Thanks Paul for prompting me to fill people in.
The Gengers Rd proposal is before the Bundaberg Regional Council for (I
think ) 120 residential blocks of land in the immediate vicinity of the main
patch of coastal forest on the RHS as you drive into Moore Park. The land is
about 1km before the beach. It is owned by Bundaberg Sugar (now Belgian
owned) and is part of a huge single parcel of land which actually extends to
the beachfront back towards Bundaberg (to the South).
Anyway, many people would know this site as it has little fencing and a few
tracks that wind through parts of it, especially the track towards the creek
off Gengers Rd. So, I suppose we have been technically trespassing over the
years! If developed, basically all the vegetation would go over time.
Proposed blocks are small (about 600-700m2 average I think). Newly built
homes seem huge nowadays, so most of the vegetation would get mowed down .
This company is huge in Bundaberg employing many people in their sugar mills
etc. They are also keen to expand their sand-mining operation at Gooburrum
which will also knock down large tracts of coastal remnant vegetation. They
seem to have more sway than other people who may attempt such proposals.
I , and others who care about the environment around here have lodged
objections to the BRC.
Further objections, especially from people who know about the site or have
visited it can be lodged to The advertizement in
the paper stated that the proposal can be viewed on the Bundaberg Regional
Council website. I tried unsuccessfully to access the application online so
had to go to Council and go through the master copy taking notes. The
application may now be available online though.
Some of the reasons that I submitted in order to (hopefully) see the
proposal rejected include:
1.Historic sightings of Double-eyed Fig-Parrot (race coxeni) as recently as
the late 1980's. As an aside 4 probable fig-parrots were seen in January
this year near Gin Gin (only 60km's away). Given that they follow fruiting
figs, it not inconceivable that the parrots still visit the area. These
could well be the rarest bird in Australia. It may well attain full species
status if we can get find and study them.
2.Current populations of Black-breasted Button-Quail exist there now. I
think they are listed as endangered in Qld. Interestingly, the developer's
own consultants, Conics, found recent platelets in their wildlife report.
They actually stated that BBBQ are present at the site. These same
button-quail helped stop the Inskip Pt development near Rainbow beach. There
are hosts of flycatchers, fruit-pigeons, etc found there at various times of
the year. Common Planigale has a stronghold there also.
3.There is absolutely no need for this development. As recently as 3 years
ago, the old (prior to amalgamation) Burnett Shire Council produced a new
town plan which stated that there was a 20 year supply of approved and
vacant developed land available. Basically , there is still no need for
these new blocks.
4. As anyone who has the visited this magnificent area would attest, the
biting midgies and mozzies can be dreadful. There are tidal creeks through
the property with brackish water and muddy areas, so these insect issues
would remain post development.
Our local Bundaberg BOCA branch has been involved in replanting ficus
species in the Moore Park area with support of the old Council.
I am not sure when the objection period closes but any support from others
to put the pressure on the new Council would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Bill
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