Thanks again from Esk Residents to everyone who has signed and shared our petition. Please keep up the support and share,share, share.
Our concerns received some local media coverage this week, when we made the front page of an independent newspaper. Our thanks go to Grace for her article.
On Saturday, March 19, Esk Residents will be on-site at the Jimna Landcare Festival, to provide further details face to face, as part of the Friends of the Forest Inc. information stand.
We will also have a hard copy of a formal petition opposing this development, to be lodged directly to the Somerset Regional Council.
For those in the region attending the Festival, please come and talk to us and sign the petition if you want to help save our natural environment and wildlife habitats.
The Festival runs from 10am to 2pm at Jimna Base Camp.
The Somerset Regional Council Mayor, Mr.Graeme Lehmann, will be officially opening the Festival.
Also, in attendance on the day, will be Geckoes Wildlife, providing native wildlife education and information.
Ironically, in 2014, when promoting Geckoes Wildlife visiting schools to highlight the importance of protecting habitat and native wildlife, Mayor Graeme Lehmann said the visits "form part of Councils broader initiatives to help educate the Somerset community about wildlife conservation in the area".
He stated,
"Council recognises that the Somerset region is an important habitat area for Koalas and we need to work together to increase awareness of Koala conservation to ensure they are here for future generations to enjoy".
Somerset Regional Council proposed development of Mount Glen Rock, which covers both Primary and Secondary Koala Habitat, appears to be at odds with the previous comments regarding the conservation of the now Endangered Koala, other known Threatened species and native wildlife habitat.
Our neighbouring Ipswich City Council, has a 64 page document on their website outlining their plan and commitment to the RECOVERY and PROTECTION of the Threatened Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby and its habitat. They have chosen this native species as their Fauna emblem.
In comparison, Somerset Regional Council are choosing instead to DEVELOP the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby habitat on Mount Glen Rock.
Councils proposed development is for recreation and adventure, therefore showing a lack of long term vision and commitment for the conservation of Mount Glen Rock and its native wildlife.
Whilst Council may be acknowledging its past history with having the introduced species, Cervas elaphus, or the Red Deer, as its Fauna emblem, might this too indicate a true lack of awareness and commitment to the conservation of native wildlife and habitat in the Somerset region for "future generations to enjoy".
For the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby Recovery Plan go to,
council@ipswich.qld.gov.au