Cruise Ship Terminal Proposal to “Sell off our land and water

4/17/13
LeafTales – Issue 46, December 2012
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Gecko is the Gold Coast’s peak non-government not-for-profit environment group. Volunteers have been working to
protect and enhance the natural environmental assets of our region since 1989
Issue 46 - December, 2012
Hi Gecko Supporters,
Please sit down, take a moment, and read about what has been happening on your Gold
Coast over the last month. There are things which you can get involved in, things which
you can learn, and some things which will probably make you angry. We live in a very
beautiful place and it is inspiring to read about the work that is being done to keep it
available for us.
The Gecko Team
Cruise Ship Terminal Proposal to “Sell off
our land and water!”
The selloff of 75.58 ha of our natural heritage –
the Broadwater - has begun. The Expression of
Interest (EOI) for the construction of the cruise ship
terminal and hotels, condominiums, retail, entertainment and a casino was released on
23rd November. This document invites developers to present their proposals for the
Broadwater Marine Project to the State Government for consideration. The
development- at- all-costs mentality rules this State and the needs of the population of
the Gold Coast for a naturally beautiful open space counts for nothing. Action: When
you have read this article it is essential that you all contact your State Member of
Parliament and your Councillors and tell them in no uncertain terms that we do not want
the Broadwater Marine Project..... continue reading
"Creating Sustainable Alternatives to
Fracking” – Info Night
A great opportunity to see and hear how fracking is affecting Australian communities and
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LeafTales – Issue 46, December 2012
environment in a film showing at 7pm on Wednesday, 19th December. The film will be
shown at Dark Moon Pop-Up Art Space, Shop 4, Ambience Building, The Esplanade,
Burleigh Heads. The public have seen the mining industry glossy advert and now can
come and hear the farmer’s stories who are directly affected by coal seam gas mining,
and you be the judge....continue reading
OOOOBy Day
What is OOOOBY? – Out of Our Own Backyard which is things grown in your garden,
cooked in your kitchen, sewn or otherwise made by you. Bring your produce and
products along on 16th and swap with other home grown goodies. Local musicians, picnic
and craft activities come and join the fun. Sponsored by the Transition Community
Southern Gold Coast
At Laguna Park, Palm Beach from 3-5pm
The worst thing to happen to our
environment in 40 years!
Our natural environment is being sold out to big business and environmentally
unfriendly State Governments.
STOP PRESS: The Gillard Government has put this decision on hold following an
avalanche of emails, card and letters from over 10,000 Australians including eminent
scientists, The Wentworth Group, lawyers, and 33 Global laureates of the United Nations
Environment Program. The Government also stated that the “solutions” offered by the
State Government would have complicated things further. While we have a reprieve the
fight is not won yet and we may find ourselves lobbying again before the next COAG
meeting in March 2013. Please read the overview below and keep a watching
brief......continue reading
Has Nature Been Sold out?
The issue:
For the past couple of weeks every conservation group in Australia has been urging
citizens to contact the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard and the Minister for Environment, Tony
Burke as well as local ALP Members of Parliament and Senator to persuade them not to
proceed with an intention to pass on the Commonwealth environment powers to the State
Governments. The main reason for the conservation movement’s opposition to this
change is that most State Governments have very poor records of environmental
protection and the Commonwealth Government has been a last line of appeal against
State approval of an inappropriate development...... continue reading
Creepy Crawlies and Fliers are essential to
Life on Earth
Earlier this year I had the pleasure of attending Wildlife Queensland’s 50th Anniversary
conference and was very taken with Professor Roger Kitching’s presentation on insects
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LeafTales – Issue 46, December 2012
and other invertebrates. Around the same time a short article appeared in the Courier
Mail warning of the likely extinction of 1/5th of the world’s invertebrates (creatures without
backbones).
Professor Kitching told us that insects and other invertebrates vastly outweigh all other
animals in terms of diversity and even sheer weight in ecosystems. They form between
87-99% of all living creatures on the planet and are essential to the survival of humans
and other species. They play vital roles in driving processes such as decompositionhave you ever considered what an unpleasant place the world would be if dead animals
and plants did not decompose – pollination, herbivory and natural pest control within
ecosystems ?. Imagine too if we had no bees, moths or other invertebrates to pollinate
our crops or beautiful trees and flowers. Organic farmers (and even non-organic ones)
rely on invertebrates to pollinate their crops.... continue reading
Noxious Weeds and their Effects
Definition and Effect on Biodiversity
A noxious weed is a plant, which causes harm to agriculture, natural ecosystems and
fauna. Most weeds that end up in Australia are introduced through airports and ships by
people who are ignorant about their danger (and also by farmers and governments
hoping to gain improvement in production, and people carelessly dumping garden refuse
– ed.). Weeds have a considerable effect on forests, parks and large areas of space,
like deserts. In particular they are dangerous to areas with disturbed soil and direct
access to sunlight. Noxious plants are a serious threat to Australian agriculture and
Earth’s biodiversity. The management of weeds costs the Australian economy 4 billion
dollars every year. There are 220 declared noxious weeds in the Australian ecosystem,
with one third of these originating from garden ornamentals and spread mainly by
seeds..... continue reading
Liz Martin's Book of the Month
We have some amazing resources available in our own Gecko Library, which is capably
managed by the beautiful Liz Martin herself. This book was donated to Gecko by the
author, Michael Stephen, himself. Pop into the office and come and check it out.
Written especially for South East Queensland, this is a handy
practical guide for anyone seeking to save bushland and wildlife
habitat from development. It is full of useful information including:
·
How to write an effective submission against a development
proposal that threatens bushland
·
Information about environmental legislation and
government policies
·
Advice on what to do if you see bushland being illegally
cleared
·
·
How to do a basic survey of fauna and flora
Lists of threatened species and regional ecosystems in South East Queensland,
including current status
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LeafTales – Issue 46, December 2012
·
·
How to access site specific environmental information and mapping on the Internet
How to analyse the ecological impacts of a proposed development
·
The final chapter explores a possible link between deforestation and drought in
South East Queensland
Plastic Bags – if India can do it so can we.
Please support all efforts to ban plastic bags.
Plastic bags were banned in the Indian capital of Delhi in 2009. As of this past month, the
government has imposed a far more extensive ban, with new rules outlawing plastic
wrappers on magazines and greeting cards. The ban covers “all use, sale and
manufacture of plastic bags in the city” and “no exceptions will be made,” as an
anonymous official said to AFP (via the Telegraph). Plastic bags can also not be used for
garbage collecting in the city and the bags cannot be imported, notes The Hindu.....
continue reading
Stevie the Stingray
Flapping through the clear water of the estuary, Stevie the
Stingray is looking for something to eat. His eyes are on the
top of his head so he cannot see any food underneath him,
but he knows where to go. He flaps his fins, which are like
wings and his long tail trails behind him as he heads for the
banks of the creek. He knows that he will find crabs and
other creatures in the sand where the water is shallow. He
can find them by smell.…continue reading
THIS IS A PAID SPOT FROM ONE OF OUR VERY SPECIAL SPONSORS
How to Make your Money Green in 5 Easy
Steps
Whether you’re saving for a car or holiday or thinking more long term about buying a
house or funding your retirement through super, saving and investing is an important
part of life. When choosing where to invest, most people think about what returns the
investment might bring, but less consider the positive and negative affects that it will
have on people, animals, society and the environment.. Follow these 5 easy steps, and
turn your money green.... Read more
What Will We See Next?
I thought I had nothing to write about this month, but then I
thought again. At present I am minding a little Schauser/terrier
type dog and this involves 2 walks a day. On these walks I
have met lots of the local wildlife.
Every morning at 5.am. Mr. Turk has had a new lady friend.
Here is his latest, with Mr. Turk looking very proprietorial and a
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LeafTales – Issue 46, December 2012
tad anxious, and she is saying “Just let me get on with it.”.... continue reading
There are Probably Toxins in Your Clothes
and How to Make It Stop
You’ve probably never heard of halogenated anilines and perfluorinated chemicals. In
addition to being mouthfuls to pronounce, both are toxic chemicals that are harmful to
the environment and life, both in water and on land. Some anilines can become
carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, and several perfluorinated chemicals are known to be
toxic for the reproductive and nervous systems of mammals. Scary. Even though these
chemicals might be unfamiliar, there is a chance you are already in a close relationship
with them, as they may have been used in the manufacturing of the clothes you are
wearing....... continue reading
Membership Co-ordinator Position
We are STILL looking for a volunteer Membership coordinator
What skills are required to do the job
To encourage new people to join Gecko:
To maintain membership records;
Target suitable population groups in geographic
groupings on the Gold Coast e.g. University
students, community organizations, youth
groups.
Liaise with the Management Committee about the needs of members and vice
versa.
Liaise with Manager and Volunteer coordinator to ensure paperwork and
administrative requirements for members are met.
Fill out our Volunteer Form
Your next LeafTales
Submission deadline: 18 December
Distribution: January
All contributions welcome by email to [email protected]
Please read the Submission Guideline
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For more, see http://gecko.org.au
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Our mailing address is:
Gecko - Gold Coast Environmental
Council
Gecko House, 139 Duringan St
Currumbin, Queensland 4223
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LeafTales – Issue 46, December 2012
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