By Trish Bowman
Central Queensland environmental advocates were thrilled to hear news of the work the Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DES) have done to achieve a positive outcome in the case of a man and his employee who have been fined over the removal of protected plants and illegal dumping on a residential property north of Yeppoon.
Capricorn Conservation Council Project Coordinator Sophie George said across the region, development and land-clearing threaten ecosystems and our native fauna and flora.
“It is of the upmost importance that landholders, proponents and contractors are aware of and comply with environmental law to ensure the survival of our biodiversity,” Ms George said.
“DES has set an important example of the consequences offenders will face for non-compliance, which is so important as we roll out renewables and provide homes for all those in need.
“We need to ensure landholders and proponents have all the information they need to comply with these environmental laws.”
Former Greens candidate and Capricorn Coast resident Paul Bambrick said it’s hard to believe that anyone would want to destroy native vegetation on their own property, especially something as beautiful and iconic as a Xanthorrhoea (grass tree) – that it is a protected species, doubly so.
“We’ve been clearing country for 200 years now, treating the bush like it’s just a nuisance or
somewhere to dump stuff,” Mr Bambrick said.
“A huge 400,000 hectares of land was cleared in Queensland last year which is more than in the Amazon.
“This is our heritage, our carbon sink, our biodiversity and our beautiful Australian bush.
“No wonder Koalas are now officially an endangered species.
“We have reached a turning point in our aussie culture where the community will no longer tolerate this destruction.
“So thank you DES for standing up for the real Australia while there’s still something to
save.”
While he celebrates the work of a positive result on this occasion, Mr Bambrick said we need to take a serious look to at our region.
“Keppel Coast is losing its fringing forest as the backdrop to our suburban neighbourhoods is cut down, he said.
“Planning has not recognised the value of these green belts and their loss will make us all poorer and decimate the biodiversity that’s integral to our quality of life: the very reason we all came here in the first place.
“Livingstone Shire Council has an opportunity to show leadership here and a responsibility to retain vegetation on their own land opposite the pony club in Barmaryee, the site of the mooted new showgrounds, old growth forest to be clear felled.”