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

NEXT MEETING   7pm Thursday 21st August at Sunnybank Hills Library     
Level 2 Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown
Cnr. Calam Rd. and  Compton Rd.  Sunnybank Hills

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT
In the next few years we could normally expect that the major battles over the remaining ‘Green Spaces’ unallocated to environment or development use would be over.  We might expect that the Protection Society’s role could be reduced to one of caretaker or watchdog;  rest assured that this will not, and may never, happen.

There are a number of recent examples pointing to our future role.  The destruction of Berrinba, reducing it from the most important environment in West Logan to a park and a pond is an indication of what is possible if community are not able to bring sufficient pressure to bear on ignorant or self-serving administrators.

 In one of the most insidious attempts to grab land of high environmental significance, the Oxley Creek Alliance, have managed to include part of Parkinson and Larapinta, which are essential to the Karawatha-Greenbank Link, in their investigation of the future of the Oxley Wedge.

 This Alliance, the majority of which was originally self-appointed and generally closely involved with the development industry, have been talking about a 6 000 house development plan for the Wedge alone, making a major dent in the green space, tree numbers and carbon credits of Brisbane and impacting in an unimaginable way on the future health of Oxley Creek.

 As well as, the pressures from an increasing population express themselves in greater infrastructure, more waste, increased housing compaction, more pets, greater recreational needs and the like.

The community can decide what form this takes, and should do so.  We should be assisted by the best experts and advice that Council’s can put together.  This process can be circumvented by Council’s largely ignoring the recommendations of their Environment Branches.  The refusal of Logan City Councillors to act on establishing corridor connections out of Greenbank Military Base, as recommended is a good example.

In stark contrast, community determination, championed by then Councillor Mark Bail, saw expert advice confirm, and the courts agree with, the position that wiping out a green space which included a gully, in order to construct a block of three bedroom apartments beside Toohey Forest for student accommodation, was not in the environment’s or community’s best interests.

There are contemporary local problems similar to this such as the future of 495 Wembley Road, the widening of Wembley Road and the plans for Illaweena Street.  We will be intimately involved in the Environment Centre planned for Lake Karawatha.

However, when all these have been wrapped up, the need for diligence, vigilance and governance by the community will not go away.

MEMBERSHIPS DUE  

Please note that memberships are due on 1 September 2008. The Society continues to make headway with many issues affecting the Forest and its connectivity but this is only possible if we have solid support from the community in the form of financial memberships. Please don’t forget to fill out your membership form and send it in as soon as possible. In this all too busy world it is all too easy to put it aside for another day and then forget.

FAUNA FATALITIES AROUND KARAWATHA FOREST  

Wildlife fatality reports have been coming in as we unfortunately continue to lose wallabies and koalas to traffic. One koala and three wallabies have been killed crossing roads around the Forest in the last four months. Our data base is important for future planning so please take note of any dead animals you may see in your travels and promptly report them to the Society on 3711 9346.

FLYING FOXES ARE FOREST MAKERS

Without flying-foxes pollinating trees and dispersing seeds, many of our forests wouldn't exist. Mainland Queensland is home to all four of Australia ’s Pteropus species of flying-fox: little red, grey-headed, black and spectacled.

Find out about flying-foxes in Queensland in our four new species profile.

Batty Boat Cruise dates TBA. Would you like to go on a Batty Boat Cruise this summer? Dates for the 2008 cruising season will be announced on the website soon.

KEEP THE CAT OUT

Wildlife Queensland made a submission to the federal government to oppose the future importation of pet savannah cats, the commercial name for a hybrid of a serval cat (a small African feline predator) and a domestic cat. Thank you to all our members who contacted us expressing concern about this issue.

Savannah cats must not become domestic pets in Australia.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“It’s hard to get used to these changing times. I remember when the air was clean and sex was dirty.”
George Burns, comedian 1896-1996

DATES TO REMEMBER - August

The printed newsletter is now in a new format. Comments are gratefully accepted.
Submissions are welcome. Please forward information to mlparkhill@yahoo.com.au
Help to keep our Green Spaces in good hands!

Report illegal activities to 3403 8888