I am not well-informed on this issue but have been following the discussion
with interest.
Is Bowra particularly significant or is it more held dear to the hearts of
some birders because it's a convenient place to tick species that are
otherwise hard to track down in the same place?
Alistair
2008/6/12 Nicci Thompson <>:
> I understand that 'Bowra' is not, in itself, large enough for its bird
> species to be self -sustaining, nor is it adjoined by a large area of
> already protected land, e.g a National Park. Many of the bird
> populations are either nomadic or dependent on surrounding properties as
> well for survival especially in hard times such as SW Qld has just
> experienced. This vulnerability would make its purchase by a
> conservation organisation less attractive and I agree with Chris that it
> is not a' Mornington', etc.
>
> The species on 'Bowra's' list are basically the species of SW Qld. They
> are simply easier for birdwatchers to see in one place because access to
> the property is provided by the present property owners; and because the
> provision of water for stock congregates some species in convenient
> areas. Wouldn't the signing of a covenant between the present owners of
> 'Bowra' and EPA afford the protection needed for the birds, as the
> covenants are binding even when the land is sold? I believe the terms
> of the covenant are agreed to by the property owner and EPA and can be
> adjusted to suit a number of situations, including ongoing production.
>
>
> Nicci Thompson
> Phone: 07 46343074
> Mobile: 0427 343 074
> Email:
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> On Behalf Of Chris Sanderson
> Sent: Thursday, 12 June 2008 9:53 AM
> To: Birding Aus
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Bowra
>
> Hi all,
>
> What interests me about this whole debate is that no one seems to be
> addressing the core concern of the conservation groups approached - that
> for
> the same money much, much more could be protected. If someone goes to
> the
> effort of raising enough to pull off Simon's plan, why not invest in a
> different property that has more value for biodiversity? After all, the
> groups approached to buy Bowra no doubt consulted with experts to come
> to
> their decision, an offer to buy the property outright for them would not
> have been taken lightly. I have visited Bowra and it's a lovely place
> with
> some amazing birds, no denying that, but at the same time, it's no
> Mornington Sanctuary, Broome Bird Observatory, or Barren Grounds...you
> want
> someone to buy it, you have to make your case on more than rave birding
> reviews. Let's hear some good science.
>
> Regards,
> Chris
>
> On Thu, Jun 12, 2008 at 8:49 AM, Simon Blanchflower <
> > wrote:
>
> > This is an interesting debate. Perhaps one thing to consider is that
> people
> > on this list and perhaps through the Birds Australia mailing list are
> > specifically invited to particpate in a opportunity to part share the
> > ownership of this property with others through say a trust structure
> or
> > perhaps through a tennants in common arrangement. I think the trust
> > structure is probably easiest (plus it would be easier to administer /
> > provide liquidity for multiple interests) as there are a number of
> trustees
> > available that can "run" the trust and allow for exit and entry of
> unit
> > holders through time.
> >
> > The key issue is the total funds needed in order to "run" the property
> in
> > perpetuity. But let's say the property is worth $1.5m and the ongoing
> costs
> > are say $200k per annum (which may be too little or too much) the
> total cost
> > would be about $4m (assuming an 8% discount rate) needed in the trust
> to
> > purchase the property and to run it.
> >
> > So... if we could get say 1000 unit holders interested and assume
> equal
> > ownership in the trust that would be $4000 each - almost equivalent to
> a set
> > of HANZABs.
> >
> > Now that would be of interest to me and others I suspect, but we would
> of
> > course need to see whether there are any other properties in the area
> which
> > might be better suited from a cost/benefit perspective.
> >
> > Just a thought!
> > Simon.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---- Phil & Sue Gregory <> wrote:
> > > Hi Peter,
> > > Good summary of the Bowra situation on birding-aus; I had a a
> > > wealthy American client a couple of years ago who was very impressed
> > > with the place and actually got a group together to fund the
> purchase,
> > > hoping to give it to one of the well-known conservation bodies. The
> > > stumbling block proved to be the apparent need for hundreds of
> > > thousands of $ as management each year.
> > > This was a great shame as I too would love to see the place kept
> as
> > > is, and aided in recovering from stocking. I fear new owners taking
> it
> > > over, giving birders the flick then running intensive stocking and
> > > clearance. I thought the price was very reasonable too, it seems
> such
> > > shame we may lose this gem over what is a relatively paltry sum in
> > > business terms.
> > > Phil Gregory
> > > ===============================
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