MBEA Environmental Scorecard 2015

      

        Please Note:  There was insufficient information available from the other parties to properly
        assess their policies, including their stance and record on environmental issues.

THE COMMONWEALTH STATE AND COUNCIL NEED TO GET THEIR ACTS TOGETHER RE PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES AND THEIR HABITAT

SYSTEMIC FAILURE TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT - A TRIPLE BYPASS!

1.  COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT:

Changes to the Commonwealth's Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Control Act (EPBC Act)  can now delegate the responsibility for matters of national environmental significance to the states. See notes on section 5 below and Minister Hunt's response which flicks responsibility for assessment of impacts to koalas - a federally protected species under the EPBC Act -  to the States.  But Qld  currently demonstrates no interest in environmental issues. By this circuitous and flawed process, the Commonwealth can effectively wash its hands of the issue.


2.  STATE GOVERNMENT:

Development, not environmental protection, is their agenda e.g. relaxation of vegetation protection laws and allowing cattle into some National Parks:

Message from Deputy Premier Seeney & as relayed by State MP's:

"The LNP Government is determined to close the chapter on 20 years of Labor over-regulation of vegetation management.

Green groups are spreading ill-informed, alarmist untruths in a desperate grab to remain relevant and grab newspaper headlines.

The Newman LNP Government rejects claims from extreme environmental group WWF Australia, that changes to Queensland’s vegetation laws will damage ecosystems."


3.  MORETON BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL:

Removed environmental corridors and riparian (streamside) zones from its new planning scheme.

WHERE ARE KOALAS  AND OUR PRECIOUS WILDLIFE SUPPOSED TO LIVE?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATE GOVERNMENT BYPASSES WEST PETRIE BYPASS

THE WESTERNER 24 NOV 2014

 

 

FEDERAL ENVIRONMENT MINISTER GREG HUNT CONTRADICTS HIMSELF

SPEAKING IN TASMANIA RECENTLY GREG HUNT WAS REPORTED IN "THE AUSTRLAIAN " (in connection with World Heritage areas):

 BUT MINISTER HUNT CAN EFFECTIVELY WASH HIS HANDS OF PROTECTING A THREATENED  SPECIES - THE KOALA - WHICH IS HEADED FOR EXTINCTION LOCALLY AS A RESULT OF PROPOSALS LIKE OPTION 'G' - EVEN THOUGH THE KOALA IS LISTED FOR PROTECTION UNDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACT (EPBC ACT).  THIS IS BECAUSE THE COMMONWEALH CAN NOW DELEGATE SUCH DECISIONS TO THE STATES AND QLD DEMONSTRATES DISINTEREST.

 

 

 

WE SAW THE SAME SORT OF DOUBLE-TALK ABOUT THE REEF WHEN THE  COMMONWEALTH ORIGINALLY JUSTIFIED THE UNJUSTIFIABLE DUMPING OF DREDGING SPOIL IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK - UNTIL TAKEN TO COURT BY GETUP THAT IS.

THE COMMONWEALTH NEEDS TO GET ITS ACT TOGETHER ON THE ENVIRONMENT !

MORETON BAY ECO - ALLIANCE challenges Moreton Bay Regional Council's four lane bypass decision

 

 

MORETON BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL - What were they thinking?

 

It's difficult to understand why Moreton Bay Regional Council voted to adopt one of the most expensive and disruptive routes - Option "G"  - from a long list of options for a proposed four-lane bypass west of Petrie village, north of Brisbane.

 Even council's own consultants advised that this was not the best route. 

The route chosen would cost at least $125 million and would cut through the historic village of Old Petrie Town, disrupt the Pony Club and carve right through the middle of large bushland reserves which are home to endangered species like koalas and powerful owls.  This area also contains some extremely significant indigenous sites and records.

 

What were they thinking?

  

OPTION "G" IS THE WORST OPTION

Council's reports omitted some major indigenous heritage issues which MBEA uncovered.

The costs of Option "G" at $125 million was one of the most expensive options.

 

BIRD LIST FOR THE AREA

 

 

MAMMALS AND AMPHIBIANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEDIA RELEASE 26 NOV 2013

MEDIA RELEASE 26 NOV 2013

 

MORETON BAY ECO-ALLIANCE APPEALS TO STATE AND COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENTS TO BLOCK MORETON BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL’S WEST PETRIE BYPASS

“The only hope now to stop  Moreton Bay Council from pressing ahead with this ill-conceived $100 million four lane road through a prime Koala and heritage area is for the State and Commonwealth governments to step in and assert their powers, as well as blocking funding” Mr Bell said.  

Ian Bell is a core member and researcher of the Moreton Bay Eco-Alliance, an alliance of 12 voluntary community groups right across the Moreton Bay Council region.  This group is opposing Moreton Bay Regional Council’s decision to bulldoze a major arterial road, known as West Petrie Bypass Option G, through the middle of a large and vitally important area of bushland that includes three reserves: Lawrie Smith Gardens, Dave Burton Park and Kurwongbah Park. The project involves a road and bridges to connect Young’s Crossing to Torrens Road which runs beside Lake Kurwongbah.

Mr Bell says this area is a significant habitat for Koalas, which are facing possible extinction in this region, and is also home to 150 species of birds, several native animals and some significant cultural and historical sites.  “This major road will probably be the final blow for several special and at-risk species including Koalas, Platypus and Glider Possums. The Square-Tailed Kite, Grey Goshawk and Green Thighed Frog, which are all classified in Queensland as near threatened, have been recorded in this area. There have also been recently verified sightings of a Powerful Owl family including two juveniles which were bred here. Like the Koala, Powerful Owls are officially listed in Queensland as a threatened species – vulnerable category. This rare evidence of a Powerful Owl family, including breeding, is of extreme importance, just as it is for the Koala” he said.

“Similarly there are a number of species which have been sited within this area that are mentioned in one of council’s consultant’s reports (GHD) as being relevant under the Commonwealth’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.  These include the Koala, Grey-headed Flying-fox, Red Goshawk and Black-faced Monarch.”

Mr Bell said “Council employed two reputable firms of consultants – GHD and ARUP - to undertake preliminary investigations into 10 route options. GHD highlighted several ecological and community issues of concern with the Option G route. ARUP warned council about the impacts that would result from the Option G route.  Their report stated ‘It is recommended that the preferred option avoids the large area of bushland south of Lake Kurwongbah due to its environmental and community significance’ and on that basis they recommended  route  Option A.  But in their final assessment, which includes consideration of all aspects including traffic, civil works, costs etc. ARUP recommended route Option B, which also avoids the three park areas.  However council has rejected all this advice and voted unanimously to press ahead with the route having the highest impact - Option G. There has been no community consultation, and council appears to have taken no notice of the thousands of concerned members of the community who have signed petitions calling on council not to proceed with Option G.”   

The Moreton Bay Eco-Alliance claims that their research has revealed that council, in rushing through their approval, which is subject to state and federal approval and funding, may have failed to carry out proper indigenous heritage studies which are required by law prior for any such development. “We have consulted a reputable archaeologist about the Option G route and were advised, following database searches, that this route is located in an area with high indigenous cultural significance and requires by law, a detailed assessment in consultation with the Turrbal, who are the Native Title and cultural heritage body.  The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 requires consultation when a Category 5 assessment is involved. Sites of major significance exist in the vicinity of council’s chosen road route.” Mr Bell said. “Council’s consultant’s reports reveal that there are several important non-indigenous sites and structures of historical and community value that will be impacted.  Some of these sites are included on the National and State Heritage Lists.” 

“What does it say about the future security of our special areas” Mr Bell said, “that Moreton Bay Council, in making decisions about major developments, continually fails to carry out thorough investigations, ignores their communities, and places such little value on our irreplaceable cultural and natural heritage? The same questionable investigation, evaluation and decision process, in the absence of community consultation, is being seen right across this council region.  I believe that Councillors are making decisions ‘on the run’ and are not making themselves properly aware of all the issues.  This is causing alarm to our member groups and communities and is what initially led to calls for the formation of our region-wide alliance, which currently consists of 12 groups and growing.” he said. 

 

“If council proceeds with this project there will be immense consequences that will send a clear signal that none of our precious areas right across this entire council region is safe.  Where is the balance when the environment, cultural heritage and natural amenity always give away to infrastructure?  It’s no surprise that Moreton Bay Regional Council has one of the worst vegetation and habitat destruction records in South East Queensland. We call upon the Commonwealth and State governments to stand beside our communities in stopping this unthinkable four lane Option G route and any other route through this precious area.” Mr Bell said.                                     

Strolling through Dave Burton Park

 

Juvenile Powerful Owl in Dave Burton Park

Koala and joey in Dave Burton Park

MORETON BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL'S MAJOR FOUR LANE ROAD "OPTION G" THROUGH PRIME KOALA HABITAT AND OLD PETRIE TOWN

 

 

 SOME OF THE KOALA TRACKING DONE IN OPTION "G" ROUTE

COUNCIL'S INVESTIGATIONS OMITTED THE PRESENCE OF ENDANGERED POWERFUL OWL FAMILY