Small things done now will be disproportionately important in decades to come.
NEXT MEETING 7pm Thursday 7th May at Sunnybank Hills library
Level 2 Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown
Cnr. Calam Rd. and Compton Rd. Sunnybank Hills
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
The good news is, the court case over the development of the property at 293 Compton Road is over after two and a half years. The bad news is… well there really isn’t any bad news. Due to Council’s efforts and our peripheral input, the proposal was reduced from five precincts with approximately 170 housing blocks, to one section of 46 blocks. As well, all the steep-slope sites were eliminated and the creek lines were preserved. We have had some serious points of contention with the lawyers for the other side, but the vital breakthroughs from the society’s perspective came through meetings with the owner and his personal representative, where common sense and willingness for fair play prevailed. They honoured our position in the process in contrast to their lawyer’s attempts to marginalise us and at one stage threaten to have us removed from the case.
Either Jane or myself have been representing the Society in the Planning and Environment Court on a regular basis up to monthly and even weekly, but often every two months. In that time we have learnt a good deal about the process, tactics and achievable outcomes. This would not have been possible without the able assistance of the lawyers and staff at the Environmental Defender’s Office, especially Jo Bragg, and the advice of a number of experts, particularly Ray Ison, environmental consultant and a member of the Society since its inception. We were also aided by others including a town planner, a civil engineer, an ecologist and another lawyer.
In his judgement, Judge Wilson praised the Society for it's input and noted that he had seen many cases, but few where the outcome was so favourable to a community group’s position. In response we stated that we hoped it was as much a vindication of the process of consultation preferred by the court these days, and thanked those presiding in the case for their patience with us as relatively naïve participants in the action.
Brisbane City Council also had the best of advice, and this was greatly assisted by the fact that there was inherent links to our wildlife crossing network over and under Compton Road adjacent to the property in question. The upshot is that BCC have chosen to compulsorily acquire the property, a position we were aware of when we acceded to the owner’s final package. Council has now issued a Notice to Resume and the Court ruling leaves the way clear for Council and the owner to discuss objections to or acceptance of any financial offer. Hopefully the entire property will be resumed to the satisfaction of all parties involved. We would expect the land to be included under the umbrella of Karawatha Forest to allow it to have the existing protection already afforded the Forest.
We will update members as soon as further news is available. Certainly we intend to inform other objectors to the original application who expressed faith in us to represent their interests in this matter. Presently we are toying with having a public meeting to explain the case in detail, as well as shed light on Queensland Rail proposals and the latest on the State Housing land in terms of their impact on the Kuraby Bushland area.
GRIM FUTURE FOR URBAN KOALAS
Koala researchers at Australia Zoo hold grave fears for the welfare and survival of koalas in urban areas.
Researchers have warned that koalas are likely to be extinct in urban areas within 20 years, and humans are largely to blame. The marsupials were being killed off by cars, dogs and a dwindling habitat, said Gail Gipp, wildlife hospital manager at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Ms Gipp said “the Brigalow belt forests of inland and eastern Queensland had been disappearing at an alarming rate with up to 21 football fields a day cleared for farming until broadscale clearing of vegetation was phased out in the state at the end of last year. About 19,000 koalas died each year in the Brigalow belt.”
As part of the first phase of a research project determining the success of releasing hand-raised koalas in rural areas, 12 male Koalas have been fitted with radio collars and are being tracked in the Brigalow area over the coming weeks, with field work continuing until at least the start of September. Some hand-raised animals and also some that have come into care due to large- scale injury or illness will be released in the near future. This research follows on previous studies done in urban areas gauging the success of releasing hand-raised koalas in urban areas. Australia Zoo is hoping to find that there are suitable conditions available to allow for the release of Koalas into rural areas as opposed to freeing them in urban areas where their lifespan might not be as long
BUSH WALK – MAY 27
The May walk will leave from Acacia Road picnic area at 7am. It will be followed by our ever popular bush breakfast at 9am. To help with the catering please ring 3272 3292.
PPBIO - AUSTRALASIA KARAWATHA LAUNCH
PPBio has now established the first stage of the research program in Karawatha Forest. Come join the celebrations at Acacia Road picnic area on
1st June 2007
11am - Presentations and Guided Tours
12noon - Free BBQ provided by Brisbane City Council
Hear talks from PPBio researchers and project partners. Take the opportunity to visit your forest and speak to Council to find out what is going on at Karawatha. All are welcome.
Please RSVP to Mikalah Malone 555 29234 or m.malone@griffith.edu.au
DATES TO REMEMBER - MAY/JUNE
| Meeting |
Thurs 17th Mar |
7pm |
| Bush Walk |
Sun 27th May |
7am |
| Bush Breakfast |
Sun 27th May |
9am |
| PPBio launch |
Fri 1st Jun |
11am |
| Coffee Break |
Tues 5th Jun |
10.30am |
Report illegal activities to 3403 888
 New Arrival at Karawatha
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