Nature Refuge under threat from coal mine

By Bulimba Creek, 24-Nov-2011 05:16:00

The Bimblebox Nature Refuge in central Queensland is an idyllic forest in the Desert Uplands that provides a home for 141 bird species and provides an example of how cattle production and environmental protection can co-exist.
In 2000, the 8000ha area was purchased by individuals with assistance from the Australian National Reserve System program, and in 2003 a nature refuge agreement was signed with the Queensland Government in order to protect the conservation values of this land in perpetuity. It should be a happily ever after story, but sadly, the people who have invested so much money, love and care into protecting and restoring this conservation area are now facing the prospect of watching it be destroyed by a coal mine.
You can help protect this nature refuge by writing a submission to the Queensland Government.
Nature Refuge agreements are voluntary agreements, entered into by landholders who want to ensure the long-term survival of environmentally significant areas, and yet they are currently not protected from mining. Bimblebox's future is hanging in the balance, and the approval of this mine will not only destroy 8000 ha of important habitat, it will also set a dangerous precedent for allowing mining on nature refuges across Queensland.
Write a submission to the Coordinator General today to voice your support for the protection of Bimblebox and other Nature Refuges in Queensland. Submissions close December 19th.

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Catchment Bus Tour

By Bulimba Creek, 27-Oct-2011 05:31:00

On Saturday, 19th November, B4C will be hosting a bus tour of four rehabilitation sites in the lower Bulimba Creek Catchment. It will include morning tea, lunch and a presentation by Greg Miller from Wildlife Preservation Society.
The tour is free of charge, but numbers are limited so get in early.
Time: 8am - 1:30pm
Location: Meet at Sustainability Centre, Corner of Wright Street and Old Cleveland Road, Carindale.
Sites: Hemmant Flying Fox Colony
Garth Street, Hemmant
Hemmant Recreation Reserve, Doughboy Parade
Tingalpa Precinct
Bring: Closed in shoes, hat, shirt with sleeves and water bottle
The tour will run from 8am to 12:30pm, with lunch at the Sustainability Centre from 12:30pm to 1:30pm
RSVP by Wednesday 16th November at the absolute latest.
Contact us on b4c@bulimbacreek.org.au
This bus tour and the rehabilitation works at the Hemmant Flying Fox Colony are being funded through Caring for Our Country initiative.

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Waterway pollution

By Bulimba Creek, 11-Oct-2011 22:23:00

Editorial by Wayne Cameron
Pollution of waterways in Brisbane's industrial areas is widespread, judging by two recent events on the one coastal wetland site at Hemmant (see News > Press Releases/Articles for more on this).
When there is evidence of E. Coli, faecal coliforms, high bacterial counts and volatile chemicals, you would expect some action by the investigative authorities.
Our site at Hemmant is being rehabilitated and revegetated, but shows the signs of continued contamination and dumping of liquid wastes. It is directly connected to the Lindum Wetlands, a "protected" conservation area.
Coastal vegetation and ecosystems are not to be written off if they are in industrial areas. They are needed to filter pollution and function as habitat for aquatic species and perform the vital service of carbon capture.
Mangroves, sea grass and salt marsh areas take up 15 times more carbon than forests and are a vital part of our future in addressing climate change and natural ecosystem services.
The Bulimba Creek Oxbow Wetlands was almost 'written off' in 2000 because it was in such a degraded state with multiple infrastructure easements dissecting it. It was in the too hard basket then, but in 2011 it is a recovered system of ecosystems harbouring 32 species of juvenile fish and prawns - a genuine fish nursery!
It is important we recognise that industrial areas do not have to be environmental wastelands. They perform vital ecosystem services and habitat, and protect our coastal assets. We now need cooperation between industry and Governments to maximise the potential of these sometimes small but valuable areas.
Stop pollution and indifference - start recovery!

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