Logan and Albert Conservation Association
KOALAS FACE LOCAL EXTINCTION IN LOGAN!
Yarrabilba and Flagstone housing estates high on koala black spot list reports Sarah Orr, from Quest Newspapers January 2, 2017
Australian Koala Foundation chief executive Deborah Tabart says that new housing estates such as Yarrabilba and Flagstone were high on the koala black spot list. These fears echo and re-inforce the worst fears of the Logan and Albert Conservation Association and local group Logan Community Environment Watch.
Ms Tabart was pushing for a freeze on habitat clearing. She said koalas in Logan were “functionally extinct” meaning the population may never recover.
“I’ve seen committee after committee and the core problems don’t go away because we keep cutting habitat down,” she said.
“The Queensland Government will never impose constraints on the developer because that’s where they get their money.” She said she was not surprised rescue groups reported their “worst season ever” for deaths and injuries.
Habitat loss seems to be increasing daily with the planned $750 million southeast Queensland resort complex to be built by a Chinese property developer in a koala habitat area seeks permission to increase its approved 500-unit project on the site to 1500 units.
The areas of proposed clearing for human settlement continues with the most recent application by MIRVAC at Greenbank East
Submission on Directions Paper: Better Planning for Queensland
Comments close 23 October 2015
Submit via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ADD YOUR VOICE
It is disappointing that Logan citizens were denied an opportunity to attend a local workshop with planners to gain better understanding of what the discussion paper means and its implications for future planning in Queensland.
Logan and Albert Conservation Association LACA exec members have shared concerns with the Environmental Defenders Office Qld EDQ, Queensland Conservation Council QCC, Friends of South-east Queensland group FOSEQ and Redlands 2030 who have each put together some very detailed and substantial documents for which we can also endorse support.
To illustrate three issues for protection Greenspace, Koala Habitat and Coastal Protection are missing from Planning Bills.
"Greenspace, Koala Habitat and Coastal Protection are missing" - BREC Brisbane Region Environment Council contact Ted Fensom
Please compose a brief submission - using any of the issues from LACA's submission which is attached. Please personalise as issues relate to you -or you are most concerned about.
Submission-on-Directions-Paper_BetterPlanningforQueensland_LACA_web.pdf351.05 KB22/10/2015, 13:35
The words of Edward Burke "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing" serve to remind us that silence on an issue is construed as its support. When economic gain surpasses and overrides significant social and planetary wellbeing those concerned must raise their voices.
BREC advises us of the following concerns:
The Greenspace provisions and green fauna infrastructure have been left out of the initial bill, provision of the ranges of parklands, trails, open space, and bushland, are largely no longer defined or compulsory, and six different programs covering a wider range of greenspace including recreation reserves, inter urban breaks and National Reserve System largely no longer exist. The future greenspace of Queensland will have to be subsidised by Ratepayers as the UDIA Policy is "no more contributions".
New Residential Infrastructure capping gaps in some cities will also have to be subsidised by Ratepayers. This fast track legislation trashing of decades of integrated interagency planning, environmental advice and public consultation is a developers dream he said . "This is a return to the 1980s Planning."
Documentation relating to North Maclean Enterprise Precinct claims there has been "extensive" community consultation.
All documents are available from links at http://reelplanning.com/epbc-act-referral-20136941-public-notification/
Can you provide a comment about level of opportunity for community consultation you had for
North Maclean? It has been a difficult process to follow with multiple name changes. Who would think that Greater Flagstone included North Maclean?
It is at least 8 kilometres away and shares no adjacent suburb boundary or even same POSTCODE?
A "North Maclean" search of this website for Logan and Albert Conservation Association Inc LACA will produce many articles which together reveal that community has had issues with level of consultation available. There is a timelime here http://www.laca.org.au/images/stories/COMMUNITY_CONSULTATION_COMMENTS_MADE_history_2004-2011.pdf
included in article
http://www.laca.org.au/index.php/development/greater-flagstone/652-seqrp-community-consultation-timelines-since-2004-and-background-studies
LOGAN conservationists are calling for state election candidates to back greater protections for koala habitat in the region. Logan and Albert Conservation Association (LACA) spokesman Barry Fitzpatrick said koalas were seriously threatened by recent changes to vegetation management laws in Queensland."LACA is very concerned that the Newman government's rollback of vegetation management laws has seriously set back any effort to protect the koala," he said."
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." Mr Fitzpatrick said he did not believe the offset provisions in the new laws would benefit koalas.
"LACA views the offsets as a facade policy designed to create the appearance of something being done," he said."
Rather than provide secure habitat for koalas it facilitates the rapid removal of essential habitat, with the vague promise of planting some trees elsewhere."
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
LACA calls for strong climate action from State Government - to end ‘Alice in Blunderland’
We are celebrating our 25 years of advocacy and activism by calling a public meeting to urge the Newman Government to reverse its ‘Alice in Blunderland’ approach to climate change action and Reef protection.
LACA climate spokesperson Barry Fitzpatrick said LACA could not support the Government’s recently released draft Long Term Sustainability Plan to save the Great Barrier Reef, describing it as ‘completely useless’ because it lacks any commitment to take strong action to reduce the State’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Read Logan and Albert Conservation LACA submission here.LongTermSustainableReefPlan_LACA_submission_bf.pdf
‘It is really disappointing that, after a quarter of a century of campaigning , LACA still finds itself battling the same old political games around critically important environment issues like this.’
Members of the public are specially invited and welcome to attend our meeting which will be held at Kimberley College, Carbrook on Saturday 15 November, starting at 2.00 pm. Contact : Barry Fitzpatrick 0427002640
Logan City is home to a significant koala population and has one of the world’s largest koala conservation centres located at Daisy Hill Conservation Park. This facility is a Queensland state government conservation park. The social and economic value of koalas to our city and nation is difficult to quantify however, it is undoubtedly significant. This Koala Conservation Strategic Plan aims to ensure the long-term viability of koalas in Logan City and demonstrates Council’s commitment to koala conservation over the long term. How well does Logan do it now and will koalas in Logan and surrounding areas be protected by implementing this 10 year strategic plan 2013-2023?
Have your say on the Koala Conservation Strategic Plan by completing the online survey before Friday 16 May 2014.
The link to this survey is http://lcc-consult.objective.com/portal/environment__sustainability/lkcsp?tab=info
For more information you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 3412 44 91
Although there is no direct invitation - you can also email your submission to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Online process will probably close at 5pm. Please send any late submissions also. Remember to include name/s and address/es of submitter/s and signing is preferred. You can also email cThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You will need to read this document http://www.logan.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/287691/2014-Logans-Koala-Conservation-Strategy.pdf to be able to comment on the 4 strategic outcomes - 28 page document with captivating images of koalas.
In summary, the plan is based on achieving the following key strategic outcomes:
• SO 1 – Improved science of koala ecology and habitat requirements in Logan;
In Logan, koalas are most frequently sighted in the eastern suburbs of the city including Daisy Hill, Shailer Park, Carbrook, Priestdale and Cornubia. Residents of Greenbank, Logan Village, Browns Plains especially Berrinba Sanctuary, Jimboomba, Munruben, Mundoolan and others will not agree.
To achieve a net increase in koala habitat in the city and South East Queensland it is essential that a regional approach is undertaken and areas of koala habitat are connected through ecological corridors.
• SO 3 – Improved koala safety and health;
Logan City is expected to grow by more than 200,000 residents over the next 20 years and beyond. Logan City will continue to be one of the fastest growing areas in Queensland with dramatically increasing urban development and increasing pressure on the natural environment and koala habitat.
• SO 4 – Increased positive community engagement and awareness of koala conservation actions.
To achieve the strategic outcomes of this Plan it is essential that it is supported by an active, engaged and supportive community including residents, land owners, businesses and the Development industry
The online survey basically asks you to answer same 4 questions about each outcomes
1. Are these actions the right actions to ....
2. Are there any actions that need to be changed to .....
3. Are there any additional actions you think we should be doing?
4. What ideas do you have to support the delivery of these actions?
and finally any extra comments. Please consider a submission regarding any point / points you are concerned about.
These could include -
Importance of using best possible and latest mapping. ie SEQCatchments Koala Habitat Map for Logan - with Regrowth map and Observations, Genome Barrier and Pinch Point Maps as has been done for Brisbane City Council.
Koala policies, programs, zones, map layers and legislation should be included in town plan not merely as offsets opportunities
Undertake and publish Natural Areas Management Plans
Invest in Koala Research
Use citizen scientist programs like Great Koala Count to track sightings and include results in mapping
Develop stronger land stewardship programs with community to reward incentivise residents to retain and extend bushland habitat.
Place higher value on existing habitat with existing koala populations being retained in perpetuity for wildlife ie such areas are not suitable for industry and housing developments. Rezoning of such land at Browns Plains for conservation is critical if Logan wants to consider itself - and be considered by others as a "proactive koala-friendly" community
Educating community on living with wildlife - especially koalas has to be a high priority to remove any misconceptions that exist
PLEASE MAKE A SUBMISSION IF YOU CARE ABOUT KOALAS WHEREVER THEY MAY BE. MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE IF WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE THE LOCAL EXTINCTION OF KOALAS IN LOGAN AND SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND.
Koalas in SEQ are not protected and there in no connectivity not in Logan's new planning. The new Queensland Government SPP is a disaster for koalas and wildlife.
DECLARATION as ENDANGERED is needed. It won't happen unless community makes it happen!!
Please send your submission asap
Your choice to complete online - or write your signed submission and send to
Chief Executive Officer
Logan City Council
PO Box 3226
Logan City DC Qld 4114
or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
While both Logan and state government support an OFFSET scheme to "pay for" koala habitat to be cleared, neither Logan and Albert Conservation Association LACA nor Australian Koala Foundation AKF supports a general offset policy,
LACA's document http://www.laca.org.au/images/Planning_Scheme_Environmental_Submission_writing_kit.5points_docx.pdf also has some points relevant to Koala Conservation Strategy
The Australian Koala Foundation has recently requested a change to Australia’s environmental offset system, which poses serious issues for the conservation of koalas. The current system allows the government to approve environmentally damaging building projects if the business pledges to make up for destruction of native habitat by providing similar habitat elsewhere. Deforestation has led to the decline in the genetic diversity of koalas, but has also increased disturbance, injury, stress, and competition for food or territory due to overcrowding. It also creates barriers that prevent koalas from roaming for mating purposes, and the addition of another habitat does not even ensure that koalas will migrate there.
The koala is considered a threatened species in three parts of Australia, but their habitat is being destroyed by removing irreplaceable foliage that they depend on. The destruction of native habitat creates major gaps or breaks across the koalas’ landscape. A recent study from the University of Queensland revealed the importance of maintaining at least 30% of forest land to ensure the koalas' survival. Results point to the importance of the species access to wide landscapes, because habitat isolation can threaten genetic diversity which is necessary to conservation. Researchers found that genetic diversity “dropped rapidly” once the country’s amount of forest land fell under 30%. It is important that the Australian government take measures to increase the amount of forest land to a level suitable for conserving the rapidly declining species koalas.
Many thanks to all the wildlife carers who rescue rehabilitate and release - from turtles to owls to koalas and kangaroos. They are always confronted with issue - where to they release and they are required to relocate to home territories of each animal. Will this endanger the wildlife - koala or other again. Lets reduce the risk by having a good conservation strategy - with teeth - in our town planning. Up to us to ask. Council does not have all the answers.
After pressure from EDO Qld last year, the Queensland government was stopped from rushing through changes to your rights without due process. Now, this year, the Queensland government released the 'Mining Lease Notification & Objection discussion paper'. The discussion paper - currently open for public submission - outrageously proposes to restrict community rights to object to mining applications and proposes in effect that up to 90% ofmining projects will have no public notification at all.
EDO has prepared documentation that you may like to consider when making a valid submission. It is important to include name and address of persons making the submission and usually a signature is required.
Read the government's paper here
http://mines.industry.qld.gov.au/mining/mining-lease-notification-initiative.htm
Making submissions
Please read the Mining lease notification and objection initiative — discussion paper before making your submission. Submissions close at 5.00pm, Friday 28 March 2014.
It is intended submissions will be provided to the Office of Best Practice Regulation in support of Regulatory Impact System consideration. If you wish to remain anonymous, this should be clearly noted on your submission.
Submissions can be made by email or post.
By email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (subject Mining Lease Notification and Objection Initiative)
By mail:
MQRA Program Team
Department of Natural Resources and Mines
Level 7, 61 Mary Street, Brisbane
PO Box 15216
City East, Brisbane, QLD 4001
The government says that out of about 100 mining lease applications each year, about 10% are declared to be high risk.[5] This means that for 90% of mining projects in Queensland, there will be no community submission and objection rights at all. What’s more, there will be no public notification of these ‘lower risk’ projects so you may not even be aware they are underway.
There is nothing in the paper about how the government intends to address the cumulative impacts of many hundreds if not thousands of ‘low risk’ mining projects take place across Queensland.
I’m concerned about what is being proposed, what can I do?
Everyone has the right to send written submissions to the State Government.
The submission deadline is 28 March 2014.
Download EDO sample submission. This is a docx document. Contact Logan and Albert Conservation Association LACA Vice President at kfaldt@gmail if you require format doc
“As with any development be it mining, resources, agriculture, environmental and living, it impacts on all of us in one way or another. The stewardship of any country is the responsibility of the whole community and certainly, not just the government of the day". Quote by Central Queensland Grazier
Recently some 30 Logan residents spent a day expanding their knowledge about our wetlands. The day began at 8am with several powerpoint presentations relating to wetland vegetation, water quality, fish habitat and bird habitat, and also included a Berrinba Wetlands Walkabout.
During the presentations we learnt what elements of a wetland are beneficial to Australian native wildlife and what we can be doing on our property to help convert our dam into a nature refuge during times of drought.
It was offered as part of the Logan and Albert Rivers Catchment Association's, "Wetland Management on Private Property in Logan" Project. The invitation was extended to all who registered interest at one of the display stalls at the Logan Environmental Action Festivals (LEAF).
A bus tour was included and we visited several public wetlands within Logan City Council, including:
Eagleby Wetlands
JJ Smith Recreation Corridor
Springfield Mountain Wetlands.
Next will be a site visit to a private property to showcase a property which has had no revegetation effort and is just starting out, so this landholder would like to receive advice for further action which would improve habitat for wildlife.
Last visit will be to a private property to inspect established revegetation efforts and offer advice for further action which would improve habitat for wildlife.
Logan and Albert Conservation Association aka LACA's water and wetlands management person Barry Fitzpatrick shared his extensive knowledge about vegetation and processes for revegetation for wetland areas. He has been observing and recording Cornubia Wetlands processes for several years.
Image and diagram aside are provided by Barry. Detailed information about plants is available in our essential plant reference tool Mangroves to Mountains with local botanist Glenn Leiper being a contributing author.
Suggested planting guide includes plants generally occurring across Logan - Albert Catchment. Selection is influenced by on soil types, steepness of slope down to water, general typography, climate etc.
Article to be completed
The draft SPP State Planning Policy identifies the state's interests in planning and development and how these are to be dealt with in planning instruments, council development assessment processes and in designating land for community infrastructure.
It will provide the tools to empower and support local governments to make the right planning decisions for their community and to implement state interests in the way that best suits their community needs.
An integrated mapping system is being developed to visually represent the state's interests and will be available with the final SPP, which is expected to come into effect in the second half of this year.
Having your say - by Wednesday 12 June
As a statutory consultation process, the Minister must consider all submissions, so the best way for people to make their views known is through a formal written submission.
To provide a properly made submission you are required to:
- include the name and residential or business address of the submitter
- be made in writing, and unless submitted electronically, must be signed by each person who has made the submission.
Forward your submission to:
Post: State Planning Policy feedback
Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
Reply Paid 15009
City East Brisbane QLD 4002
Fax: +61 7 3237 1812
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You can also continue to speak directly to the SPP team regarding your concerns through the dedicated email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and/or hotline 1800 600 163.
Designating land for community infrastructure includes such projects as power infrastructure eg POWERLINK's multi million dollar line to mining operations was deemed to be community infrastructure as is the SFRC Southern Freight Rail Corridor
Economic growth government believes will come from
How will the KRAs impact on the program known as National Landscapes ? Managed by Tourism Australia and Parks Australia, the National Landscapes program focuses on the development and marketing of Australia's 15 most significant, world class natural areas. The program aims to provide visitors with new and engaging experiences to increase visitation, dispersal and length of stay within Australia's most unique natural environments. Queensland's three National Landscapes include the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics, the Great Barrier Reef and Australia's Green Cauldron (more commonly known as the Gondwana Rainforest Reserves of Australia on the Queensland and New South Wales border) in Scenic Rim.
It is challenging to see how all these policies including the SEQ Koala Conservation SPP 2/10 can be improved by a single policy.
Have your say on any aspect of this draft policy.
Information about KRAs is available here KRA_spp_2_07__training_handout_aug07.pdf
Read our LACA Logan and Albert Conservation Association 2011 objection to Kerry Quarry application - not approved by council and later withdrawn by applicant here LACA-QUARRY-OBJECTION2011.pdf838.82 KB