Lloyd Nielsen has asked me to put a message on birding-aus about Mareeba
Shire Council approval to remove the stand of trees across the road from
Kingfisher Park where owls breed.
Many of you will have vistited Kingfisher Park via Julatten and know the
area referred to. There is a public meeting tomorrow night (Thursday) when
Mareeba Council will inform the public of their decision. The meeting has
been called at very short notice and Lloyd is looking for support by
interested people in email/fax messages to Council voicing disapproval.
Lloyd does not have access to email at this time and below I have detailed
his message. Chris Dahlberg may already have raised this matter on
birding-aus. Please support Lloyd in his efforts to have this important owl
breeding site so handy to Kingfisher Park, saved.
David stewart (Mullumbimby)
LESSER SOOTY OWLS & KINGFISHER PARK URGENTLY NEED YOUR HELP
The Mareeba Shire Council Plans to remove a number of Blue Gums from
Geraghty Park, across the road from Kingfisher Park in which Lesser Sooty,
Barking and Barn Owls, a pair of Brahminy Kite, a pair of Pacific Baza, a
colony of Metallic Starlings and 11 other species breed. This is despite
public opposition. The Council is aware of the fact that these trees are
breeding sites for a number of bird species. The land on which the trees
stand is part of public park land with Council acting as trustee. The trees
stand close to the Kingfisher park boundary in a small section little used
by the public. The Council's reason for removing the trees is that they are
a danger to the public from falling branches. Council produced a very biased
internal report which stated the trees were declining, defoliating and
dangerous. An expected scientific report in the next 24 hours will indicate
the trees are in prime health and presently at an early hollow bearing stage.
A compromise was put to Council some weeks ago that the trees be retained
and any offensive branches lopped. This was rejected.
COUNCIL HAS CALLED A PUBLIC MEETING - AT SHORT NOTICE - FOR THIS THURSDAY
EVENING AUGUST 13 TO OFFICIALLY INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THEIR DECISION.
AT THE MOMENT WE SUSPECT THERE ARE YOUNG OWLS IN THE HOLLOWS.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. PLEASE SEND A FAX, EMAIL OR LETTER TO THE MAREEBA
SHIRE COUNCIL DECRYING THE REMOVAL OF THE TREES. YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY
APPRECIATED. IF YOU HAVE FRIENDS WHO WOULD SEND A FAX OR EMAIL, THAT WOULD
BE APPRECIATED ALSO.
FAX/EMAIL/WRITE -
The Chief Executive Oficer
Mareeba Shire Council
P O Box 154, Mareeba Qld 4880
Fax 07 40923323 Email:
A COPY OF YOUR FAX, EMAIL OR LETTER TO EITHER -
Ron Stannard, Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge, Julatten 4871 - FAX 07
40941466
email:
OR
Lloyd Nielsen, P O Box 55 Mt Molloy Qld 4871 - PHONE/FAX 07 40941372
SUGGESTED FAX/EMAIL - PLEASE PHOTOCOPY AND USE IF REQUIRED, OR ADD MORE IF
YOU WISH TO DO SO
The Chief Executive Officer
Mareeba Shire Council
P O Box 154, Mareeba Qld 4880
Dear Sir
I strongly object to the intended removal of the trees used for breeding by
Lesser Sooty Owl, Barking Owl, Barn Owl, Brahminy Kite, Pacific Baza and a
number of other bird species in Geraghty Park, Julatten. As these trees are
used for breeding by the birds mentioned they are of extremely high
conservation significance and should be left to stand and not interfered
with in any way.
I also support the idea of an Exclusion Zone being erected around the trees.
Yours faithfully
END OF MESSAGE
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