(Photo: Andrew Tatnell) Indian mynas (Acridotheres tristis) have again been spotted on the island – this time at the Nelly Bay terminal building. While plans are underway to control this small group of invaders, Islanders and visitors are asked to contact MINCA if they are aware of, or discover, the birds elsewhere. Indian mynas were introduced into Australia from India in order to eat insect pests in market gardens. From there, they were introduced to north Queensland to control insect pests in sugar cane crops – as was another pest, the cane toad. Since then, they have become a huge problem for both humans and native birds and wildlife. For humans they damage fruit crops, are noisy and smelly and can spread mites and disease. Getting in to waste bins, they can spread litter and scraps. But for native birds (including rosellas and kookaburras) and small fauna (such as sugar gliders) they are more of a problem, as they compete aggressively for tree hollows in which to nest and bred, can ‘mob’ other birds, and destroy the eggs and chicks of other species. Mynas are listed by the World Conservation Union as one of the World’s 100 Worst Invasive Species, and one website claims that they were voted the most unpopular feral animal in Australia. MINCA is aware that Council is working to keep Magnetic Island myna-free, but if you see them around, let us know and we will pass this information on. Please note that while mynas are feral pests and can legally be destroyed, cruelty to all animals is illegal. Photo courtesy of
www.richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au
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MINCA members will surely have heard or read by now the essence of the report released by UNESCO on the state of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Below is the entire draft decision which has been put to the World Heritage Committee by the visiting mission and which will be discussed at the Committee’s meeting on 24 June in St. Petersburg. For the background to the draft decision click here. The report and recommendations are strong and clear – unless Australia lifts its game by early next year, the Committee may list the entire property as ‘In Danger’. The report confirms what environmentalists have been saying for years. Stay tuned for more! But in the meantime, it would be great if you could find the time to contact the local media as well as our local Federal member (Ewen Jones: ewen.jones.mp@aph.gov.au) and State member (John Hathaway: townsville@parliament.qld.gov.au) to show your support for the UNESCO report. For more information go to Magnetic Times. Draft Decision: 36 COM 7B.8 The World Heritage Committee, 1. Having examined Document 2. Recalling Decision 35 COM 7B.10, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011), 3. Welcomes the initial positive results of the Reef Plan and associated measures to address major long-term impacts on the property from poor water quality, and requests the State Party, in collaboration with its partners, to maintain, and increase where necessary financial investment and sustain the positive trend beyond 2013; 4. Takes note of the findings of the joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission to the property undertaken in March 2012, and also requests the State Party to address the mission recommendations in its future protection and management of the property; 5. Notes with great concern the potentially significant impact on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value resulting from the unprecedented scale of coastal development currently being proposed within and affecting the property, and further requests the State Party to not permit any new port development or associated infrastructure outside of the existing and long-established major port areas within or adjoining the property, and to ensure that development is not permitted if it would impact individually or cumulatively on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property; 6. Requests furthermore the State Party to complete the Strategic Assessment and resulting long-term plan for the sustainable development of the property for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015, and to ensure that the assessment and long-term plan are completed against a number of defined criteria for success, fully address direct, indirect and cumulative impacts on the reef and lead to concrete measures to ensure the overall conservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property; 7. Urges the State Party to establish the Outstanding Universal Value of the property as a clearly defined and central element within the protection and management system for the property, and to include an explicit assessment of Outstanding Universal Value within future Great Barrier Reef Outlook Reports; 8. Recommends the State Party, in collaboration with its partners, to sustain and increase its efforts and available resources to conserve the property, and to develop and adopt clearly defined and scientifically justified targets for improving its state of conservation and enhancing its resilience, and ensure that plans, policies and development proposals affecting the property demonstrate a positive contribution to the achievement of those targets, and an overall net benefit to the protection of Outstanding Universal Value; 9. Requests moreover the State Party to undertake an independent review of the management arrangements for Gladstone Harbour, that will result in the optimization of port development and operation in Gladstone Harbour and on Curtis Island, consistent with the highest internationally recognized standards for best practice commensurate with iconic World Heritage status; 10. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2013, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property, including on the implementation of actions outlined above and in the mission report, for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th session in 2013, with a view to consider, in the absence of substantial progress, the possible inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger; 11. Decides to also consider a further report from the State Party on the state of conservation of the property, the findings of the second Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report, and the anticipated outcomes of the completed Strategic Environmental Assessment and related long term plan for sustainable development at is 39th session in 2015.
Community volunteer group Geoffrey Bay Coastcare secured funding for the artwork by Traditional Owners through the Australian Government Caring For Our Country program. “A flatback turtle nest hatched at Geoffrey Bay in 2009” said Coastcare member Tony O’Malley. “Rainbow bee-eaters also burrow in the dunes, red-tailed black cockatoos feed on she-oak seeds, and coral and seagrass fringe the bay, so it’s a natural paradise we want to look after, and Arthur Johnson’s painting promotes that.” For further information, please contact: WULGURUKABA ABORIGINAL CORPORATION Michael Johnson, ph 4758 1071 or 0427 172 335, wulgurukaba@bigpond.com or GEOFFREY BAY COASTCARE Tony O’Malley, ph 0437 728 190, anthonyomswim@hotmail.com Dear members and supporters, If you weren't able to attend the Sydney rally, you can now see an excellent 12 minute video of it on YouTube. Protect our water, protect our land! Actually, it's worth watching even if you were there! If you love it, please spread the word...
Kind regards, Sarah Moles Secretary Lock The Gate Alliance Ltd. Earlier in the local government election campaign MINCA spearheaded a group of nine environmental and community groups in Townsville - MI Fauna Care, MI Development Association, Sea Turtle Foundation, Marine Wildlife Australia, NQ Wildlife Care, NQ Conservation Council, Permaculture Council, Food for Thought and MINCA. Together they wrote to each of the mayoral candidates, asking each to commit to banning single-use plastic bags in Townsville by June 2013. Read the letter here, and check out the responses below. You may like to keep them in find as you vote tomorrow.
From Dale Last (on 14 April): Wendy, I am more than happy to support the banning of plastic bags and I will be checking with our legal staff on Monday to confirm the process required to achieve this outcome. Regards Dale Last [Dale did not respond to MINCA's request for information on what the legal people offered. Note also, that Dale did not refute a comment in the Townsville Bulletin that he had not provided a response on the issue.] From Jenny Hill (on 12 April): Dear Wendy, Thank you for taking the time to write me, I appreciate the opportunity to outline my vision for reducing our reliance on one-use plastic bags. If elected, I look forward to continuing environmental programs aimed at reducing destruction to our reef and protecting our marine life. I am proud of Townsville City Council’s affiliation with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), and will continue to harvest this relationship to better service our unique ecosystem. I especially look forward to working with them towards a program designed to reduce the number of plastic bags used locally. As part of our reef guardian status with GBRMAP we will seek a partnership role in developing a program aimed at getting rid of single-use non-biodegradable plastic bags. We will be open to involving Townsville City Council in trial programs such as this, with the intent of being an example and an advocate for better environmental practice to other local Councils. We understand this issue affects a number of stakeholders and that it is necessary to also work with local businesses, and we look forward to doing so. Yours faithfully, Jenny Hill From Jeff Jimmieson (on 15 April): Hello Wendy, thank you for your letter. I prefer to reply to these enquires personally rather than have someone "on staff" flick though a reply so I appreciate your patience. As you would appreciate I am receiving many many requests for responses and policies at the moment as well as campaigning with my very small team of helpers. The ambition of a plastic bag free Townsville (and world!) is indeed an admirable one and something that I support. We as a family have for many years used our laundry basket as the method of conveying our groceries from the car to the house, after loading them from the supermarket checkout into a trolley without bags and then into the car.. This is something our children started years ago from an initiative at their school. Unlike some candidates in this campaign that are promising all sorts of unfunded commitments, I have said that I will find savings and keep rates down rather than make promises just to get votes. I like to research my answers and come up with all the facts and costs before making a commitment. Accordingly I wont promise to have Townsville plastic bag free by 2013 as you ask, but I do promise this: I will establish a team to research this, including looking at the practicalities and success of the program in the places you mention in my first year in office. Your organisation will be asked to be represented on this project team. I applaud your group's endeavours and commit to support you wherever possible if elected. Regards Jeff Jimmieson From Brendan Porter (On 8 April): Dear Wendy, I have often watched documentaries and news programs showing the pollution in our waterways, seas and oceans. The problem is absolutely huge and although plastic bags are a major issue other plastic materials pose an even larger issue for Marine Life. The Great Barrier Reef as an Australian and Natural Wonder of the world is in the top 10 best tourist destinations and needs our protection. Recently I watched an interview with Charles Moore who spoke about the vast number of bottles in the Northern Gyre. He related that for as far as he could see there were plastic bags, shampoo caps and bottles, fishing line and floats, rope, toys, balloons, condoms, and plastic knives, forks and spoons. It is also noted that plastic bags can suffocate and/or block sunlight from the reef causing it to die. Some countries have already led the way in reducing the numbers of plastic bags these include China, Uganda, Russia, South Africa and the country of my birth Ireland. Most experts believe that society needs to make behavioral changes. Individuals must make choices as to how they want to change. Businesses need to be encouraged to make good choices and I am happy to support any initiative which will help. Bunnings is a store which doesn't use plastic bags and Target charges a fee for a plastic bag. Individual stores need to be approached and canvassed regarding their opinions and ability to help; however, In recent times there has also been complaints about the cloth bags used on regular visits to shops. There is harm to the environment in their production and there has been numerous complaints from shop assistants about the smell and poor hygiene of many reusable bags. I am supportive and can see an advantage in running a sensible management campaign for plastic bag eradication. I believe it would be a step forward but I believe it would only be the tip of the iceberg; however I don't believe council should be issuing a diktat to the people of Townsville. If elected I will use my personal influence to highlight the environmental issues with discarded plastic bags. At one of my planned community forums I will make it a subject for discussion and I will develop a subsequent action plan. Thanks for your question Please take the time to view my website at brendanporter.com Brendan From Harry Patel (on 15 April): Dear Wendy, I fully support any initiative to use re-usable bags and also I feel when u buy appliances or furniture , or simple electrical items , plastic is used to wrap. I would love to preserve our planet EARTH , I would propose that as a Mayoral Candidate . Thanks for your email . Regards Harry Patel. Rainforest grows on sand at a few places on Magnetic Island. Come to a free field trip on Saturday afternoon 5th May to find out about the restoration of a small patch at Arcadia. Community group Geoffrey Bay Coastcare have been working with approval from Council and funding from Australian Government and NQ Dry Tropics to remove weeds from Geoffrey Bay Scrub behind the Bright Avenue shops. This rare vegetation type is protected by the Australian Government. The field trip will feature guest speakers explaining why beach rainforest is special, where else it grows on the island, and how to identify and treat environmental weeds. Everyone’s invited. It’s outdoors so please bring sun protection and water. We’ll only be walking 100 metres so its suitable for all ages. It will only take an hour. Please bring a folding chair if you’d like to sit. When: Saturday, 5th May at 2pm for one hour. Where: Public laneway behind the Bright Avenue shops, Arcadia. More info: Tony O’Malley anthonyomswim@hotmail.com; ph 0437 728 190. What happens when a mining magnate with an insatiable desire to extract and export the country’s coal resources meets a declared Nature Reserve? The answer to that, in the case of the privately owned 8000 ha Bimblebox property in the Desert Uplands of Central West Queensland, is still up in the air. The full story of the ongoing fight to save Bimblebox Nature Reserve is told in the documentary, Bimblebox, which will be screened by North Queensland Conservation Council at Dance North Theatre, Cnr Stanley and Walker Sts, at 7.30pm on Tuesday 17 April. Bimblebox has been the subject of a formal conservation agreement between its owners and the Queensland Government since 2003. But when mining companies can be given the right to extract minerals found under private land – as is the case in Queensland – even the owners of Bimblebox, and of other Nature Reserves around Queensland, are feeling decidedly nervous. If Clive Palmer’s ‘China First’ mining plans get the tick, 52% of Bimblebox would become an open-cut coal mine, the rest an underground coal mine. Bimblebox was purchased in 2000, at a time when Queensland’s land clearing rates were amongst the highest in the world. In 2003, the owners and the Queensland government signed the Bimblebox Nature Refuge Agreement under the Nature Conservation Act to permanently protect the conservation values of the property. And then Clive Palmer entered the picture. Palmer’s company, Waratah Coal, obtained an exploration permit that covers all of Bimblebox and parts of the surrounding properties. In late September 2011 the company detailed its plans to extract 40 mega-tonnes of coal per year from what will be called the ‘China First’ mine, and to transport the coal on a yet-to-be-built rail line to Abbot Point, from where it would be shipped through the Great Barrier Reef on its way to China. Tickets: MaryWho? Bookshop or at the door if not sold out. (To pre-purchase tickets on Magnetic Island, call 47581003) $5 (concession), $10 (regular), $20 (supporter) Proceeds to the Bimblebox campaign and NQCC A selection of candidates for the State electorates around Townsville will present their views and answer questions about the environment at ‘The Environment and the Election’ forum to be held at the Townsville Yacht Club, 1 Plume Street, South Townsville at 6pm on Thursday 15 March. The forum, organised by North Queensland Conservation Council, will give members of the public the chance to compare the environmental policies of the parties, as briefly presented by the candidates, and to ask questions during the Q&A session – which will take up most of the forum. In announcing the forum, NQCC Coordinator Wendy Tubman said “We are aware that there is a lot of community interest and concern about the local and broader environment and how State government policy will affect it. Whether it’s solar power and renewable energy, protection of the reef, coastal development, the future of coal seam gas in the area or something else again, the forum will provide the opportunity to ask specific questions about specific environmental issues that are influenced by the State government.” The forum is free of charge and open to all. Following from the success of last year’s Coal Seam Gas rally, NQCC will be launching its BIG SOLAR Campaign in Townsville on Sunday 18 March. In support of the national BIG SOLAR Campaign by 100% Renewable Energy, NQCC is calling for the government to commit, this year, to at least 2000MW of Big Solar projects (either solar thermal or solar PV power stations) to be built by 2015. To show your support for this campaign, join the gathering on the banks of Ross Creek near Victoria Bridge and help form the words ‘BIG SOLAR’, using massed people to make the shape of the letters. Stay on for live music and free food. There will also be speakers, posters, banners and information on the BIG SOLAR Campaign. Come along! Together we can make a difference! Let's show our support for BIG SOLAR and make our MPs pay attention! Where: On the banks of Ross Creek near the Victoria Bridge - between the river, Victoria Bridge and Dean Street - South Townsville When: 9.30am, Sunday 18 March For more information, check out NQCC's facebook page or contact Janet (4724 2072), Mary (4725 7245) or Gerald (0401 429 021). When my daughter was two we went snorkeling at Great Keppel Island. Her excitement over the coral, which she called “water wowas” – translated as ‘water flowers’ – was a joy to watch. Two years later we still tell bedtime stories about that trip. The other day she asked about my work. I told her I’m trying to protect the water flowers from being destroyed by dirty great big piles of coal. It’s a crude over-simplification but it pretty much sums it up. Australians are the proud custodians of one of the world’s greatest treasures – the Great Barrier Reef. But it is under threat from the coal and gas export boom. Our new report details the enormous coal expansion plans that are putting Queensland’s magnificent reef at risk. It exposes plans for six massive coal port expansions in the World Heritage area. One of the ports, Abbot Point, is planned to become nearly three times larger than any other coal port in the world.
If the coal industry plans proceed unchecked, there will be over 10,000 coal ships passing through the reef each year - more than one ship departing port every hour of every day. Millions of tonnes of sea floor will be dredged and dumped in the marine park. The guardians of World Heritage – UNESCO – arrive in Australia next week to investigate impacts on the reef. With the spotlight of the world focusing on Australia, the Australian and Queensland Governments have agreed to do an 18-month ‘strategic assessment’ of the impacts of development on the reef. Sounds good but what’s the catch? It looks like major industrial projects in the World Heritage area may be approved by our governments before they’ve finished their strategic assessment! We must ensure this doesn’t happen – these projects should not get approval while the assessment is conducted. Otherwise it will be too late and the damage will be done. The Great Barrier Reef is far too precious to let it be trashed by the coal industry. We need your help to defend it. This is the beginning of a vital campaign to protect our reef and our climate. Thank you for being part of this critical work. John Hepburn Senior Campaigner Greenpeace Australia Pacific |
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