Archived articles
Gold Coast Green Week 31 May - 9 June 10-day calendar of environmental events on the Gold Coast celebrating our natural environment. Link https://gecko.org.au/gold-coast-green-weekend/
The debate on climate change is rightly focused on the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gases. But whatever our success or failure in mitigating emissions, we must now also ask how the harmful impacts of a rapidly-changing climate affect living on the Gold Coast—and beyond.
Federal Elections and climate policy: After years of frustration with federal government inaction or worse on climate change, the topic is now well at the top of election discussions. The LNP continues to have a totally inadequate policy on climate change action being hamstrung by the extreme right wing coal loving MPs . The Labor Party has some good policies and the devil will be in the detail as to how they deliver these. The Greens are way out in front with their policies, but are unlikely to be able to deliver them, though they certainly will influence the debate. Other minor parties are generally very conservative and have poorly developed policies if any at all.
Migratory shorebirds perform mind-blowing journeys and are among the most amazing and elusive creatures on earth. While they visit the Gold Coast annually, most of us don’t recognise them.
On Sunday 10th March the Premier, Anastasia Palaszczuk, and the Minister for Planning, Hon. Cameron Dick launched the draft Spit Master Plan at Muriel Henchman Park on The Spit. After 40 years of campaigning to protect The Spit public open space from unsuitable development we finally have a Plan. This Plan is now available for public comment via the government website www.qld.gov.au/thespit
MAYOR Tom Tate is challenging environmentalists to “show us the money” as the Gold Coast City Council gives the green light to buying up koala habitat. Consultants warned a year ago that the city’s most significant koala population east of the Pacific Motorway would be lost unless authorities agreed to buy up land and relocate the threatened animals.
Australian bush food is all around us. The problem for many of us is understanding what we’re looking at. If you are keen to know more about bush food—and a special local bush food garden—don’t miss the Gecko Talk on Wednesday, February 27.
Your last opportunity to join over 5000 others in signing the Reform of Queensland Planning Legislation Petition by Lois Levy. Very few e-petitions to state parliament attract such strong community support, with this Petition in the top 5%.
Currently there are 5 Councils in Queensland being investigated by the Crime and Corruption Commission for alleged corruption by councillors and/or officers. This, plus the Community and SEQ Alliances’ own experiences with local councils has led to advocacy with the Minister for Local Government for some reforms over and above the Belcarra Reforms. There is a strong link or nexus between alleged council corruption and planning assessment approvals, which has been raised with both the Minister for Local Government, Hon Stirling Hinchliffe, and the Minister for Planning, Hon. Cameron Dick.
Since the very first Queensland National Park was established in 1908 at Witches Falls on Mount Tamborine, the debate about the purpose of national parks has continued. Are national parks primarily for the conservation of nature or are they for the enjoyment of nature by the human population? Or if it is to be both, what weight should the community give to conservation versus enjoyment?