Letters to Redlands2030 discuss a wide range of topics from koala extinction to fire ants
We like to publish letters from the community, even if they express opinions that we don’t agree with.
If you have something to say, email your letter to: theeditor@redlands2030.net
Koala extinction in Redlands
I am watching from overseas, from Italy, with deep sadness and disgust, the planned extinction of the Redlands koalas through:
- The expansion of Ormiston College which if approved will cut down over 650 mature trees food and shelter for Endangered koalas; and
- The useless and expensive WHITEWATER OLYMPICS VENUE surrounded on three sides by recognised koala habitat.
Clearly, there’s no political will at all three levels of government to save the Redlands koalas from extinction.
Redlands and Queensland will host the 2032 Olympics, but without wild koalas. This will be an international disgrace.
Paola Torti
Italy
Great Knot
The Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris), a species endemic to the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), is listed as critically endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) because of the rapid population decline of the species. About 80% of the EAAF Great Knot population relies on the Yellow Sea region as a staging site.
Chongming Island, near Shanghai, People’s Republic of China is one of the sites in China of international importance for the Great Knot’s northward migration. It was there, on 29 March 2015, a Great Knot was banded and fitted with a black flag above a white flag engraved J62.
The first observation in Queensland of J62 was at Toorbul, in the Pumicestone Passage, 5 months to the day after banding. Since then, J62 has been observed in Moreton Bay each Australian summer at both feeding and roosting sites at the Port of Brisbane, Wynnum, Manly, Lota, Thorneside and Wellington Point.
Quite remarkably, J62 sightings have been reported over 170 times to the Queensland Wader Study Group, by several observers at these sites.
Despite the threats it faces, J62 has flown well over 220,000 km on migration alone in its 12+ years. The most recent sighting of J62 was at Wynnum on 14 October.
Arthur Keates
Birkdale
Straddie ferry fares
North Stradbroke Island needs 50% Barge Subsidy and $0.50 Cent Passenger Ferry Prices.
For those that don’t already know me I’m from the Martin and Karklis families on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah). We have been a family of local football players, sand miners, social workers, bush rangers, environmentalist and civil rights activist. We’ve been here for generations.
I am also a former SeaLink worker. While I enjoyed my time working for SeaLink, I did not enjoy seeing how much local residents were paying for basic daily commutes to and from the island.
The $0.50 public transport fares introduced by the Miles Labor Government have been a great success. But Straddie residents have missed out including when the $0.50 fares were made permanent by the Crisafulli LNP Government. In the 2025-26 State Budget SMBI residents got a 50% barge subsidy. Straddie residents only have a 35% subsidy, announced by local LNP MP Amanda Stoker.
Stoker deserves credit for making a start, particularly after Redland Mayor Jos Mitchell advocated for cheaper public transport to and from North Stradbroke Island. But more pressure needs to be put on the state Crisafulli Government to do more.
Local residents are advocating for cheaper fares and have started a petition on Change.Org that we will keep active over the Spring and Summer for all locals and supporters to sign if they agree that travel to the island should be made cheaper for locals.
Callen Sorensen Karklis
Redlands
Daylight saving
Every October the same question comes up. Daylight saving. When is Queensland going to take it on board?
It seems crazy to wake up at 4 30 in the morning. Let’s step in line with the rest of Australia. It just makes sense in so many ways.
And no the curtains won’t fade.The cows will still come in for milking. Just try it and see.
J.F.
Logan Reserve
Fire ant baiting
I am not sure if there is any awareness regarding the toxic fire ant baiting program which is in progress in south east Queensland to eradicate the fire ant. The concerns are that the baiting is so very harmful to all the precious ecosystem and wildlife as well as humans and pets in this area. These chemicals are getting applied incorrectly and harming so much of our beautiful surrounding and their inhabitants.
We have access to Toxic Waters, a documentary filmed by Lin Sutherland, screening at the Victoria Point Cineplex on 5th November at 6 pm.
It would be great if readers could support this event and possibly share this on their social media platforms. We need to make everyone aware what is happening and hopefully be able to stop this from harming anymore of our precious ecosystems.
V.K
Redland City
Editors note: Australia’s Invasive Species Council says fire ant treatments are safe, effective and do not harm animals.
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Ormiston College may wish to provide more services to students, but they should not put the lives of hundreds of koalas at risk when our koalas in the Redlands are already highly endangered. Planting saplings will do nothing for those existing koalas and the staff of Ormiston College know it. If they do not reconsider their plan to remove 650 mature eucalypts then think if you really want your student at that college. There are very good alternative colleges in the Redlands, both public and private. Our existing koalas depend upon those mature gums for their survival.
We have a question for our local politicians in Redlands. Where is the money going that this week was announced by State government officials would be for helping koala survival in Redlands? For past decade, in my view, we have suffered through having an anti-community local government, seeing former protected koala corridors, never to be built on, vanish. Hoping the money would help increase and protect koala habitat on Birkdale Community Precinct, was informed by former local government insider, no chance….because clearing the entire Birkdale conservation land for Olympic sports is about to begin.
LNP Premier Crisafulli promised he would govern with compassion. He lied…if true his party agrees to exterminate the remainder of our surviving koalas on what should be, protected parklands for the people of Birkdale.