Big Girl & Elizabeth find a new home

When Magnetic Islanders and friends donated over $300,000 in 2021, towards MINCA's acquisition of Claude's Block, koalas and their preservation was a big factor.  MINCA's intention being to create a large nature refuge that could be regenerated with blue gums - one of our koalas' favourite food trees.  But even before these trees have been established, Claude's Block has shown its enormous value for koalas.

Vet, Dr Ali Bee and daughter Izzy (Izzy's Koala World), from Magnetic Island Koala Hospital have recently released two koalas, Elizabeth and Big Girl, safely back into the bush at Claude's Block.  For MINCA, being able to host such new residents, is a truly compelling reward on the nature investment so many people entrusted us with.

Seeing koalas returned safe and free is very rewarding. But the story Ali and Izzy tell in Big Girl's new home on Claude's Block, about the impact tourists are having on Magnetic Island's koalas is one we hear little about and needs urgent attention, particularly for a sustainable World Heritage Magnetic Island tourism industry.

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Claude's Block: Fund raising for nature

MINCA's acquisition in 2021 of Claude's Block at Bolger Bay was a high point in the organisation's history.  In little more than two months, MINCA raised over $300,000.00 to purchase this land with donations mostly from Magnetic Island members, completing a missing centerpiece to come under protection on Magnetic Island' West Coast.

The material which follows was used at that time to support the fund raise and, as it gives people such a good introduction to this parcel of land and why its acquisition was important, we have left it intact, with the final message from President, Gethin Morgan at top, thanking the community for their generosity.

We have done it!

On behalf of your Executive Committee I am writing to sincerely thank all our members and friends for your remarkable and overwhelming support in raising what we are very confident will be enough money to purchase Claude's Block.

We now have $406,000 in donations and pledges and are set to enter into a contract with the owners to purchase Claude's Block.  We will be now calling in pledges in order that the contract can be completed. 

All donations are fully tax deductible. Donations can be made by direct deposit to:
Magnetic Island Nature Care Association Incorporated Public Fund
BSB: 704 640  Account No: 4152 0559

This is a truly outstanding achievement we can all be proud of - particularly given the short time frame we had to raise funds.  It presents MINCA with an exciting and greatly enhanced capacity to extend our work in regenerating our precious lowland environments, creating excellent habitat where koalas and many other important species can thrive across a large and now consolidated series of protected areas. 

Claude's Block will be central to this area and will be a wonderful setting for community activities.

Any money left after the purchase has been finalised will be put to excellent use for the restoration of the land, and any essential repairs to the buildings and solar and water systems.

Thank you so much for your generosity and commitment to our World Heritage environment.

Gethin Morgan
President
Magnetic Island Nature care Association
July 2021

There is something wondrous that occurs when the big wet season storms drench Magnetic Island.  It’s the babbling, spluttering sweet sound of a thousand tiny watercourses splashing their way between, under and around ageless granite tors and the knotted root forms of melaleuca, poplar gum and bloodwoods.  These are the precious sounds of country regenerating itself.  Some days, when we lived at Bolger Bay, we could hear a whole mountainside alive with life and gently spilling water from every part.

George Hirst
Former resident, Bolger Bay

Right now, at Bolger Bay on Magnetic’s west coast, there is a large parcel of bushland, tucked beneath the Island’s wild, boulder-strewn hills, that is rejuvenating and regenerating itself.  And, in doing so, what is known to locals as Claude’s Block (named after well-remembered, former owner, Claude Timms, died, 2010), could form a very significant missing link that would consolidate the protection of the Bolger Bay Conservation Park and connect it with other nearby protected landholdings.

That’s why Magnetic Island Nature Care Association (MINCA) is  seeking to raise the full purchase price in donations from members and others to buy this land to protect, preserve and restore it for future generations.

As of June 21, MINCA has raised $406,000.00 towards the purchase of Claude's Block.  We are so honoured and excited that friends and lovers of Magnetic
Island's World Heritage environment have supported locals to now make this extraordinary purchase possible.

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Why is this land important?
Over 70% of our island is protected in Magnetic Island National Park, but the park mostly covers the rocky granite hills that dominate the island’s rugged interior. The ecologically diverse lowlands of the island have been largely cleared and urbanised, and the remaining natural vegetation has little protection. The conservation of these threatened lowlands is a primary concern of MINCA.

Since 2005 MINCA has been managing the Bolger Bay Conservation Park, a wide and undisturbed corridor of lowland ecosystems that adjoins Claude's Block and extends from the granite hills of Magnetic Island NP across alluvial plains and wetlands to the tidal ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef Marine National Park. MINCA purchased this land as freehold but donated it to the state on the agreement that MINCA would manage it as Trustees.

Bolger Bay contains the most extensive and continuous area of lowland ecosystems remaining on the island. Its large blocks and their non-urban environmental zoning means that this side of the island is where the chance of protecting the natural values of the threatened lowlands is greatest.  Local landholders have entered into binding conservation agreements with the state government to protect four large blocks as the Bolger Bay Nature Refuge. Together with the Bolger Bay Conservation Park and small areas of lowlands in the surrounding National Park, almost 60% of Bolger Bay’s lowlands are permanently protected in a connected system.

MINCA now has the opportunity to consolidate this protection but we need to move quickly. We have been offered first purchase rights on Claude's Block - this strategic lot that adjoins the Conservation Park and is surrounded on its other sides by Nature Refuge and National Park.

Koalas among the
greatest beneficiaries

This figure shows the koala density across Magnetic Island determined using the fecal standing crop method. From: The Distribution and Abundance of an Island Population of Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in the Far North of Their Geographic Range.McGregor et. al.

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If purchased, the lowlands on Claude's Block will extend the seasonal wetlands coming under protection.

It is estimated that there are between 800 and 900 resident koalas on Magnetic Island - making the Island one of Australia’s most significant remaining refuges for these adorable iconic marsupials.  While koalas inhabit much of the Island’s rugged interior, the hot, dry and exposed slopes make it difficult for them to thrive.  The lowlands however, present far better conditions.  With Bolger Bay recorded as having the highest densities of koalas on Magnetic Island, Claude’s Block and its neighbouring protected areas will give koalas safe access to their preferred eucalypts growing on the richest, deepest soils on the Island.  As regeneration continues, MINCA will work to enhance conditions favourable to koalas by planting more favoured eucalypts such as blue gums.

Stretching almost entirely along one side of the conservation park, the land includes deep soils on slopes below the rocky foothills of the National Park, swampy depressions draining into the Bolger Bay Conservation Park, and an ancient sand dune dating from the last high sea level about 6,000 years ago. Its conservation as a permanently protected area is critical to the long term conservation of the surrounding protected areas. Its loss to development would make the management of the surrounding protected areas increasingly difficult.

Once purchased it will be placed under permanent protection by being added to the Bolger Bay Nature Refuge under MINCA ownership.

The land was extensively cleared in the mid 1960s for research into cattle tick control by the CSIRO.  Since then it has steadily regenerated over the different ecosystems with the tree regrowth now over 15m tall.

The continuing regeneration of the block, and the control of weeds, will be the major objectives of MINCA management.

Looking over Claude's Block from the heavily forested hills of the Magnetic Island National Park

Some magnificent old-growth bloodwoods remain. They support the genetic integrity of this diverse lowland ecology.

Meet some locals.

The land also has the original CSIRO research building, which has been renovated into a three room house. MINCA will use this for caretaker accommodation for management of the block. There is also a large machinery shed which we will make available for use for community purposes, and as a home for the West Point Rural Fire Brigade.  This community brigade helps with fire management on the Conservation Park and other community ecological burns and fire control but currently does not have a home for its equipment.

Existing structures include a 13 x 8m shed, former CSIRO research station quarters and water tanks.

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Answers to some questions you may have
1. How can MINCA purchase and own land?
A: MINCA is an incorporated volunteer conservation organisation with all the powers of an individual person and may enter into contracts and acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property (MINCA Constitution, Article 3 (2) (a) and (b)).

2. What makes your donation to MINCA legally tax deductible?
A: MINCA is listed as a charitable organisation on the Register of National Environmental Organisations.  MINCA's Constitution, article 31(12) states: "All donations to the association for which Commonwealth tax deductibility has been offered must be deposited into a public fund (also known as a 'gift fund'), in accordance with the provisions of section 78AB of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1939 (or any other subsequent legislation), which is to be exclusively applied to achievement of any of the environmental purposes contained within the objects of the association."

3. . What will MINCA do with the land after the purchase?
A: A permanent Conservation Agreement over the land will be registered and the land will become a Nature Refuge and part of the Bolger Bay Nature Refuge as freehold land under MINCA ownership. MINCA will continue the regeneration of the land and use the buildings on the land for community based conservation purposes.

4. What happens to the land if MINCA is wound up?
A: According to the MINCA constitution, "In the event of the winding up of the Magnetic Island Nature Care Association Incorporated Public Fund, any surplus assets are to be transferred to another fund with similar objectives that is on the Register of Environmental Organisations." (Article 35(2)(e)).
It should also be noted that, according to Article 34(2) such a receiving organisation's rules, "...prohibit the distribution of its income and assets to its members."

5: What happens if MINCA cannot raise sufficient funds to purchase the land, or if the sale falls through for some other reason?
A: All donations will be reimbursed if the purchase does not proceed. To ensure that this can happen smoothly, please use your name to identify your transfer/donation, and let MINCA President Gethin Morgan  president@minca.org or p:0437 115 489 know your contact details and the amount you deposited.  This information will remain confidential.

6: What if I wish my donation to be anonymous?
A: The MINCA Executive Committee respects the privacy of all donors and your anonymity will be protected. Should it be necessary to refund donations however, we will need your contact details and the amount of your donation.

7: When will I get a receipt?
Once we have met our fund-raising target receipts will be issued.  This will be before the end of the 20/21 financial year but after our June 23 deadline. If you would like a receipt send your contact details, who you would like the receipt made out to, and the amount of your donation to president@minca.org
If we don't have your details you can present a bank statement or stamped deposit slip showing the amount that's gone into our Public Fund Acc with your tax return. If you used internet banking you can you can use a printed copy of the transfer details after making the gift. For more details see HERE

For all further information and inquiries, please contact:
Mr Gethin Morgan
President
Magnetic Island Nature Care Association Inc.
P: 0437 115489
E: president@minca.org

Details of Claude's Block    
570 West Point Rd (Lot 2 RP804289)
Bolger Bay, Magnetic Island Queensland 4819
Total area: 5.33 ha