Hi All,
In the previous e-mailing I made an error in an address.The correct
e-mail address for the Minister for the Environment (who's department is
opposed to the new road) is:
Environment&
Thank you for your support. Les Thyer
Hello everyone,
I am appealing to Birding Aus-ers to contact the authorities listed on
the bottom of this page to stop the destruction of yet another mangrove
habitat. Over the last two years controversy has surrounded the proposed
connection road (High level Connector) between two main arterial roads
in Mackay. This would at least involve the destruction of 12.3 ha. of
mangrove habitat along Barnes Creek, which is probably the southern
extent of the range of the Little Kingfisher (Alcedo pusilla). Dozens
of Wetland species can be found in this habitat. Most important was a
recent confirmed sighting of the Great-billed Heron (Ardea sumatrana).
This is not a large area of mangroves, but it is a significant habitat
for many creatures worth protecting. Conservation and business groups
have opposed this route and at a meeting on the 14-4-99 whereat the
Department of Main Roads representatives were conspicuous by their
absence, an alternate route - called the Low Level Connector was
proposed. This connector follows an existing road called Riverside
Drive. What is more interesting is that this Low Level Connector was
described in previous Main Roads technical reports to quote "it would
achieve the major objectives. It requires the least expenditure, (some
$5 million less I believe) has the highest benefit and the least
environment concerns" when comparing it to the High Level Connector or
the Multi Modal Corridor. Here?s what the Queensland Government?s own
body,The Enviromental Protection Agency says in its letter to Queensland
Department of Main Roads dated 30 April 1999, concerning the proposed
High Level Connector Road:
" EPA advice on this project, pursuant to the State Development and
Public Works Organisation Act, is that the project should not proceed on
enviromental grounds. The basic position is enunciated in government
policy on coastal wetlands. That is there should be no loss of coastal
wetlands unless there is a significant, compensating social benefit. The
EPA considers that Main Roads have neglected past advice on these
wetlands and so considerably undervalued the resource leading to
inadequate planning of this project and an enviromentally damaging
outcome.
Specifically, the EPA does not consider that sufficient weight has been
given to the destruction of 12.3 hectares of coastal wetland in
comparison to other considerations in the formulation and adoption of
alternatives." However despite this good advice by E.P.A. and others
the Main Roads Department will be calling Tenders within the next few
days for the High Level Connector Road through the mangroves and the
Mackay City Council is still "sitting on the fence" on the issue.
In the interests of this country and its fragile fauna and flora I feel
this area should be made into a habitat reserve. This is a last ditch
plea for sanity and I would like all concerned citizens to write, fax
and email their objections to
Mackay City Council:
Sir Albert Abbot Administrative Building
Gordon St. Mackay 4740
Australia
Fax (07)4951 4489)
Minister for Transport and Main Roads:
The Hon Steve Bredhauer MLA
PO Box 1549
Brisbane Qld 4000
Fax (07) 3224 4242
E-mail:
Minister for Enviroment and Heritage:
The Hon Rod Welford MLA
P.O. Box 456
Brisbane Qld 4002
Fax no. (07) 3210 6214
E-mail: Environment&
Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.
Maureen Cooper
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