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

NEXT MEETING   7pm Thursday 15th February at Sunnybank Hills library     
Level 2 Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown
Cnr. Calam Rd. and  Compton Rd.  Sunnybank Hills

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The ongoing water crisis is bringing us closer to panic stations as Level 5 restrictions are considered.  This scenario has forced the contemplation of some bizarre solutions, most of which are economically exhorbitant to the point of being unfeasible and/or environmentally destructive.  One of the methods being investigated is the draining of aquifers, pockets of underground water, in suburban Brisbane.  Test drillings were proposed for eight sites and this number has since been expanded.  Various estimates have been thrown about for the final total of sites, from 30 to around 100.  On each of current drill sites, 20,000 liters of water a day for, I believe, a month or two, are to be extracted and tested for suitable use.
At a meeting with representative of the group entrusted with the project, we were informed that the maximum amount of water provided from this scheme would represent 1.5% of Brisbane’s water needs.  Averaged out over a minimum 30 sites, this would represent 0.05% per site.  If this amount were the difference between “make-or-break” there might be a case for extraction.  As an aside, the water from these test extractions has not been collected and was allowed to flow away needlessly. The unfortunate thing is that this resource has a very limited time before it runs out, and experiences here and overseas such as around Perth and in western States of the United States show that these aquifers collapsed, never to be useful again.
However, valuable time, money and resources are being frittered away while the bigger picture of grey-water capture, storm-water collection and enforcing the compliance and reducing the excessive waste of industry and big business seem to be given the “fiddle-while-Rome-burns” treatment.  Despite the recent assurance we received that the quarry in Karawatha would not be drained, we feel that it could still come back on the table. We need to fight for the environment, since the effects of this extraction on our most valuable sites of the sub-coastal wet heath and melaleucas on top of sandstone ridges are not at all understood.  Is it worth risking the loss of Karawatha’s most valuable assets for the sake of 0.05%?
In circumstances like this, one might seek the fool. Or is there a clever fool? Let us assume for a minute that this extraction project is merely a smoke-screen for an ulterior agenda. Who could benefit? Aquifers have a habit of leaking, or collapsing the ground above if they are drained.  People in Jackson Rd Sunnybank Hills have been complaining for years about the spring in their road, and Yugarapul Park would have been developed for housing long ago if it were not constantly wet.  One area where significant changes could have a marked effect would be Oxley Wedge.
This land between Blunder and Oxley Creeks is a flood plain with very limited housing potential, the water coming very close to dwellings at times.  Flood-proofing the area could be achieved by creating a drop-off zone up stream and baffles beside the Creek which would ensure that any overflow went right where one wanted it to go. The problem is that below the land most suitable for a drop-off lies a series of layered aquifers containing, in part, water equivalent to the purest discovered anywhere in the world.  Any soil extraction of sufficient size would compromise these reserves.  Draining the aquifer on the pretext that 0.05% of our daily water would save us from dying of thirst, when other options had far greater potential, seems ludicrous.  Unless, of course, it allowed housing development to proceed as an obvious extension of the Forest Lake and Sanctuary developments.  One wonders would this aquifer programme proceed if it included an assurance that no water was to come from Oxley Wedge?

BUSH WALK- FEBRUARY

This months walk will leave from the Acacia Road picnic area on Sunday 25 February at 7am. Bring along a good pair of walking shoes, hat and sun screen.  Several good falls of rain over the past few weeks have greened up the bush a little and the chances of seeing a wallaby or two are quite high. A regular  walker was highly elated when he  reported seeing a koala with a joey a few seeks ago, so keep an eye out in the trees as you amble along.

LATEST STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT RELEASED

The third State of the Environment report was released on the 6th December. The report offers a five yearly snapshot of trends and pressure points across a range of areas including atmosphere, biodiversity and human settlements. Read it for yourself at www.deh.gov.au/soe/2006/index.html

IMPORTANT FAUNA STUDY IN KARAWATHA

A significant fauna study is currently being conducted in Karawatha Forest by  frog expert Dr Jean Marc Hero. Some of you may have seen ribbons attached to trees in the sub-coastal heath area and wondered what these may represent. They are part of a grid system being used by researchers to observe animal movements. This study is part of a greater, long-term international study under the PPBio programme which aims to gain regular data at many different sites around the world giving a clear indication of changes in species numbers and variability in habitats.
Dr Hero has offered to come and talk to our group at one of our regular monthly meetings explaining how this study will be implemented and its long-term repercussions. Arrangements are currently under way and we will keep you posted as to when Dr Hero will be available.

ILLAWEENA STREET BBQ

If you were intending to use the new solar BBQ at the Illaweena Street picnic grounds it would be an idea to take along a cut lunch instead as thieves have stolen  some of the important components and rendered it inoperable. Council is currently improving security at the site and it may be some time before the BBQ is working again. Don’t let this discourage you from using this picnic area as the shelter is very cool and comfortable and the walks which start here are most enjoyable.

BUSH CARE - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Two hours a month on the 2nd Sunday of the month is all the commitment which is required when joining our Karawatha Bush Care Group. There is a lot of work to do rehabilitating areas within the Forest and the band of hard working volunteers who are at present doing this work will tell you that when you are among friends and enjoying yourself time flies.
Our bush care group needs the help of more volunteers to start the new year rolling. If you would like to help rehabilitate sections of Karawatha, make new friends and enjoy the early morning freshness once a month on a Sunday morning contact Dennis Kerr on  3272 2918

COFFEE BREAK

Our coffee break mornings will start again on Tuesday 6th  March at 10.30am at BB’s Coffee Lounge Level 4 in the Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown Cnr of Calam Rd and Compton Rd. Sunnybank Hills. Meetings will be held  on the first Tuesday of each month.  If you can’t come to the monthly committee meetings this is a good chance to catch up with what is happening. Everyone is welcome and the atmosphere is most casual.  Look forward to seeing some new faces.

DATES TO REMEMBER - FEBRUARY

Report illegal activities to 3403 888