June 2014 Issue 61 CITY PLAN 2015: BIG CHANGES ARE ON THE WAY A must-read 6 pages...p.9

LeafTales - June 2014

CO June 2014 Issue 61 REGULARS Main Story SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT What’s Going on in Our Broadwater? City Plan 2015 By Rose Adams 3 What’s Gecko’s Take on the Plan? 9

How Does a Bigger Population GECKO Campaign

Get Around? Casino on the Broadwater? 5 By Cate Ware 10 GECKO Events Stormy Waters? Green Week: Wildlife Expo 8 By Debbie Overell 11 Nature Talks: Take the Slow Path 17 The Earth Depends on Frogs 16 Putting Distinctive Local Character at Risk? Column: By Brian Feeney 13 Simply Speaking by Lynda Hull Springbrook: Protected 20 Are Tallai and Worongary Being Targeted for Development? Front Cover Photo of Surfers Paradise By Debbie Overell 14 by Eric Black

FEATURES

Making Rainsticks with Recycled Materials Advertorial By Sarah Barnes 7 Thank you, Foxtel 6

LOHAS Markets 6 Leafy Tales Pierah the Platypus Stranded Assets 15 By Dereka Ogden 8

LeafTales is a Gecko publication. The views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of Gecko. Gecko House LeafTales encourages recycling. Please keep 139 Duringan St, this issue for future reference, pass on to Currumbin Qld 4223 friends and family, use for craft projects or Phone: (07) 5534 1412 Email: [email protected] place into the recycling bin.

President: Lynda Hull Managing Editor ‐ Valerie McDougall Graphics & Layout ‐ Aidan Pierpoint

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MAIN STORY WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR BROADWATER?

By Rose Adams

hat is ASF China proposing for our announcing his ideas for a cruise ship terminal, this Broadwater? Is it an Integrated Resort was subsequently named as a mandate by the Mayor W Development? Is it a cruise terminal and the State Government. Will this questionable proposal? Is it a land grab to build expensive real Newspoll result also be claimed as a “mandate” for estate on cheap public land? Council and the State government to encourage ASF to continue with its plans? No‐one seems quite certain. The possible project by the possible proponent is impossible to describe, Cost to City mainly as the result of the ASF consortium refusing to The Gold Coast City Council Mayor, Councillors, Chief reveal any details other than some pretty pictures in Executive Officer and Council officers have all been at the Gold Coast Bulletin, some rosy, unsubstantiated great pains during debate about the possible ASF projections of the jobs and wealth that will ensue to Integrated Resort development proposal to tell us that

the Gold Coast, and a list of attractions that may or there would be no cost to the City. So far, costs are may not be built. admitted to have escalated to over $500,000. A report handed to Councillors prior to the May 2 meeting It may or may not include a casino and at this point made reference to: “The uncommitted funds balance (see p. 5), we still don’t know where a cruise ship within Budget Centre ED550O002 Cost Centre terminal would be located and where dredging would 1005106 ……$1,019,737.” It was proposed that this take place to accommodate the massive swing basin sum would be allocated on a 50/50 basis to fund two required for cruise ships to turn. These behemoths Council officers to oversee further development of the may be 280m—or perhaps more— long. Broadwater project and the Cultural Precinct.

Voting from Ignorant Positions? With no economic modelling available to the public, At the special Gold Coast City Council meeting on May we cannot know how transport, sewerage and water 2 Councillors were presented with the results of a provision to a new suburb on Wavebreak Island and “poll and community consultation” conducted by unknown development on the Spit and at Bum’s Bay Newspoll. Many, many figures were presented and might result in future costs to ratepayers. after complex weighting, juggling and manipulation, the result was declared as 52% in favour, 32% against ASF China is here to make a profit, not to fix up and 16% uncertain. existing needs of a growing City and will no doubt ensure its contribution is kept to a minimum. We have This result was paraded as a victory and reason for already heard its grandiose suggestion of replicating Council to go ahead with support for the process. Only Sundale Bridge, building two additional bridges and a few Councillors noted that people were voting from upgrading the road system servicing the Broadwater, a position of almost complete ignorance. They quite all for a mere $300 million. Are we expected to take liked the idea of something grand on the Broadwater, these figures on trust? Simply assessing any reports, despite not knowing what the project really entailed, Environmental Impact Study or other documents that how big, how tall, or what impacts there would be on may be forthcoming from the proponents will take up the environment, existing businesses, recreational the time of numerous Council officers and professional access to and enjoyment of the Broadwater, traffic consultants. impacts or costs to ratepayers further down the line. Who will foot this bill? Despite Mayor Tate only polling 37% of the vote in the last Council election and only one day before the vote Continued on p.4

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MAIN STORY

What’s going on in our Broadwater... Continued from p.3

Cost to the Environment

It has been stated the project must be cost‐neutral to Gold Coast City and to State Government. No‐one has said it must be cost neutral to the environment. Even though Council has insisted that any project must “tick all the boxes” and that environmental issues must be addressed, there appears to be a naïve belief that impacts can be kept to a minimum. This is OUR environment. Why should some foreign‐owned consortium decide its chance to make a profit out of our beautiful Broadwater comes ahead of environmental protection? Why should our decision‐makers accept any damage at all to the environment?

Looking South over the Spit

Let’s list some of the boxes that have to be “ticked”:

 Protect seagrass around Wavebreak Island which provides foraging for turtles, dugongs and other marine animals.

Impossible if you are extending the shoreline, filling in with dredge spoils and altering the shallow waters that support seagrass.

 Protect the existing marine habitat which supports dozens of species of fish, rays, seahorses and other organisms, is a delight to divers, supports juvenile fish and even welcomes whales on their migrations along our coast.

Impossible if you are destroying the existing system by massive dredging, repeated annually to allow cruise ships to move in and out and to turn in their massive swing basin and realigning and burying the wastewater pipe which attracts a rich variety of sea life.

 Protect sand spits where migratory bird species can rest and feed.

Impossible if you are creating deep water channels where the sand spits are located.

These are just a few of the impacts we might expect from the proposal on the table. They cannot be justified, they cannot be off‐set and our City would be the poorer for losing these precious assets.

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CAMPAIGN CASINO ON THE BROADWATER?

Rose Adams questions what “due process” means for our environment.

ewspoll, on behalf of ASF China Consortia, ensure any development is supported by the general recently conducted a flawed “consultation” public, is environmentally and economically N that involved asking a tiny fraction of Gold sustainable, and would not pose a burden on existing Coast residents whether they were in favour of the infrastructure.” ASF China Consortium’s project, despite having very ASF is apparently undertaking the preliminary little information. environmental studies required by State Government. On the basis of this tenuous support our Council has The due process outlined by the Deputy Premier voted to “support the continued application of due would then include development of Terms of process and consideration in respect of the ASF Reference for a detailed Environmental Impact proposal”. Statement followed by comprehensive public What is this due process of which they speak? So far, consultation. This would not be limited to a snapshot confusion reigns. survey of 2800 people. The actual project has not yet been formally submitted The timelines involved and the various roles to be as a development application and at this stage Gold played by our local Council and by State Government Coast residents remain none the wiser about the full in these further processes and the approvals process extent of the integrated resort development. are entirely unclear at this stage. Last week Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney announced that ASF had been shortlisted for a casino licence, along We do not even “This will poorly serve know what with the Aquis IRD proposal in Cairns. Despite his the rich and diverse saying there were many issues that still had to be dealt legislation will apply with, the overwhelmingly misleading message put out or how the Federal eco‐systems currently by the media is that the project is a go‐ahead. Government may be involved in in the Broadwater.” Baffling Process assessing the The process being followed throughout this bid to take significant impacts over our Broadwater remains baffling. Council is on nationally listed apparently awaiting the formal submission of the species under the Environmental Protection and project by the Consortia for Council’s scrutiny and Biodiversity Conservation Act. approval, yet the State Government appears to be calling the shots. If the Federal Government succeeds in pushing its one‐stop shop policy through the Senate, we may end In February this year, Deputy Premier Seeney wrote to up with the State Government ticking off approval in Mayor Tate stating that “any gaming licence granted one neat package. This will poorly serve the rich and would be conditional on the prior establishment and diverse eco‐systems currently in the Broadwater. ongoing operation of a successful cruise ship terminal.” Many questions remain unanswered, including the conundrum of ASF not getting a casino licence until His letter also stated “while it would be technically the cruise ship terminal component has been proven possible to establish a cruise ship terminal in the to be viable and not being able to undertake the Broadwater, further detailed work is needed by your project without the assured income from a casino. Council and the identified possible proponent to

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ADVERTORIAL THANK YOU, FOXTEL

By Alan Rudd, Gecko Fundraiser

he Gold Coast community comes together from May 31 to June 8 to celebrate United Nations World Environment Day through a nine‐day calendar of awareness‐building activities. These activities involve T people in direct contact with the unique South East Queensland environment and sustainable living products and businesses.

Gold Coast Green Week is a major event, with the support and backing of Gold Coast City Council. Due to changes in the grant application categories, the Gold Coast City Council funding has reduced dramatically over the last three years.

As a result, Gecko was in desperate need of additional funding in a financial environment where fundraising is becoming progressively more difficult. After learning about Foxtel’s Green IT Awareness Week in 2014, Gecko identified definite synergies of purpose between that initiative and Gecko’s Green Week in minimising our envi‐ ronmental footprint.

We submitted a Major Sponsorship proposal to Foxtel. Due to Foxtel’s business model of introducing a range of initiatives to help it operate an environmentally sustainable business for the future, Foxtel came to the rescue of Gecko and Green Week. Foxtel’s generosity and belief in the same green issues as Gecko enabled it to accept the sponsorship proposal, ensuring that Green Week would continue to grow in both size of activities and numbers of people attending the events over nine days culminating in the Gecko Wildlife Expo.

Foxtel is a signatory to the Voluntary Code of Conduct with the Australian Government to manage energy efficiency of set‐top boxes.

Gecko is grateful to Foxtel for its generosity and belief in the future of the environment that we all share in, ensuring adults and children of the Gold Coast can experience the excellent activities that Gecko Green Week will offer during these nine days.

LOHAS Markets Every Saturday 7am - 1pm Burleigh State School, Burleigh

The LOHAS Markets (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability), held inside the Burleigh State School hall, are full of amazing stalls selling homemade sauerkraut, organic produce, gourmet raw food, alternative health services, non-toxic household products, chemical-free skincare, organic gardening products and much more.

We specialise in changing the way we eat, drink and think. We honour and support our organic farmers and green businesses by creating healthy, sustainable communities every week. Green living workshops, woodwork classes, whole food and chocolate making classes held monthly.

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FEATURE MAKING RAINSTICKS WITH RECYCLED MATERIALS

Sarah Barnes tells of a fun and educational activity to do with your children—that might just come in handy during the next drought.

I've always loved the sound of rainsticks, those long, 4. We then decorated our rainstick with fabric, vinyl, hollow percussion instruments that can be used to feathers and wool but it could just as easily have been conjure up a gentle rain shower or a thunderstorm. painted or covered with collage paper.

Rainsticks are now popularly used in all kinds of music, And now for the music from rock to classical orchestra but their origins date back to Central American Aztecs—and possibly other The rainstick can be played in different ways to make a Indigenous people around the World. And yes, you variety of wonderful sounds. guessed it: they featured in rain making ceremonies.

They were traditionally made out of cactus, which is naturally hollow. Once the plant had been dried in the sun, the spines were removed and nailed back inside in a spiral pattern. The hollow was then filled with small stones or dried beans and sealed at both ends.

Because I love creative projects with the children—and rainsticks—I decided to design and make one out of discarded materials as a kid’s craft activity.

Four Steps to Beautiful Music

1. The first stop was the Reverse Noah and Ruby play along to James Taylor’s Fire & Rain Garbage warehouse in Woolloongabba, Brisbane to find what we needed. This place is an When it's held vertically and flipped over, it makes the absolute treasure trove, packed with interesting and sound of falling water, as the objects inside gradually useful things, including fabrics and textiles, glass and make their way to the bottom. If held horizontally and ceramics, paper and card, plastics, timber, rubber and tilted from side to side, it makes a gentle whooshing foam. The team at Reverse Garbage is always happy to sound, like the rolling of the ocean. A harsher, more show you around and offer advice on how to urgent sound can be made when the instrument is overcome the difficulties of your particular project. shaken. It can also be tapped with a stick to make a satisfying 'thwock' or a gentler 'pitter patter'. The 2. We used a cardboard Postpak mailing tube for the rainstick can be played by anyone and makes a shell, with caps at both ends. To slow down the flow fantastic accompaniment to the guitar. of objects inside the tube, we inserted a bendable plastic strip with holes punched through (available Inspired by James Taylor's song 'Fire and Rain', we from Reverse Garbage as 'black holey strips'). made a couple of last‐minute embellishments to our rainstick and included sandpaper and baking paper to 3. The tube was filled with small, hard objects—a mimic the roaring and crackling sounds of fire; so it's a combination of rice and small rubber discs made the 'fire and rainstick' really... best sound.

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GECKO EVENT

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CITY PLAN 2015 WHAT IS GECKO’S TAKE ON THE DRAFT CITY PLAN 2015? he new Gold Coast City Council draft City Plan 2015, which is expected to be released for public consultation this month, will be the blueprint for development on the Gold Coast for the next 10 years. As stated in the viewable State Interest Check T version, the intent is to accommodate approximately a further two‐thirds of the current population over a 20‐year period by building 130,000 new dwellings.

Some key points of the plan involve:

 supporting population growth, particularly on transit corridors,

 promoting affordable housing,

 providing for economic growth, and

 utilising as much existing infrastructure as possible by encouraging infill development as well as investigating areas for inclusion into urban areas.

The plan has been structured around other existing Council strategies, such as the Gold Coast Economic Development Strategy, and the Transport Strategy 2031.

One suggested tag line for the marketing of the plan is Building our City, Enhancing our Lifestyle.

Gecko is concerned about the impact of the proposed substantial population boost to an area that has its natural and social limitations and to name a few issues is seeking:

1. Justification and evidence for the ability of the Gold Coast to sustain a further two thirds of the current population prior to the approval of the City Plan. This should take into consideration the maintenance of a liveable, uncongested tourist environment in tandem with the protection of the lifestyles of the current permanent population.

2. A social and environmental study to determine a permanent population capacity for the Gold Coast.

3. Demonstration of the steps taken to protect the natural environment including our beaches, waterways, surf breaks, and environmental reserves whilst ensuring there is accessible quality open space for all.

4. The need for population growth and associated development to be conditional on the provision of adequate transport infrastructure to prevent major congestion and its associated economic, social and environmental problems.

5. Demonstration of how the cutting of 'red tape’ for development benefits the community.

Gecko encourages residents DURING THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION PERIOD to have their say and express their concerns in their own words by going directly to the GCCC website http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au to locate where to lodge a submission to the draft City Plan 2015.

Remember this is your home, your environment, your say!

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CITY PLAN 2015 HOW DOES A BIGGER GOLD COAST POPULATION GET AROUND?

By Cate Ware

ith well over 50% more population SECURING FUNDING growth projected within 20 years we need The community is looking to the Council and the State W to start working on providing public and Federal Governments to provide transport transport infrastructure, locating development to solutions and funding. The Gold Coast Bulletin ensure the transport network is suitable and securing reported that the Queensland Government recently funding for transport to ensure that we reduce the advised funding on several essential infrastructure very high dependence of car use on the GC. The draft projects, deemed necessary to cope with such an City Plan 2015 commits to a Transport Code that increase in population, is under review. Transport provides public transport networks and offers an solutions at risk are: attractive alternative to the car. What happens if it  can’t be delivered? Heavy rail extension to Elanora – under review TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED  Light rail network expansion to Helensvale – GCCC The Gold Coast Transport Strategy 2031 highlights asked to contribute substantial funds from many visionary goals to move a growing population ratepayers These include extra six infill stations along the heavy  Parallel road to M1 from Stapylton to Coomera – railway of populated suburbs, further expanding State Government now not involved numerous light rail networks, freight priority ramps on the M1, numerous interchange upgrades; urban  Additional Interchanges on M1 at Coomera – arterial linking Coomera to Carrara; and a complete impacts on Coomera Shopping Centre jobs and coastal cycle and pedestrian corridor. businesses due to State Government reducing funding. DEVELOPMENT LOCATION Continued on p.11 The scheme aims to increase development on transport corridors to reduce impacts on the amenity, safety and operation of the road network and to Congestion ahead ensure that the function and capacity of the road network is utilised to its best ability. Development on these corridors should ensure: Integrated transport and land use – urban design which reduces travel distances and provides ease of access via frequent public transport options Car parking – supports economic vitality and boosts sustainable transport use Public transport – provides attractive alternatives to the car Active transport – promotes walking and cycling as attractive alternatives to the car Travel behaviour change – reduces car dependency via walking, cycling, car pooling, public transport Roads and freight – provides an efficient road network that can be safely shared by all users

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CITY PLAN 2015 WILL THERE BE STORMY WATERS IN THE DRAFT CITY PLAN 2015?

By Debbie Overell

an the Gold Coast flood plains cope with development upstream? Debbie Overell C explains some of the background. Is the Gold Coast heading towards a perfect storm? Climate change, urbanisation upstream of the floodplains, pollution and sea level rises all possibly point towards this unfolding scenario.

CLIMATE CHANGE Reports suggest that the reality of climate change will mean more intense weather events that may stay around for longer periods of time. Climate Nexus reports that the southern subtropical jet stream is increasingly taken a longer, meandering path. This has apparently resulted in weather remaining the same for more prolonged periods.

The Gold Coast had a lower than average rainfall over many months of spring and summer. On 27 March 2014 the skies finally opened and Springbrook received an overnight rainfall figure of 364mm in a 21 hour period; Worongary 192mm and Tallai 211mm. The picture right is the Merrimac flood plain, which forms part of what is known as Guragunbah. Merrimac Flood plain in flood Continued on p.12

How does a bigger Gold Coast population get around?... Continued from p.10

If suitable funding cannot be sourced by government departments, key components of the transport strategy could be put a risk and a larger population has the potential to increase congestion. CAR DEPENDENCY Even some current bus networks are no longer effectively offering a proper service in some areas. The Council announced a new public transport network, which commenced on January 20 this year. Nerang residents, for one, feel let down by the changes. They have lost services which particularly impacts school children and the elderly. A petition has been tabled in Parliament to try to address this issue. If Council can't provide suitable transport, Gold Coast City can't support a population increase with the dependency on cars not effectively being reduced. Development should be staged in tandem with public transport. Raise your concerns about an increasing population without proper infrastructure in place during the public consultation stage of the draft City Plan 2015.

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CITY PLAN 2015

Will there be stormy waters in the draft City Plan 2015? Continued from p.11 The current town plan describes this as the largest 'urban' flood plain in Australia.

URBANISATION UPSTREAM

The relatively undeveloped area upstream of the flood plain currently has the capacity to hold some storm water due to percolation through soil.

With the possible impact of further urbanisation being considered upstream of tributaries of Mudgeeraba Creek as indicated in the Strategic Framework Map 1 of the draft City Plan 2015 the results may be quite different.

Extreme weather events, coupled with Worongary Creek at Mudgeeraba Showgrounds upstream urbanization, may lead to large amounts of concentrated storm water travelling through creeks and tributaries toward the flood plains. All this extra water will ultimately travel through the canal estates and higher density low lying areas that are situated downstream on the Gold Coast.

POLLUTION

The added effect of runoff accumulating pollution such as motor oil, heavy metals and garbage from impervious surfaces such as car parks and extra road surfaces could be damaging to flora and fauna downstream and ultimately to marine ecosystems. Roof runoff from galvanised gutters can contribute to higher levels of synthetic organic compounds and zinc in the waterways.

INGREDIENTS OF THE PERFECT STORM?

It will be important to see the hydrologic and hydraulic computations from the impacts of any urbanisation upstream of the tributaries of Mudgeeraba Creek and how this may affect the current canal estates and urban areas of the Gold Coast. It will also be vital to see what impact studies are done on the effects of pollution on flora and fauna downstream of this potential urbanisation.

With sea level rise being forecast to mandate our low lying areas in the years to Flooding along Mudgeeraba Creek encroaching into carpark come, it is becoming increasingly apparent that without careful consideration and planning we could be witnessing the brewing of a perfect storm.

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NEW PLANNING SCHEME CITY PLAN 2015 PUTS DISTINCTIVE LOCAL CHARACTER AT RISK

Brian Feeney has more than 35 years experience as a town planner in Queensland. Here he raises concerns about homogenising the Coast. ith the recent release of the latest draft planning scheme, W the Gold Coast City Council seems to have abandoned its long‐ standing commitment to local area planning. Without such specific design rules for each distinctive local area undergoing change, the new plan puts these areas at risk of losing their special character. This is particularly relevant with the population of the city forecast to increase by almost 300,000 over the next 20 years. None of the existing 31 local area plans has been carried forward in the new planning scheme and (except for Mudgeeraba) their In discussing local area plans, it is noteworthy that the content doesn’t seem to be included anywhere else in Southport CBD has been declared a Priority the document. Development Area (PDA) under the new state The City of Gold Coast is already Australia’s second Economic Development Act rather than having a local largest local government area in population size and is area plan in the draft planning scheme. Development also geographically diverse: for example there are high applications within a PDA will be decided by the density tourist areas, quieter beaches, suburban Minister (currently Jeff Seeney) under the Economic residential areas, canal estates and hinterland living Development Act rather than by the Council under the areas. Without local area plans to deal with local Sustainable Planning Act (SPA). As Council’s website differences, the new planning scheme risks imposing a puts it, ‘PDA status will remove barriers, boost ‘one size fits all’ approach to design and placemaking. developer confidence and facilitate economic By contrast, Brisbane City Council has recognised the development.’ need for local planning across its large area by The use of PDAs to allow the Minister to fast‐track including 61 neighbourhood plans in the new Brisbane development without the checks and balances City Plan. available under the Sustainable Planning Act A number of the local area plans in the current Gold potentially reduces opportunities for the community Coast planning scheme have been fine‐tuned over to influence planning decisions in their local area. time in response to specific local concerns. An Protection of distinctive local character requires example of this is the Currumbin Hill local area plan, location‐specific design rules that balance economic, which includes special building design rules for environmental and social objectives. By deleting all development on this prominent coastal headland. local area plans, the draft planning scheme puts the The existing local area plans represent a significant special character of many local areas at risk. investment, not only by Council but also by local communities. This investment is at risk of being lost.

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CITY PLAN 2015 ARE TALLAI & WORONGARY BEING TARGETED FOR DEVELOPMENT?

By Debbie Overell

I believe the development of the Gold Coast has been on steroids for years.

It always amazes me to hear anyone say that with the strategic Framework map 1. Also as stated, “greenies” stop growth on the Gold Coast. The “avoiding sprawl outside our urban areas will protect moment I first set eyes on a semi‐ pristine Gold Coast our world‐class environment and spectacular scenic a mere 50 years ago I marvelled at how the sand blew amenity and help to ensure our investment in public over the single lanes of the Gold Coast Highway at infrastructure is environmentally and financially Broadbeach and Lennon’s Hotel was the only high rise sustainable.” in this area. It seems I only blinked and this City grew out of a coastal plain to become an urban metropolis. As a resident of this “buffer” zone I am deeply Who could have stopped it? saddened to know that these areas could be investigated for urbanisation. To us they are a refuge Now we are supposed to be more worldly, educated from the hustle and bustle of urban life as well as a and aware of the broader issues of the environment at significant area of habitat for flora and fauna including hand but still some narrowly believe that urban possums, birds, kangaroos, and koalas. How much growth is the only way to prosper. So much so that more can we chip away before we finally come to the within the space of only half a century we are now conclusion enough is enough and what will be left at chipping away at our green edges to accommodate the end of another 50 years? more population growth. The leafy suburbs of Tallai and Worongary are now being targeted in the draft City Plan 2015 as being under investigation for inclusion into urban areas.

In previous schemes, these Park Living domains were identified as buffers against urban sprawl “to maintain and enhance a parkland living environment as a transitional area between the urban parts of the City and the rural and natural landscapes of the hinterland.” However, the previous State Government identified what is known as the urban footprint, which was intended to contain development and stop encroachment into rural areas. The map included these leafy Park At a recent Community Cabinet I was informed that if a Living areas within the urban footprint. Unfortunately significant number of residents in these suburbs spoke this now allows the Council to investigate these buffer out about their concerns in relation to this proposal zones for denser urban development as has been their voices would be heard and the investigation indicated in the Strategic Framework Map 1 of the may be questioned. draft City Plan 2015. Ironically, the Strategic intent of the draft plan states: “This City Plan represents a If you as a resident value the intent of the Park Living major shift from development on the city's fringe to environment it is important that you have your say on redevelopment of urban centres and key inner‐city whether you believe your suburb should change by neighbourhoods. This ensures our existing non‐urban putting in a submission during the public consultation areas, places like the hinterland ranges and foothills, period to the draft City Plan 2015 via the Council are protected.” This statement appears to conflict website: www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au.

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STRANDED ASSETS: ADVERTORIAL How Australia’s economy is at risk because of the shift in global coal demand

Australian Ethical interviewed Ben Caldecott, founder and director the Stranded Assets Programme at the University of Oxford’s Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, on his recent tour of Australia. Here’s an abridged version.

Stranded Assets ‐ Quick facts • The world’s top scientists estimate that global temperatures will rise by up to 6 degrees in the next century if we continue to burn fossil fuels at current rates. • Consequently numerous industrialised nations are starting to take action to reduce their emissions and shift to a low‐carbon energy future – this includes China which is currently Australia’s largest exporter of coal. • Despite this, Australia plans to invest over $100 billion in new coal mining developments over the next 15 years. This includes: nine mega mines in Queensland’s Galilee Basin and the controversial Maules Creek coal mine in NSW’s Leard State Forest. • Whether we like it or not, Australians’ savings are being used to fund many of these projects which could be over valued and at risk of becoming stranded assets. • At‐risk assets exist throughout our financial and economic systems, from coal‐fired power stations to certain types of farmland, and there could be a significant over‐exposure to such risks within current investor portfolios.

Australian Ethical: Which assets are most at risk in importer and is now a price setter. Therefore, falling Australia in the short term & why? demand will have an impact on price and that’s how it Ben: We haven’t looked at all the sectors in as much will impact Australia, not necessarily through market depth as coal, but from our research, I think it’s fair to share but through pricing. say the Australian sector that’s most at risk from a AE: What is the risk to Australia if we continue to reduction in Chinese demand is thermal coal–which is ignore the risk of stranded assets? Are everyday obviously a big part of the economy. You have Australian’s savings and superannuation at risk? forecasts from a number of reputable analysts at Ben: Australia is very exposed to both carbon risk and Citibank, Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Bernstein, all saying Chinese demand risk. That could be a very risky peak demand for coal will be between 2016 and 2020. strategy that could impact every Australian. Our analysis looking at environmental risks suggests that it might actually be closer to 2016 than 2020. The complacency among some investors is quite staggering but I guess this is partly because it is hard AE: How long do you think it will take for coal to to diversify away from these risks if your investment become stranded? universe is only invested in large Australian Ben: Higher cost production in Australia is going to be companies. the first hit towards being stranded assets. I think there is some low cost coal that may have quite a lot of This information is for general information only and value still left in it, but, in my opinion, in 40 or 50 years does not take into account your personal financial a coal‐fired power station will be a very rare thing situation or needs. Consider obtaining financial advice indeed. tailored to your personal circumstances. AE: How reliant is the Australian economy on its coal To read the full interview and more on the exports in general, and to China more specifically? groundbreaking report “Stranded Down Under? Ben: Australian exports of coal to China are something Environment‐related factors changing China’s like 20% of total coal exports from Australia–the point demand for coal and what this means for Australian is that China, only recently in 2009, became a net coal assets”, go to www.australianethical.com.au/

About Australian Ethical: Australian Ethical is a fund manager with a difference. It only offers !00% ethical superannuation and man‐ aged funds. It is the only superannuation fund in Australia that doesn’t invest in coal, oil or CSG. Established in 1986, it now has over 20,000 investors that have chosen to invest their life savings ethically with them. To learn more go to http://www.australianethical.com.au

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NATURE TALKS

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NATURE TALKS WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE THE SLOW PATH

By Lois Levy

April’s Guest Speaker—naturalist Arthur Woods—is a Arthur spent many years as a volunteer guide at both Life Member of Gecko. He’s spent many years Fleay’s Wildlife Park and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. supporting Gecko’s work and contributing in an active When he didn’t know the answer to a question, he way to two of our bushcare groups at Nicol’s Scrub in would research around the subject, always learning Currumbin Valley and Elanora Wetlands. new things about wildlife conservation.

From his earliest memories, to his travels around Arthur was intrigued to learn about animals such as Australia and the Gold Coast, to his days as a the Phascogale, a small marsupial rat‐like creature volunteer at wildlife parks, Arthur Woods has learnt with extremely dextrous feet that lives in the hollows about nature by immersing himself in his of old trees, feeding on grubs and termites. surroundings and investigating what he saw. He also entertained us with the question: “Where He grew up in Engadine, just south of Sydney, in the would you find a kangaroo’s belly button?” After days when there were still lots of wild places for active some conjecture, he revealed that they don’t have boys to explore and enjoy. He related some of the one. Wikipedia describes what happens, “the egg (still adventures he and his mates had running barefoot in contained in the evolutionary remnant of a shell, a few the bush, eating from native plants when they got micrometres thick, and with only a small quantity of hungry (similar to the way Aboriginal people eat from yolk within it) descends from the ovary into the uterus. the land) and developing a profound love for the There it is fertilised and quickly develops into a Australian bush. As Australian animals are mainly neonate.” nocturnal, he saw little wildlife except snakes, which he learned to treat with respect and leave to go their Arthur said that the biggest change in his lifetime was own way. the impact of more and more people on our wildlife, which has led him to the sad conclusion that humans On leaving school, Arthur trained in carpentry and and wildlife cannot successfully coexist. travelled widely around Australia, always learning about the bush wherever he went.

When he and his wife, Beth, moved to the Gold Coast they spent many happy hours exploring the tracks in Springbrook and Lamington National Parks. They were somewhat bemused by people on the same tracks hurrying by without really looking and enjoying the magnificent trees, vines and the occasional glimpse of a bird or small member of the kangaroo family. On one walk in their early days of bushwalking, they were puzzled by what they thought was the sound of a crying baby, before finally realising it was the call of the Green Isaac Wishart found this slow path in one of Arthur’s favourite Catbird. Springbrook tracks LeafTales - June 2014 17

LEAFY TALES PIERAH THE PLATYPUS

By Dereka Ogden

ierah—an Aboriginal word meaning the lucky. They are very shy creatures, and mostly they moon—lives on a creek bank in a long, resting hunt at night.” P burrow, where she sleeps about 12 hours a day. When she wakes up she is really hungry and she As Pierah realises they are not going to hurt her, she waddles out of the burrow to try to find something to goes about looking for food again and eventually the eat. humans go away.

“I’d like some juicy worms for my breakfast,” she says, Pierah lives by herself usually, but one day a male thinking of how she loves to dig in the mud on the platypus came along and they mated so her eggs were creek bottom, with her bill. As she slides into the fertilised. When she needed to lay her eggs she had water she uses her front webbed feet to paddle along. to dig a longer, deeper burrow. Now she is curled Her tail and back legs steer her. She catches some around her 2 eggs waiting for them to hatch. After insect larvae in her mouth, which is under her bill, and about 4 weeks they hatch, but the babies have no hair she stores the larvae in her cheeks until she climbs out so they must stay close to Pierah to keep warm and to on to the creek bank where she can really enjoy them. suck milk as it leaks out of her skin on her tummy. When she’s eaten those she slides back into the water and senses some yabbies in their holes in the bank. Pierah still has to go out to catch food, so she piles up Digging them out she carries them to the bank to eat the mud to make little doors all the way along the them too. burrow. She does this because she’s afraid a water rat might come in and eat her babies. The babies hate While she’s under water she has her eyes and ears closed and she only knows where the food is by feeling the Jamie Kruusmaa took this photo of the water move and strange sensations in elusive platypus in Currumbin Creek her bill as the prey moves.

One morning, very early, just before the sun is up, she is digging for worms. When she comes to the surface and opens her eyes she hears a human shouting,

“Look, look, a platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)!”

Instantly she growls and dives down to the bottom again, because she’s afraid of humans. She eventually has to come to the surface her going out, but she tries to come back very quickly. again to breathe, and she sees those same humans She comes out of the water all wet, but as she pushes there, but she sees they are on a bridge keeping very through the mud doors, the water is squeezed out of still and whispering. She hears a little boy say, “Isn’t it her fur, so that the burrow is still nice and dry when lovely? We are so lucky to see a platypus. None of my she gets back. friends has seen one.” “Mummy I’m so cold and hungry,” they cry and they His father agrees with him and tells him, “We are very cuddle up to her nice warm body.

Continued on p.19

18 LeafTales - June 2014

GECKO EVENT Celebrating National Volunteers Day

We always welcome any excuse to celebrate our volunteers—and National Volunteers Day was a perfect example.

Thanks to our HR team, Jennifer and Anne, for making it happen (not to mention Jen’s delicious roast and Anne’s yummy curry). Thanks to all who made it fun—and for the food you brought, too.

We roasted marshmallows in the pizza oven (a hit!) and generally celebrated each other.

Lynda with our youngest volunteer, Aram.

Without the whole team of volunteers who drive Gecko day‐in and day‐out, we’d not be able to do so much for the environment. So an even bigger thank you to all of the Roselle, Anne, Jennifer, Lynda, Cheryl, more‐than‐100 volunteers for your Ian, Rob, Matt obviously enjoyed the commitment, whether you made it on the night! night or not. Lynda Hull

LEAFY TALES Pierah the Platypus … Continued from p.18

Soon they are warm too and sucking away at the slide and it seems as if he is taking forever to reach the puddles of milk on her tummy. water. Really he is very lucky because the creek bank is very slippery even though it doesn’t feel like it in his When the babies, called Pengana (a hawk) and Pangari panic, and he manages to quickly slide into the water. (a shadow or of the soul), grow and have all their fur, The owl glides on over the water to look for something they learn how to catch their food too. else to eat, sorry he missed a platypus supper. The three platypuses under the water are shaking from the Pengana decides to stay on the creek bank one night fright they had, that one of them was almost snatched because he feels lazy and he likes to look up at the by the owl. They think they are very lucky. stars. It’s so beautiful with no clouds in the sky. He is just lying there when Pangari is starting to climb out of Soon Pangari and Pengana grow up and the 3 the water with Mummy and they both shout out, platypuses all go off and make their own resting “Quickly slide into the water Pengana. There’s an owl burrows and live by themselves. up in that tree and it’s looking this way.” We must try to keep the rivers and creeks clean so Pengana looks around, hearing nothing but then he that platypuses can live there. We should also try to sees an owl flying towards him like a pale flash. keep the banks well planted with native trees and Mummy and Pangari duck under the water. plants to stop them falling apart and washing away. Platypuses need all those insects and yabbies that live “Help,” Pengana calls out, even though no one can do in creeks, so we should not use poisons to kill pests in anything to help him. He thinks the bank is too dry to our gardens.

LeafTales - June 2014 19

SIMPLY SPEAKING In this column, Gecko President Lynda Hull tackles issues which affect our world yet tend to get complicated. SPRINGBROOK NATIONAL PARK

is PROTECTED as a World Heritage Listed Rainforest because it “represents a major stage of the earth's evolutionary history”

PROTECTED because of its delicate ecosystem PROTECTED as part of the most extensive areas of subtropical forests in the world PROTECTED as a unique, isolated remnant of Mount Warning shield volcano PROTECTED because it is only 2500 hectares in area PROTECTED because some of its wildlife and flora appear NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD PROTECTED as the head of our water supply PROTECTED for its waterfalls and rare ancient beech trees PROTECTED because we keep discovering new species in this ancient forest PROTECTED because it has the most rare and threatened species of any area in South East Queensland

What part of PROTECTED do developers not understand?

20 LeafTales - June 2014