Dear all I wish to draw your attention to a matter of concern which relates to misleading information being distributed to residents particularly in Caloundra. You may recall in March 2017, a few residents of Shelly Beach proposed that Council should alter the dune vegetation by trimming or removing flora to improve their ‘scenic amenity’ (views). Council rejected this proposal, and now the same proponents are circulating an online petition titled "Council to Remove Pest Plants and to Enrichment Plant Shelly Beach Dunes with Natives" on the website “change.org”. This new reason for tree removal is to increase biodiversity and "protect" nesting turtles! The statements in this petition have been misrepresented and are considered by some to be deceptive. A few of the key concerns are as follows: - Cottonwood trees (Hibiscus tiliaceus) ARE native plants, and have NOT adversely affected turtle nesting, as stated in this petition. Turtle nest numbers increased on Shelly Beach this season, and none were adversely affected by Cottonwood trees. Cottonwood trees support dune stability, and the density of the Cottonwood trees provide valuable protection from artificial light (including house lights). Artificial lights disorientate hatchlings and deters nesting turtles. Many scientific research papers have been published stating the negative effects that artificial lights have on turtles, particularly on hatchlings. Lighting studies undertaken and quoted in the video of the petition refer to ‘3D Surveys’ and an insignificant change in ‘light glow.’ They do not appear to reference research in lighting impacts on nesting turtles and hatchlings. These 3D surveys were not conducted using any nesting turtle data or hatchling data or other relevant scientific research criteria relating to sea turtles. If Council decides that greater diversity in vegetation is needed along Shelly Beach, this needs to occur SLOWLY. Other species of native trees with similar leaf density and height need to be planted and allowed to grow to reach existing Cottonwood heights, so NO housing lights penetrate on to the beach during the process. Diversity should be assisted by initially planting in areas where there are ever widening ‘gaps’ in the existing vegetation. The habitat between Double Island Point and Pumicestone Passage has been identified as critical to the survival of the endangered Loggerhead Turtle. Loggerheads are the predominant laying species on Shelly Beach. See: http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/publications/recovery-plan-marine-turtles-australia-2017. (Refer to page 30.) Reported “door knocking” attempts to have residents sign the petition have occurred, giving locals the impression that the petition has been started by turtle volunteers. Please beware of this charade. These attempts to have Council remove the Cottonwood trees is at ratepayer’s expense. This cost would be considerable and ongoing, and would also cause an irreparable impact on the dunes and to the laying and hatching patterns of the critically endangered Loggerhead Turtle. This letter is written in the hope that if approached you will NOT sign the abovementioned petition. If you have already signed it, and wish to withdraw your signature, simply open the confirmation email you received upon initially signing, scroll down to the bottom, and find the text, “Didn't sign this petition? Click here.” Click that link, and your signature will be removed. At this stage, we do not know if a further proposal has been submitted to Council. Should this occur, the voice of the Community ahead of the meeting, which was so important last time, will be even more imperative. Given the Community may again have less than a week’s notice of a new item on Council’s meeting agenda, concerned citizens are preparing their letters to Councillors now, so they can be ready to go if needed and when the time is right. Of course, when and if you choose to contact Council is up to you. We will keep you informed as we discover more key information and/or when this issue gets presented to Council. Please feel free to share this email widely. Thank-you from our turtles