Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy Consultation Report 2013

Prepared by: Environmental Services and Regulation, Southern Region, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.

© State of , 2013. The supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY) licence.

Under this licence you are free, without having to seek our permission, to use this publication in accordance with the licence terms. You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland as the source of the publication. For more information on this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en

Disclaimer This document has been prepared with all due diligence and care, based on the best available information at the time of publication. The department holds no responsibility for any errors or omissions within this document. Any decisions made by other parties based on this document are solely the responsibility of those parties. Information contained in this document is from a number of sources and, as such, does not necessarily represent government or departmental policy.

If you need to access this document in a language other than English, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone Library Services on +61 7 3170 5470.

This publication can be made available in an alternative format (e.g. large print or audiotape) on request for people with vision impairment; phone +61 7 3170 5470 or email .

June 2013

Contents Introduction ...... 1 The Flinders Karawatha Corridor Management Strategy process ...... 1 Consultation program ...... 1 Community response ...... 2 Phase 1—Public consultation program on a draft administrative boundary and development of a vision statement (2011) ...... 2 Phase 2—Public submission program on the draft management strategy (2013) ...... 3 Indigenous community engagement ...... 3 Industry groups and other interest groups ...... 3 Review process...... 3 Step 1—Registration and acknowledgement of submissions ...... 3 Step 2—Classification of submissions ...... 4 Step 3—Summarising of submission issues ...... 4 Step 4—Evaluation of responses/key issues raised ...... 6 Finalising the Flinders Karawatha Corridor Management Strategy ...... 6 Recommendation ...... 6 Appendix 1 Issues raised, response and recommended action ...... 7 1. Definition of the administrative boundary ...... 7 Property rights ...... 8 2. Corridor management ...... 9 Community engagement ...... 9 Pest plant and animals; fire management; illegal dumping ...... 10 Land use ...... 11 Governance and coordination ...... 12 Impacts from infrastructure ...... 13 Research ...... 14 3. Management strategy ...... 14 Additions to be included in the final strategy requested ...... 14 Funding initiatives ...... 14 Supporting partnership arrangements ...... 15 Monitoring and evaluation strategies ...... 15 Social and Recreation ...... 15 4. Other Issues not related to the draft management strategy ...... 15 Consultation process ...... 15 Planning schemes ...... 16 General ...... 16

Figure 1 Location of respondents providing submissions ...... 5

Table 1 Submissions received for consultation phases 1 and 2 ...... 2 Table 2 Issues by thematic area and recommended action ...... 7

Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013

Introduction This consultation report has been prepared to enable the Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and member organisations of the Flinders Karawatha Regional Panel to consider the public submissions relating to the Flinders Karawatha Corridor. The Flinders Karawatha Corridor is the largest remaining continuous stretch of open eucalypt forest south of the River in (SEQ). The corridor extends from the 1200 hectare Karawatha Forest on the southern edge of Brisbane City, along , through the Greenbank Military Training Area and south along the Teviot Range to Flinders Peak, Mt Joyce and Wyaralong Dam, north-east of Boonah. Covering an area of over 56,350 hectares (ha), it is recognised as one SEQ’s most important regional biodiversity corridors, providing habitat and movement opportunities for a range of species that are regionally and locally significant. In addition, it supports scenic amenity, outdoor recreation and landscape heritage values of regional significance. In recognition of its important multiple landscape values, the corridor is identified in the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009–31 as a regional landscape area. The administrative boundary is registered as the Karawatha-Greenbank-Flinders Peak Corridor under Section 57 of the Survey and Mapping Infrastructure Act 2011. Significant heritage values relating to European and Aboriginal cultural heritage places are present. These places are protected under a range of planning, legislative and management frameworks at local, state and federal levels, partly due to the size of the corridor and the influence and interests of the different stakeholders. Land uses include rural landholdings (including grazing and horticulture), rural residential, residential, sport and recreation providers, Wyaralong Dam, national parks, conservation parks and Greenbank Military Training Area. This report summarises the consultation process undertaken to date and includes a review and analysis of submissions and feedback by landholders and other interested stakeholders.

The Flinders Karawatha Corridor Management Strategy process The Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection approved the establishment of the Flinders Karawatha Regional Panel in 2013 with the purpose of advising on the completion and implementation of the Flinders Karawatha Corridor Management Strategy (the management strategy). The Flinders Karawatha Regional Panel includes representatives from the following organisations: Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Commonwealth Department of Defence, Jagera Daran Pty Ltd, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Scenic Rim Regional Council , Ipswich City Council, Brisbane City Council, Logan City Council, Energex, Seqwater, Powerlink, Queensland Outdoor Recreation Foundation, and Council of Mayors (SEQ). The management strategy is a non-statutory document that will determine priority areas for investment and activities to be implemented over the next five years to ensure long-term protection of the corridors social, environmental and cultural values. It has been developed in three stages: Stage 1: Identification of the corridor and environmental values (2005–10) Stage 2: Phase 1—Public consultation program on a draft administrative boundary and development of a vision statement (2011) Stage 3: Phase 2—Public submission program on the draft management strategy (2013)

Consultation program A structured program throughout the consultation periods involved a range of approaches including:  public information sessions  website information which included the maps from the draft management strategy  letters to landholders and interested parties  free electronic copies of the management strategy.

1 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013 Community response During 2011, a total of 65 people attended the public meetings convened during the initial stage of consultation. Comments and feedback from attendees was recorded under several topics. A total of 180 individual responses/submissions were received during the two stages of community consultation. The total number of submissions does not reflect the complexity and diversity of comments made. Many respondents addressed a number of topics and/or issues in their submissions. The majority of responses were received by email, letter or formal submission. Some responses were received via a telephone conversation that was recorded in writing by a departmental officer. Responses and recommendations were received from state and local government agencies, property development groups, environmental organisations, recreation interests and private landholders. Formal consultation was undertaken in two phases. Feedback from Phase 1—Public consultation program on a draft administrative boundary and development of a vision statement (2011) was taken into account to refine the administrative boundary and inform the vision statement. Recommendations, themes and other significant issues raised in the consultation process were recorded and noted for use in the preparation of the draft management strategy. Submissions received for consultation phases 1 and 2 is summarised in Table 1.

Table 1 Submissions received for consultation phases 1 and 2

Type of submitter Number of submissions/responses received

Private landholder 107

Community organisation including 40 conservation and environmental

Property development sector 7

Recreation interests 9

Local government 2

State agency 5

Other (business owner, researcher, 10 environmental consultancy)

Total 180

Phase 1—Public consultation program on a draft administrative boundary and development of a vision statement (2011) The initial consultation process was undertaken between November 2011 and January 2012 by the former Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM). The purpose of the initial consultation was to review the proposed administrative boundary, vision statement, and facilitate discussion on where and how the relevant regional plan policies apply. Affected landholders received written invitations to two public information sessions. The sessions were held on 21 November 2011 at the Greenbank Community Hall, Greenbank, and on 26 November 2011 at Queens Park, Ipswich. Separate industry, community and stakeholder meetings were also undertaken between 1 November 2011 and 20 December 2011. A total of 65 people attended the public meetings convened during the initial stage of consultation. A number of issues were raised by landholders during this phase, including:  potential effect on property rights and land values  location and purpose of the administrative boundary  land management

2 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013  extension of the administrative boundary to the New South Wales border. In July 2012, DERM also wrote to 1700 landholders and interested parties requesting written responses to the proposed boundary and vision statement.

Phase 2—Public submission program on the draft management strategy (2013) This phase focussed on the content of the Draft Flinders Karawatha Management Strategy and landholders and other interested parties were invited to provide submissions during March 2013. The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) wrote again to over 1700 landholders and interested parties requesting written responses to the management strategy. Issues raised in addition to those identified during phase 1 of the consultation included:  funding initiatives  supporting partnership arrangements  monitoring and evaluation strategies  social and recreation opportunities.

Indigenous community engagement In addition to notifying landowners, the Cultural Heritage Coordination Unit of the then Department of Environment and Heritage ERM notified Traditional Owners from the Jagera, Yuggera, Ugarupul, Mununjali and people of the consultation process. Jagera Daran is a registered Aboriginal cultural heritage body for matters relating to Aboriginal cultural heritage and is a member of the current Flinders Karawatha Regional Panel.

Industry groups and other interest groups Industry groups including government-owned corporations and utilities, and land development organisations were targeted as part of the both consultation phases and some are current members of the Flinders Karawatha Regional Panel.

Review process A review process was established to consider all properly made responses/submissions in an objective, equitable and fair manner and to inform development of the final Flinders Karawatha Management Strategy. The review process was carried out as follows: Step 1—Registration and acknowledgement of submissions Step 2—Classification of submissions Step 3—Summarising of submission issues Step 4—Evaluation of responses/key issues raised.

Step 1—Registration and acknowledgement of submissions This step involved the receipt of submissions/responses, their registration on a database, assignment of a submission number and a written acknowledgement. Submissions were received by mail, email and facsimile. Responses received by telephone were also registered on a database. A properly made response/submission required the name and street address (or email address) of the person making the submission, stated nature of the submission, and was received during the consultation period. All submissions were treated as confidential by the department. Written submissions were acknowledged either in writing or by email. The registration process also identified a number of duplicate submissions by persons living at the same address or making more than one submission on the same topic. As there were two separate consultations, the first relating to the vision and administrative boundary and the second on the draft management strategy, submitters who responded to both consultations, but addressing separate issues, were recorded separately.

3 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013 Step 2—Classification of submissions During Phase 1—Public consultation program on a draft administrative boundary and development of a vision statement (2011), submissions/responses received during the consultation were classified as supportive, not supportive or neutral. A neutral classification included people wanting more information on current activities within the boundary; landholders wanting to know if their land was within the administrative boundary and did not voice their objection; and others wanting to know if they could continue their current land activities. For Phase 2—Public submission program on the draft management strategy (2013), a submission classification sheet was used to classify each submission in several ways including: submitter type, local government area, specific comments on proposed strategies to underpin coordinated management, and general issues. Submissions were also categorised as either a positive or negative response. Figure 1 shows the location of respondents who provided submissions during the two phases of consultation.

Step 3—Summarising of submission issues Each of the submissions received was reviewed to identify and summarise the main issues raised. A summary of the main issues was recorded either on the electronic database or submission classification sheet.

4 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013

Figure 1 Location of respondents providing submissions

5 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013 Step 4—Evaluation of responses/key issues raised A detailed review of each individual submission was made to identify specific areas of concern. Each submission was collated and categorised according to the individual matters raised. The thematic issues raised were then categorised into the following four primary issues: 1. Definition of the administrative boundary  Support for extension of the corridor  Exclusion from the administrative boundary  Property rights 2. Corridor management  Community engagement  Pest plant and animals; fire management; illegal dumping  Land use  Governance and coordination  Impacts from infrastructure  Research 3. Management strategy  Additions to be included in the final strategy requested  Funding initiatives  Supporting partnership arrangements  Monitoring and Evaluation Strategies  Social and Recreation 4. Other issues not related to the draft management strategy  Consultation process  Planning schemes  General Each of the issues was further broken down and the details of these, along with responses and recommendations, are listed in Appendix 1 Table 2 Issues by thematic area and recommended action.

Finalising the Flinders Karawatha Corridor Management Strategy The Flinders Karawatha Regional Panel is a collaborative partnership comprising government and non-government organisations tasked with overseeing the finalisation and implementation of the Flinders Karawatha Corridor Management Strategy. Feedback and submissions received from all stages of the community consultation process included in this report will be incorporated into the final management strategy. It is expected that the management strategy will be ready for public release during 2013.

Recommendation It is recommended that the Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection receive this consultation report and consider the issues raised, assessments and recommendations in making the final Flinders Karawatha Corridor Management Strategy 2013–18.

6 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013

Appendix 1 Issues raised, response and recommended action

Table 2 Issues by thematic area and recommended action

Issue raised by Issue description Response and recommended action

1. Definition of the administrative boundary

Support for extension of the corridor

Local council Recommendation to extend corridor to the Noted. Proposals to extend the corridor New South Wales border (including Australian footprint to the New South Wales border

World Heritage Area, Mount Barney). Link to would require broader consultation. The Attendees—public national networks. revised vision and management strategy for meeting the corridor will provide scope for extension to be considered in the future.

Attendees—public Incorporate the following areas into the A minimum corridor width of 350 metres was meeting corridor: established in 2011. This may prevent inclusion of some riparian areas. Jerry’s Downfall Reserve, Flesser Reserve, Kuraby Bushland, Blunder Creek, Oxley The department has successfully sought Creek (inc Dan Stiller Memorial Reserve) to green space and environmental outcomes in , Bulimba Creek to Brisbane the northern end of the corridor. This work River, east riparian zone, complements the significant financial Scrubby Creek, Berrinba Wetlands, wetlands investment Brisbane City Council has on western end of Flagstone estate (or entire undertaken in acquiring land between Flagstone UDA), wetland area east of Karawatha Forest Nature Reserve and the Greenbank UDA. Greenbank Military Training Area (GMTA). Decision to extend the administrative boundary would also depend on land tenure and/or support of local government.

Attendees—public Retain connectivity to other Green Space and The draft management strategy encourages meeting riparian areas to enhance resilience. local government and landholders to retain connectivity. Link to Purga Creek, Woogaroo Creek, Chambers Creek, Norris Creek and reserves Decision that minimum corridor width is 350 Environmental to . metres may exclude some riparian corridors. organisations

Attendees—public Consolidate wildlife connection from proposed Opportunities for corridor connections/ meeting industrial land on Johnson Road to extensions will be identified as an action in Greenbank MTA. the management strategy and may depend on tenure.

Attendees—public Buffer Sporting Shooters Daley’s Lagoon from Opportunities for corridor connections/ meeting urban development area at Ripley. Ensure extensions will be identified as an action in buffers in place near Springfield and the management strategy and may depend Flagstone urban boundaries. on tenure.

Attendees—public Encourage surrender of 1500ha of essential Noted. This concept may form an element of meeting koala habitat at Flagstone. the environmental offset strategy currently being prepared by the Queensland Government.

7 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013

Issue raised by Issue description Response and recommended action

Attendees—public Link Flinders Peak to —Peak to Opportunities for corridor connections/ meeting Point. extensions will be identified as an action in the management strategy and may depend Link Flinders Peak to Spring Mountain. on tenure. Expand the newly created Boonah to Ipswich recreational trail into Brisbane and Logan city outskirts.

Exclusion from the administrative boundary

Local government Several requests from councils for removal of The administrative boundary has already particular lots and inclusion of others. been amended to better align with local government planning schemes.

Landholders Buy back scheme for areas of committed Currently, there are no plans for acquisition development, especially if property of properties in the corridor for the purposes strategically assists habitat connectivity. of establishing new environmental reserves. Long-term management matters include initiatives to create funding streams to allow for voluntary purchases of land and voluntary protection measures.

Development Requests from developers to realign The administrative boundary has been industry administrative boundary to exclude committed amended to exclude committed development. development.

Sport and Exclude land used by sport and recreation Exclusion is not necessary as the recreation groups groups. administrative boundary does not restrict existing sport and recreational activities.

Attendees—public Exclude mining activity Not related to the management strategy. meeting

Landholders Several landholders requested their property The administrative boundary registered be excluded from the administrative boundary under the Survey and Mapping Infrastructure and requested review of the decision to Act 2003 does not change existing amend the declaration decision or substitute a landholder rights. Public submissions have new declaration decision. been requested to inform the final single State Planning Policy which will include strategic biodiversity corridors and will also be requested to inform the revised South East Queensland Regional Plan in 2014.

Property rights

Landholders Concern was expressed on the impacts of the The provisions of the Flinders Karawatha corridor on existing property management Corridor Management Strategy require rights (grazing, vegetation management), further communication: development and building rights. Corridor planning is supported by the Flinders Karawatha Corridor Management Strategy which recognises the high environmental, social and economic values of this corridor and specifically acknowledges the corridor’s importance.

8 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013

Issue raised by Issue description Response and recommended action The management strategy supports efforts to protect the regional lifestyle and recreational significance of SEQ’s western corridor. No additional regulation of grazing or vegetation management due to the management strategy.

Landholders Concern that public access would be granted Public access will not be granted to private to private property within corridor property for recreational use. Any proposals administrative boundary for recreational use. for recreational activities on public land would be developed in consultation with local landholders.

Landholders Concern that property values would be Property values will not change because of reduced. the existence of the administrative boundary and does not alter existing planning schemes.

Landholders ‘Land grab’ by government or changing of The state government has no intention of landholder entitlements. purchasing or resuming properties within the corridor footprint for the purposes of additional green space.

Landholders Not consulted on proposed location of All landowners and the general public were boundary. invited to participate in public meetings and to make submissions during both consultation phases.

Rural landholders Focuses too much on conservation and not The administrative boundary does not enough on protecting interests and livelihoods change existing landholder rights and of landowners. activities.

2. Corridor management

Community engagement

Attendees—public Establish clear guidelines for land Involvement in any programs will be meeting stewardship and how to involve people in voluntary. Landholders will be invited to wildlife corridor linkages on their land and in participate in programs available through the area. their local councils.

Attendees—public Extensive community education and The department’s website will be used to meeting engagement needed throughout corridor, keep people informed and updated on including Rural Living Precinct (north-west activities related to implementation of the Greenbank). Work towards more targeted management strategy. trust building and relationships with landholders and the community.

Attendees—public Neighbourhood education program— Restrictions on the keeping of pets are the meeting restrictions on pets. jurisdiction of local government.

Attendees—public Create public interest/pressure for corridor— Media releases and public announcements

9 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013

Issue raised by Issue description Response and recommended action meeting make it happen. will be prepared to assist with promoting positive aspects of the management strategy.

Attendees—public Ensure landholder acceptance and absentee The mail outs regarding consultation meeting landholders also get included. endeavoured to capture all landholders within the corridor footprint, including absentee.

Attendees—public Make sure the message is consistent and The management strategy will provide meeting credible. Include reviews of community consistent and credible goals and actions. involvement.

Conservation Communication strategy needed between Media releases and public announcements local authorities, local groups, and the will be prepared to assist with promoting

department/panel. positive aspects of the management strategy

Attendees—public Keep community engaged through on-going Feedback from the community is always meeting feedback mechanisms. welcomed by members of the panel and the department.

Pest plant and animals; fire management; illegal dumping

Attendees—public Coordinated plans for managing fire, foxes, The management strategy will encourage meeting wild dogs in and around the corridor. local councils to prepare coordinated plans for feral animal management. Pest management plan for corridor to be consistent with locally/regionally agreed pest The management strategy has identified the DAFF management priorities. SEQ Fire and Biodiversity Consortium as a stakeholder, along with local councils and landholders, in developing a coordinated approach to fire management in and around the corridor. Many local councils have their own management plan for the control of pest plant and animals.

DAFF Consider weed and pest animal management Noted. To be included in the management to be included for environmental offsets strategy. funding.

Landholders More support needed for landholders to tackle Report illegal dumping to your local council, illegal dumping, trespass issues. or if you witness it happening, report on-line to Illegal Dumping Unit. Report trespass issues to local council or police.

Landholders Concern that regulation/restrictions on Landholders require a permit from landholders’ undertaking fire management Queensland Fire and Rescue Service to

activities on their land (fuel reduction burns, undertake fuel reduction burns. Burning is retaining regrowth, class of access roads) not permitted during times of high fire could lead to increase in fire risk. danger.

Different fire management practices by Potential for coordination between fire

different authorities—need for consistency. management authorities will be an action

10 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013

Issue raised by Issue description Response and recommended action identified in the management strategy.

Attendees—public meetings

Landholders Need for funding programs to assist Noted. To be included in the management landholders with weed control and fire strategy. management.

Rural landholder Land purchased for Southern Freight Train Noted. The issue will be investigated by the Line is weed infested and not maintained by Department of Transport and Main Roads if government. specific lots can be identified.

Land use

Attendees—public Restrict trail bikes to Wyaralong Dam area. Any new recreational facilities developed meetings adjacent to private property would be Qld motor bike park has created problems— developed by local government and in decrease in native fauna in area. consultation with local landholders. Landholders Limit/manage recreation within the corridor, particularly mountain biking and trail bikes.

Attendees—public Investigate property with exemptions to clear Report any suspected clearing of vegetation meetings vegetation under the Vegetation Management to the department of Natural Resources and Act 1999, including property maps of Mines. assessable vegetation (PMAVs) and forest practices, to address further clearing issues critical to reduce or prevent further loss of bushland. PMAVs not scrutinised by DERM— huge loss of habitat in corridor.

Attendees—public Suggestions for more mountain-biking trails Noted. Recreational issues to be included in meetings with an idea to create an internationally the management strategy. recognised trail similar to ‘The Mundabiddi Trail’ in Western Australia.

Attendees—public Suggestions to create annual major horse- Noted. To be considered by relevant Council meetings riding and mountain-biking events. and Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation.

Attendees—public Land for Wildlife constraints—some For consideration by the Department of meetings considered secure agreements were needed Natural Resources and Mines and councils to protect vegetation on private property. to promote voluntary conservation agreements and/or Nature Refuge programs, if available, for current Land for Wildlife property owners where environmental values are significant.

Attendees—public Intensive horticulture in the Greenbank area, Noted. Management and monitoring of meeting mining exploration—threat to corridor values values to be included in the management strategy.

Attendees—public Surrounding development and encroachment Noted. Management and monitoring of meeting on the corridor (increasing population values to be included in the management

11 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013

Issue raised by Issue description Response and recommended action pressure). strategy.

Attendees—public Stop any future development in the corridor Any development within the administrative meeting including residential, industry, mining, coal boundary will be managed according to the seam gas. South East Queensland Regional Plan and local council planning schemes.

Conservation Adopt corridor declaration with sufficient Strategic biodiversity offset corridors are weight to be supported in law (covenants currently being mapped to inform the Single etc.). State Planning Policy.

Landholder Concern that local, state and federal Potential sources of funding to manage state government does not have resources to land is currently being identified to fund manage current land under its control. actions identified in the management strategy.

Governance and coordination

Attendees—public Better coordination and integration with local The regional panel is working together to meeting government including incentives to protect identify appropriate buffer areas and and create buffer zones. encourage retention, if in private ownership, through provision of incentives to landholders.

Attendees—public Add value through mechanisms such as The management strategy is underpinned by meeting biodiversity fund, land care, carbon offsets. a range of funding options available to landholders and owners of public land.

Attendees—public Discuss nature of funding i.e. government Noted. The identification and coordination of meeting versus private. funding options is to be included in the management strategy.

Attendees—public Questions were received about how offset The Queensland Government is currently meeting policies and processes will take effect both finalising the environmental offsets inside and outside the corridor. framework. This is due to be released in December 2013.

Landholders Government funding arrangements were Noted. questioned.

Attendees—public How to police/enforce regulations and No new regulation of activities will be meeting guidelines (e.g. agree to same protocols). introduced as a result of defining the administrative boundary.

Conservation Recovery plan to include fire plan, databases Preparation of recovery plans will be for reports, research etc., acquisition identified as an action in the management proposals. strategy.

Rural landholders Request for financial assistance to tackle The Commonwealth Government’s Caring erosion. for Country program may provide funding related to land management.

Landholders Ensure local planning schemes honour All four council areas support the corridor principles and management strategies for vision. All council representatives on the corridor. panel are contributing to the management

12 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013

Issue raised by Issue description Response and recommended action strategy.

Impacts from infrastructure

Attendees—public Ensure long-term infrastructure plans e.g. 50 Department of State Development, meeting years and co-location of infrastructure (gas, Infrastructure and Planning will facilitate electricity, water, road, rail) as a solution to discussions between infrastructure dealing with linear infrastructure work i.e. providers, local government and state designated infrastructure corridors. agencies to determine the feasibility of co- locating future infrastructure corridors where possible.

Attendees—public Concern was expressed about the impacts of Infrastructure providers must avoid, minimise meeting existing and future infrastructure and offset residual impacts on environmental developments, including Undullah Road values during planning, design, construction widening. and operation of infrastructure where required under State and Commonwealth legislation. This includes any infrastructure works in the corridor. This principle will be adopted in the Management Strategy.

Attendees—public Park Ridge Connector threatens northern The alignment for the Park Ridge Connector meeting connections to the corridor. was determined after extensive public consultation and project planning, including Concern for fauna in vicinity of Logan a review of environmental factors. The Motorway. alignment avoids and minimises environmental impacts to the greatest extent practicable and residual impacts will be offset as required under State and Commonwealth legislation. The Logan Motorway does present a significant barrier to wildlife movement in the corridor. Further work to develop and implement (subject to funding constraints) wildlife movement solutions at this pinch point will be undertaken as part of future planning stages for the Logan Motorway.

Conservation Provision of fauna sensitive design into new Fauna sensitive design principles (including infrastructure projects especially where there provision of fauna movement infrastructure) will be significant barriers for movement. are considered when planning and designing new major infrastructure projects. This principle will be adopted in the Management Strategy.

Conservation Need investigation into road corridor pinch The Department of Transport and Main points to provide fauna movement solutions Roads commissioned a study by Chenoweth Attendees—public for new and existing roads. Environmental Planning and Landscape meetings Architecture to identify significant barriers to Chenoweth study on pinch points. wildlife movement in the corridor. The results of this study will inform further work to develop engineering solutions caused by all types of infrastructure.

Landholder Concern and opposition to the Southern The alignment for the Southern Freight Freight Railway Corridor passing through Railway Corridor was determined after Flinders Karawatha Corridor. extensive public consultation and project planning, including an in-depth environment

13 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013

Issue raised by Issue description Response and recommended action impact assessment. The alignment avoids and minimises environmental impacts to the greatest extent practicable and residual impacts will be offset as required under State and Commonwealth legislation.

Research

Attendees—public More research and studies to improve Noted. Coordination of research is to be meeting knowledge of values, impacts and included in the management strategy. remediation including: Other possible avenues are Queensland fauna surveys for rare and endangered Frog Society, Glossy Black Cockatoo species (quolls, rock wallabies, rare frogs, Conservancy, and Wildlife Preservation grey-headed flying fox, koala), feral animal Society for survey records etc. survey State government biodiversity mapping has ground truth recorded data been completed for SEQ (biodiversity planning areas). field assessment for recovery plan investigations into fauna movement/pinch point design and location survey for Commonwealth land biodiversity hotspot mapping Wyaralong recreation area review.

Conservation Acknowledge threatened species (quolls, Noted. Coordination of research is included bettongs), flora niches and rainforest pockets. in the management strategy. Attendees—public meeting

Landholder Environmental assessments of corridor to be To be published in parallel with the done and made available for public comment. management strategy.

3. Management strategy

Additions to be included in the final strategy requested

Attendees—public Create an identity for the corridor (including a Noted. meeting better name) and define the five-year vision.

Attendees—public Change of vision statement to include Vision statement has been amended. meeting ’protect’ rather than ‘ensure’ and remove ‘limitless’.

Attendees—public Ensure real targets are included in the final Management strategy has a set five-year life meeting plan and there is a budget to achieve these. along with reporting and monitoring.

Funding initiatives

Local government Logan Environmental Offset Framework (Logan City Council Mayor and Councillor Community Benefit (LCC))

14 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013

Issue raised by Issue description Response and recommended action Fund Opportunities for the range of funding to be assessed. Enviro-Grants Conservation Incentives Partnership programs—Land for Wildlife; Free Trees program.

Supporting partnership arrangements

Local government Recommend tourism development focus on Noted. To be discussed with Jagera Daran. (LCC) ecotourism and include Indigenous tourism Councils are eligible to apply for a variety of development. funding from both state and Commonwealth Clarification sought of council’s status as programs to assist with corridor landholder and eligibility to seek funding management and incentive activities. through state and Commonwealth programs

to undertake management activities and further enhance incentive activities.

Monitoring and evaluation strategies

Local government Who will undertake monitoring (i.e. research Noted. Lead for monitoring to be identified in institutions)? How will information be management strategy. captured? Can information be shared

between partners? Monitoring of public or private land?

Social and Recreation

Recreation/ Request to include Ivory’s Rock as major Noted. To be investigated in consultation conference facility facility within corridor and include on with regional panel. recreation map.

4. Other Issues not related to the draft management strategy

Consultation process

Landholders Length of consultation was too short. Consultation process was extended to allow extra time for responses.

Landholders Not all landholders within the corridor The contractor engaged for the mail out received notification of all consultations. made some errors. This was remedied in subsequent mail outs.

Landholders No prior notification of effects on landholders. The administrative boundary does not affect landholders rights. All landholders invited to provide submissions.

Landholders Questioned timing, process and validity of Work towards officially recognising the program. administrative boundary began in 2011.

15 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013

Issue raised by Issue description Response and recommended action

Planning schemes

Greenbank Locking up our land while approving The South East Queensland Regional Plan landholder development for 1000 small lots nearby is defines lot size for development and unfair. subdivision not the management strategy.

Landholder Clarify policy intent re subdivision of land South East Queensland Regional Plan between Ripley Valley and Greater Flagstone. currently excludes this land from urban development.

Attendees at public Local council planning ‘strata titles’ loophole Noted. Referred to councils. meeting

General

Developer Request management strategy maintains Noted. availability of future urban village

development opportunities, as possible future tourist destinations. Boonah—Ipswich Trail: intend to provide connections from ‘Flinders’ development.

Request carbon credits for conservation of vegetation and rehabilitation work on ‘Flinders’ to balance offsets. Detail of eligibility for landholders for proposed funding programs including offsets.

Landholder Landholders should be involved in writing Feedback from landholders will be management plan and be part of incorporated into the management strategy. management committee. The public was invited to make a submission regarding membership on the Flinders Karawatha Regional Panel in March 2013.

Landholder Draft management strategy does not include The Final Flinders Karawatha Corridor any contributions from landholders. No detail Management Strategy will on offsets. incorporate/address feedback from landholders; however, that is not the primary purpose of the management strategy. The purpose of this consultation report is to present feedback from consultation phases.

Attendees—public Re-name corridor. Suggestions to change the Noted. Name change to be considered by meeting name of the corridor to reflect it ending near the regional panel. Wyaralong Dam.

Landholder Purpose of corridor, mapping of boundary, Accepted. The concept that the and vision not clear. administrative boundary and opportunities for strategic management was poorly articulated in the first round of consultation in

16 Flinders Karawatha Corridor Draft Management Strategy: Consultation Report 2013

Issue raised by Issue description Response and recommended action 2011.

Attendees at public Analyse social, environmental and economic Noted. Maintenance and protection of social, meetings values for best outcome for everyone. environmental and economic values form part of the management strategy.

Attendees at public Ensure ecosystem services and specific Noted. meetings interests as entry points.

Landholder Suggest administrative boundary runs along Noted. Wyaralong Dam fence line—this is administrative boundary for all properties.

Landholder Concern in relation to vegetation clearing at GMTA developing additional military training GMTA. facilities which has been approved.

Landholder Landholder questioned property inclusion in Noted. ‘Wyaralong Recreational Parks’.

Rural landholder If properties remain in corridor, would No acquisition of land is planned. welcome discussions with government on possible acquisition at fair and reasonable price.

Landholder Why preserve corridor at New Beith when Wildlife requires refuges and this is one of there are pressures of urbanisation on the aims of the Management Strategy. wildlife?

17