Hinze 3 Facts

It is estimated that one million trees will be destroyed including regional ecosystems classified as Endangered and Of Concern.

Clearing is also likely to 'include areas of essential habitat and state wildlife corridors'.

Council will consider using areas already purchased under Open Space Acqusition Scheme as offsets (instead of acquiring new compensatory habitat).

Hinze 3 provides an addition of just 16Ml per day to potable water supply.
It also results in the loss of an additional 16 Ml per (average) day through evaporation.

After construction of Hinze 3, assuming it ever fills, the total loss to evaporation on a typical summer day will be
68 Ml.

Construction will entail massive energy consumption and social impacts.

The cost per megalitre of water derived from stage 3 ($2,829) exceeds that derived from desalination ($2,678).

The project allicance team has already applied for exemption of the project under Schedule 8 of IPA for clearing of vegetation, whereby the Vegetation Management Act does not apply

Stage 3 will cost up to $400m. The flood mitigation component is $40m.

It was reported to Council September 2003 that:

"This yield assessment tells us that via stage 2 of the Hinze Dam, we have virtually fully exploited the Nerang River catchment for water supply purposes. Hinze 3 is not viable for water supply purposes."
 
 
All of the above are confirmd FACTS (reprinted courtesy GCCC)

Local Government and Regional Issues

1.    Continuing dialogue with the Department of Main Roads re traffic blackspots, improvements to roads infrastructure, etc. (e.g. programming of road diversion from Motorway at Oxenford to the Tamborine-Oxenford Road; unsafe road intersections such as Reserve Road and Kriedeman Road with the Tamborine-Oxenford Road;  Maudsland Road proposed diversion behind CWA Hall, etc.

2.    Submission to GCCC re proposed Coomera River Masterplan and attendance at meeting.

3.    Submission to GCCC re proposed Regional Aquatic Centre and attendance at meeting.

4.    Submission to Local Government Boundaries Commission re Divisions 2 and 5 and alterations.

5.    As a related organisation of the Gold Coast & Hinterland Environmental Council (GECKO) liaison and regular attendance at Member Groups meetings.

6.    Attendance by Committee Members at meetings of the Coomera River Catchment Group.

7.    Submissions and attendance at the CMC Inquiry into the Gold Coast Council elections.

Site Specific/Town Planning Issues

1.    10 Bark Court – Council negotiated approval of small residential lot development of this steep rural lot, attendance at pre-Court and Court Hearings to contend approval constitutes over-development, appeal dismissed.

2.    Hart Street, Upper Coomera – advice to residents re representations to Council re road improvements and successful negotiations with Nucrush re cessation of industrial usage of part of quarry lands.

3.    39 Jenkins Court, Upper Coomera – Development Application for small lot residential development – consultations with local residents and submission of objections to Council who subsequently refused application.

4.    Platypus Park – Request submitted to Council to purchase this land in light of owner’s intention to again submit application for residential development of this partly filled quarry land which adjoins the Coomera River.

5.    Yaun Creek Catchment Area – submission to GCCC re suggestions to ameliorate siltation problems.

6.    Parkland buffer to the Coomera River anabranch – negotiations with Stockland and GCCC re spoilation of area by proposed location of trunk sewer. Council unresponsive resulting in media publicity.

7.    Highland Reserve subdivision – submission to GCCC and others re use of upper slopes as a wildlife refuge – nil response from developer or other stakeholders.

8.    Kriedeman Road, Wongawallan – submission to GCCC re application for use of land as a helipad site – restricted conditional approval by GCCC appealed by applicant but dismissed by Court.

9.    Causeways at Birds Road and Audrey’s Crossing – after last rainfall deluges (way back in July ’05) – submissions to GCCC and DMR re proposals for improved signage, safety rails, etc. to avoid further loss of life.

10.    Equestrian Drive land – submission to Council re proposal for Park Residential development of this low lying riparian land involving intensive equestrian related uses and anticipated consequential drainage/pollution problems – submission unsuccessful.

General Local and City Wide Issues and Involvement

Several CV&HRA members have been long standing supporters of the work of the SAVE OUR SPIT Association and their stand to protect The Spit from commercial development and the Cruise Ship Terminal. Stage 1 to stop the Shipping Terminal was successful, Stage 2 is to have the rest of the Spit North of Seaworld gazetted as public Open Space and protected from any future threats of Commercial Development forever.

As encroaching development continues to squeeze many members from their treasured rural lifestyles, regularly residents and families take the opportunity to walk, swim and enjoy the FREE ACCESS to the public open space of The Spit and The Broadwater.

Clean Up Australia Day

In the past several members of your association have joined together to add to the efforts on Clean Up Australia Day.
Keep intouch with events on the www.coomeraresidents.com web site for future dates and gatherings.

GECKO

CV&HRA is proud to be counted among the longstanding GECKO Member Groups list. The Gold Coasts leading and most respected environment protection group GECKO has assisted in supplying valuable support and advice when needed, especially on issues of development versus habitat destruction in our area.

Coomera River Catchment Committee

Some members also attend the Coomera River Catchment Committee meetings and try to work with Council and other sections of Government to achieve favourable outcomes for the health of Coomera River and its tributaries

Poor planning again could be blamed for the location of the Coomera Marine Precint being too far up river, placing the riverbanks under enormous stress with foreshore degredation from power craft and personal water craft like jet ski and wave runners.

As the Marine Precinct continues to grow, the river will unfortunately degrade further without restrictions to speed and the volume of vessel movements.

Riverside residents and mangroves suffer daily from boat wash and noise, CV&HRA continues to lobby for proper management of this valuable and irreplaceable natural resource.

Summary

With increasing development pressures, particularly over the last 15 years, the Association has endeavored to highlight issues in the planning processes to protect our quality of life and the environment in our domain.

We have made submissions on the major and many smaller proposed developments involving urban expansion.  We have had some small successes but often have been ignored. Not all proposed developments are poorly conceived and planned; however, commercial and political pressures are common.  We give no apologies for expressing our opinions.

Our efforts are to maintain or improve forms of built-development and services and protect natural assets which are so important to the quality of life.

(the Editor)

Dam Debate
Harvesting from upper creeks - Raising of Hinze Dam

As many of you may know, GCCC have decided to raise the Hinze Dam regardless of the fact that it
wasn't recommended by the waterfutures committee because the cost was too
high for the amount of water that small catchment can give - only an
additional 23 ML per day.
 
So now they're proposing that they harvest water from the tops of the
Tallebudgera Creek, Mudgeeraba (Austinville) Creek, and Clagiraba Creek,
with pipes running underground to the dam.  There will have to be a pump on
the Tallebudgera Creek, but the other two will flow downhill evidently.
 
Many residents are horrified by this proposal.  The riparian zones of these upper creeks
are the last havens for endangered, vulnerable and rare species.  One would assume
this will involve weirs on these creeks and all the impacts of these to the
downstream environment.  Of course, Council should allow for 'environmental flows',
but those creeks really need that flushing of a good flood.
 
Any thoughts?
 
Comments on the Terms of Reference for EIS due Tuesday 16th January.

As reported in the latest newsletter for Gecko

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Important Upcoming Events and Dates

*    An anti-nuclear protest at Evandale parklands on  Australia Day 26th January. Those interested in communicating their objection to Nuclear power should meet on the footpath outside the entrance to the venue on Bundall Rd. Bundall at 9.30am. This protest will not  take up much time and there will be the normal festivites to enjoy for the rest of the day as proud Australians.

*    Desalination plant protest at GCCC Evandale on  29th January at 12.30pm (the first meeting of Council
 for 2007). This is to protest the cost of the desalination plant which is reported to be 1.2 billion dollars.

*     Desalination plant protest in Brisbane on the first day of Parliament sitting
 for 2007. For further details please contact Gecko on  Ph:  (07) 5534-1412; Fax: (07) 5534-1401

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Copy of letter to GCCC Re: WASTE COLLECTION SURVEY

Dear GCCC

We are in receipt of a letter dated 19/12/06 which we received  in our mail box 2/1/07. It outlines a survey being conducted by the manager of the waste management and commercial services division of  council. The survey requires residents to respond by 5/1/07 for Council to consider introducing waste collection in our area. Although the letter is dated 19/12/06 it must have been posted well  after that date for residents to be receiving it at such a late date resulting in the time line for response being unreasonable. Taking into account that many residents are away on holidays during this period, as well as  the person listed on the letter who is the point of contact for queries being away on leave, and the postal system halting on the major public holidays of the festive season; I respectfully request on behalf of the residents, that the response time be extended.

I have had several concerned residents call us stating that they are aware some neighbours are still away on vacation resulting in the tally response not being a true reflection of the resident's views.
Thank you for your time.
E Wayne
Secretary
CV & HRA

Response from Council:

Dear Ms Wayne,
Thankyou for your email.  I have been contacted by Cr Power's  office seeking an extension of time for you to respond to this survey.  I am pleased to grant you an extension until 20 January 2007.
regards
John Kearney
Manager - Commercial Services Branch
GOLD COAST CITY COUNCIL
Phone:  (07) 5582 8038
Fax:  (07) 5582 8790
email: jkearney@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Please note that this extension has been granted to all residents

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WHO FUNDS THIS ASSOCIATION?

A resident has recently asked if this Association is incorporated and is run as a non-profit organisation. The answer is yes. Donations from residents and subscriptions to the Association are vital to help us maintain contact through mailers, flyers and this website.

CV&HRA would like to take this opportunity to thank the many residents for their continued support over the years and in particular, Division 5 Cr Peter Young who is always mindful of the efforts of community associations such as ours.

We receive NO FUNDING OR SUPPORT from any other sitting Councillors.
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GLOBAL COOMERA PROJECT

For those of you who are new to the area, the Coomera Oxenford region is one of the fastest growing areas in Australia. This is highlighted in a Council funded website called 'Global Coomera' which is still in its early stages of development. It is wonderful to see the business sector taking such pride in our region and promoting it in such an easy to use medium.

CV&HRA looks forward to the possibility of equal support from divisional funding that is readily made available to community groups like ours and the Chamber of Commerce. Many new residents wouldn't be aware of the possibilities for community involvement  or participation and we feel that this website should be a communication tool for the many events relating to environment, education and entertainment.

If you have aspirations or wishes for this area, please come along to one of our meetings at the wonderful Oxenford and Coomera Community Youth Centre. 
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TAKE POSITIVE ACTION AGAINST
CLIMATE CHANGE TODAY!
Queensland Conservation prefers to work cooperatively with governments, communities and businesses to achieve the best results but, despite repeated warnings from the scientific community and despite our best efforts, the Queensland Government has failed to curb this state's greenhouse gas emissions. Decisive action is urgently needed to reduce Queensland's contribution to Climate Change and, with your support, Queensland Conservation is ready and willing to act where government has failed.

In early November we lodged an objection with the Land & Resources Tribunal against a new coal mine development. The grounds for the objection are the adverse impacts on the environment of the greenhouse gases which will result from the mining, transport and use of the coal from the mine. This case builds upon the principles that we established in our successful 2004 test case under Federal environmental laws – the Nathan Dam Case. Recent successful litigation against the Anvil Hill Coal Mine in NSW is also an important precedent for our case.

Over its fifteen year lifetime this mine will produce 28.5 million tonnes of coal, worth up to $4.2billion. The mining, transport and use of this coal will produce between 72 and 96 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2-e) emissions over the 15 year life of the mine. To put that into perspective Australia’s entire annual, direct greenhouse gas emissions are 550 MtCO2-e.

Visit  http://www.qccqld.org.au/lrt_appeal/lrt.htm for background information, links and how you can help Queensland Conservation make a positive difference to Queensland’s greenhouse emissions.


WALK AGAINST WARMING
The last time I wrote to you I mentioned the Walk Against Warming, our 2005 WaW Umbrella Parade and suggested we should “dust off our little used brollies and do it again”...

That statement needs enshrining in the “Last Words Hall of Fame”! If you came along I really hope you brought a brolly! You can see some images from the torrential downpour that happened that day at

http://climateactionbrisbane.blogspot.com/2006/11/not-going-to-rain-on-our-parade.html

Now don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining about rain when we so desperately need it, after all I’m still running on the rainwater harvested from my roof that day! It was great to see so many brave and bedraggled people - at least twice as many as that sunny day last year - venture out to make a point about global warming.

Finally - it’s that time of year again...
Whatever you call it and however you celebrate it please accept Queensland Conservation’s  best wishes for the season!

And let’s make next year the one that people look back on as the turning point when our society finally got serious about sustainability!