We wholeheartedly thank you for supporting our petition.
The above photo came our way today.
It is the front page of a local newspaper at Narrandera in regional NSW. May we too have such a positive story for our local newspaper to report in the not too distant future.
Narrandera greatly values their local Koala population. They created incredible change through the dedicated efforts of many, to grow an abundant and healthy Koala population from zero. How very fortunate the Narrandera community is to have such a dedicated, committed and proactive Council.
Whilst it has been awhile since we last updated the petition page, much has been unfolding in the background.
Below are some of the more recent updates...
Members of the Care4esK group are in the process of compiling an application for State Government funding offered to community groups to benefit our beloved Endangered Koalas.
It has been an immersive and lengthy process so far, involving alot of networking and engagement with both the passionate every day citizens and professionals within this field.
The Somerset Regional Council are still yet to give permission for those professional Researchers to access the known Koala habitats on Council's freehold land. This permission is needed prior to the looming Grant application deadline in mid July.
Let's hope for a positive and timely response from the Council very soon, to enable us to then do all that is required for the wellbeing and longevity of our current Koala population here in Esk.
Imagine what could be achieved with the supportive and cooperative efforts from our Council. Narrandera positively created the change they desired to achieve for their precious Koala population and we continue to be inspired by their incredible success.
Please do visit and share the Care4esK Facebook page. Helpful comments and suggestions are also welcommed.
The genuine concerns about Mountain Bike Trail Development plans in areas of natural beauty, with precious flora and fauna habitats, continue to be raised by every day community members throughout Australia. As does the considered opposition to them.
On the good news front, our friends for the 'Save Redwood Park' campaign, recently had success with the Toowoomba Regional Council finally voting to remove Redwood Park from their Mountain Bike Trails Master Plan.
Theirs was a very long and arduous campaign. Thankfully, such passionate and ongoing efforts by many concerned citizens have helped to save this beautiful area, and it's wildlife, from such unnecessary damage and destruction. They have shown that positive change is possible.
In South Australia, the Labor Government has scrapped costly Mountain Bike Developments planned under the previous Liberal Government, in favour of spending that money on much needed Health services and Education infrastructure. This is another example of positive change. Such essential services for a wider majority of communities are far more vital than the non-essential developments for a recreational minority.
You can read more about this here...
Here in Queensland, the very forward thinking Moreton Bay Regional Council have saved 62 hectares of key Koala and Wildlife habitat, that would have otherwise been developed into up to 14 lots of rural residential living.
This was made possible under the Land Buyback for Environmental Purposes program.
Mayor Peter Flannery stated that,
'With Moreton Bays' human population set to increase by roughly 40% over the next 20 years, we're ramping up our efforts to lock away key habitat for preservation now, before it's too late".
This is clearly a positive change of direction for a local Council. You can read more about this proactive approach to nature and wildlife conservation on the Facebook page of Councillor Darren Grimwade.
The Australian Koala Foundation often have media release updates on their website. The most recent mentioned the newly elected Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and the role she can play in saving and protecting our Endangered Koalas and other native wildlife species and their habitats.
You can read more about this here...
https://www.savethekoala.com/blog-post/new-environment-minister/
All this clearly shows that it's not just the every day citizens within our communities who are concerned about the continued decline of our natural environment and the loss of our native flora and fauna species.
It shows too that it's not just ordinary community members who question why their taxpayer dollars are being spent on providing recreational activities for a minority population of cycling enthusiasts.
This is money that could otherwise be of greater benefit to many more in the community, in both the human and wildlife populations. Money that could be used far more wisely and for so much more.
Let's hope 'these times really are a changing'...
We greatly appreciate your continued support. May you continue to passionately question and/or oppose the Mountain Bike Trails and Rock Climbing aspects of Councils planned Mount Glen Rock Development.
Please keep sharing our petition.
Please continue to voice your opinion to the Somerset Regional Council.
They are still forging ahead with a Final Master Plan for an Adventure Park Development on our town's Mount Glen Rock and its surrounding area. They are still seeking Government funding to do so.
To put it quite simply,
Australias iconic Koalas ARE an Endangered species.
However, Mountain Bike Riders, ARE NOT.
Koalas and other native wildlife NEED their habitats to survive.
Mountain Bike Riders DO NOT NEED to be in such habitats for their survival.
They have the choice, opportunity and means to go elsewhere, in the pursuit of their own personal desires for adventure.