Koalas are part of Redlands’ identity. They remind us that we still live in a city where nature and community can coexist. The following letters discuss why protecting koala habitat is not just about wildlife; it is about preserving the character, environment and future of our community.
What do you think we should do for our koalas? Email your letter to: thereditor@redlands2030.net
Thank you to our local Cleveland Police
August marks 12 months since our community began peacefully campaigning to protect the local koala habitat at Ormiston College. It has been a challenging year, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported our efforts along the way.
Today we would like to publicly thank the officers from Cleveland Police for their professionalism, fairness and respect throughout our campaign.
While there have been misconceptions and criticism directed towards our group, the feedback we have consistently received from police has been reassuring. On a number of occasions, officers have advised us that our rallies have not created any problems and that our members have conducted themselves in a respectful, cooperative and well-behaved manner.
That is something we are extremely proud of. From the beginning, our aim has always been to peacefully advocate for the protection of our local koalas while respecting the broader community, and the important role of our police.
We are especially grateful for the support shown to members of our group when assistance was needed. Your compassion, professionalism and calm approach during those moments meant more than you may realise.
During the past 12 months, when police officers were present in the course of their duties to help ensure everyone’s safety, we occasionally had the opportunity to point out Ormiston’s wild koalas in their natural habitat.
For a couple of officers, it was their first time seeing a koala in the wild, and it was a genuine pleasure to share that experience. Moments like these remind us all just how special our local koalas are and why protecting their habitat matters.
To the officers of Cleveland Police, thank you for your service, your professionalism and your kindness. We are truly grateful for the respect you have shown our members and our campaign over the past 12 months. Your dedication to keeping our community safe is sincerely appreciated.
Una Sandeman
Ormiston College Koala Campaign Group
Enough of the empty speeches about protecting koala habitat
The decision by Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie to approve the expansion of Ormiston College at the expense of koala habitat is disgraceful political cowardice masquerading as planning.
For years, governments have delivered empty speeches about protecting koalas while signing off on the steady destruction of their habitat across the Redlands. Roads, subdivisions, clearing and now this latest approval — death by a thousand cuts.
Mr Bleijie has made it crystal clear where his loyalties lie. When wealthy institutions and big business interests demand expansion, endangered wildlife and community concerns are simply bulldozed aside.
And where exactly is the public interest here? How does pushing local koalas closer to extinction benefit ordinary residents? How is sacrificing wildlife corridors for another development approval supposed to improve the future of the Redlands?
The koalas around Ormiston are not political props. They are part of a rapidly collapsing population in a city already infamous for environmental destruction. Future generations will rightly condemn politicians who knowingly approved projects that accelerated extinction.
Mr Bleijie should stop behaving like a political salesman for vested interests and recognize that extinction is permanent.
B.H.
Cleveland
Stop destroying koala habitat
How is it that a Queensland Government Minister, who has been in power for 5 mins (since the last election), is able to make such an impactful decision when he could be gone next election or deposed to another portfolio? Oh well I hear you say it’s how the halls of power work, but it stinks to high heaven that the Queensland State Government is not only interfering in local council matters but are able to destroy trees that have likely been there since before Federation.
Of course the real tragedy is that koalas are in grave danger of being wiped out around Brisbane. Talk about trashing a national icon.
To those who say it is private land and Ormiston College has every right to do it, then how is it that Joe Average isn’t allowed to clear his private land in suburbia? On all levels this is double standards (big money v. no money) a bad message to send to people told to be climate change and environmentally responsible. Please register my protest and I hope you can do something to stop the needless destruction before its too late.
Koala Protector (Redlands)
Ormiston
Ormiston College’s legacy
Ormiston College Headmaster Michael Hornby and his Board still have a small window of opportunity to recoup some credibility by altering their plans going forward to respect and consider koala habitat and other wildlife within the Ormiston College grounds.
Although a great deal of environmental damage has been done already it is not too late for consideration that no more trees are removed, moving the Early Learning Centre out of the core koala habitat area and closer monitoring of compliance with conditions imposed by the State Government.
This may result in a more favourable legacy for Ormiston College showing appreciation for wildlife and the environment.
If the College doesn’t alter its plans it will have a foul legacy for decades to come.
A.M.
Cleveland
More letters to Redlands2030
Ormiston koalas, Pauline Hanson, Cleveland pool, and local news – in letters
Parking, Penrith, and public opposition – in letters to Redlands2030
Stop the chop Ormiston College!
The world is watching disgusted and shocked!
In the future our Children’s Children’s will have have to visit their local Library to see photos and read about the Koalas,
Shame on all the people involved in the extermination of this unique and beautiful animal.
I will remember these people at voting time.