VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

! PAGE 1

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors;

we borrow it from our children

ano!

BIEPA NEWSBRIBIE ISLAND

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

ASSOCIATION INCCaring for our special habita"

and its residentswww.biepa.org

Email: biepa.mail@gmail.com

PO Box 350Bribie Island Q 4507

NEXT BIEPA MEETING: 7pm Monday 23rd January

2017ANZAC Room Bribie RSL

IN THIS ISSUEJanuary Guest Speaker! 1 STOP PRESS, Lyngbya! 1 Tree & Vegn Protection! 2 BIEPA objects to tree loss!3/4 OUT IN THE HEAT! ! 4/5 Bird of the Month! ! 6 Bribie - a koala refuge?! 6Clean Up Australia Day! 6 Healthy W"ways Report ! 7Healthy W"ways critique ! 8From the next generation! 9 Lyngbya Alert! 10 Book of the Month! 11 Turtle Talk! ! 12 Burying heads in sand? 13 Living Beach! 14 Vale: Lois and Frank 15 World Wetlands Day 16 World Science Festival 16 Plant of the Month! 16 Date Claimers/Contacts 17

We hope BIEPA Members are filled to the brim with Peace and Joy. Thanks to Marg Snowden (Bribie’s Bat Lady) for the cute photo

STOP PRESS! Lyngbya bloom washes up - Red Beach/Buckley"s Hole /Jetty, Bongaree - Page 10

https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/coastal/ecology/lyngbya!updates/

January 23rd GUEST SPEAKER - Tony Matthews

Tony lectures in Urban & Environmental Planning at Gri!th University Tony is one of the authors of the abridged article on Pages 4 & 5

“Out of the Heat: Why Poorer Suburbs are More at Risk in Warming Cities”

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

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Why a Tree and Vegetation Protection and Maintenance Policy specific to Bribie Island, you may well ask.

First of all, unlike any other part of the Moreton Bay Regional Council, Bribie Island is a sand island dependent on its vegetation to stabilize and hold it together. Within the sand are lagoons and creeks and a honeycomb of fresh water aquifers, that support the Island"s biodiversity.

People come to Bribie Island because of its unique and beautiful natural environment.

Why then, does the Moreton Bay Regional Council still not have an endorsed Tree and Vegetation Protection and Maintenance Policy (TVPM Policy) for the Region, let alone one specific to Bribie Island? The Mayor did make a commitment to BIEPA in 2008 that a Policy would be endorsed by 2010.

Without a TVPM Policy and Guidelines, we will continue to witness our historic and iconic habitat trees on private property and public spaces being felled by the indiscriminate use of chain saws and chippers. The Works Depot on Bribie Island must have the largest stockpiles of woodchips of any council in Australia. Such an ignominious end for our noble bloodwoods, Moreton Bay Ash,

paperbarks, Moreton Bay figs, Bribie pines, wedding bush, woombye, brush box, casuarinas, banksias, cotton trees - to name a few.

Why are our native trees and vegetation not valued in this Region?

The two photos are taken from a selection of Remarkable Trees sent to BIEPA from a member.

On Bribie, the tree in the top photo would be considered a risk to pedestrians (a “widow maker”) and removed.

The one below is thought to be the oldest Oak in North America, if not the World, at over 1500 years old.

Bribie"s trees barely make it to 20 years before being assessed as diseased, unsuitable species, create too much leaf/bark litter or are a fire risk - these are examples of some of the reasons BIEPA is provided for tree removal from public land.

TREE AND VEGETATION PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE POLICY SPECIFIC TO BRIBIE ISLAND

Woodchip stockpiles at Bribie"s Works Depot

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

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BIEPA OBJECTS TO REMOVAL OF TREES ON PUBLIC LAND

It has been customary for MBRC to advise BIEPA of planned removal of trees from public lands. This is so BIEPA is aware and can advise concerned citizens of the reasons when they contact us.

Recently, BIEPA was notified that council planned to remove 20 habitat trees from public lands bordering private property. The BIEPA committee inspected the location and decided to object. The committee could see no good reason for all the trees to be removed, especially during the Spring nesting season. There were Bloodwoods; a Moreton Bay Fig, Tuckeroo, Bribie Pines and Acacias. Sadly BIEPA"s pro-posed options were ignored and council subsequently removed all the trees.

PHOTOS1. BEFORE FROM WEST

2. BEFORE FROM WEST

3. DURING FROM EAST

4. AFTER FROM WEST

5. R.I.P.

Trees are habitat for wildlife

Trees lower ambient temperature

Trees improve neighborhood amenity

Trees increase property values

Trees and shade prevent heat stress

Are you Breathing?Thank a Tree!

Trees make oxygen Trees eat our CO2

Be kind to the trees!

1 2 3

4 5

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

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TREES (contd)

These trees, in the photo, straddled private and public land.

Council gave permission for the trees to be removed at the property owners" expense, despite objections from BIEPA and neighbours who were upset that they are continually losing their heritage, familiarity and identity in this historic Bribie Island neighbourhood. What many Bribie Island residents can"t understand is why anyone would knowingly invest in a property with beautiful mature trees, then com-promise not only the amenity and value of the property but the surrounding neighbourhood, by clearing the trees.

In other jurisdictions, if trees are assessed as having the potential to interfere with sewage lines, the sewage lines are relocated or trenching is an option.

There is some good news, however! One resident in this historic area saved an eighty year-old Moreton Bay Fig that was being chopped down on a private property.

Many Bribie Island residents, who care about their heritage and history, would like to see historic and iconic trees

heritage listed. Our Natural Assets are our Heritage too.

OUT IN THE HEAT: why poorer suburbs are more at risk in

warming cities October 14, 2016 Upper Coomera is one of those fast-growing fringe suburbs

that is hotter because of tightly packed housing with less greenery.

Daryl Jones/www.ozaerial.com.au/

EXCERPTS: Australian cities are getting hotter. The many reasons for this include urban densification poli-cies, climate change and social trends such as bigger houses and apartment living, which leave less space for gardens and trees. But some areas and some residents of cities are more exposed to heat than others.The concentration of poorer people in hotter places is known as “thermal inequity”. Our recently published research has found this is a real concern on the Gold Coast, one of Australia"s fastest-growing urban regions.Urban heat is known to increase rates of injury, death and disease. This is why the federal government recently established an urban greening agenda.The central city tends to be hotter than surrounding suburbs and rural areas – the urban heat island effect. Perhaps because of this, much of the research focus has been on the urban core. But what about heat effects in the suburbs?

What is thermal inequity?Research from North America and Australia shows people who live in greener, leafier suburbs tend to be wealthier. We know that urban greening can cool ambient air temperatures.Plentiful street trees, well-designed parks and other types of green space also tend to increase residents" physical activities and social interactions. This makes greener neighbourhoods healthier and happier.Unfortunately, the opposite often occurs in poorer suburbs, meaning residents suffer more heat stress. This is a consequence of fewer street trees, less green space and denser urban design. Our research found thermal inequity is a real concern in Upper Coomera, a suburb in the northern growth corridor of Gold Coast City.The Gold Coast has been coping with explosive rates of growth. The population is expected to double in the next two decades. Growth-management policies are increasing densities.On the suburban fringe in places like Upper Coomera, land clearing for development typically removes much

of the native vegetation. This in turn increases heat. Continued: Next Page

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

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OUT IN THE HEAT (Contd)

The trend in the Gold Coast, like many cities, is for comparatively disadvantaged people to seek more affordable housing in outer suburbs. Less affluent householders become concentrated in suburbs where housing is packed tightly with fewer trees and less greenery. Hotter houses and neighbourhoods lead to residents paying more for electricity to keep cool. Excessive heat can also increase healthcare ex-penses and reduce productivity.

Our findings have important repercussions for urban policy. As we have previously noted, urban green-ing has many advantages for climate change adaptation. It is comparatively inexpensive and is politically palatable.However, higher-density neighbourhoods like Upper Coomera often have less land available for green-ing. Yards are smaller and verges are typically dominated by on-street parking.We advocate for education campaigns about the benefits of urban greening and better urban design guidelines to make it easier for developers to increase neighbourhood greenery. Better knowledge about species selection is needed to reduce maintenance issues.Urban greening initiatives should also use technologies like permeable paving to limit pavement uplift and capture rainfall on-site.Thermal inequity exists but it can be reduced. After all, if urban greenery can benefit all residents, why should the poor miss out? Interesting 2 part ABC documentary “Streets of your Town”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wyO!MofEEw If you fast forward to 25:00 minutes, you will see BIEPA Past President, Dr Joan Jacobi, interviewed.

So what can be done?

Urban trees are a cheap, effective way to lower

temperatures, improve human health and reduce

the#urban heat island effect. When the next heat-

wave hits, spare a thought for everyone (human and

non-human) in the leafless suburb down the road.

Under global warming, 50 shades of leafy greens

beats 50 shades of grey concrete.

More reading: https://sourceable.net/death!neighbourhood!tree/ https://ianluntecology.com/2014/02/23/50!shades!of!green/

Note: Sydney"s eastern,

leafier suburbs have lower temperatures

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

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It feels like you have been cast back to pre-historic times when you finally see the bird that hurtles around the area making all those raucous squawks and shouts you can hear. This is the .......

Channel#bi$ed Cuckoo.

It"s a summer visitor from Indonesia-NG, uncommon on Bribie, and its distinctive call can be heard at any time of the day or night, sometimes all night when breeding. This very large grey bird is not clearly seen that often, though it"s unmistakable when observed in flight, sometimes with crows in hot pursuit.

On rare occasions when one perches in a tree, it"s a great opportunity to appreciate the long tail and huge curved bill up close. That"s a real treat for bird lovers. This bird eats mainly native fruits though will also eat insects and other bird"s eggs.

Most cuckoos use nests of other birds, and the Channel#bi$ed Cuckoo chooses mainly the large

open nest of Pied Currawongs, Australian Magpies or Crows. Two eggs are usually laid and commonly only one is hatched; the feeding of chicks is left to the host birds though the adult cuckoo may stay

nearby. Channel#bi$ed Cuckoo parents have

been known to “gather young together” when leaving for the northern migration at the end of summer, so we have only until March to spot this noisy but elusive bird.

! ! ! Chris Bell

BIEPA’s CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY

BUCKLEY’S HOLE

8 am - 11 am Sunday 5th March

BIRD OF THE MONTHChannel#bi$ed Cuckoo

Many thanks to Peter Boyd for this wonderful photo

Could Bribie Island become a Koala Refuge?

This question has become a hot topic in local community newspapers. Obviously, the prospect of koalas becoming extinct in SEQld within the next decade is worrying to many caring Queenslanders. Loss of habitat from unscrupulous land clearing has been sanctioned by our government decision makers for far too long and is the

underlying cause. BIEPA contacted koala experts and carers about this possibility. The advice is that Bribie Island does not have the soil type to support koala food and habitat trees. History demonstrates that ecosystems are fragile and it is unwise to alter them. Bribie"s unique and fragile natural assets need care and protection.

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

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On 16th November, three BIEPA members attended the release of the Healthy Waterways Report Card for 2016 held at the Mooloolaba Marina.

Sunshine Coast local government representatives attended. Councillors Peter Flannery and Adam Hain represented the Moreton Bay Regional Council. Everyone agreed that the improved ratings were a reflection of the dry weather conditions which reduced the contamination of Moreton Bay from catchment runoffs during wet weather. it was heartening to hear Noosa"s Mayor acknowledge the realities of the precarious condition of our catchment areas and their possible threat to the health of our precious waterways and the marine flora and fauna that depend on them for survival.

It appears that there needs to be a better understanding of the causes and effects of these annual ratings by our government representatives who make the decisions on planning and development and protection of the catchment areas. They need to be more proactive and cooperative in planning for the future economic, environmental and social health of each region under their jurisdiction and care.

For example: Canal developments have been the subject of trenchant criticism on environmental grounds. These include the removal of wetlands in their construction, their propensity to lower water quality and the problems of dealing with acid sulphate soils. Canal estates have been banned in New South Wales and Victoria and any suggestion to revive them in Queensland is ludicrous and irresponsible. In particular, with the evidence contained in the annual Healthy Waterways Report Cards, we find it difficult to understand why our politicians are

not learning from other jurisdictions to realize how ill-conceived, inappropriate and contentious are the proposed North Harbour Canal Development and its Private Marina. The development will require the proposed canals and the Caboolture River to be dredged, to maintain navigability. This will most certainly increase silt, contaminants and turbidity into the Ramsar protected Moreton Bay Marine Park - especially during the rainy season. It most certainly will have negative impacts on the sea grass beds and mangroves that support our marine life - endangered turtles, dugongs, dolphins, fish - not to mention the canals" vulnerability to Climate Change and predicted sea level rise. See Ian Bell!s critique of the 2016 Report Card - Page 8.

And words of wisdom from our youth - Page 9.

HEALTHY WATERWAYSReport Card 2016

report card # Healthy Waterways

Caboolture River

Proposed Development

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

! PAGE 8

“Healthy Waterways 2016”

How transparent are our waterways and water reporting?Ian Bell MEIANZ

After poring over the latest 2016 Healthy Waterways Report Card results I must admit that I am still struggling to in-terpret, to my satisfaction, the supporting detail behind the results from the new data collection and reporting regime which commenced in 2015.# As catchment management and water quality is one of my specialist areas I find this a bit disconcerting.Some of the things I have noticed in the new format include the following:

1.##### There is no longer separate reporting detail for both the Freshwater and the Estuarine/Marine environment

with the report now producing just a single catchment rating.

2.##### The location of the sampling sites is now undisclosed, and the methodology for producing the score is

now a combination of results from actual field monitoring (which appears to have been reduced) blended

with computer generated catchment modelling.

3.##### New qualitative assessments (social and economic benefits) based on community satisfaction feedback

and economic measures of derived public benefits.

Since the commencement of the new reporting system in 2015 a marked improvement in catchment condition is re-ported for our local waterways e.g. Pumicestone Passage and Caboolture River.# This appears to be a more broadly based trend reported throughout much of SEQld and has been attributed to the dry conditions which have generally prevailed more recently.# However, it is puzzling that the massive flooding experienced locally in June this year and associated extreme loads of sediment and related turbidity are not reflected.The general reported improvement in the Pumicestone Passage to now a $B+" since the new assessment and report-ing regime commenced is most encouraging given previous reports (2014 and prior) produced $C" level results for this waterway.# Similarly, pre 2015/16 reports for the Caboolture River Estuary scored around level $D" but the whole system score derived from the above described blending process has now scored level $B" – a truly dramatic appar-ent improvement.I"m concerned however that the simplification of reporting in the new Healthy Waterways Report Card system will not be capable of recognising and accurately reporting important differences between upper and lower catchment water quality.# As I have repeatedly warned, it is anticipated that the Caboolture River estuarine condition will face a signifi-cantly degraded future from the extensive dredging of the Caboolture River currently being fast-tracked by the Qld. Government.# We need to be able to detect such impacts if and when they occur.Regarding the incorporation of new social and economic benefits analysis as a measure of healthy waterways, I question their scientific basis.# The 80% satisfaction rating by the general public of their use of our waterways sounds impressive, but it would be more useful to poll those living beneath the water surface – they really know first-hand how healthy the waterways are – the fish, crabs, oysters, invertebrates, dugong, turtles and dolphins etc.# (Do the science!)The upbeat accompanying economic analysis of waterway benefits measure states that even for the most degraded waterways, e.g. those receiving a $D" water quality grade, “The community is highly satisfied with this important drinking water supply and agricultural production catchment.”# Something appears seriously amiss here because experience shows that such waterways are commonly unfit for human consumption and recreational use with water quality warnings issued at times by water authorities.# The economic costs to society of the current impacts and fu-ture risks from deteriorating water quality we face in terms of health, tourism and regional image, impaired fisheries etc. are missing in this assessment and must surely be included to aid decision making on investment.Similarly, results reported in the 2016 Report Card that 88% of our local streambanks have vegetation (without defin-ing and grading vegetation quantity, quality and effectiveness in sediment interception for appropriate input to the model) are misleading and meaningless.# The healthy impression thus provided contrasts starkly with what we know about the highly-degraded nature of much of the riparian (streambank) zones throughout developed areas, and the relationship between poor riparian zone quality and currently experienced degraded waterways.

Despite the above commentary, I am a strong supporter of the Healthy Waterways Program:#The Healthy Waterways program is essential for a healthy water future and must be fu$y supported and funded. We must not fear or shy away %om reporting the risks, cha$enges and essential actions we face to i&#prove the waterways which define our regions, while at the same time acknowledging and celebrating the pro#gress and achievements of a$ who are dedicated to this goal. Ian Bell

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

! PAGE 9

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Ollie Scully; I am a year 11 student at Unity College. I am accompanied today by Mr Steve Pinel, Head of Science, Jordan and Lilly who are fellow students at the college. We are honoured to be representing our school today and sharing with you the ways in which Unity College is contributing to healthier waterways in our local area. Jordan, Lilly and I are all proud ambassadors for the environmental sustainability and well-being of our school, and that of the wider Caloundra community.

Personally I am deeply connected to the Australian bush, having studied birds and other wildlife since a young age. I am a member of Birds Queensland Birdlife Australia and I have recently become involved with some explorations of local frog habitats as a member of the Qld Frog Society. Jordan is involved with Sunshine Coast Turtle Care and Lilly has a strong interest in birds, participating in local bird counts and surveys.

In partnership with Stockland and the new “Aura” development at Caloundra South, students from Unity participate in experiences that allowed us to expand our knowledge and actively engage in the conservation of the many unique habitats and ecosystems in the Caloundra area.

Some examples of these are:

1: Tree planting excursions: the school sets out with members of the Green Army and other esteemed environmentalists to plant trees. These are often vital food sources for endangered fauna. We are also given lectures from scientists discussing threats to habitat and species.

2: A project to regenerate the nationally significant Wallum wetlands for World Wetlands Day. We provided habitat for endangered species of wallum inhabiting frogs.

At a curriculum level, Unity College has embedded environmental and sustainability

learning across a diverse range of subjects. For example, in Biology, students survey and report on the coastal rocky shore ecosystems of Shelley Beach. During studies of Marine Science transects are conducted with the Bells Creek and Currimundi Creek catchment areas to assess water quality and unnatural waste levels.

The Sunshine Coast region is home to unique and valuable ecosystems and habitats for a huge variety of wildlife and plants. These environments are constantly under threat from development, pollution and the impact of the human footprint. There are small ways that each and every one of us can contribute to enhancing and returning the equilibrium between people and nature. When you plant native trees and shrubs in your gardens you provide shelter for birds, reptiles and insects. Installing a small pond with native reeds and aquatic plants will entice frogs to your garden and, of course, don"t litter. Everything discussed can add up to a significant contribution when done by lots of people.

One must consider that due to development, wildlife has fewer places to go and, therefore, we ned to make sure we conserve what we have left, before it"s too late. Whether it"s planting trees or picking up rubbish, be sure to do your bit for the environment, get involved and make a brighter future for both wildlife and people.

Thank you for listening.

TO THE NEXT GENERATION WE BEQUEATH OUR DECISIONS OF PAST AND PRESENT

Ollie Scully a student from Unity College in Caloundra received accolades for his presentation at the 2016 Healthy Waterways Report Card Release

BIEPA thanks Ollie for his permission to publish it in the BIEPA News.

SEQ Waterways Speech

Ollie Scully, Unity College

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

! PAGE 10

Lyngbya majuscula is a benthic filamentous marine cyanobacterium, which is becoming an increasing problem in Moreton Bay. In the summer of 2006/07, Caboolture Council re-moved 6000 tonnes of Lyngbya from Red Beach and initially temporarily stockpiled it in the car park which remained open to the public. How-ever Moreton Bay Regional Council has since developed a management plan and promised never to store this material in this area or any similarly dangerously exposed area again. Response Plan " Moreton Bay Regional Council Contact with Lyngbya can cause possibly se-vere rashes and eye irritation and respiratory problems from its dust as it dries.

The stench as it decays and releases chemicals is intolerable. It"s particularly dangerous if ingested because it contains about 30 toxic chemicals about which little is known. Children and dogs are more at risk of contact via sensitive regions such as the mouth and eyes as well as ingestion so close supervision is required. Lyngbya creates a serious problem in the marine environment, blanketing seaweed beds which impacts turtles (including by the formation of tumours), dugong, and virtually all marine life. Naturally humans should avoid contact. We now learn that Lyngbya has been in the region"s waterways this year for months but is only more recently being seen on SW Bribie along Red Beach, Buckley"s Hole & Brennan Park/Jetty, Bongaree. This outbreak was not mentioned in the Healthy Waterways report card. Council has advised residents it is monitoring the bloom.

BIEPA recently received reports that the highly toxic weed Lyngbya is in our waterways again this year.

Buckley’s Hole

Red Beach

Pumicestone Passaage

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Lyngbya stockpiled in Buckley’s Hole car park

January 2007

Photo taken 01 Jan 2017

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

! PAGE 11

Timothy Fridtjof "Tim" Flannery (born 28 January 1956) is an Australian mammalogist, palaeontologist,

environmentalist and global warming activist. He was the Chief Commissioner of the Climate Commission, a

Federal Government body providing information on climate change to the Australian public. On 23 September

2013 Flannery announced that he would join other sacked commissioners to form the independent Climate

Council, that would be funded by the community. http://www.climatecouncil.org.au/reef"reality"check

BOOK OF THE MONTHAtmosphere of hope: Searching for solutions to the climate crisisBy Tim Flannery (2015)

Review: Bill Condie (Cosmos) 05/10/2015

Hope doesn"t often get a look-in during the debate on climate

change. The data of rising temperatures, acidification of the

oceans and changing rainfall patterns are more usually associated

with gloom as is the apparent inability of governments to act on

these concerns. Meanwhile, the rancorous chorus of scepticism

and denial make any hope of a solution seem remote indeed.

But into this debate, 10 years after the publication of his interna-

tional bestseller The Weather Makers, steps Tim Flannery with a

message of genuine optimism, as he outlines the exciting tech-

nologies and approaches to dealing with climate change that are

already available or soon may be.

He looks at the means to reduce the carbon in the atmosphere directly by changing the energy compo-

nents we use. He assesses the uncertain future for the oil, gas and coal industries, which have experi-

enced massive changes over the past decade, and, he suggests, face further sharp declines. He looks at

alternatives such as solar and wind. Channeling Elon Musk he reminds us that the Sun radiates more

energy in a few hours than the planet uses in a year, and like Musk says the future depends on efficient

batteries.

He discusses the pros and cons of nuclear power and radical geoengineering solutions, such as pump-

ing sulfur into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight. He describes these schemes, with their potential to go

horribly wrong, as fighting poison with poison.The most exciting technologies, Flannery says, are those he describes as “third way” solutions –

neither emission reduction plans nor geoengineering mega projects. Instead these third way projects

work with the Earth to enhance and restore natural processes that balance greenhouse gasses –

“processes that are as old as life itself”.

They include the various means of atmospheric carbon capture – seaweed farming, CO2 snow produc-

tion in Antarctica, the absorption of CO2 by the “enhanced weathering” of silicate rocks and the manu-

facture of carbon-rich biochar and its use in reafforestation projects.

He also considers less radical engineering solutions such as painting cities white to reflect the Sun"s

rays.

But, writes Flannery, the greatest technologies might still be ahead of us as the challenges of dealing with climate change engage and define generations of thinkers, scientists and engineers.

“It is possible the next generation will astonish us with the solutions that we discover to safeguard our

planet for our grandchildren and their grandchildren,” he writes.

Time is running out, but a catastrophe is not inevitable.

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

! PAGE 12

Bribie"s Turtle Nesting began early this Season! The first $landing” was on 23rd November 2016 and our mother loggerheads haven"t stopped since.

Bribie"s Turtle Trackers were rewarded for their dedication to dawn patrol on Christmas Day and New Year"s Day and the 2016 - 2017 Nesting Season is promising to produce a bumper crop.

Our loggerhead turtles and their habitat are protected under: (1) the UN

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species, signed by Australia

in 1991; (2) the Ramsar Convention,

signed in 1993. (3) the Single Species Action Plan for the Loggerhead Turtle in the South Pacific, signed in 2015 to try to

prevent their extinction.

TURTLE TALK Turtles teach us to have patience, to think before we talk and to plan before we act

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

! PAGE 13

The studies, research, science, international agreements, Acts, legislation, policies, common sense are at our finger tips! And, yet we continue to permit inappropriate and unsustainable 4WD vehicles unbridled recreational access to Bribie Island"s fragile beach. Dunes are being destroyed & the intertidal zone is being polluted & sterilized.

Bribie Island"s biodiversity is under attack by these vehicles being used for the sole purpose of recreation. 4WD vehicles were not originally designed to be used for so-called $recreation". They were the utilitarian $work horses" of the automobiles, a proud legacy. So why have they been allowed to become such an aberration and scourge on our beach ecosystems?

The political response is, “So Queeenslanders can experience Nature”. 4WDs are banned from beaches in the progressive State of Victoria.

Our beaches are replacing dedicated race tracks where drivers can have fun testing their “skills”. Hiking and cycling on Bribie"s beaches are no longer safe recreational activities. Certainly, turtles, birds, crabs, etc are not safe.

How can the 5 Senses process the wonders of Bribie"s Sanctuary for Flora and Fauna (especially the stunning beach and Moreton Bay Marine Park) while in a noisy 4WD or jet ski?

Is there ever an “ah ha” moment when the messages in movies such as Finding Nemo and Piper correlate with the impacts 4WDs and jet skis have on marine life and a living beach that supports pipis, sandpipers, oyster catchers, crabs, sea-gulls and turtles - cute characters in the movies.

“Piper” is an enchanting little 7 minute video about sandpipers that live in the dunes and depend on the intertidal zone for sustenance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYUPqZ7TfRE

WHY ARE WE BURYING OUR HEADS

IN THE SAND?

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

! PAGE 14

the living beach

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

! PAGE 15

LOIS BAKERThe BIEPA community is sad to advise you of the passing of long

time environmental advocate and BIEPA Honorary Member, Lois Baker. Lois was the wife of Jack Baker who, in the 1990s, along with Frank Bigg and the group mentioned above, won the legal battle for BIEPA (with assistance from environmental lawyer Jo Bragg at the Environmental Defenders Office) to protect Lot 402/403 - a patch of Wallum Heathland and its threatened wallum sedge frogs and wildlife. Wallum heathland is fast disappearing in South East Queensland under the march of development. Lois and Jack lived in Papua New Guinea for many years before returning to Australia and settling on Bribie Island.Lois, not only worked alongside Jack during that time, but also contributed to the Bribie Island community managing Meals on Wheels for many years.Lois"s passing is not only a loss to Bribie Island"s natural environment, but to the wider community. We offer our sincere condolences to her family and friends for their loss.

FRANK BIGGIt is with great sadness that we announce the passing of another one of Nature"s Gentlemen - Frank

Bigg - who has died peacefully at the age of 90.

Frank loved Bribie Island and its natural environment and was one of the original BIEPA members who, along with Ron Maudsley, “Bub” Winnett, Doreen Rickman, Jack Baker, Jim Barram, Paul Wallace and others, came together in 1978 to form the Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association in order to “Care for our Special Habitat and its Residents”. What adventures they had over the years in pursuit of that mandate!

Frank was part of the battle to save Lot 402/403 from being rezoned to become a canal development. His sister, Shirley, says he spent hours in the Land Court. Lot 402/403 (Opposite the Aquatic Centre on Goodwin Drive) was designated as National Park and is the venue for BIEPA"s Annual Spring Wildflower Walk in August. What a legacy, Frank, Jack Baker, Len Baglow and that BIEPA crew left us!

Frank also spent many years monitoring and recording tides and erosion along the Woorim foreshore. He was a dedicated birder and spent countless hours monitoring bird life at Buckley"s Hole and Kakadu Bird Hide. Frank was also known as “The Snake Man” and had a licence for many years to rescue hapless snakes and relieve concerned homeowners from precarious situations. He would respond to excited calls day and night to find and relocate the wayward reptiles. It broke his heart if he found any hurt in any way.

Frank"s joy of life was infectious and Shirley says he had it to the very end. BIEPA offers condolences to his family and other friends.

Frank"s memorial service will be held at 10:30am Friday 13th January in the Chapel at the Foley Street Retirement Village, Bongaree.

VALE: WE FAREWELL TWO EXTRAORDINARY MEMBERS OF THE BRIBIE ISLAND COMMUNITY AND BIEPA

Utnea #Carpet Snake$ DreamingLindsay BIRD MPETYANE

Bird of Paradise

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

! PAGE 16

BIEPA WORLD WETLANDS DAY

9;00 am Buckley’s Hole.

Bring refreshments, hat, chair, binoculars, good walking shoes.

PLANT OF THE MONTHHabranthus 'cardenasianus(

Habranthus is a genus in the Amaryllidaceae family with species from Central and South America extending into southern North America. They are called rain lilies because they bloom after the rain. Habranthus cardenasianus formerly described for Bolivia, was recently found in northwest and central Argentina. It is very attractive with white flowers that turn pinkish. They grow prolifically on Bribie Island if allowed and although an introduced species, they bring joy to any garden during the rainy season.

The Queensland Museum Network holds exclusive license to host the World Science Festival in the Asia Pacific with challenging discussions in and about Science,

Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).#The World Science Festival began in New York in 2008 and is an annual weeklong

celebration and exploration of science. Through gripping debates, original theatrical works, interactive explorations, musical performances, intimate salons, and major out-

door experiences, the Festival takes science out of the laboratory and into the streets, parks, museums, galleries and premier performing arts venues.

The World Science Festival brings together great minds in science and the arts to pre-sent the wonders of science and the drama of scientific discovery to a broad general

audience.#Hailed a “new cultural institution” by the New York Times,

The World Science Festival Brisbane will return in 2017 with a flagship event in Brisbane from 22-26 March 2017 and regional events in Gladstone (3-4 March), Toowoomba (17 March), Townsville (26-27 March)

and Chinchilla (31 March -1 April)

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6! JANUARY 2017

! PAGE 17

B.I.E.P.A.Caring for our special habitat and its residents

ABN:! 18064 697 900

PO Box 350

Bribie Island Qld 4507 Email:biepa.mail@gmail.com

Web: www.biepa.org

Phone: 3410 0757

How to support BIEPA’s ongoing

work! We wish to thank all

those BIEPA members who

have so generously made dona-

tions to the Bribie Island Envi-

ronmental Protection Associa-

tion in the past.

! We continue to work,

lobby and advocate to prevent

environmental damage to

Bribie"s natural assets.

! All donations to BIEPA"s Public Environment Fund are tax deductible and

may be easily and securely

made by bank transfer to:

BIEPA Inc Public Environment Fund - BSB 064448, Account 06444810041186 ! Receipts will be mailed to

donors, so please remember to

put your name on the transac-

tion and follow up with an email

to: BIEPA Treasurer at

biepa.mail@gmail.com

NEW MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

for 2016 - 2017

Diane Oxenford President

Lia Saint-Smith Treasurer

Jenny Walker Secretary

Kathleen Catalan Committee

Kay McIntosh Committee

Therese Puffett Committee

WILDLIFE & GENERAL CONTACTS

Bribie & District Wildlife Rescue, 0400 836 592

Sally Arthur (macropods only), 0488 018 262 Aust Zoo Wildlife Hospital, 1300 369 652

Turtles: Diane: 0438 111 163; Ann: 3410 1771

QPWS Rangers: Bribie Island: 3408 8451

Wildlife Hotline: RSPCA: 1300 ANI MAL

Snakes: Qld Wildlife Solutions, Geoff: 0414 962 688 (Fee charged)

Bat Rescue Hotline - 24 hours 0488 228 134

Dept Agric, Fisheries, Forestry (DAFF) Fishwatch Service for reports on marine plant damage (eg. mangroves) 1800 017 116 (24 hour hotline)

Pelican & Seabird Rescue (Brisbane): 24 hour hotline: 0404 118 301 http://birdrescue.com.au/

Twinnies Pelican & Animal Rescue (Sunshine Coast) Tel: 07 5439 9995 Mob: 0421 476 561

MBRC Requests: (Ask for Reference #) Ph: 3205 0555

Walum Action Group Phone: 34100088 wallumactiongroup@gmail.com

Pollution Hotline (Dept Env and Heritage Protection) 1 300 130 372

DATE CLAIMERS

2017 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

& DEVELOPMENT

2010-2020 DECADE FOR

DESERTS & THE FIGHT

AGAINST DESERTIFICATION

2014-2024 INTERNATIONAL

DECADE OF SUSTAINABLE

ENERGY FOR ALL

Jan 23! BIEPA Meeting Jan 26 !Australia Day Feb 2! World Wetland Day Feb 27! BIEPA Meeting March-April Aus/Asian Bat Nite March 3!World Wildlife Day March 5! Clean Up Aus Day March 6-12! Ntnl G"water Day!March 20! Intnl Day Happiness March ? Farewell Shorebirds March 21! Intnl Day of Forests March 22!World Water Day March 22-26 World Science Fest March 23! Intnl Meteorological March 25! EarthHour 8:30-9:30 March 27! BIEPA Meeting April 22! Intnl Mother Earth D April 24! BIEPA Meeting May 1-7! Intl Composting Wk May 14 World Migratory Bird May 21! World Fish Migratn May 22 BIEPA AGM May 22! Intl Bio Diversity May 23 !World Turtle Day

BIEPA BOOKSFOR SALE

Bribie Birds........! $16:50

Annotated Check List Birds of Bribie Island ...!$ 6:00

Wildflowers of Bribie Island .......!$17:00

Wildflowers and Birds Package (2 bks)...!$20:00

All 3 books .........! $25:00FUND RAISERBIEPA Greeting Cards

1 for %3:006 for %15:00