Logan and Albert Conservation Association
Some ideas you could consider to reduce your impact on the environment.
COMMUNITY PLANS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS - state government directive
Queensland Government requires all local councils to consult wih community and produce a document called a community plan. Timeframe for completion is December 2011 - unless council has been granted an extension - as is the case with LOGAN CITY COUNCIL which has until 2013.
SCENIC RIM REGIONAL COUNCIL is currently collecting your vision for the future. This is where you are invited to have your say.
Energex Logan River to Jimboomba Protest Rally at Parliament - Thursday 7 October 2010
Please consider supporting the action described here and organized by Paul Casbolt on behalf of VETO (Veto Energex Towers Organisation) that is protesting against the upgrade and new easement for a 110 Kv line to cross the Logan River 5 times and run south along Camp Cable Rd.
This proposed route will clear 42.5 hectares of koala habitat which also provides valuable habitat for other threatened species in the area eg quolls, green thighed frog, wallum froglet , glossy black cockatoos and 4 species of gliders (greater, squirrel, sugar, feathertail) that we know about from community surveys.
LACA has been assisting VETO for the past 2 years and has provided formal submissions to all rounds of community consultation (please see the LACA or VETO websites for copies of LACA and VETO submissions outlining major concerns). President Anne Page has attended fortnightly meetings over this time along with many other concerned members from the Logan River and Camp Cable Rd communities.
There are many reasons why the community should be objecting to such projects (see LACA submission ) in our local area and across Queensland. If you are able to attend this peaceful rally please RSVP to Paul ph 3200 5210 (see flyer contacts). There will be a coach bus to pick people up from Logan Village Community Centre at 10 am and will return there around 1.30 pm (cost $8 per person please to cover bus hire) .
The Hon. Margaret Keech has already agreed to meet the group and take receipt of the petition outside Parliament House.
This joint Rally with other Community Groups (also dissatisfied with the Energex process) may be our best chance to influence State Politicians as it is likely that Minister Stephen Robertson will make a decision on the Loganlea to Jimboomba 110kV Sub Transmission Line Community Infrastructure Designation in December.We hope to get wider media interest and support by joining with the Sunshine Coast group and the STOP group from the Gold Coast.
This will be a civil, peaceful protest and children are welcome as this is for their future (unfortunately Parliament does not sit during school holidays).
SAVE OUR KOALAS!
NO TOXIC DUMP IN IPSWICH!
Public Meeting 3 July 2pm - 4pm Rising Sun Hotel, 27 School Rd, Rosewood
Dr Patricia Petersen has organised a public meeting for local residents concerned about a large-scale, hard-to-place, high impact industries site proposed for Ebenezer, a rural area south-west of Ipswich. High impact industries involve noxious, offensive or hazardous operations. This can include chemical storage, irradiation plants and the processing of banned organochlorine pesticides such as DDT, dieldrin and PCBs. It is totally unacceptable that an industrial development such as this should be considered for this area. Farmers and other residents in Ebenezer rely on clean rain water for drinking and household use, soil and crop production. Beef and agricultural industries out this way are currently very strong, they are thriving.
If this development goes ahead, it will be catastrophic. It will negatively impact on livelihoods. Because the area doesn't have impervious clay, local aquifers will end up being contaminated These feed into the Mr Walker Creek, which flows into the Bremer and Brisbane Rivers. Ipswich doesn't need an environmental disaster such as this, neither does South-East Queensland. The Bremer River is still recovering from a chemical 'dump' from Amberley RAAF Base a year ago, which polluted the waterways.
There is grave concern about the impact that this proposed industrial estate will have on koalas. This area has the highest density of koalas in South-East Queensland. The koalas are healthy, have a long lifespan and are Chlamydia free. If they are disturbed, this koala habitat will be lost forever. This is supported by the Ipswich Koala Protection Society.
Entry form at bottom of page.
All entrants must read and agree to the following Terms and Conditions before entering the Photography Competition 2010
To enter the competition, choose your entry form below to enter online: click on age group
Once the entry form has been submitted, please pay the Entry fee by Electronic Funds Transfer
| Bank Details | |
BSB: | 704 640 Qld Country Credit Union Ltd |
Account: | 2265525 |
Account name: | Logan and Albert Conservation Association Inc |
Reference: | your email address |
Seven year old Angela Koranski is in Mrs Olsen's year 2 class at Canterbury College. Angela recently entered the Logan City Council's World Environment Day Poster competition. Angela was selected as one of thirteen winners. Her winning entry will be displayed at the Logan Art Gallery and her poster will be reproduced as part of a Logan City Council calendar.
"I live on the Logan River. So do lots of birds, reptiles, mammals and plants. Cutting down trees means the animals won't have a home. Nature is special. We need to look after it!"
NOT IN ANYONE'S BACKYARD and ESPECIALLY NOT having one of our rivers as the boundary.
LACA has for a long time viewed the Bromelton site as one of regional significance with an additional threat to Moreton Bay although no one else seems to be noticing. The area around the landfill and strong smelling industries is one of concern - with more details being available from our campaign website www.lovetheloganvalley.org.au managed by Brooke Hynch.
The Love the Logan Valley Campaign has been formed out of a group of individuals who love the clean living values that the Logan Valley represents, with its clean air, its clean water, clean food and clean living. If the Valley is to have a large industrial city in it then these industries should reflect our clean environment and not be dedicated to toxic, noxoius and hard to place industries.
Our members include people from all walks of life - farrmers, eco-tourism operators, environmental scientists, mums and dads who live in the area and want to make sure the health and well-being of their children, and their children's children are secured for this valley.
The Ebenezer site is a new proposal that has comes out of the blue - this one drains into Warril Creek, then the Bremer and then the Brisbane River. A major incident at either would contaminate either waterway. It and another area Wellcamp near Toowoomba are discussed on the Department of Infrastructure and Plannin website. See the links documents and maps from this page.
According to that page the government is identifying new industrial land for large footprint, difficult-to-locate and high impact industries in a sustainable way by:not locating industrial zones in environmentally sensitive areas considering infrastructure requirements separating incompatible land uses considering the commercial needs of these types of industries.
They recognise not all large footprint, difficult to locate and high impact industries have the same requirements. For example, some require good access to road, rail and port infrastructure, some need large amounts of water and electricity, some require good separation from sensitive land uses and others need to be located close to resources and/or their markets. These considerations also form part of the study.
The community has been fed limited information on Bromelton for over five years with secret reports funded by developers
Our first South East Queensland Koala Alliance video is ‘in the can’ and can be viewed at this link here. 
http://www.youtube.com/user/sbaltais#p/a/u/0/WT_DDDEvjHE
A group of concerned citizens from Logan have been engaged and actively campaigning to protect the Logan River from the first unsustainable proposal by ENERGEX to supply power for goverment's stated future population growth. The group VETO have a website www.veto.org.au which is currently being updated. There have been many sightings of koalas along the proposed power corridors. It would seem the big squeeze is being exerted on all species of the natural environment - animals and plants,microbes and man - to move over for the built environment with its manufactured concrete and steel structures.
Andy Grodecki invites us all to join with him to participate in an international event hosted at www.350.org. This s a new global campaign focused on making sure the world takes the 
kind of big, bold, fast action that we need to solve this crisis.
Our action will be at Jubilee Park, Beaudesert -
12 noon this Sunday 25 October during the 'Our habitat, our home' event
Hope you can make it.
Here's the situation:
- The science of climate change is getting darker by the day. The Arctic is melting away with astonishing speed, decades ahead of schedule. Everything on the planet seems to be melting or burning, rising or parched. No surprise there--scientists tell us that the safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is 350 parts per million, and we're at 389 and rising.
- But there's good news: we're not cooked yet, and THIS YEAR we have an opportunity to make a real impact. In December, the nations of the world will be meeting to craft a global treaty designed to help the world act together to solve global warming. The terms of this treaty may well determine whether we actually save the planet from climate change, so it's up to all of us to make sure we get it right.
Everyday we hear and read about the environment and how our human behavioursare impacting on our home. The environment is everyone's home and is shared - though not evenly - with all humans and all other life forms or species.
This week 11- 17 October 2009 is the first ENVIROWEEK. It has been set up to highlight and reward or acknowledge those people, groups, schools and community groups who are each making contributions towards protecting our environment.
Coolaustralia.org is the group responsible for beginning this promotion and various cities and individuals have connected with the process.
Our local Where I live section of the online newspaper Logan West Leader provides some coverage here.
whereilive.com.au readers from any area to read write and comment on local news as well as check on local events
THERE IS PROVISION FOR READERS TO COMMENT ONLINE IF THEY WISH. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
The story is below for your convenience. MPs were asked these questions
Do you support a Logan City Council proposal to build a new substation in the area, negating the need for the Loganlea to Jimboomba powerline?
Do you think there is any point to the community consultation process when the decision on the powerline’s route appears to have been made?
MP’s position on Energex powerline (along and across the Logan River)
JOHN MICKEL, MEMBER FOR LOGAN
National Climate Emergency Rally 13 June 2009 - join across Australia on 13 June 2009 in a peaceful rally for urgent action and leadership to avoid catastrophic climate change. On Monday 5 May 2009, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd reneged on his 2007 election promise to take action to avoid catastrophic climate change. The clear majority of national and state conservation groups have jointly written to the Prime Minister, voicing their incredulity at this about-face. LACA joins these groups in condemning the Federal government's dilution of its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). Open and read the joint letter from the conservation sector to the Prime Minister. 
Joint_Statement_from_Conservation_Sector_to_Prime_Minister_5_May_2009.pdf 557.07 Kb 05/06/2009, 20:01
Join the rally on 13 June at 1pm Queens Park, corner of George and Elizabeth streets, Brisbane CBD.
More information go to http://www.climaterally.org/
WEAR RED to signify a climate emergency and bring banners and signs.
Vote for the earth on March 28th by turning off the lights for Earth Hour 2009! Now in its third year running, the event is an incredible display of solidarity among the green movement, and this year they're looking for 1 billion participants to turn off their lights next Saturday between 8:30pm and 9:30pm. Don't miss out on this chance to raise awareness for climate change and cast your vote for the earth in the fight against global warming!
THIS IS THE WORLD'S FIRST GLOBAL ELECTION, BETWEEN EARTH AND GLOBAL WARMING.
On March 28 you can VOTE EARTH by switching off your lights for one hour.Or you can vote global warming by leaving your lights on.
This classic Dr. Seuss story tells the tale of the Once-ler, an industrious new comer who exploits a beautiful paradise, and the Lorax, who "speaks for the trees, for the trees have no tongues" and warns the Once-ler of the perils of overuse.
"The Lorax" is an engaging and educational tale with a hopeful message for the future. Although it is intended to appeal to younger children its message is one we could all heed. Planet Ark's website contains the 24 minutes cartoon adaptation as part of its promotion for Get Growing on Schools Tree Day, Friday 31st July 2009. The book of The Lorax is published by Random House (ISBN: 0394823370).
There are many useful resources and links for schools - and everyone interested in planting trees.
Media Alert
Where do the major parties stand on the key environment issues at this State election?
Place: Queensland Conservation Office
166 Ann St Brisbane
Date: Tuesday 17th March 2009 Time: 1.00 pm
For Further Information:
Toby Hutcheon (QCC) 3221 0188/0419664 503
Don Henry (ACF) 0418 501395
Tim Seelig (TWS) 0439 201183
Nick Heath (WWF) 0418 885324
Simon Baltais (SPA) 0412 075 334
Compare election priorities scorecard for a safe climate, healthy rivers, nature protection and community future on this document. 
scorecard.doc 37.50 Kb 17/03/2009, 08:22
Read the media alert to see the 16 Queensland groups who are working together to protect our unique environment for our current and future populations. media_alertscorecard17march.doc 168.50 Kb 17/03/2009, 08:35
Do you want to see HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINES criss cross the Logan River?
Do you want your environment affected by HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINES?
Do you know whether your property will be affected by HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINES?
Do you want to see your property devalued by HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINES?
If you answered NO to any of the above questions you should attend this meeting.
For further information contact Maree Slingsby VETO's Spokesperson on 0408 765 847
SHADES OF KOALA WARS - VETO RE- GROUPS
Australians in dark on emissions effort are the headlines in today's Australian newspaper 23 February 2009.
Polling to be published by the Australia Institute this week found almost 90 per cent of respondents believe households and individuals should be able to contribute to reducing national greenhouse emissions. Read the article here.
Contact your local members for state and federal government and tell them what you want.
Personally I believe my own actions to lessen the pollution my actions have caused should be measured accounted and encouraged.
Water is vital for all of us. We depend on it for drinking, washing, recreation, agriculture and industry. Water controls the world's weather and sustains the natural systems above and below the earth's surface. But did you know that it is the water beneath our feet - something you can't see and may not even know is there - that is truly our hidden treasure!
Some Water Facts
Where does water come from?
Water spends time in the ocean, in the air, on the Earth's surface, and under it as groundwater. This water circulates endlessly in a kind of global plumbing system called the hydrologic cycle or water cycle.
Global plumbing!
The water cycle is controlled by the sun, which produces the heat energy that determines the way the earth uses and recycles its water. This heat energy evaporates water in the oceans, lakes and even backyard pools. When water evaporates, it rises into the cooler air, collects, and forms clouds. Eventually, the water droplets that form the clouds fall from the sky as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. When water falls to the ground, it doesn't stop moving. Some flows across the earth's surface into bodies of water like rivers and lakes. Other water seeps into the soil where it makes its way to becoming groundwater, and then may slowly flow into rivers and lakes, or back into the sea. Then the cycle starts all over again! More about the water cycle is available from this CSIRO website.
If you have an interest in hydrology this page introduces you to a Hydrogeologist and includes a video about his work. The links from this page have lots of information for students.
Many of us may wish for a return to a simpler way of life. Some have made that commitment - a return to their own values and they share their stories of the good life via XXI century letter writing - blogging. A 35 year old Australian mother of two throws in her job as a lawyer and comes home to raise her children thoughtfully, grow her own vegies, bake bread and live a more family oriented sustainable life. The question is, will she be able to balance it all and make enough income to afford her signature coffee - a vanilla latte on skim. These serious matters are explored in the pages of her blog http://avisionsplendid.blogspot.com/
Community groups in far north Queensland are very alarmed at the Premier's recent announcement that the draft FNQ2025 Plan would be amended to allow large scale tourism developments outside the urban footprint.
News reports state that accommodation for up to 250 people and accompanying facilities with a floor area of no more than 4000sqm will be allowed outside the Cairns urban footprint, as long as they are not in areas of high ecological significance or on good-quality agricultural land.
Small-scale developments such as backpacker hostels and farm stays, which are already allowed, will have the option of taking in up to 100 people and have larger facilities.
Community is very concerned at the watering down of urban sprawl constraints under the Plan and the potential damage to sensitive areas which warrant
protection. While the formal submission period on FNQ2025 has ended, CAFNEC wants to keep up the pressure for amendment of FNQ2025 so that it protects wildlife corridors and important habitat, especially for cassowaries.
Join the campaign by sending a letter to the Deputy Premier using the points suggested in this letter by CAFNEC here.
The full Living Planet Report 2008 goes into detail about the many ways humans are depleting our natural capital. The Living Planet Report, which is published every two years, is produced with the Zoological Society of London and the Global Footprint Network and I encourage readers to download and examine the full document. More information and report download link are available here.
But the good news is that we have the means to reverse the ecological devastation. The report outlines how we can put ourselves on a more sustainable path via global strategies.
For example, with carbon emissions from fossil fuel use noted as the greatest component of humanity's footprint, the report outlines how energy efficiency and clean energy generation can help deliver a more sustainable future. The global carbon footprint has grown more than 10-fold since 1961.
"We humans have been very good at creating problems - but we can be equally good at solving them. A sustainable world is not an unachievable goal. As the world looks to restore its economies we must build in long-term environmental as well as economic sustainability and social sustainability."
Sustainablity must be measured as ecological sustainability - not purely economic. Each one of us has a part to play in the future of our planet - our home that we share with millions of other species.