Monday, February 28, 2011
Challenge to Wandoan coal mine launched in Queensland
Lets all Queenslanders and Australians support Friends of the Earth in this David and Goliath battle. This is yet another example where short term financial profits are placed above the environmental health and well being of all species and ecosystems on our planet. Global statements but we are alll on one earth and when we wantonly destroy our functioning communities - people and places - here in outback Queensland the impact and results are felt across earth.
Well done to Friends of the Earth for making and taking a stand defending the rights of MOTHER EARTH against conglomerates like Xstrata Coal whose sole purpose is money.
Read what Friend of the Earth Brisbane spokesperson Dr John Mackenzie said at the following link.
It is possible to live in harmony with our land and country and all people. We can no longer accept that we don't know better. It is time for governments to step up to the mark and represent the people - not large corporations. It is time also for governments to show real leadership and help us all adapt to our changing conditions. Investing in non-damaging job creating closed loop technologies is essential. Use destroy and dump is not the model to show our children.
Governments talk about sustainability - enough for all forever - it's time to begin to actually model that practice and behaviors.
Alliance appeals against EPAs rejection of coal mine proposal - in WA
The Geraldton Iron Ore Alliance has lodged an appeal against a decision by the Environmental Protection Authority to reject Aviva Corporation's proposal to mine coal in the Mid West.
The proposal poses a high risk to critically endangered flora and fauna in the area and EPA have execised the appropriate precautionary principle and EPA has recommended the State Government reject the proposal.
It seems to me that big corporations believe that their fossil fuel exploitation is more important than preserving critically endangered flora and fauna.
Australia has one of the world's worst records for loss of biodiversity and extinction of species. Energy can be produced by renewables. Extinct species can not be restored - no matter how great proposed mitigation may be on paper.
The coal industry does not have a commendable record for restoration.
It is a pity that our Queensland government and its EPA agency does not exercise that precautionary principle. It remains to be seen how the court rules?
Reported at this link following.Alliance appeals against rejected coal mine proposal - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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Opinion sought on sustainable population strategy — Tuesday 1 March 2011
The Federal Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has invited submissions to its issues paper A Sustainable Population Strategy for Australia.
The paper comprises three appendices, each containing a report from independent Sustainable Population Advisory Panels, which identify and explore issues around Australia’s changing population.
In releasing the paper, the Government hopes to draw out community views about changing population, which will in turn inform the Government’s Sustainable Population Strategy.
Submissions can be made through the department website and are due by 1 March 2011.
The strategy will consider the policies and programs required to ensure that we can shape and respond to changes in our population to build a sustainable Australia. The ultimate goal of the strategy is to improve the wellbeing of current and future generations through more effective recognition and management of the impacts of population changes, including the size, composition and location
See article at this following link
Opinion sought on sustainable population strategy — Sustainable Councils — Sustainability and local government
How to have your say
This page explains the process.http://www.environment.gov.au/sustainability/population/consultation/index.html
Submissions can be lodged by email to sustainablepopulation@environment.gov.au
Flagstone residents rail against new city
Residents near bushland being bulldozed to make way for a planned satellite city are mounting a fierce and growing battle against the sweeping powers of the Queensland government's Urban Land Development Authority.
Greater Flagstone, west of Jimboomba, was chosen during the state government's Growth Summit last year as the site for a new satellite city to absorb 130,000 new southeast Queensland residents in 21 years.
But some of the existing 4000-strong population fear cheap houses will be built en masse without thought for necessary infrastructure or their rural lifestyle.
But some of the existing 4000-strong population fear cheap houses will be built en masse without thought for necessary infrastructure or their rural lifestyle.
Resident Mike Kelly, founder of the Save Greenbank campaign, said concerns had fallen on deaf ears in the state government, while the mass clearing of land continued without their consultation.
"The ULDA is bastardising the existing culture and lifestyle here for fast-tracking purposes, which are completely inconsistent with the real needs of the community," he said.
Mr Kelly said residents on acre blocks would soon have up to seven neighbours along their fence lines.
"There are no guarantees for the development of infrastructure ... even the repair of existing roads," he said.
"There are no guarantees that new houses will be made affordable for first-home buyers, rather than investors. We are being kept in the dark here."
The ULDA, which was established four years ago with powers to acquire and consolidate suitable land and move it quickly to the housing market, has also been at the centre of battles with residents on the Sunshine Coast about the unfettered development of their communities.
Tonight, more than 500 Greater Flagstone and Greenbank residents are expected to gather at a public meeting to voice their concerns. Greater Flagstone was among three sites, including Yarrabilba near Logan and Ripley Valley near Ipswich, set aside to become brand new cities.
More than 1000 hectares of land has now been opened for development in the Greater Flagstone area, closest to Greenbank West, under the first stage of the project.
"The developers are going to make a fortune and move on, while our lifestyles and the retail values of our homes are going to be destroyed," Mr Kelly said.
"We are about to lose our rural lifestyle completely at Greenbank."
Ted Fensom, co-ordinator of the Brisbane Region Environment Council, said he was most concerned about the bulldozing of land in Greater Flagstone long before adequate environmental studies were conducted.
"There has been little to no exploration of the demographics or environment," he said.
"No one is looking at the sedimentation, [or] turbidity. There's no one looking at the hydrology in terms of stream flows and no one looking at the flood gauging where major creeks cross roads in the area.
"We're losing biodiversity hotspots, bio-regional corridors and connectivity right across greater Flagstone."
Logan councillor Hajnal Black, who will attend tonight's meeting, said the state government was forcing high-density development into the area "without an ounce of proper infrastructure". "For instance we need a rail passenger line now, yet the state government says we can wait until 2036," she said.
"Local roads are at absolute capacity, there are limited community facilities, there is zero public transport and nothing for teenagers or children to do, yet the faceless men at the ULDA think we should squeeze thousands of more residents into our area.”
ULDA chief executive Paul Eagles said the authority had not approved any areas of bushland for clearing.
“We are currently reviewing existing work and undertaking additional biodiversity studies for the Greater Flagstone [area],” he said.
Mr Eagles said representatives from the ULDA met with concerned residents last night and offered to meet with them again.
“This development application is currently out for public notification which provides the local community with the opportunity to comment on what is proposed," he said.
"During this period people are able to write to the ULDA to express any concerns. The ULDA will then review these submissions and require amendments to the development application if necessary.”
Mr Eagles said infrastructure requirements would be outlined in a draft plan for the area, due to be released for public consultation in March.
Flagstone residents rail against new city
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
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