STOP PRESS:

STOP PRESS

Written submission are due on or before 11 October 2005.

Make a signed written submission to:

Assessment Manager
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane 4001

Link to Minnippi Against Development (NEW) web site

A web site dedicated to protect Minnippi West Parkland from 13 Ha housing, resort golf course and habitat destruction on Brisbane's east side on public land zoned sport and recreation which was resumed 37 years ago for a PARK and road widening.

BMD has lodged their Development Application 16 August 2004

BUT

The BMD company has been chosen by the BCC to discuss further the development of the Golf Course September 1999.

A Proposed Brisbane City Council Golf Course at Cannon Hill in the bushland and adjacent Flood Plain adjacent to Creek Road and Bulimba Creek and Minnippi Parklands, funded by allowing a developer to build town houses on up to 15 hectares of land on the high areas of the bushland site. Some Brisbane City Councillors are persisting that this Golf Course must go ahead even though the Council made a decision to reject the rezoning adjoining land to protect a large colony of Squirrel Glider Possums.

The development of a Golf Course adjacent to the Squirrel Glider Habitat could place the insect population on which the Possums feed in jeopardy. It would certainly place the long-term viability of the possum colony in question if dead trees and hollow dead branches were removed from the adjacent area of bushland in order to protect golfers or the public generally.

The internationally reported high uses of chemicals and fertilizers on golf courses would also be a threat to the bio diversity of Bulimba Creek, the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay, because most if not all of the eighteen holes are planned to be built below the Flood Regulation Line. So every time Bulimba Creek is in flood, chemicals will be leached into Bulimba Creek. This entire area needs protection with limited or restricted access for visitors and the removal of both feral & domestic dogs and cats.

The Study of the Squirrel Glider Possums commissioned by the Brisbane City Council and the Developer recommended that no housing development be allowed on the site and only a possibly limited golf course could be constructed but this was not recommended.

Recent tests on the Bulimba Creek flood plain have shown acid sulphate soil exist. Any disturbances of this area would/could cause an serious long term environmental impact if the development went ahead. The most of the area in question is below the Flood Regulation Line and work could not be undertaken until a bund wall was built around the entire area. Because fill cannot be placed below the flood regulation line, we question how any of the proposed earth works can be undertaken.

A local engineer has calculated that 1,000,000 m3 would need to be excavated from the site to enable the raising of greens, tees and fairways. BMD suggest that only 250,000 cu metres will be moved!

Flooding in the local area has been a long-term problem which is becoming worse due to upstream housing development and road works. Sediment has occurred along Bulimba Creek without any Brisbane City Council or Government concerns.

The amount of sediment in Bulimba Creek is well documented within the 1991 Bulimba Creek Flood Study.

SOME REASONS FOR NO GOLF COURSE:

The amount of chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides used on golf courses.

The impact on the Squirrel Glider Possums because of loss of insect breeding area.

The loss of habitat and feed sources and movement corridors.

The removal of habitat to build a road through the bushland into the housing area and clubhouse.

The proposed golf course area contains a large area of conservation grade wetlands as highlighted in the 1991/2 BCC Bulimba Creek Flood Study.

The disturbance of a large amount of Acid Sulphate Soils

The increased flood levels due to alteration to the flood plain and creek flow corridor.

The introduction of fill below the flood regulation line eg. sand traps.

The lowering of the water level if the water captured within water hazards is used to water the greens

Introduction of sewerage effluent as a water source could/will introduce higher levels nutriments releases into Bulimba Creek and other contaminants.

The leachate of Acid Sulphate Soils into the water table if the water table is lowered as has happened overseas with the release of other heavy metals into the water table.

The damage to the aquatic environment during construction period due to acid releases.

If the acid sulphate soils are treated behind a bunded wall and heavy rain occurs the flood levels would be even higher

The practice is now to add flood lit night golf practice areas. The lighting would effect insect distribution. Glider food. BCC just announced a night practice area a their Victoria Park Golf Club at Herston.

The introduction of cats and dogs which would become predators of the gilder possums and brushtail possums etc.

The children would as most children do near bushland do make a cubby house in the bushland and with the campfires.

Then children experimenting with cigarettes and starting bush fires.

Then parents looking for their children dropping their unextinguished cigarettes butt causing bush fires.

Cycle paths could also introduce smokers dropping their still burning cigarette butts.

The removal of dead tree and trimming of dead limbs for the safety of golfers, walkers, cyclist, vehicles and joggers thus removing glider dens.

The is the contents of an e-mail which arrived 8 Sept 2000

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STOP PRESS

Link to Minnippi Against Development (NEW) web site

South East Advertiser 8 Sept 2004 Page 1

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