Mt Cotton Residential Development

Last updated: 20 November 2003

Background

In the heart of the Koala Coast, the Koala Capital of Australia, the State Government and Redland Shire Council have allowed the destruction of about 168 ha of listed Endangered Regional Ecosystem to commence.

A major residential development in Mt Cotton (Redland Shire) has been allowed to commence the destruction of an extensive area of Endangered Regional Ecosystem, located in the heart of Koala Coast. See the map of the Mt Cotton area.

Developers of Mt Cotton Village plan to extend development into habitat recognised for years for its regional significance. This habitat has recently been upgraded to an Endangered Regional Ecosystem under Queensland's Vegetation Management Act. This Koala Coast bushland supports large areas of old growth trees, supporting koalas and a wide range of hollow dependent species.

This area has been recognised by several scientific and government reports as having major regional significance, and is deserving of strong protection. The bushland supports the soon to be listed Vulnerable Koala and is listed as an Endangered Regional Ecosystem, and still the bulldozers move in. These new state government environmental initiatives are just worthless labels and paperwork and quite clearly the State Government's new Native Vegetation Management Act doesn't work in south east Queensland.

There is more information in the WPSQ Bayside submission to Redland Shire Council.

Environmental values at stake

• Valuable Koala and wildlife habitat.

• Valuable regional open space and bushland.

• A valuable regionally recognised and significant wildlife corridor.

• The bushland is part of the core habitat within Koala Coast - allegedly protected under a state planning policy. SPP 1/97 and the koala is now listed as vulnerable.

• The development cuts deep into Koala Coast, this will be destructive to the regions wildlife, it sets a precedent that jeopardises the long-term viability of Koala Coast.

• Undevelopable land (floodplain and wetlands) is being given to council as public open space, this is unfair and inequitable. Such land cannot be developed anyway. Land east of German Church Road cannot be counted into the open space equation, this was purchased separately with public funds; it cannot be included as open space dedication.

Gallery

Take a look at these photos of what may be lost.

Solutions

The window of opportunity is small but the outcomes are positive if we all act collectively and decisively. Politicians will respond if there is a collective concern for the issue. To make a positive difference, send letters to the Premier and local state members in the region. You must request the following:

• An urgent need to achieve a more sustainable development.

• State Goverment and Redland Shire Council to enter into a joint agreement to acquire Koala Coast Core habitat at Mt Cotton, recently listed as an Endangered Regional Ecosystem.

• The State government must commit to a regional open space and bushland acquisition program to avoid SEQ turning into 200 km of urban sprawl from the Tweed to the Sunshine Coast.

Who to contact

Hon Peter Beattie
Unit 2, Hill House
541 Boundary Street
(Corner Bradley Street)
Spring Hill Qld 4000
Tel: (07) 3832 1322
Fax: (07) 3832 1323
Email: Brisbane.Central@parliament.qld.gov.au

Hon Dean Wells
Minister for Environment
PO Box 532
Deception Bay 4508
Tel: (07) 3293 1069
Fax: (07) 3293 1257
Email: Murrumba@parliament.qld.gov.au

Hon Stephen Robertson
Minister for Natural Resources and Minister for Mines
Unit 5, 62 Pinelands Road
Sunnybank Hills Qld 4109
Tel: (07) 3344 2659
Fax: (07) 3344 1258
Email: Stretton@parliament.qld.gov.au

Mr John English
PO Box 3070
Victoria Point West Qld 4165
Tel: (07) 3207 6910
Fax: (07) 3207 6897
Email: Redlands@parliament.qld.gov.au

Mayor, Cr Don Seccombe
wk: (07) 3829 8623
mb: 0417 761 277
dons@redland.qld.gov.au