Logan and Albert Conservation Association
NO DECISION YET for 820 Greenbank Rd .
The decision timeline has been extended by 15-20 days apparently because the applicants have agreed to this.
This gives our community more time to lobby and get organized. This is a small win but an important one which has come about as a result of successflly campaigning on behalf of the community.
Please see next article for ideas to help you MAKE YOUR OWN SUBMISSION
This comes despite the verbal assertion by state government planning assessment officer is that a
decision will be made on or before Wednesday 27 January 2016.
Community is being denied a formal consultation process but despite this we can - and should - communicate our concerns to state and federal government!!
“A proposal to establish a single area for light industries may be favourably considered in the Maclean area ” (Beaudesert Shire Council Strategic Plan 1996)
Pre 1996 North Maclean was zoned rural residential – industrial use was not compatible in this area
1996 Beaudesert shire council changed the zoning of an area at North Maclean to industry on their strategic plan. There was never any community consultation about the suitability of industry in an existing rural residential area.
July 2005 SEQRP released identifying Mt Lindesay North Beaudesert Area (Mt Lindesay North Beaudesert Area) for further investigation
October 2005 Office of Urban Management OUM (State Government) Mt Lindesay North Beaudesert Investigation for South-East Queensland Regional Plan ( SEQRP Amendment 1). North Maclean Enterprise Precinct (industrial area) extended from the Mt Lindesay Highway to the Greenbank interstate railway line.
Jan-March 2006 A community group north Beaudesert Shire Action Group NBSAG surveyed almost 1000 people - 89% opposed industry at North Maclean.
North Maclean Enterprise Precinct was added to the South-East Queensland Regional Plan (Amendment 2006).
March 2007 Beaudesert Shire Council ordinary meeting moved –
“there is no need or justification for the North Maclean Enterprise Precinct …industrial land can be met in other developments across the shire”
May 2007 Beaudesert shire council requested the OUM remove the North Maclean industrial area –
“it is constrained by powerlines, flooding and environmental considerations, plus the need for buffering to nearby rural residential areas …North Maclean is not required…the area should be removed from the SEQRP”
Our petition SIGN IT HERE
TO: THE HONOURABLE GREG HUNT, MP, FEDERAL MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
PROTECT KOALAS AND QUOLLS
Ask Federal MP Greg Hunt to
SAY NO TO INDUSTRY AT NORTH MACLEAN
Dear Minister Hunt,
Please reject the development application for the proposed North Maclean Enterprise Precinct at North Maclean, South-East Queensland which involves clearing 289 acres of koala and quoll habitat.
Why is this important?
There are significant environmental and community concerns
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS Sign to support our petition here
Since 1996, the environmental concerns raised by the community at North Maclean and Munruben have never been addressed. There have been numerous sightings of vulnerable Koalas on and around the property. There have been numerous sightings of endangered Spotted-Tailed Quolls in adjacent properties - these quoll sightings have been the first in the Greater Brisbane Area since the 1930s . Quoll roadkill has been collected from the area confirming the presence of quolls in this area. The proposed site provides valuable habitat for koalas, quolls and other threatened species including the endangered grey headed flying fox, the Swift Parrot and the vunerable Glossy Black Cockatoo.
There have been no detailed impact assessments of industry on these vulnerable/threatened species. No frog or reptile studies have ever been carried out.
By signing the petition, you are asking Minister Greg Hunt to REJECT the North Maclean Enterprise (Industry) Precinct proposal. You will be giving our unique Koalas, Spotted-tailed Quolls and other Endangered/Vulnerable wildlife of North Maclean and Munruben a chance of survival. If this development application is approved at North Maclean, 117 hectares (approx. 289 acres) of koala food and shelter habitat will be totally cleared. The major threat to koalas is the loss of habitat. This vast proposed site is only 45% of what is eventually planned for the koala habitat of North Maclean. This current application is a dangerous precedent in the area that should not be approved.
COMMUNITY CONCERNS Sign to support our petition here
Endangered species future in doubt at North Maclean?
Have YOU been consulted? Comments close 9 March 2015
Koalas, spotted tailed quolls, grey headed flying foxes, glossy black cockatoos, wallum froglet are known to be using / living in the extant habitat within the former dairy farm having road frontage along Mt Lindesay and Crowson Lane.
Wetland and waterways occur on the property as does the federally endangered ecological community known as Swamp Tea-tree forest with signature Melaleuca Irbyana species. Regional ecosystem descriptions 12.3.11 of concern and 12.9-10.12 endangered are present. Glossy black cockatoos or Glossies in QLD eat the seeds of only two allocasuarina trees:Allocasuarina littoralis andA. torulosa. Having a very restricted diet the Glossy Black Cockatoo is susceptible to habitat loss through land clearing,logging, agriculture and urban development. A. littoralis is present and clearing is proposed – without mitigation.
Spotted tail quoll have recently been found in Scenic Rim and evidence ie latine scats were found in Logan. These are two of wildlife threatened by changes to legislation by Newnan government which have potential to destroy most of our natural bushland areas in SEQ South east Queensland and without their habitat our wildlife will not survive. All bushland areas provide valuable food and shelter for species listed as threatened, those that are vulnerable and those regarded as 'common'. Unfortunately with reduction of 'green tape' even common species could disappear and these are also food sources for the predators higher up the food chain.
Our organization is regarded by some as extreme and anti-development, however we do support ecological sustainable development, and accounting for the value of natural capital. Many scientific studies and reports - peer reviewed and published - support our concerns. It is extraordinary that scientists with expertise in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development have publicly expressed grave concerns about the future impacts of proposed changes to Queensland's Vegetation Management Act and the Water Act. See their website http://concernedqldscientists.wordpress.com/.
Be informed and read government documents
Vegetation Mananagement Framework Bill - passed State Parliament Tuesday 21 May 2013. Natural Resources Minister Andrew Cripps said in a statement issued to Queensland Country Life that the passing of the Vegetation Management Framework Amendment Bill 2013 marked the beginning of a new era of sustainable agricultural production in Queensland
In addition World Wildlife Fund have produced WWF Report – Bushland at risk of renewed clearing in Queensland. Read it here.
Prominent among threatened species are the koala, Glossy black-cockatoo, Spotted-tailed and northern quolls. Many of us "do the right thing" but equally we are not necessarily well informed. What do farmers understand by sustainable agriculture?
The traditional big agribusiness is not sustainable when all costs are accounted. Dollars certainly count but who will pay long term when land becomes desert - as has happened.
Santa has been a regular visitor to the privately owned Berrinba Sanctuary over the years but this year he is celebrating with the owners opening its gates to the wider community.
Visitors on the day will be treated to a range of activities and children will receive a free gift from Santa. Read about the festivities on WEEKEND NOTES. Read article here.
This an open day but not official opening day - that is yet to be planned and will be a very very special day for wildlife caring community.
Lots of fun, buy your lunch, listen to the singers, enjoy the natural bushland setting and maybe see a koala snoozing in nearby tree.
You will an Australian carnivorous marsupial even rarer than our vulnerable koala - a captive bred Dasyurus maculatus - the Australian native cat - or spotted-tailed QUOLL, Tiger quoll, tiger cat, yarri (in Herbert River District), burrumbil (Mulgrave River and Atherton Tablelands, north Queensland). Wildlife Queensland provide information about the quoll here.
Animal tracks and scats provide information about wildlife around as do the unique sounds produced by animals and birds. Listen to the sound made by a quoll on this page where you can also see its tracks and scats.
You will meet many people who care about Australia's unique wildlife and the essential habitat needed for them to survive. Berrinba Sanctuary - on the edge of Logan not far from Karawatha Forest which is part the recently gazetted wildlife corridor Flinders Karawatha Corridor - is home to many such flora and fauna.
Logan is home to endangered and vulnerable wildlife such as the iconic koala and spotted-tail quoll. However unless residents and the community help local council and government to identify where these animals are, it is very likely that they may become extinct.
Two confirmed roadkill established the existance of the quoll in the west Logan area including Greenbank, Park Ridge and Chambers Flat suburbs.
Many of us have never heard of a QUOLL, an Australian carnivorous marsupial and there are few opportunities to see one as they are usually nocturnal. Wildlife Logan with Quoll Seekers' Network recently held a community information meeting for which a live captive-bred quoll was a highlight. Image above shows the resident quoll at Queens Park Ipswich - well worth a visit.
What is the rampant growth which threatens these cryptic elusive creatures? Greenbank UDA in Teviot Downs - opposed by the Save Greenbank community, ULDA satellite cities of Greater Flagstone and Yarrabilba, proposed energy corridor along Logan River - opposed by VETO, proposed GATEWAY Extension Extension aka Park Ridge Connector. In addition we have a piece of Linkwater water infrastructure - Cedar Grove to Karawatha pipeline which cuts through Quoll and Koala Habitat and Wetlands.
The NO PRC group - visit their website and register to receive email updates are planning a community meeting for September to gauge /build community opposition for proposal. Support them also on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/NoPRCGroup
If we value the community and environment where we live and want our grandchildren to enjoy the same then we need to communicate that clearly to our elected representatives.
Now is the time to SPEAK UP AND SPEAK OUT. LACA Logan and Albert Conservation Association Inc can help you. Contact us. Come along to our meetings. We are not funded by government and all members are volunteers. We'd love you to join us to share our values more widely.
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."
Greenbank citizens win extension - until 15 March 2011
Greenbank community residents held its second meeting Wednesday 16 February 2011. State member for Lockyer IAN RICKUSS MP attended both meetings and urges all citizens to use the power of the people to gain the attention of the state's political leaders.
Channel 7 News provides coverage Thursday 17 February 2011 news.
We were delighted to hear that his representation on community behalf has granted us a two week extension to be better abled to make more and more detailed submissions to ULDA about the Teviot Downs Estate development proposal. Submissions are now due 15 March 2011.
There have been no wildlife surveys conducted by the developer / consultant or ULDA. Development application documents suggest that
koalas in Greenbank area are locally extinct.
RESIDENTS OF GREENBANK FLAGSTONE JIMBOOMBA NORTH MACLEAN CHAMBERS FLAT CEDAR GROVE
know this is NOT TRUE.
We know because we see them, hear them, and have seen and heard them, for many years. However if we have not sent in sightings of wildlife to DERM Department of Environment and Resource Management, that data is not available when desktop studies are done.
Spotted tailed quolls have also been confirmed as being in our area - but not listed in the environmental report for the development. Dr Scott Burnett did a study for Beaudesert Shire Council pre amalgamation. LACA and its members contributed to funding this study - but it is not available to the general public.
Why not? Who owns the study? Is it with other publically funded studies we are unable to access - even with RTI Right to Information process.
If you have not already sent your wildlife sightings in to DERM - or don't know how - contact LACA president Anne Page next meeting 23 February and record your sightings - to be sent to DERM.
Shadow Minister for Planning Lawrence Springborg also attended the public meeting. His advice is for all residents to contact their political representatives and have all extended family and friends to raise this ill-planned proposal with their political representatives. The politicans have the power to change the regulations.
Our job is to make sure they hear what we are saying. Take action. Sign the petition to be tabled in parliament.
Send in a properly made submission. Attend meetings arranged by http://www.savegreenbank.com.au/
Save our local wildlife from extinction. We are all in the one boat. We all benefit from and need the natural environment.
Logan and Albert Conservation Association aka LACA president, Anne Page, is spending her holidays visiting residents in the areas Murnuben Greenbank North Maclean. She is doing this to collect the much needed data about wildlife or fauna presently living in these treed or vegetated areas.
She will leave a letter if residents are not at home when she visits. Why you may ask does one volunteer to talk to walk around these areas in the hope of gathering local residents' sightings of native animals seen on properties in these areas?
Anne intends to start on the southern side of Stoney Camp Rd and do the perimeter properties around the large farm at Greenbank east of Teviot Rd first. Then she will go North Maclean area and work through properties adjacent to Wearings Reserve in Munruben . Each interview will probably take a minimum of 30 mins (as per experience) . She hopes to do as many as she has time for in the next 2 weeks and then keep going after the school holidays.