution to local council does not resolve the complex issues. Read LACA transcript of interview here.
There are 3 audio files at Residents fear extension of the Gateway available and linked here.
There is no question that Logan City needs a transport plan however that must include other components for mobility. We need to consider mobility provision for non drivers as well as freight vehicles. Park Ridge Connector (PRC) is being planned to move freight and will join other motorways - all of which have a toll!
Over 30% Logan residents do not drive. How can we provide for their independant mobility?
An ALTERNATIVE SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT PLAN is needed.
In addition values of environmentally significant areas must be considered - for their own values and also what they contribute to human health and wellbeing. Globally many countries are reframing policies to include The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity. Various TEEB reports are available. Check here for more information.
BAHRS SCRUB is one of Logan's natural treasures.
The area is home to many plants - some unique and existing no where else in the world.
But unlike our usual regard for treasure, when it is a land area we believe it exists mainly to benefit the economic growth of a developer - whether the developer be a large company or one person. Such are the natural values of Bahrs Scrub that many natural area scientists eg botanists, ecologists, zoologists, geologists made recommendations many years ago that the area become a NATIONAL PARK! Common land which is owned by the country for the benefit of all people seems to little understood or valued in our societies rush to build more housing for human habitat - with not enough regard for the displaced species - such as the vulnerable koala - now listed as endangered federally.
Click on image above to go to larger image for LDAP.
Click here for link to all council documents relating to Local Development Area Plan.
Council's proposed plan was available for comment - now closed - and all relevant documents are able to be viewed on council's site.
There are many differences, aspects of dissention and anomalies with the proposal and what environmental groups such as LACA Logan and Albert Conservation Association, BREC Brisbane Regional Environment Council and SBSA Save Bahrs Scrub Alliance which includes GECKO Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council and respected botanist Glenn Leiper believe are needed to achieve a better environmental outcome.
BREC says BAHRS SCRUB IN LIMBO.
Many of us are easily persuaded that our safety and wellbeing requires that some species that 'threatens' us must be removed permanently.
The sensational language and looseness of facts seen in most media encourages that fear. We need to respect all species and appreciate that humans are not the prey.
Man's wellbeing depends on having a healthy and respectful relationship with all species whose habitat we share. That may be sharks in the ocean, dingoes on Frazer Island, flying foxes in local trees and forests, bees pollinating fruit and flowers, our domesticated dogs sharing our homes and neighbourhoods, and the many microbes which live inside the human body.
Queensland is currently suffering legalized shooting of flying foxes - when done humanely? How inane it to believe or accept that shooting is not cruel. Throughout Queensland and globally many groups have called for all political parties to commit to protecting our flying foxes. Read the statement here.
An Australian study has shown that most bats shot don't die immediately. The majority take hours and sometimes days to die. During that time they are in severe pain due to the damage inflicted by the shotgun pellets. Dependent young will also die slowly of starvation over the next few days. Download PDF. NSW and Qld legislation says that causing an animal to die in pain, or in a way that is not quick, is animal cruelty, yet both states still issue permits that allow these bats to be shot.
Do you want to protest this and other animal cruelty? Click on image above for a template to make a grey cross. Read about the campaign and participate however you can. Details at this website http://www.thegreycross.org/index.html.
Are there alternative methods for farmers to protect fruit crops?
According to a member of the Australian Custard Apple Growers Association, appropriate netting was both cost and profit effective. No harm is done to bats, birds or possums. Read the profitabilty and best practice report here.
Share your comments, photos, ideas via social media at https://www.facebook.com/DontShootBats and any others you use. Contact the campaign team http://www.thegreycross.org/contact-us.html
Interesting that EHP department publishes information about the importance of flying foxes eg Flying-foxes are crucial to keeping native forests healthy
COUNT KOALAS 20-21 October 2012
Do you have some time to spend in the bush this weekend. Join community members out looking for koalas. There is little as thrilling as seeing a koala in a bushland setting behaving as a koala.
If you looking during the day then probably most koalas will be sleeping - high up, in any tree.
Council asks What is Council Doing? but although Council would have us believe it intends to protect koala habitat and that Council has secured large areas of bushland where koalas are common, and vegetation protection and appropriate land zonings are in place to protect those areas, this is not the perception of those of us who monitor / watch Council's development plans. There have been no studies / research in the amalgamated areas and even large bushland properties in private ownership. More about that in other articles.
REPORTING ALL YOUR WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS IS IMPORTANT BUT ESPECIALLY KOALAS THIS WEEKEND. Council has an online reporting form for you to use which you locate at this link.
If you prefer you can phone 3820 1103 between 8am and 5pm to report your sightings or even if you identify the koala by its distinctive sound. Listen to a recording of a male koala bellow here. Logan and Albert Consevation Association president Anne Page will be one of volunteers manning the phones and she would love to hear from you.
Check out map council has provided here. Here we can see a smattering of red dots for recorded sightings across all suburbs. Longterm survival of these koalas depend on - at a minimum - connectivty and preservation of wildlife corridors - established by animal movements, green infrastructure being included in any roads, driving alertly, and improved control of our domestic animals especially dogs