Logan and Albert Conservation Association
LACA environment issues for 2015 State Election candidates
Do YOU share our concerns for a healthy environment? What actions are you propared to carry out to help achieve a better environmental outcome than "business as usual" ? Do Queenslanders and you want to be in the "coal business"? or are other mattters of greater significance?
The Logan and Albert Conservation Association (LACA) has campaigned for better environmental policies and outcomes in the Logan and Scenic Rim areas for more than a quarter of a century.
LACA is putting forward the following key environmental issues for consideration by all local candidates in the forthcoming State election:
1 LACA calls upon all candidates to commit to genuine measures to protect the Great Barrier Reef as a priority.
2 LACA asks all candidates to commit to abandoning the privatisation of essential public assets such as electricity and water supply and support the uptake of renewable energy including home solar and battery storage.
3 LACA requests all candidates to commit to abandoning the use of offsetting as an ‘environmental’ outcome of development. [LACA views offsets as a façade policy designed to create the appearance of something being done for Koalas. Rather than provide secure habitat for Koalas it facilitates the rapid removal of essential habitat throughout this region, with the vague promise of planting some trees elsewhere.]
4 LACA seeks commitments from all candidates to a return to the former declarable donation level of $1000 which provided greater transparency around Government decisions which affect the environment.
LACA wishes to place on record its anger that the democratic process in Queensland has been treated with such disdain - the 25 day campaign during holiday season giving insufficient time to debate issues.
Expanding on each issue
The Great Barrier Reef: Many people in the Logan and Scenic Rim communities regard the Great Barrier Reef as Queensland’s greatest natural treasure. LACA is particularly concerned that the Premier’s early election call may be a signal that actions such as dredging and shipping on the Reef are about to increase in intensity, and this may lead to UNESCO declaring the Great Barrier Reef a ‘World Heritage Area in danger’ under the Premier’s watch. LACA does not support the Government’s Long term Sustainability Plan for the Reef because it proposes weak remedial measures and fails to include any action to halt greenhouse gas emissions, which are one of the most serious threats to the reef. Given the boom and bust nature of mining, people are quite aware that many more sustainable jobs are created by tourism around a healthy reef than by coal mining.LACA calls upon all candidates to commit to genuine measures to protect the Great Barrier Reef as a priority.
Electricity/solar: People in Logan and the Scenic Rim love their roof-top solar and many are keenly awaiting the opportunity to invest in the emerging battery storage technologies. However, they have expressed concern to LACA that while over-investment by the Government’s own power companies has already increased usage charges to consumers by more than 50%, they believe that, following the election, mandatory fixed charges for electricity supply will be raised to dissuade people from investing further in solar, thereby ensuring an attractive, ongoing market for prospective foreign investors when the Government privatises its energy assets. LACA asks all candidates to commit to abandoning the privatisation of essential public assets such as electricity and water supply and support the uptake of renewable energy including home solar and battery storage.
Koala and offsets: LACA is very concerned that the Newman Government’s rollback of vegetation management laws has seriously set back any effort to protect the Koala in this region. LACA seeks candidates’ commitments to restoring vegetation management laws, at least to their former level, if Koalas are to have any long term chance of survival in the Logan and Scenic Rim regions. Also, the current Government’s offset policy does not stand up to any logical analysis. LACA views offsets as a façade policy designed to create the appearance of something being done for Koalas. Rather than provide secure habitat for Koalas it facilitates the rapid removal of essential habitat throughout this region, with the vague promise of planting some trees elsewhere. LACA requests all candidates to commit to abandoning the use of offsetting as an ‘environmental’ outcome of development.
Donations transparency: People we have talked to in the Logan and Scenic Rim communities have expressed concern about the Government’s secrecy around donations after the Newman Government increased the declarable donation amount from $1000 to $12,800. LACA believes large political donations can have a huge influence on how the environment is treated. The environment movement in Logan and the Scenic Rim would like to see Campbell Newman reverse the LNP policy to match the Labor and Greens donation declaration policy which is set at $1000. This way the public will be able to see exactly how much corporations are funding the LNP and whether this influences the Government’s decision-making. LACA seeks commitments from all candidates to a return to the former declarable donation level of $1000 which provided greater transparency around Government decisions which affect the environment.
Democracy:In the History of this State no Queensland premier has ever called a snap election to be held before the end of January. LACA members are angered by the prospect of a short, 25 day campaign, called during the holiday season, which they see as clearly designed to provide little opportunity for voters to get their questions answered. It appears to LACA members, and we believe, members of the community generally, that democracy has been treated by the Premier as a nuisance which is to be brushed out of the way quickly, while everyone is preoccupied with holidays, kids and back to school. LACA wishes to place on record its anger that the democratic process in Queensland has been treated with such disdain.
Print off a copy of these issues from this document 
LACA-environment-issues-2015StateElection_candidates-questions.pdf
Please consider sharing this information with others in your street, networks, neighbours, family to make them more aware of the critical issues facing our environment. Make your vote count at Jan 31 Queensland State elections.
It is unfortunate that government fails to see opportunities in renewables rather than coal. This article sums up some of issues concerning coal's impact on reef
Despite the number of horrendous unsustainable development or infrastructure processses being proposed in Logan, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim and Ipswich, community strength and energy to defend the natural assets of the region remain strong and continue to strengthen. SEQ has significant biodiversity values that are appreciated by longterm residents in the region and we are determined to protect them despite the unreasonable economic pressures and expectations that big business, state government and corporations want to impose.
Pre-election promises of the Campbell Newman led LNP government have been broken and the local members must also feel our disappointment. A platform based on the four pillars of economy, construction, tourism and agriculture leaves both natural and built environment out of the equation.
Click on image to read article.
Disinformation is also challenging to deal with - especially when government changes the rules to suit its 'development at any cost' agenda - cost being only dollars for construction. Follow detailed history at VETO's website for analysis of issues an alternatives. Queensland Minister McArdle's approval of the second Loganlea to Jimboomba 110kV powerline allows Energex to continue to "Gold Plate" their network with more "poles & wires" when other alternatives are available.
A new development application has been lodged by Teviot Downs Estate Pty Ltd on the same land as the previous application. This time the application is for 1017 Lots with a total of 1054 dwellings and an anticipated population increase of 2635 people in these initial stages. Their ongoing plans is for 1400 dwellings with 3500 people.
Although another planning group has prepared the application all of our previous concerns remain - and possibly more.
Jimboomba Times ran an article on the page 18, regarding the "new" proposed development for Greenbank. Can we ask all of you to please read this article, and reply back to Save Greenbank (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with your disapproval letter?
The SAVE GREENBANK COMMITTEE will collate all letters when meeting with all our local politicians: Ian Rickuss, and Michael Pucci (member for Logan) and Cr Trevina Schwarz Division11.
In the Year for Sustainable Development, and by an applicant touting corporate social responsibility it is disappointing that the application has NOTHING to commend its sustainability - except perhaps the financial gains of the developer if this DA is approved. See DA at ULDA website
Proposed Development permit is for material change of use for house, multiple residential, community facility, and utility installation, and reconfiguring a lot (1 into 1017 residential lots, 1 community lot, 1 utility installation lot, 8 balance lots, new road and park).
See the plan here. If you live anywhere in the former Beaudesert area and changes in density to original application will impact on your lifestyle and your values and appreciation for the natural environment.
SEVERE IMPACT on local wildlife without any infrastructure to help local species to survive is a major concern for LACA. The associated costs for wildlife trauma are paid by individual wildlife carers.
Flinders Karawatha Corridor - vision and planning for future
The Flinders Karawatha Corridor (the corridor) is recognised for its significant conservation, recreation, cultural heritage and social values. It is identified as a 'Landscape corridor' in the section Desired Regional Outcome 3.2 of the South East Queensland Regional Plan (SEQRP 2009-2031). A 'Landscape corridor' is defined under the Desired Regional Outcome 3.2 of the SEQRP as:
• Lineal areas with current or potential high confluence of landscape values and ecosystem services that have the capacity to improve connectivity between core landscape areas, people, places, infrastructure and ecosystems.
The corridor extends 60km from Karawatha Forest in Brisbane's outer suburbs to south of Ipswich at Flinders Peak and on to the Wyaralong Dam near Boonah.
Four local government areas fall within the corridor: Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich City Councils, and Scenic Rim Regional Council.
CLICK ON MAP TO GO TO DERM website look at or download maps
Have your say
Comments and ideas from landowners and the wider community are critical to the success of the Flinders Karawatha Corridor Project. You can send your feedback to:
The Community NRM Officer
SEQ Catchments
PO Box 13204
George St QLD 4003
Or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Submissions and feedback close on Friday 16 December 2011 at 5:00 pm.
Within the northern Logan section we are concerned that we encourage government to include low lying bioregional areas to provide connectivity for wildlife to move east-west, not just north-south in higher altitude areas.
http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/land/planning/pdf/fkc-admin-plan_ap21302.pdf provides black and white not to scale map
http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/land/planning/pdf/fkc-conserv-rec-areas.pdf updated 2013
Logan Mayor supports longer extension for consultation
Logan Mayor Pam Parker has sent a letter to support our request for a longer extension for consultation for PARK RIDGE CONNECTOR CORRIDOR until end December.
Will this request be met by Minister Craig Wallace?
Community dissatisfaction with the process has lead to the formation of the NO PRC group with a website here with opportunity for discussion on the forum and also a FACEBOOK page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/No-PRC-Park-Ridge-Connector-Motorway/200209970053673
Logan residents are not happy to see a rushed consultation process for a major freight motorway / tollway which would - if ever built as being proposed by a very flexible "corridor of interest" dissect an undervalued landscape into a jigsaw of land patches criss-crossed by roads.
THIS IS NOT LACA'S VISION FOR A STATE REGIONAL BIODIVERSITY CORRIDOR.
THIS STATE REGIONAL BIODIVERSITY CORRIDOR IS WHAT REQUIRES PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION - NOT A ROAD CORRIDOR
ADJACENT TO JERRY'S DOWNFALL AND FLESSER RD RESERVE ARE LARGE PARCELS OF RURAL RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES WHERE WILDLIFE ROAM FREELY - where local residents drive carefully to respect the resident wildfife.
To contemplate a section of a major motorway and network of roads connecting to it without knowing - or telling us - where the freight road will start does not demonstrate good planning. There is another community to the north in Drewvale who are oblivious to this consultation process - or have not yet been consulted by the TMR team.
It is important that as many people as possible provide feedback.
Submissions can be sent via email to the project team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Make sure you include your name and address and a digital signature would doublely ensure it is valid.
This TMR page has all details. You can also fill in an online survey.
Please be aware that the feedback form and survey [same questions as form] does NOT have to be completed except for YOUR COMMENTS.
IF YOU ARE WANTING TO SEE BETTER CONSULTATION AND BETTER ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES JOIN US VIA WWW.NOPRC.ORG or FACEBOOK page above.
LACA BELIEVES THAT INSUFFICIENCT BACKGROUND STUDIES HAVE BEEN DONE TO VALIDATE ANY CORRIDOR AND ALSO THAT COMMUNITY HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED WITH SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. To suggest the validity of a corridor just because it has no direct impact on your particular property is environmentally unethical.
The environmental groups which met in addition to Community Reference Stakeholder Group to input into this process do not believe there is a viable corridor. Marking a line on a map now to build a road when funds are available just before a state election and local council elections is not indicative of good governance. This community of affected and concerned citizens expects better governance and a demonstration of openness, integrity and transparency.
Residents are asked to participate in the Logan City Council's phone-in and web-based community koala survey on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October 2011
Report Your Wildlife Sightings here
Council would appreciate any sightings (or evidence) of threatened or locally significant wildlife you may have encountered in Logan, by submitting the following sighting details. You may also provide records of any deceased animals, such as roadkill animals, as this information is also important.
For the phone-in survey, please call 07 3820 1103 between 8am and 5pm to record your sightings from the weekend.
Information that we will be collecting on the day includes sex, health, location, behaviour and the trees species in which it is located. This information will help us obtain local data about koala distribution and inform planning and management. Of course if you do not know all of this, LOCATION is most important - other details help paint a better picture.
Thanks for helping with wildlife sightings - at all times.
The koala in the image above Babe was rescued from dogs in the Jimboomba area 2009. Legislation requires the koala to be released in the same general area after recovery. Read some of Babe's story here.
Logan and Albert Conservation Association believes that the greatest threats to the long term survival of koalas in South East Queensland include loss of habitat to allow for expansion of the urban footprint and associated infrastructure and failure to identify Koala Conservation Areas by surveying.
Here we will endeavour to provide links to relevant reports, documents, websites, news stories, EPA documents and other resources that will help the reader follow the koala's path to the future.
Please contact us if you would like to contribute to this resource page.
This report from EPA : Report on Koala Coast koala surveys 2005-2006 has details regarding koala population decline - they do refer to Logan but it is only Logan in the Koala Coast Region (ie east of the Pacific Motorway).
Another report of interest is that detailing information about the requirement to have a koala spotter for clearing trees in District A. The file Tree clearing and trimming - Koala Spotter requirements is available here.
Some Terms used and explained include:
Clearing: the Koala Plan refers to the Integrated Planning Act 1997 for the definition of "clearing". Under this Act, clearing means remove, cut down, ring bark, push over or destroy in any way including burning, flooding or draining. It does not include destroying standing vegetation by stock or lopping a tree.
District A: is defined as the SEQ Region as per the SEQ Regional Plan. District A contains the highest koala population densities at the highest risk from threatening processes.
Koala Habitat Areas are identified as Koala Conservation Areas (KCA), Koala Sustainability Areas (KSA) or Urban Koala Areas (UKA).
Koala Habitat Tree: means a tree of any of the following genera: Angophora; Corymbia (gum tree), Eucalyptus (gum tree); Lophostemon (brush box or swamp box); or Melaleuca (paper bark or tea tree).
You can sign up to receive an EPA email newsletter fortnightly by sending a message with ‘subscribe' in the subject line to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The whole Queensland government Koala Conservation Plan and Management Plan 2006-2016 [6.32Mb] can be accessed or downloaded from this page - essential reading before the review of SEQ Regional Plan towards end 2008.