Praise for the Redlands, koala safety on the Cleveland train line, the impact of bushfires on Brisbane’s air quality and drought in Australia are discussed in letters to Redlands2030.
Redlands2030 invites letters about issues of concern to readers. Email your letter to: theeditor@redlands2030.net
Importance of the Redlands’ wildlife
We moved up here to the Moreton Bay area from NSW Central Coast two years ago. We chose this area for several reasons: to be nearer to our daughter and her family, to see what is like to live in a retirement village, and to do so in an area surrounded by the best in nature.
We have been more than happy with our choices as all those have turned out better than we had ever expected.
I believe it would be very short sighted to develop the lands as proposed. To destroy not only the native bushland and wildlife habitats that future generations could enjoy, but the history of early settlers of the area.
This must be one of the best places to live in, not only for retirees but for all those young families growing up in this area. Schools are certainly some of the best in the country.
From what I have seen, I would put the Redlands City Council among the top council areas I have lived in during the past 70 odd years.
I never realised the importance of this area to Australian wildlife and to the vast array of migratory birds that visit this area. The area is full of early history not only of Queensland but of many aspects of National importance.
These factors could make it a destination for national and international importance. This would be a better long term financial benefit to many in the area rather than the short gain for the few with their fingers in the pie.
Long-winded I guess, but the area and the people have made us feel we really we belong here.
JH
Birkdale
Safety on the Cleveland train line
The railway fence, boundary fence at property corner of Duncan and Starkey Streets Wellington Point is in a sad state. Like the rest of the Cleveland train line fence in the Redlands it has been in a state of dilapidation for many years and it seems no one is interested.
Is the railway fencing a reflection of the Redlands community who travel on the Cleveland train line on a daily basis with their eyes totally focused on a smart phone?
Will they be the ones who complain the most when the destruction comes to their door?
It’s quite clear that the same law does not apply to everyone.
DB
Wellington Point
Bushfires impacting on air quality in SEQ
Congratulations SEQ Council of Mayors, because Brisbane now has the worst air quality in the world.
The scenes below are typical of many recent days of Brisbane’s air quality. This is of concern particularly if you suffer from asthma, bronchitis or other respiratory problems.
A multi million dollar image campaign is currently promoting Brisbane as a new world city. But at the moment we have the air quality of a poorly governed third world city.
Could what we are experiencing have anything to do with allowing massive tree/ habitat clearing, by government itself, particularly close to the coast?
Nothing to see hear, that’s for sure !!
RH
Brisbane City
The drought poem
This poem has gone viral after NSW farmer Joanna Collett posted it on the Prime Minister’s Facebook page. I think it deserves to be shared with the readers of Redlamds2030. I hope, editor, you oblige.
Drought by Joanna Collet
G’day Mr Morrison, I trust that you are fine,
Sorry to be bothering you, but there’s something on my mind
I listened to a bloke last week; he had a bit to say
You lot may have heard of him? He delivers all that hay?
He spoke of countless hours and the distances they drive
Feeding starving stock, to keep bush hopes alive
They do not get assistance from your tax funded hat
They do it on their own, all off their own bat
I’m not politically minded and I don’t have any clout
And I know you’ve done a tour, to learn about the drought
But there’s just some burning questions, that have left us feeling beat
Why did we fund a foreign land, to learn to cut up meat?
And what about those soccer boys, who went and got all lost
You pulled out all the bloody stops, plain just showing off
You’ve bigger problems here at home, there’s drought up to our necks
So what does your mob go and do ? Give them big fat cheques!
Don’t they have a government to deal with all this stuff?
Why should it be up to us, what’s with all your fuss?
Should we not be reigning in and look after our own
Have you never heard the phrase “charity starts at home”?
I realise there’s many things, that need an allocation
And I also can appreciate, complex trade relations
I’m not sure if you realise, but if our stock all die,
There won’t be any trade you see, your deals will all run dry
As a rule we’re not a whinging lot, our requests are but a few
Most of us who work the land, are tested, tried and true
We respect that we are guardians, and sustain it for the kids
But I often have to wonder, what future will it bring?
I guess all that I’m wondering, is “where’s the Aussie aid”?
Wrapped up in a swag of tape, only then to be repaid !
There’s Aussie blokes and chicks out there, putting you to shame
Helping fellow Australians, in their time of pain
I’m just a simple farmer, grazier, wife and mum
And even though we’re feeding stock, we’re better off than some
I’ve never had to shoot a cow, who could no longer stand
But many have before me, and I pray, I’m not dealt that hand
So will you take another look; admit that we’re in strife ?
And do more than bloody empathise, before another farmer takes their life ?
I’d like to think you’ll do what’s right and put Australia first
And help your own damn country, before this drought gets any worse
Joanna Collett
Wee Waa NSW
If you would like to spread this message wider, please copy and share it. Don’t let those who are doing it tough in rural areas just get forgotten in the news cycle. Charity starts at home!
TW
Redland City
More letters to Redlands2030
Koalas, Raby Bay, Toondah secrecy and SLAPP
Toondah proposal blasted in residents’ letters
The Right to Know and Redland City Council
Redlands2030 – 21 November 2019
Please note: Offensive or off-topic comments will be deleted. If offended by any published comment please email thereporter@redlands2030.net
3 Comments
Unbelievable. Cr for Redlands is of the opinion the Ramsar Convention Agreement lies solely with State & Federal govt Australia is signatory to? In Canberra most likely wouldn’t be aware of the importance of the Toondah Harbour wetlands environment to Redlanders where migrating birds from far away as Siberia return here year after year…..so it’s none of Redland City Council’s business? This shows no respect or caring for the natural environment nor for our dwindling wildlife where, on TV last evening, saw platypus we had living in Coolnwynpin Creek Capalaba before LEDA built Capalaba Central, having arrived at a zoo in the United States, housed in a special container carefully loaded with carers onto a Qantas flight this past week. Lighting has been altered whereby people can see the platypus on how they live and people are said to be flocking to view them at the zoo….while we in Australia, trash their environment by filling in waterways to please developers with deep pockets, the way I see it. Uncontrolled development contaminated our waterway, much of it filled with trucked in soil killing off our local koalas, seems to be a RCC/State govt policy….as nothing is left except shattered lives for those of us who have to live with the aftermath while developers and mates reap the rewards. Ex-Cr John Burns (Cr Talty’s father) was involved with the destruction and change in zoning from a Specially Protected Wetland under Koala Coast Policy to Commercial with stroke of a pen on Moreton Bay Rd. The loss of this wetland is still sadly felt in the community today. Such loss does affect mental health… particularly elderly residents, when once protected natural surrounds are destroyed. With some 90% of Redland koalas now considered a vanishing species, how bad can it get under the present RCC administration?
On Wednesday (20/11/19) about 40 concerned residents attended the general meeting of Redland City Council at 9.30am. It was clear that many councillors are trying to do the right thing by the residents of the Redlands but what also became crystal clear was that some councillors, who will not be named, believe that it is not their job to consider the Ramsar Convention when assessing commercial development proposals that impact on Ramsar protected wetland, which is essential to the survival of 34 species of migrating shore-birds. According to the Ramsar Convention this agreement can only be overturned when it is in the “urgent national interest of the country.” How is a commercial high-rise development in this category?? One of these councillors concluded that the Ramsar Convention should be considered by state and federal government but not at the level of council. It is no wonder that Redland City Council now finds itself in what another councillor concludes as a binding agreement with a commercial developer.
I do support the farmers and feel their pain which is basicly we know exacerbated by fossile fueled climate change. The first thing that should be attacked is this route cause and use our funding for developing nations to assist this as well as their basic needs.
We have to stop making all of Australia into a dry sandy area with insufficient rain for anything to grow.
There is a Big Change comming and we must do these changes or be removed from the planet. We must invest in changing our lives or loose them. This will mean developing new non fossile fuel industries, stopping the fossile fuel industry, living in harmony with nature and even changing our diet.