IMPORTANT UPDATE: Care4esK post Koala Grant application outcome on Facebook.

"In a move that could ultimately see the demise of Esk's beloved Koalas, the Somerset Regional Council, have stopped a Community funding application in it's tracks, by not allowing property access for the time required, for a specialised Koala research program to be completed.
Since May, Care4esK, have been collaborating with 2 Universities to design an 18 month project, in which a highly specialised University Koala detection team, could gather data from the Koalas located in the Primary and Secondary habitats over Mount Glen Rock and along Sandy Creek, here in Esk.
The data and scat collected, would have been analysed for signs of disease and other useful genetic information, to form a baseline for any future analysis.
Care4esK have also planned and costed a major weed eradication program, along with the replanting of Koala food Eucalyptus trees in areas that had been evidently cleared since white settlement, in line with the project criteria.
These locations have already been professionally mapped by one of our experienced members.
Care4esK have also engaged a consultant from the Jinibara people to oversee and guide the work on Country. Jagera people are also supporting this important research and regeneration of Country.
Whilst the funding hadn't yet been approved, given our comprehensive planning and the specialists that Care4esK had aligned with for this project, we were very confident that our application would fully meet the criteria.
The funding is drawn from the State Government Koala Conservation and Protection Community Grants Round 1 money, which is part of the a greater Federal government initiative.
Care4esK has met with both Shayne Neumann, our Federal member for the  Blair electorate, and Deb Frecklington,  our State member for the Nanango electorate. Both had given their word of support for the project.
To further proceed with the application, Care4esK and our partners, needed written assurance of access permission to the land owned by the Somerset Regional Council.
As I said, the project required a duration of at least 18 months for the relevant and viable data to be obtained, and for the habitat restoration to be completed.
After having our request for access permission sitting at Council for 12 working days, fully aware of the definitive application deadline, the Somerset Regional Council finally gave official permission of property access till the end of September, 2022...THIS YEAR!!!.
Care4esK immediately contacted Somerset Regional Council, only to be told the best that would be offered, was access until mid 2023.
Care4esK tried to negotiate for a little extra time, knowing that the necessary research wouldn't be completed and that the reduced timeframe wouldn't meet the application criteria, but the Acting CEO was firm.
IT WAS A VERY CLEAR NO !!!
And why, because 'our project might compromise the planned construction work in the area'
Care4esK can only assume that this  construction work is the Mount Glen Rock Adventure Park development?
This development that has not been approved, has not had relevant impact studies completed, has not had Cultural Heritage studies completed and has not even been formally referred to or assessed by, the State Assessment Referral Agency, SARA.
Care4esK have spoken to SARA on numerous occasions, and they confirm that this proposed development is nothing more than a 'CONCEPT'
Why couldn't the Somerset Regional Council allow that little bit of extra time?
The community has been repeatedly assured that the proposed development is nothing more than 'LINES ON PAPER' and is still in its 'INFANCY STAGE'
Then why was the research project ultimately blocked???
The Somerset Regional Council had the opportunity to support a fully funded Community led, professional and highly specialised project, under the guidance of Traditional Custodians and the Somerset Regional Council's own NRM Officer.
This was a project that Esk could have been collectively proud of.
It would have showed not only the community, but the world, that the Somerset Regional Council were actually committed to the conservation of the Environment and it's Wildlife...especially our precious and Endangered Koalas.
But they REFUSED to allow the few extra months that were necessary for its completion.

So, I am very sorry Mo...Care4esK and our partners, have done our best to try to ensure your future, however the Somerset Regional Council appear to have shown that they do not care if you, and your Koala companions survive.
It appears that they only care about their destructive development that could ultimately lead to your demise.
The legacy that the Somerset Regional Council wish to leave behind is an environment full of eroded Mountain Bike trails.
Somerset Regional Council, you need to take a long and very close look at yourself.
Are you really proud of what you see?
Because Care4esK and the world can now clearly see, that the Somerset Regional Council has no real commitment to the Environment, or to Wildlife and especially no commitment to our Endangered and Threatened species.
Such an attitude is a shameful Global DISGRACE."

If you wish to voice your thoughts and opinions on the actions of the Somerset Regional Council on this matter, PLEASE email the primary decision-makers and Councillors directly. Simply Cc them all in on the same email.

PLEASE contact the new Federal Government Environment Minister, the Hon. Tanya Plibersek, and the Queensland State Government Environment Minister, the Hon. Meaghan Scanlon.

PLEASE consider making your voice heard.
It does matter, especially for our Koalas.

PLEASE help us to raise further awareness.

We achieve nothing by just thinking about action.
Only together can we ever create much needed change by actively speaking up.

ATTN: Acting CEO Geoffrey Smith
mail@somerset.qld.gov.au

ATTN: Acting Manager Recreation and Tourism, Daniel Rowe
mail@somerset.qld.gov.au

Mayor Graham Lehmann
glehmann@somerset.qld.gov.au

Deputy Mayor Helen Brieschke
hbrieschke@somerset.qld.gov.au

Cr Bob Whalley
bwhalley@somerset.qld.gov.au

Cr Cheryl Gaedtke
cgaedtke@somerset.qld.gov.au

Cr Sean Choat
schoat@somerset.qld.gov.au

Cr Jason Wendt
jwendt@somerset.qld.gov.au

Cr Kylee Isidro
kisidro@somerset.qld.gov.au

It will be helpful to include 'Save the Esk Koalas' in your subject heading to Ministers.

Federal Environment Minister
The Honourable Tanya Plibersik
tanya.plibersek.mp@aph.gov.au

Qld State Environment Minister
The Honourable Meaghan Scanlon
Environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au

We thank you immensely and are grateful for your ongoing support.
We will not give up the fight.

The above photo is dear Mo on the day of his release back to his home here at Esk.

We sighted him again this week, high up in the trees eating his gum leaves. He was easily recognised by the yellow tag he received after he was rescued, vaccinated and microchipped.