Thank you for supporting our petition to Save and Protect the native Flora and Fauna of Mount Glen Rock.

The recent Care4esK Community Wildlife Information Event was a great success. The full house attendance included 3 Councillors from the Somerset Regional Council and a Council Officer.

Much unfolded both leading up to, and following on from the August 26th Event.

On August 23rd, Somerset Regional Council moved to support an Expression of Interest submission for the Queensland Government's Growing Future Tourism Grant funding.

Outlined in the minutes from that meeting, the Proposed Project was to the value of $3,168,600 and was to include the following components:
Lions Park Upgrade
Summit Hiking Trail
Small Outlook – Summit Trail
Eastern Loop Hiking Trail
Southern Escarpment Sport Climbing site
Southern Escarpment Sport Climbing Site Entry (Carpark and Trail)
First Nations Surveying, Story Collection and Historical Research
Interpretive Sign Development (Ecological and Cultural)
Interpretive Sign Fabrication and Installation
Wayfinding Signage Fabrication and Installation

The Growing Future Tourism Program Guidelines clearly states...
'The types of projects to be supported under GFT will be 'the development of new or improved tourism infrastructure products and experiences in the priority areas of:
• coastal and marine tourism
• heritage and cultural tourism
• ecotourism and sustainability'

Whilst Mountain Bike Trails were not included for this Grant application, Care4esK strongly believed that Rock climbing did not fall into the guidelines for potential projects, especially Ecotourism.

The Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science defines Ecotourism as...
'Ecotourism encompasses nature-based activities that increase visitor appreciation and understanding of natural and cultural values. They are experiences that are managed to ensure they are ecologically, economically and socially sustainable, contributing to the wellbeing and conservation of the natural areas and local communities where they operate'

Care4esK remains very concerned that the introduction of any type of Rock climbing on the Mount Glen Rock land parcels, could have an irreversible impact on the Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies and their habitats. The presence of this Threatened species has now been confirmed and recorded, with multiple sightings across the vast majority of the Mount Glen Rock proposed development land parcels.

The addition of Rock climbing as a sport, could also have a detrimental effect on several plant species which occur on the rocky outcrops of Mount Glen Rock.

Somerset Regional Council has now removed Rock Climbing from their plans for Mount Glen Rock.
Care4esK firmly believed that Rock Climbing is an activity that did not meet the guidelines of the Growing Future Tourism Grant funding, and therefore are very happy to read in the most recent Council meeting minutes, that on further consideration, Council have chosen to remove it from their Expression of Interest application.

Care4esK will continue to oppose this activity on Mount Glen Rock, should any future plans include Rock Climbing.

The following statement was recently published by Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland

"Cliff recreational activities disrupt Brush-tailed Rock-Wallabies

The recent surge in recreational activities involving cliffs and rocks threatens numerous plant and animal species. Among them, the brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata), classified as vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, is particularly affected.
The brush-tailed rock-wallaby relies heavily on rocky habitats for survival. Steep slopes deter predators, and rain shed by rocky slopes can produce lush growth below.

This small to medium-sized macropod is also highly territorial and is sensitive to physical disturbance from humans. The wallaby enjoys sunbathing on steep rocks during daylight hours. Also, rocky outcrops offer cool shelters during hot summers, curbing heat stress and water loss.

Unfortunately, frequent human disruptions keep brush-tailed rock-wallabies in a constant state of alertness, impacting their behaviour and hindering their ability to rest"

This statement reinforces our main concern and highlights the reason why Care4esK will continue to take this stance against activities that disrupt behaviour or threaten the future of our local Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies of Mount Glen Rock, and any other vulnerable Flora and Fauna.

Overall, Care4esK is pleased to see this new project being referred to as 'Low-impact' instead of 'Adventure'.

Care4esK looks forward to the development of a Park, that focuses on the value of Conservation, protecting the Environment, native Flora and Fauna, and has Cultural Heritage respect and recognition.

Care4esK will continue to advocate for this 'tread-lightly' approach, to ensure the Mount Glen Rock environment is preserved and protected from any Adventure-type Development in the future.

Care4esK 

Care 4 each species Kindly

Care4esK acknowledges and respects the Traditional Custodians of our lands past, present and emerging.

They are the keepers of this land, and always will be.