http://sunshinecoastbirds.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/yandina-creek-wetlands-have-been-drained.html
This makes me sick, to think that our local Govenment thinks so little of our birdlife and habitat and use whatever BS excuse they can to get around the law.
When you read between the lines it says "this land is worth too much money to both the landowners and the government to merely have it declared as wetlands, despite what endangered animals reside there. If the floodgates weren't fixed then they couldn't get it approved for development" 
Hmm....sad day. The dirty world of power, greed, money and politics. Interesting that because it's not virgin land its worthless. Logging and sand mining on Fraser Island stopped there only 30 years ago, doesnt seem that worthless to me.
Ipswich Shire Eastern flanks
I've posted elsewhere about the response of the Sunshine Coast mayor to my letter about the need to protect the Yandina Wetlands. Sadly, his response was typical of authorities who've had environmental sensitivity bypasses. Those Birds in Backyards members who live in his electorate need to remember him at election time. Those who are planning to holiday in the area perhaps could rethink their plans & inform the mayor accordingly.
Indeed, heaven forbid nature attempt to make a recovery and adapt to man's attempts to destroy it.
The Sunshine Coast is steadily being overtaken by commercial and housing development, extending to the very banks of rivers and creeks and replacing bushland which is clear-felled before building starts. The council seems to have no desire to preserve natural beauty nor maintain wildlife habitat. Come to sunny Queensland and enjoy the warmth radiating from the roofs and walls of buildings and from the bitumen and concrete.
So a change of government has failed to halt the devastation. Funny that.
The letter I received from the Sunshine Coast mayor paints a totally different picture from the one you've given, Night Parrot. Funny that, too.
Sensing you were perhaps more into nature than developement Woko, he probably just forgot to mention the new golf course with the exclusive McMansions that will line the heavily water featured developement. Desinged for couples or retiries and with 0 children, but who still need 800Sqm of roofed luxury to entertain and accomodate the odd guest. 3 to 6 car underground accomodation standard, and direct golf buggy access to the course and pro shop. Two kitchens, 6 bedrooms, 6 toilets, 7 showers, yes one even for the office nowdays. And a seperate cold room for the wine collection that's big enough to rival the loacal hotels. Don't forget the lift as they have become fashionable, because the 8x6m home theatre with a HUGE screen doesn't have enough wow factor anymore for when the friends drop round. And of course this big juganaut is fully air conditioned for your convienance. With the only caviet for buyers being no solar on the roof as it makes the estate look messy. So solar doesnt happen at all.
See good for everyone, lots of planning fees and rates, jobs for all, and we all need another luxury development. The native fauna still get a bit of water to hang around who cares about the messy habitate. But hey check out the view, it sure looks nice and vast from the McMansion's living room.
what a wonderful little kingdom...
I have no idea it this is planned by the local council, but sadly I'm in the building industry as a clinger on, and I see these houses being built or renovated every day for people with 1 or less children. Humans have a real problem with image, and feeling happy or sucessful.
Ipswich Shire Eastern flanks
We're certainly faced with extreme anxieties & addictions among our species, jason. Perhaps it's time for some barbarians to turn up on the doorsteps of these McMansions.
Is there any point, the security cameras will detect your presence out side the locked gates, so you can be easily cornered when the police arrive.
There simpley is not enough voices for nature, and if there are many say nothing, just look at this forum. There are only a few who comment. For all sorts of reasons peole just watch, but there is a price for that. And then because we all live in a capitalist system, many just write it off as we all have eat, and we all need a job.
Still Boondal Wet Lands here in Brisbane was saved from developers. I vaguely recall people power won out. Must have been some political advatage to the deciding politician at the time. I'll write a letter to old mate Mayor suggesting my holidays at Cooloola have come to an end due to this decision. And that Frasier Island is a good exaple of non virgin land that was given a chance to thrive and is now a cash cow for 2 million visitors a year; and still a place of wonder and beauty for all that do. And how it would be nice if he'd be brave enough to stand up for something without a voice, and reclaim Yandina wetlands for all, not just developers and the few who will be able to afford whatever is built there.
Ipswich Shire Eastern flanks
All voices in the wilderness are welcome especially while there's still wilderness.
A huge problem with our capitalist system is that it thinks so short term. Long term costs, such as the cost of climate change, are just not taken into account. It's a peculiar system really because it bites the hand (the environment) that feeds it.
Well Woko i have to say while i may not have your passion that you extrude i have always respected your voice, but with this post that entices violence i have to say i am less than happy.
It reminds me of the head of Animal Activist in Canberra saying it is OK to destroy cars and the like as a protest against the Kangaroo cull but the many 10's of thousands of dollars spent to fix the damage came out of the funds to help the wildlife.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Ah, rawshorty, I think you may have missed the metaphor there. To advocate violence would be to stoop to the level of the environment destroyers.
Have to say the Sunny Coast council are quick to respond with a two page letter. 3 days from their inbox to my mail box. Amongst other things they say they are interested in working with State and Commonwealth Governments very keen interest in the matter. Onwards and upwards by the sounds of it, with the leters anyway.
Ipswich Shire Eastern flanks
Jason, that was one of the themes in the letter I received from the Sunshine Coast mayor. However, I interpreted it as a way of papering over Council's intention to allow the wetland to be destroyed. For me it was pure spin.
In your letter did they bang on about how good they are, and that they have bought several tracks of land in the past for its natural worth, and they have a fund for doing so, but as the wetlands are not pure so it fell outside their criteria for doing so. However if the State and Fed Gov get on board thay are keen to work with them.
Ol mate made no comment on my point of Fraser Island not being a virgin natural environment. Not relivant I guess, just my observation. I have to say I firstly recognised the letter as a standard responce they have been mailing out since the wetlands were drained, and even more so as I got it in 3 days from go to wow. But tried to take some positive from it, cup half full so to speak.
Ipswich Shire Eastern flanks
You've got it, jason. Nearly every response I've received to letters I've written on environmental issues has banged on, as you succinctly put it, about how they're doing wonderful environmental things. This is standard political fare. The fact that they do this indicates that they have at least a crumb of sensitivity about environmental issues. But if enough folk of good environmental will write or ring then the tone of the letters &, more importantly, the environmental actions taken will change, I believe. This is because the chief concern of politicians & bureaucrats is power, its acquisition & maintenance. Once they sense their power is threatened then their tune will change - unless they're totally insensitive, hide-bound clods. We have a relative democracy. Let's use it or lose it.
update:
the initial hard yards were done by Greg Roberts as per post #1; and his involvement continues; - http://sunshinecoastbirds.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/yandina-creek-wetlands-have-been-drained.html
BirdLife Southern Queensland then became involved; meetings with local state and federal governments, etc; sign the petion here - http://www.birdlife.org.au/locations/birdlife-southern-queensland/help-us-save-yandina-creek-wetlands
BirdLife Australia were also involved
Qld Trust for Nature http://www.qtfn.org.au/ is now also involved
Peter
Great to see that the effort to protect Yandina Creek Wetlands is really rolling. I encourage all posters to sign the petition. (See pacman's posts #17).
Signed. I lived for a while in Yandina. I don't know where the wetlands are
but we need all we can get.
Petition signed.
Samford Valley Qld.