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

NEXT MEETING   7pm Thursday 18th September at Sunnybank Hills library     
Level 2 Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown
Cnr. Calam Rd. and  Compton Rd.  Sunnybank Hills

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

In the last week or so we have some fortuitous meetings, and more are scheduled in the near future. One of these was with Andrew Ensby, the person in charge of developing the Environment Centre on Lake Karawatha from a concept to reality.
At this meeting, many of the basic ideas which have been part of our earlier entreaties were resurrected to be included in the discussions over the final direction of this project. Mr Ensby is sourcing a wide range of expert opinions and abilities in order to deliver the best outcome for the Centre.
Having been the generators of the original idea, the Protection Society will be integrally involved in helping put together a workable entity. The project includes not only facilities such as buildings, barbeques, fences and picnic tables but also concepts such as what will be included in the educational component of the Centre, what materials will be used, the philosophy of how to integrate such a facility into the Forest and recreational uses such as a botanical gardens of sorts and how the water resource is to be managed and enjoyed.
To that extent, we have offered to act as a conduit to Andrew so that you, the members and associates of our Society can input ideas from the practical to the fanciful, idealistic and just plain common sense to be considered as part of the planning for the best outcome of this facility.  Please feel free to contact the Secretary with any ideas you may have.  All will be given due consideration.
Also, Jane and I attended a luncheon at which the Premier delivered her State of the State address.  We were very pleased to note that two of the Premier’s key targets were a better understanding of the value of environment and a commitment to increase the amount of green space in urban areas and protect more State land in the form of National Parks.
Underpinning these and other targets were five ambitions: strong; green; smart; healthy and fair.  This is an extension of the Smart State idea and these concepts are intended to be yardsticks for the current Government’s assessment of the appropriateness and effectiveness of decisions which are made by Cabinet in the next twelve months.
One of the other key targets was a commitment to increase by 50% the number of Queenslanders involved in volunteering.  This is designed to increase a sense of neighbourhood.  We would be most pleased if a Government initiative gave help and weight to the work that various members of the Society already do for the community in either a role for the Society or for other worthwhile groups for which one may be involved.
The Premier intends to take these ideas, as well as others on growth, innovation, health and schooling to the community in the form of thirty public forums across the State.  We were fortunate to have early input in this process by way of a one-on-one with the Premier (and then with Rachel Nolan, member for Ipswich) addressing a number of issues including the Flinders’ Peak-Greenbank-Karawatha link, the Integrated Planning Act and the injurious affection clause.  The Premier was well aware of our corridor and we look forward to supporting Ms Nolan’s efforts along with our own.
Please note: Mention in the last newsletter of the Oxley Creek Alliance was supposed to refer to the Oxley Creek Taskforce.  Thanks to Jocelyn Clarkson for drawing this to my attention.

MEMBERSHIPS DUE  

A special thanks to those who have already returned their membership subscription.  Please follow this link to the Membership form and return by post. Encourage a friend or work colleague to join. 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.

WILDLIFE CORRIDOR WEEK - KARAWATHA FOREST

Keep an eye out for the banners along Compton Road to celebrate Wildlife Corridor Week towards the end of September. It also celebrates the upgrade of Compton Road as this has reduced road kills.  On average 100 animals use the crossing each night.
Should there be someone who would like to assist  with the attachment of these colourful banners, painted by school children, to the Karawatha Forest fence-line along Compton Road please contact the Society ph 3711 9346.

KOALAS

Want to know more about koalas go to website  - http://www.savethekoala.com

KARAWATHA DISPLAY - SUNNYBANK HILLS LIBRARY

It is threatened species month and we have a banner on display at the library prepared by visiting Taiwanese students to Stretton College, after a guided  tour of the forest, by the  Society.

Thank you to Paula, Nikki and Jane for their help manning the KFPS stand at last month’s Algester Lions Community Fair.  This community get together is getting bigger and better each year and this time we were blessed with perfect weather which meant the crowds were large, giving us a chance to engage with many prospective forest users.

BUSH CARE GROUP

The Bush Care group invites any helpers to assist in the restoration of Karawatha Forest. No experience is necesssary, just willing hands. You can just turn up at the Karawatha Forest entrance in Pamela Cres, Woodridge at 7:00 - 9:00am on every second Sunday of the month or contact Dennis Kerr on 32720 2918 for more information.

NEWSLETTER NEW FORMAT

You may have noticed that the hard copy newsletter is now in a new format thanks to the work of Margaret Parkhill. Margaret would appreciate your comments on this new format, and any submissions for inclusion in future newsletters

Please forward information to mlparkhill@yahoo.com.au

DATES TO REMEMBER - SEPTEMBER

Report illegal activities to 3403 8888

Help to keep our Green Spaces in good hands!