White water centre, disappearing koalas and Toondah questions

Lack of community support for an Olympics white water centre at Birkdale, Redland City’s disappearing koalas and questions about the proposed Toondah project are discussed in three letters to Redlands2030.

Redlands2030 regularly publishes letters on various issues of concern to Redlanders.

Have your say by writing to theeditor@redlands2030.net

White water centre comes eighth

Interest is starting to build in the possibility of the 2032 Olympics being held in Brisbane. No doubt this will bring back fond memories of previous successful events such as Sydney 2000.

Who can forget the outstanding performance of Olga Kotlyarova in the women’s 400 metres final. Many would have been delighted with the outstanding performance of the Netherlands in the overall medal count.

If these results are not familiar, it may be because they both came eighth (Kathy Freeman was of course first in the 400 metres).

Mayor Williams is apparently keen to back in the eighth-place contender. Residents ranked a white water centre eight out of 21 options in an online survey.

But regardless of the ranking, plans to start construction were in place before the ink was dry on the three-month consultation period report.

Makes you wonder why we spent so much time and money to find out what the Mayor already knew.

In the local media, it was recorded that many residents “criticised the idea during public consultation”.

No mention of plans for options 1 to 7 but “generations to come” apparently want us to go for number eight.

Let’s get behind the new Olympic campaign – go for eighth! We might need to expand the medal options – gold for first, silver for second, bronze for third, and a lump of coal for eighth.

P.H.
Wellington Point

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When did you last see a koala?

Wish I could have a couple of koalas in my backyard. I never see a koala anymore around Capalaba anymore as Redlands Council seems to have no interest in saving habitat, and without trees, they cannot survive. 

I’m reminded that decades ago, a member of the Redland Sporting Club told me that the Redland koala was doomed… so forget about trying to fight for their existence.

It was a few years later that former Labor MP Jim Elder informed me, and my then neighbour, that in future, the only koala we will see is in the zoo! 

Why can’t our elected officials and leaders all agree to retain and enhance habitat where they are known to still exist in Redlands…an added attraction to tourism?

G.A.
Capalaba

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Excellent letter about ‘Misguided Activists’

Lavinia Woods’s letter in The Reporter, commenting on  Peter Gleeson’s article in the Courier Mail about “Misguided Activists”  is excellent.

But it does reveal some very concerning issues. 

Sustainable living is not  3,600 units on wetlands, protected by Ramsar.

I cannot believe this is going on still after years of fighting this. This is a no-brainer in terms of the environment, but what is also extremely concerning is that a journalist like Peter Gleeson can think this is viable.

The confidentiality agreement of the Redland City Councillors is also a major issue. Shouldn’t people who pay rates to keep the council going, have a right to see where the money is going?

If it precludes people from viewing or knowing what is going on then it reeks of dishonesty and the famous ”Game of Mates” which is a book worth reading.

The losers are the people, the birds, and the koalas to say the least.

Obviously, The Walker Group must be gaining a lot financially to try to hide this from the public. It is worth considering the old Indian proverb, the Walker Group should be aware of:

Only when the last tree has died, and the last river been poisoned, and the last fish been caught will we realise we cannot eat money.

The Walker Group could do well to reflect on this, as well as Peter Gleeson.

J.F.
Point Lookout 

More Letters To Redlands2030

Koala habitat tree clearing, building on mudflats and Toondah secrecy

White Water Vision For Birkdale Adopted By Redland City Council

White Water Facility, Loss Of Koala Habitat And Toondah Petition

Redlands2030 – 12 September 2021