CONSERVATION NEWS August – September 2019 Meetings Third Wednesday of the month, 1.30 pm Bribie Room, Caloundra Library Support Building (at rear of the Library), Omrah Avenue, Caloundra Executive President: John Roberts Vice-Presidents: Jill Chamberlain, Paul Smith Secretary: Jude Crighton (Ph: 5491 4153) Treasurer: Judy Burns (Ph: 5441 3913) Minutes: Jenny Gursanscky Contact PO Box 275, CALOUNDRA Q 4551 Email [email protected]Faunawatch Coordinator: Paul Smith Ph: 5443 8315: email: [email protected]Our thanks to Caloundra MP Mark McArdle and staff for their generous support in the photocopying of Conservation News Branch Report with John Roberts & Jude Crighton The UNESCO Biosphere workshop of 19 June was attended by several members, with Biosphere defined as an international site of excellence, recognised by UNESCO as ‘an area of natural beauty where people live and work…Places…where active conservation sits alongside responsible development and people living sustainably’. John has applied to participate in the consultation group leading to Council endorsement this year. In 2020 State and Federal Government assessment is required before UNESCO assessment in 2021. At the workshop participants had concerns re the inter-urban break status of Halls Creek, mapping of Special Management Care areas in 'Live and Work' zones, and apparent lack of protection of dunal areas. That the Environmental Levy might be a source of funding, and the absence of baseline Biodiversity Indicators were also points raised. Generally, there was scepticism re environmental protection when the thrust appears to be towards encouraging tourism and promoting agribusiness. The Branch has prepared a submission, raising such concerns. Although the online survey is now closed, Council are still inviting email responses: https://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/celebrate-people- and-nature-biosphere Isabel Jordan Nature Reserve: President John, VP Jill and Secretary Jude met Cr Rick Baberowski and a Council officer from Property Management regarding the Queensland Air Museum’s wish to expand into the reserve to increase space for their collection, and to provide extra parking. It is likely that despite a long process of assessments, Council will allow the action as it was approved in 2013 as part of the Caloundra Airport Master Plan. Offsets are to be considered but there is no equivalent wetland available. There are complex zonings including State Government protection, the tenure is ‘Reserve’ while the ‘Purpose’ is ‘Park’. SCC Planning changes may now allow infrastructure in 'Parks'. We also consider that the proposal may not even meet the desired outcome of greater exposure for the museum, as the museum is too far away from Caloundra Road. Cr Baberowski and Property Management are to keep us informed. The WindanSea Boardriders Clubhouse has been approved by Council on the rear of the dune in a wetland area at Ballinger Beach, Currimundi, despite recommendation otherwise by Council staff. Conditions include a slight re-siting and a 20-metre fire
Transcript
CONSERVATION NEWS
August – September 2019
Meetings Third Wednesday of the month, 1.30 pm
Bribie Room, Caloundra Library Support Building (at rear of the Library), Omrah Avenue, Caloundra
Faunawatch Coordinator: Paul Smith Ph: 5443 8315: email: [email protected]
Our thanks to Caloundra MP Mark McArdle and staff for their generous support
in the photocopying of Conservation News
Branch Report with John Roberts & Jude Crighton The UNESCO Biosphere workshop of 19 June was attended by several members, with Biosphere defined as an international site of excellence, recognised by UNESCO as ‘an area of natural beauty where people live and work…Places…where active conservation sits alongside responsible development and people living sustainably’. John has applied to participate in the consultation group leading to Council endorsement this year. In 2020 State and Federal Government assessment is required before UNESCO assessment in 2021. At the workshop participants had concerns re the inter-urban break status of Halls Creek, mapping of Special Management Care areas in 'Live and Work' zones, and apparent lack of protection of dunal areas. That the Environmental Levy might be a source of funding, and the absence of baseline Biodiversity Indicators were also points raised. Generally, there was scepticism re environmental protection when the thrust appears to be towards encouraging tourism and promoting agribusiness. The Branch has prepared a submission, raising such concerns. Although the online survey is now closed, Council are still inviting email responses: https://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/celebrate-people-and-nature-biosphere Isabel Jordan Nature Reserve: President John, VP Jill and Secretary Jude met Cr Rick Baberowski and a Council officer from Property Management regarding the Queensland Air Museum’s wish to expand into the reserve to increase space for their collection, and to provide extra parking. It is likely that despite a long process of assessments, Council will allow the action as it was approved in 2013 as part of the Caloundra Airport Master Plan. Offsets are to be considered but there is no equivalent wetland available. There are complex zonings including State Government protection, the tenure is ‘Reserve’ while the ‘Purpose’ is ‘Park’. SCC Planning changes may now allow infrastructure in 'Parks'. We also consider that the proposal may not even meet the desired outcome of greater exposure for the museum, as the museum is too far away from Caloundra Road. Cr Baberowski and Property Management are to keep us informed. The WindanSea Boardriders Clubhouse has been approved by Council on the rear of the dune in a wetland area at Ballinger Beach, Currimundi, despite recommendation otherwise by Council staff. Conditions include a slight re-siting and a 20-metre fire
Page 2
Conservation News August-September 2019
Advance Dates
SCC’s Coast & Conservation Forum 11 August, 8 am – 5 pm
Just a reminder for volunteers with Council’s Bush Care groups to book for your invitation-only event at the Caloundra Events Centre
Wildflower Festival 2019 The dates for our guided walks are:
Ben Bennett Bushland Reserve: 17 and 22 August
Isabel Jordan Nature Reserve: 27 August
Kathleen McArthur Conservation Park: 29 and 31 August
Botany plus Botanical Drawing workshops September/October: Workshops at the Cooroy Butter Factory with Dr Tanya Scharaschkin (Botanical Research, Art and Training). Dates to be confirmed; check the Butter Factory website.
break, with impact on existing dense vegetation. Funding has been promised by MP Andrew Wallace and club members; State Government controls remain on vegetation removal. At Sunshine Coast Council’s Coast & Conservation Forum on 11 August we will provide a stall with an information focus on WPSQ history and the work of Kathleen McArthur. The Cottonwood Tree Study was finally released on 5 July (https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Environment/Education-Resources-and-Events/Environment-Resources-and-Publications/Natural-Resource-Management-and-Conservation-Techniques/Cottonwood-Tree-Study). The report contains two sections. The first section is by Place Design Group on community feelings about the Cottonwood and the cultural (namely Aboriginal) heritage implications using the assistance of Australian Heritage Specialists. We support the recommendation that SCC directly consult the Kabi Kabi Traditional Owners prior to the commencement of any activities surrounding colonies of Cottonwood Trees, to confirm that no further compliance obligations exist for these proposed activities. The second section is an Ecological Assessment by 28° South Environmental Pty Ltd and Arbor Australis Pty Ltd, and we welcome the confirmation that the Cottonwood Tree should not be considered a biosecurity risk through local government management policies or under the Biosecurity Act (Qld) 2014. Although the report presented no firm conclusions, merely a range of management 'options', over the next 12 months a pilot project using the findings from the study will be undertaken at the Shelly Beach car park. We have requested a meeting with relevant Council officers to clarify issues raised by the report, and this will occur in late August. Members have prepared a summary, available on request.
Response with Jill Chamberlain Re: MCU18/3050 & RAL18/0199 Development Permit to Reconfigure a Lot (4 Lots into 171 Lots, new road park and balance lots, over 2 Stages) Jill’s submission re Twin Waters West, a development on the Maroochy River floodplain with preliminary approval for a material change of use that varies the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme, raises considerable concerns: • possible flooding, caused by this development, both on site
and impacting on areas downstream, creating increased velocity and scouring at the river mouth. The fact that the developed land is intended to be raised by 500mm could well increase inundation downstream
• likely alteration to the hydrology and hydraulic regime of the retained wetland on site
• loss of integrity and heritage value of Settler’s Park due to its bisection by the entrance road and associated earthworks
Prof. Mike Archer is perhaps best known for leading research into the extraordinary Riversleigh fossil deposits in Queensland, which led to the site being listed on the World Heritage Register. His current research explores how the fossil record contains information vital to saving critically endangered species. A must hear presentation!
Weeds never sleep! Join us for our regular morning weeding sessions at Watson Park, Moffat Headland on the first Friday of each month, and at Kathleen McArthur Conservation Park, Currimundi Lake on the first Wednesday of each month. Contact Jude at [email protected].
• the impact on the local mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos which freely roam the area of grassland and will apparently be restricted to the riparian corridor
• the likely impact on other species of wildlife • the disturbance of extensive areas of Acid Sulfate Soils,
requiring treatment with more than 25 tonnes of CaCO3 • likely problems with groundwater due to the fact that it
occurs close to the natural soil surface • loss of visual amenity. Re: RAL18/0173 Reconfigure a Lot (6 Lots into 120 Lots and 2 Park Lots) At 3-31 Abbotts Road, 107-117, 121, 123-129,145-147 &149 Woombye-Palmwoods Road, Palmwoods Jill questions the inconsistencies in the application to Council which promises retention of dense vegetation close to Abbott’s Road while the Ecological Assessment Report halves the area. This would ‘diminish its value as an ecological link with the connecting corridor of vegetation protected under covenant’. Jill also writes: ‘We note that the dams on site will have to be filled in. As the consultant states, the dams on the watercourse provide suitable breeding habitat for native amphibians, including the Vulnerable (Nature Conservation Act 1992) Tusked Frog, Adelotus brevis’, as well as ‘probable feeding sites for species such as kingfishers, egrets and herons (a forest kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii) was observed during the survey). It is also highly likely that eastern water dragons (Physignathus lesueurii) utilise areas in and around the dams.’ Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) would also have their habitat reduced.
Faunawatch with Paul Smith Grant funds expenditure from several sources (SCCouncil, Healthy Lands & Waterways) has been finalised for the financial year, with the SCC grant continuing into its third year. Land for Wildlife properties and Aura surveys have been affected by hot and dry, then cool and wet, weather. The survey for Currimundi Catchment Care Group in Kathleen McArthur Conservation Park will proceed shortly, then later in the year. A wildlife talk at the Aura community centre was well received. NOTE: There is no Monday walk in August due to the Wildflower Festival. September and October walk details will be emailed out to Faunawatch and WPSQ members. Wednesday Walks (2nd of the month, 8 am) continue at Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens, on 14 August, 11 September, 9 October and 13 November.
Page 4
Conservation News August-September 2019
The truth is that people don’t see a wildflower unless there’s an arrow on it saying ‘wildflower’. Kathleen McArthur: Courier-Mail 18 December 1968
Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus) One of Australia’s most stunning birds, the tiny Spotted Pardalote is also known as the diamond bird, for good reason. However, because they feed in the eucalypt tree tops, they can be difficult to closely observe. At nesting time the birds will investigate earth embankments and dig a tunnel leading to a nest chamber. It is a lot of work for the little birds and fascinating for the human observer. This is how I managed to get this photo.
Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival Kathleen McArthur (1915-2000) fell in love with the wallum country and its flora on the Sunshine Coast and sought to ‘bridge the gap between science and the public’ to make Queensland ‘a wildflower conscious state’. To this end, Caloundra’s inspirational wildflower artist, author and conservationist, and Wildlife Queensland founder, set out to engage the community. So began the Wildflower Shows, the first in 1967, at Kathleen’s home Midyim in Caloundra. With their common and scientific names, plants were offered for sale alongside Kathleen’s wildflower paintings. The astonishing success of the second Wildflower Show in 1968 was reported in Kathleen’s Wildlife and Landscape article in the local newspaper: I said we would get three thousand visitors to our 1968 Wildflower Show…From all aspects, this, our second annual Wildflower Show, doubled the success of the first…the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland is not a money making organisation. Its aims are CONSERVATION–EDUCATION–RESEARCH. The Wildflower Show followed these aims. As popular as it was, the show could not be sustained in a small garden. After 1971, with interest levels in local plants increasing, new venues included Fairhill Nursery, the Coolum Community Centre and Coolum State School. Local groups organised guided walks in the wallum plains. Into the 1990s and beyond, a major contributor was Coolum & North Shore Coast Care, who with Maroochy Waterwatch and the Yaroomba Progress Association set up the Coolum Community Native Nursery. Over time and more than 50 years since its popular beginnings in 1967, this celebration of wildflowers and guided walks across the Coast has become the Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival, facilitated by Sunshine Coast Council.
