Dear Aus birders,
RE: STOPPING CLEARING IN QUEENSLAND
OR 'HOW TO MAKE SURE THE WHISTLERS KEEP COMING IN THE SPRING'
You will all probably be aware of the problems with declining woodland
birds and the urgent need to stop continuing massive losses of habitat
through broad-scale destruction for agriculture, especially in Queensland
and New South Wales. In the next two weeks the Beattiee Government in
Queensland will decide whether or not to introduce clearing controls for
freehold land in Queensland.
This is an incredibly important decision for birds and other wildlife- at
stake potentially are 2-3 million hectares of habitat. It is important not
only for resident Queensland species- but for birdlife in southern states
as well- many of the southern summer migrants winter in the habitats being
cleared rapidly in Queensland.
Very simply- a decision to introduce strong and enforced clearing controls
would be, without exaggeration, the biggest environmental win in Australia-
ever.
The Government is under strong pressure not to introduce the controls or to
have only weak controls from the agribusiness lobby. It is therefore vital
that the Beattie Government receive letters as soon as possible politely
but firmly requesting them to introduce controls immediately.
I've attached a form letter below which you may want to copy- or you may
want to put in your own words why controls are needed. At this stage of
the game big scientific arguments generally aren't needed- something short
and simple is all that's necessary.
If you have any queries or would like further information don't hesitate to
contact me directly.
Many thanks, if you can pass this onto to friends/birdwatchers/other
appropriate email lists that would be greatly appreciated.
If you can spare the 10 minutes to do a letter this it would be extremely
helpful!
Cheers,
Barry Traill
Form letter (sent out by Queensland Conservation Council)
Date
The Hon Peter Beattie
Premier
PO Box 185
Brisbane Albert St. Qld 4002
Dear Mr Beattie
Land clearing controls
I am extremely concerned that land clearing in Queensland is out of
control. Vast areas of woodland and forest on freehold and leasehold land
are being cleared, in some cases 24 hours a day. The equivalent of between
1-2 football fields are being cleared every minute of every day.
Your government was elected with a promise to introduce controls on
freehold land and to strengthen the controls on leasehold land. This
commitment required swift implementation as it ran a high risk of causing
panic clearing. Unfortunately, 14 months after the election, the controls
are still not in place. Many farmers are clearing as much as possible
before your government acts.
It is likely that the rate of clearing in Queensland is now higher than at
any time during this decade. It is critical that you act immediately to
prevent further large scale destruction.
The rate of habitat loss in Queensland is higher than anywhere else in the
western world and amongst the highest of all the world's developing
countries. It is a national and global disgrace.
The land term survival of species and whole ecosystems is being put at
grave risk every day that your government delays action. Salinity and
other land degradation problems will only increase every day your
government delays action. The large scale loss of forest and woodland is
also contributing to Queensland greenhouse gas emissions.
Please act immediate and introduce interim controls on freehold land now.
Please also at the same time strengthen the leasehold system so that large
areas of marginal land cannot continue to be extensively degraded.
Yours sincerely,
Name
Address
and if you've got a photocopier also send a copy to
The Hon Terry Mackenroth
Minister for Communications, Information, Local Government and Planning
PO Box 31
Brisbane Albert St Qld 4002
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