Update on Mackay Mangrove Destruction

["Maureen Cooper" <>]

Thank you all for your letters of protest about the East-West Connector Road.  Tim Mulherin, our local member has been inundated with your emails etc. and the phone has been running hot between Brisbane and Mackay, with the result that the Hon. Mr. Bredhauer has announced that he has called a halt to the road until the Fisheries Tribunal has been heard.  We want to use every avenue available to us to stop this road.

 

Remember there is a route already allocated in the Multi-modal Corridor to the Harbour which is available rather than have more habitat destroyed.  Please continue to support this protest by sending your emails to the following addresses:-

• THE MEMBER FOR MACKAY:                      THE HONOURABLE TIM MULHERIN  
• THE MINISTER FOR MAIN ROADS:               THE HONOURABLE STEVE BREDHAUER   
• THE MINISTER FOR  THE ENVIRONMENT     THE HONOURABLE ROD WELFORD  Environment&

A sample e-mail could be :

•  The Honourable......................................

I strongly object to the  destruction of mangroves for the East West Connector Road along Barnes Creek in Mackay and urge you to reconsider the original proposal to use the existing multi-modal corridor for the route to the Mackay Harbour .

Please stop the construction and clearing of mangroves immediately !!!!!!

 

Because:

1. There is extra cost to the Taxpayer to construct this stop-gap road as well as the road in the Multi Modal Corridor  which will eventually replace it.
2. Mangrove systems in Mackay are experiencing possibly the most severe dieback ever recorded in Australia.
3. Mangrove systems are recognised as important nurseries for fish and crustaceans.  They are a vital part of marine ecosystems and the marine food chain.
4. Bassett Basin of which Barnes Creek forms part is the habitat of 138 bird species, including Great-billed Heron and Little Kingfisher, as well as 5 rare and 2 vulnerable species
   and Flatback Turtle (vulnerable) and False Water Rat (rare).
5. Mangroves provide protection of the coast from storm surge and flooding and stabilise the banks.  Destruction of inter-tidal wet-lands, such as mangroves, will remove this protection. 
6. There is mounting opposition to the destruction of this habitat because of its Tourist potential.
7. This road would cause loss of business to the North Mackay Business Community as they would be by-passed.

Signed:....................................

 

Again many thanks to you all as this is a battle we would like to win to preserve the diversity of wildlife in this eco-system.

 

Maureen Cooper

Mackay