Logan and Albert Conservation Association

The Logan and Albert Conservation Association (LACA) does not support the use of critical ecosystems and habitat, wetland areas or areas of biodiversity for transport infrastructure corridors.

LACA does not support the degradation or loss of habitat, wetlands, biodiversity, or ecological corridors. For these reasons, LACA does not support any road corridor or any other infrastructure corridor that would degrade and remove the biodiversity, habitat or ecosystem functions and services for the area between the Logan Motorway and the Logan River.

LACA recognizes the value of protecting critical habitats, ecosystems, wetlands, riparian areas and biodiversity assets such as those at Karawatha Forest, Berrinba, 'Rosicrucian' land, Scrubby Creek, habitat that remains south of the Logan Motorway, Jerry's Downfall Reserve, Chambers Creek and the Logan River and its tributaries.

Calculation of the potential future carbon footrprint and offset now and in the future and providing this information to the community for accountability is essential to evaluate viability.

Investment in developing a SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT PLAN which will reduce need to construct any further roads for motor vehicles including public transport options, comprehensive bicycle / motorized scooters/wheelchair lanes and independent mobility devices for disabled should be considered as a viable alternative to new motorways.

Globally many countries are applying The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity [TEEB] PRINCIPLES to account for real cost of exploitation of natural environment for built infrastructure. These reports are available at www.teebweb.org. Our local and state governments would find these useful tools for evaluating loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

As a member of the CSRG LACA submitted OUR ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES. See them here. environmental_values_LACA_PARK_RIDGE_CONNECTOR_ROAD.pdf 142.99 Kb 05/11/2011, 12:54

The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, with support of the Logan City Council, wants 16 lanes of north-south traffic in a 6 km wide area.

Is this really necessary? Check out this flyer.

Koalas and other wildlife live across the landscape where this extensive road network is being planned. Do you believe our SPP State Planning Policy protects our koalas? It is insufficient. Do we have to provide safe passage for koalas to access their habitat when transected by roads?

We should but we don't. Why not? According to staff of TMR they can not afford to do this. Evidence LACA's efforts on Mt Lindesay Highway to improve safety for wildlife. Were we successful? Not really but there were some concessions and changes made - very grudgingly. Look at Mt Lindesay Highway now as Crowson Lane overpass is being constructed! Look at what is happening beside Wemberley Rd! How much more do we need?

This is not good enough. There are ways to improve permeability of roads with design. Read this informative study which discussed the Compton Road overpass for wildlife

The only real way to improve conditions for koalas is for them to be listed by Federal Government as endangered.

Do you want to help? Contact  Minister for Environment Tony Burke and request he declare koalas in SEQ South East Queensland as endangered.

KOALAS are listed as  Vulnerable in Queensland.

Anyone who has koala sightings ( dead or alive) from their property or from any suburbs or roads along or around the proposed Park Ridge Connector Route could you please email these sightings to Anne Page This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please include -

1. the approximate date of sighting ( or time of year and year) if possible

2. how many koalas you saw

3. a specific location ( eg street address number, street name, suburb name with post code )

4. what was the koala doing at the time you observed it?

Why report dead animals?

This is positive evidence of presense of animals in area - and easier to photograph.

Please take photos if you can.

There are areas along the proposed Park Ridge Connector Route that are listed under DERM (Department od Environment and Resource Management) mapping as Essential Habitat for Koalas.

On the internet go to - http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/property/mapping/mapsonline.html#wildlife_online

then select the link to State Koala Habitat Maps and enter your Lot on Plan for your property ( you can get this from your rate's notice).

There is other online mapping that you can also access on this same link e.g. remnant vegetation mapping, regrowth mapping and wildlife online. Just click on those links and use your lot on plan to send a request for an electronic map.

Koala State Planning Maps identify certain areas as high koala bushland, medium koala bushland and low koala bushland as well as areas suitable for rehabilitation for koala habitat.

There are very few areas in the Park Ridge Connector Route that were visited by DERM officers to do field survey checks to confirm koala habitat values for the Koala State Planning Maps, but two of them are close to the proposed PRC route

(a) Jerry's Downfall Reserve - medium value bushland

(b) a large site at the end of Virgil Rd that extends east and meets at the end of Dandaraga Ct - high value koala habitat at the end of Virgil Rd ( on east side) and medium value habitat on rest of block.

(c) a property on Hawkins Road ( Stockleigh) - high habitat value and medium habitat value

Under the State Koala Planning Policy development in koala habitat must be mitigated first - that means the proposed road corridor must first demonstrate that every effort has been made to AVOID koala habitat. Offsets are only a last resort when all other avenues have been explored.

Has Main Roads done this for the Park Ridge Connector Route?

There are concerns about the accuracy of the State Koala Planning Maps generally as very few sites were ground truthed, and the Australian Koala Foundation has their own koala mapping that they use. You can access the Australian Koala Website and enter your own koala sightings online https://www.savethekoala.com/koalamap.html

The biggest threat to koalas is the loss of habitat and habitat fragmentation.

VIABLE Park Ridge Connector (PRC)  arterial - or not???

What is The Park Ridge Connector (PRC)? See TMR  link here for an explanation

What is your vision for South East Queensland - specifically the new Logan area

 - listed in government documents as Mt  Lindesay North Beaudesert Study Area. It has been and will continue to be subject to processes called "investigation" in various South East Queensland Regional Plans. As a conservation group LACA's major concern is that the landscape is being fragmented into a patchwork mishmash of disconnected bits of bushland - without long term seasonal studies of flora and fauna.

Significant areas of wetlands and regional ecosystems are threathened by these processes and archaic planning processes. To their credit Logan City and Main Roads gathered a Community Stakeholder Reference Group to determine VIABILITY of a road corridor through the new urban area of Park Ridge.

Community feedback is now being sought - without there being any analysis or discussion of the real costs if intact areas of natural environment are destroyed by a clever piece of engineering.

Globally nations have been talking about TEEB  - THE ECONOMICS OF ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY and many nations are placing a value on the benefits we receive freely from nature. The loss of functioning biodiversity has not been included in the economic analysis!!

What does viable mean? The CSRG were told - as you are told - we need this motorway to move freight. There are other options - none of which were discussed at CSRG meetings - but should be discussed.

A timely article appears in the current issue of GMAGAZINE - How the Dutch got their cycle paths. Enjoy the video here 

Dutch cities could not cope with the traffic, recognized the peak oil situation and economic crisis. People power helped government to acquire A POLITICAL WILL TO CHANGE. Can we take some advise from Ablert Einstein who said

We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them

Check out the refined area of interest for a major motorway at this link

If you are concerned about the nonviabilty of a six lane 100 metre freight road corridor please make that clear on your feedback form.

Consider coming along to a LACA meeting to discuss options and work towards creating a sustainable environment for future generations.

 Contact Anne Page President3297 0624 Kathy Faldt Vice President or Ted Fensom from BREC [Brisbane Regional Environment Council] 3801 1208 to discuss your concerns.

It is also important to discuss your concerns with both your local councillor and  Logan CEO. Contact also Minister for Roads and Minister for Environment.

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