Small things done now will be disproportionately important in decades to come.

NEXT MEETING   Thursday 20th April. 7pm at Sunnybank Hills library     
Level 2 Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown
Cnr. Calam Rd. and  Compton Rd.  Sunnybank Hills

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

In recent times we have been working closely with our neighbour, the Trinder Park Rest home, on several of their projects. The latest effort was a planting day in their grounds on April 7th. I am not sure of the figure but at a rough guess it would seem the best part of 600 were planted. These were carefully chosen endemic species positioned with the best chance for long-term survival. One pleasing aspect was that we were able to begin restoration of a vegetation cover on the dam surrounds. This will provide protection for the proposed native fish species and a deterrent for toad spawning. Jane Cajdler, Barry Jahnke and I represented the Society and along with pitching in, we were able to conduct several bushwalks into Karawatha as rewards for the volunteers on the day.

The Volunteer effort was ably coordinated through the adept skill of Greening Australia’s Sandra Williamson, with assistant Linda and their volunteer crew. Also corporate sponsors, Suncorp and ESANDA, provided staff on the day. Logan Bushcarers were out in force, and the residents from the nursing home came down to help. At one time, a quick head-count suggested about 45 people were diligently working away. Some brought their lunch, but true to form, Sandra organized a bumper nutritional lunch which left no one unsatisfied.

The Home is planting out a number of areas, including their fence line at the ‘elbow’ of Acacia road. A war memorial honouring servicewomen was constructed especially to coincide with the day and this was appropriately planted. They are also developing a sensory garden which will include edible plants.

The Society sees this strengthening of local partnerships as a two-way street where we can provide advice on the values of the Forest, native species, weed removal, and environmental issues such as erosion, and our neighbour can assist us in buffering impacts on Karawatha as well as being there for us should we need them in the future. On the day we met with the new head of the facility and his chief staff member and were able to informally discuss various issues. Special thanks go to Sarah Shepherd from Trinder Park. These were her ideas and she was responsible for overall coordination and implementation. The day went off without a hitch and her continuing vision for the place will ensure that their back yard will be a flourishing hive of native flora and fauna.

On another note, we went back to the Planning and Environment Court on the 5th of April and the issue was deferred once again for two months. However, we understand that the other parties are coming close to an agreement and may have a meeting with the Society to discuss these developments before the next Court date. Hold on to your hats!

Our recent meeting with the Queensland Motorway Authority was fruitful. We are working our way through a number of issues and expect to have news of the results of these discussions reasonably soon. There is a similar expectation for the long-term future of the Wembley Road property, as we await the outcome of Council deliberations. On a lighter note, we hope everyone is having a Happy Easter.

AWARD WINNER

Congratulations to Wayne Cameron from B4C (Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee) our neighbour group, who last week won the Healthy Waterways Champion award. In a ceremony at Customs House, Wayne accepted a trophy and a $1500 cheque in recognition of his commitment. Last year as president of B4C he also led the organization to a community award and B4C was a dual overall winner in 2004. Congratulations again to Wayne and his team of dedicated volunteers.

PROPOSAL FOR ADAPTIVE FIRE MANAGEMENT

Recently we have received a copy of a proposal put forward to the Brisbane City Council by Dr Chris Hosking who is working with community groups and the Fire and Biodiversity Consortium in an effort to come to a workable consensus on how best to manage fire in urban bushland situations. Below is an extract from her proposal.

The aim of this proposal is to ensure that deliberately lit fire for ‘hazard reduction burns’ initiated by Council, is not eroding biodiversity values in fragmented urban bushland patches that are under intense pressure from urban encroachment and the associated human pressures.

OBJECTIVES FOR CONSERVATION ZONE MANAGEMENT

• Protection of life and property from wildfire
• Retention of maximum diversity of ecosystems, habitat and species
• Catering for the needs of significant fire adapted and fire sensitive communities
• Reduction of the spread of wildfire
• Protection of cultural resources
• Protection of rehabilitation areas

CONSERVATION ZONE

Most Council controlled burns are carried out in Brisbane City Council Conservation Zones or protected bushland which they manage on behalf of other tiers of Government to:

• Protect life and property by reducing fuel loads
• Maintain the natural role of fire as an ecological process
• Maintain a diversity of ecosystems, habitats and species
  

ADAPTIVE FIRE MANAGEMENT MONITORING PROGRAMS ARE PROPOSED TO INCLUDE:

• Monitoring of pre-and post-burn sites by conducting flora and fauna surveys
• Exclusion of gullies and watercourses Exclusion of ridge tops
• Exclusion of ground layer habitat such as logs
• Exclusion of habitat trees containing hollows
• Exclusion of fire sensitive native plant species
• Exclusion of immobile vertebrate and invertebrate species by – Seasonally appropriate times when invertebrate species are not in diapause (March, April and May)
• Micro Mosaic Patch Burning (1-2 hectares)

BUSH WALK - MARCH

The April bush walk will leave from Illaweena Street picnic ground on Sunday 30th at 7am. This is a good opportunity to check out the new state of the art shelter shed which is nearing completion at this site. The availability of this large canopy will make the use of this picnic area much more inviting in all kinds of weather. Congratulations to Council on a job well done.

OLD PHOTOGRAPHS AT ACACIA PICNIC AREA

Does anyone have any old photographs of the Acacia Road Picnic area site before it was taken over by Council and rehabilitated in the mid 1990’s. Trees at this location are now well grown and it is almost impossible to remember how degraded the site was when it was being used as a community dump. Please have a look at any old photographs you may have of this site as the society would greatly appreciate a copy.

DATES TO REMEMBER - March/April

Report illegal activities to 3403 888