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

NEXT MEETING   Annual General Meeting - 7pm Thursday 21st February at Sunnybank Hills library     
Level 2 Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown
Cnr. Calam Rd. and  Compton Rd.  Sunnybank Hills      

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Welcome all members to the New Year. The protection society has recently been successful in its attempts to have a new wildlife bridge constructed by the State Government over the Gateway Motorway.  This will be done as part of the works undertaken in the Water Pipeline Project and will be undertaken as part of the future widening of the Motorway.  In an historic decision, the State has become a player in the use of wildlife bridges as a means to preserve the flora and fauna links in key environmental situations.  This bridge will extend east from Drewvale, somewhere just south of Illaweena Street.  It is the next in a potential series of crossings we are working to having approved in order to create a green highway from Bulimba Creek South to the Greenbank Military Base.  No green space of any significance should be left unconnected.  We should never allow any of these important flora and fauna areas to wither and die for the lack of viable connection to other similar areas.

There are reasonable arguments, of course, to be made on both sides as to the effectiveness or otherwise of these bridges and tunnels.  Despite the obvious positives being exhibited by Compton Road, leading the Council to build another admirable structure up at Chermside Hills Bushland, the jury is still out as to whether entire ecosystems can be sustained through this type of network, and whether equivalent levels of biodiversity can be maintained.  There is also the valid argument that although the bridges and tunnels might transport a considerable variety of flora and fauna there will still be some elements which will not be able to cross from one area to another unless a more sophisticated range of habitat is available. However, as inadequate as it might be in some senses, the alternative of an impenetrable road barrier is a far greater hindrance and potential destroyer.

I recently had the honour of being given an hour’s interview on FM 98.9 to discuss various subjects including the Protection Society, wildlife bridges and environmental issues in the local area.  I praised the Council for their efforts so far and mentioned that with the increasing challenges facing Council there was immediate need for a greater number of Officers on the ground.  The real trigger for theses actions however comes, not from those in power or the number of staff they have at their disposal, but rather the weight of public opinion and involvement as well as the foresight and passion of the public servants in position to implement the will of this public opinion.  FM 98.9 is the aboriginal radio station with links all over Queensland. They have offered to make further connection with us to try to work together to help protect more of our valuable natural assets.  Our common ground is a love of the land. This, I believe, is what we need to impress on the powers that be if we are to create a sustainable living space for both nature and man.

SUCCESSFUL BCC GRANT APPLICATION
Our 2008 application to the Brisbane City Council for funding our administration and operational expenses has been successful. The Society would like to thank the Lord Mayor and the Brisbane City Council for the $6,500 grant which  makes much of the Society’s work possible.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP FOR TED FENSOM
At our 2007 AGM, KFPS was proud to recognize the efforts of our vice president Ted Fensom by presenting him with life membership of the Society. Ted has been a stalwart supporter of our group from the time it was founded in 1991, giving practical assistance and guidance to former president Bernice Volz and over the last eight years to our current president Thomas Creevey. The Society has benefited significantly from Ted’s vast store of knowledge which has been accumulated over many years as a result of his broad interest and involvement in environmental issues throughout Queensland. Congratulations Ted.

BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL GREEN HEART AWARD FOR THOMAS CREEVEY
Congratulations to our president Thomas Creevey on receiving the inaugural Lord Mayors Green Heart City Smart Australia Day Award which was presented at a Council function on Australia Day 2008. It was pleasing to see Thomas recognized for all his hard work and dedication as president of KFPS and his role as upper catchment coordinator for Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Group. The countless hours spent at meetings, writing submissions, reading reports, talking to people face to face and on the phone have led to many positive outcomes for the green space of our city.  
At his acceptance speech Thomas stressed that we are at a critical juncture in setting the level of green cover for the future. With the last large pockets of green space under increasing threat there will not be enough land left to absorb pressure of new development. The fate of the remaining land of significance that can be saved for Brisbane will be decided in the next few years.

BUSH WALK – FEBRUARY
The February walk will leave from the Acacia Road Picnic area on Sunday 24th. Bring along a good pair of shoes, sunscreen, hat and water. Bring along a camera as there should be some surprises after the good rain we have recently had.

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA  DAY
The next Clean up Australia Day is to be held on Sunday 2 March. Information about sites is easy to find online for those wishing to register a site or register as a volunteer. Just Google in Clean up Australia Day 2008.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Why should I care about future generations? What have they ever done for me?”
Groucho Marx

DATES TO REMEMBER - FEBRUARY/MARCH

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