Volume 26 No 4
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Newsletter Moreton Island Protection Committee Inc. PO Box 2182 Ashgrove West QLD 4060 Phone 07 3321 1463 Print Post Approved PP414772/00002 Volume 30 No 2 April to June 08 AGM Saturday 9th August at Fort Lytton See back page for details Resort proposed for Cape Moreton The Premier Anna Bligh and the Minister for and cottages to the State Government as the body Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley most likely to ensure conservation of the site for the Boyle announced in the Sunday Mail Page 3, 11th enjoyment of all visitors to Moreton Island. May the Government’s intention to promote the The lighthouse itself is still owned by AMSA and so development of an eco-lodge using the existing cannot be part of the resort as proposed. Two of the lighthouse and surrounding infrastructure. This cottages provide residential accommodation for proposal was one of 10 proposals identified in the Rangers. Rangers in residence are well placed to Regional Tourism Investment and Infrastructure Plan ensure whale watching boats are complying with developed by Tourism Queensland and Brisbane regulations, and to maintain a presence in the most Marketing. The Government hopes to attract private remote part of Moreton on their way to and from companies to develop and build the projects. headquarters at Ben Ewa. The Premier stated “While tourism has charted strong The third cottage houses the Information Centre for growth, now more than ever, we need to ensure we Moreton as well as a bunk house which is used to have a plan in place to be a competitive and attractive accommodate Park volunteer workers and contractors destination over the next 20 years.” It is hard to carrying out park maintenance. imagine how being able to offer resort Over the years there have been many proposals to accommodation for a handful of tourists, in the “develop” Moreton Island. Many of these proponents existing 3 lighthouse cottages is going to significantly of development are unaware of the hard work that enhance Brisbane as a tourist destination. has gone into retaining Moreton in its pristine state. In the mid 90’s the Australian Marine Safety Mining proposals in the 80’s provided a focus for the Authority (AMSA), a Federal Government body had a community to demand Moreton become mostly policy of divesting itself of lighthouse keeper National Park, so that both Brisbane people and cottages and land surrounding lighthouses to decrease tourists can enjoy a natural Moreton Island. A wide costs. One of AMSA’s options was to sell the range of accommodation is currently available for cottages and land to a developer, which MIPC tourists on Moreton making the proposed eco resort opposed. Instead MIPC strongly supported the at the Cape unnecessary.………………………….. transfer of the land Cont Page 2 Combie Trader Service to cease MICat has announced its intention to purchase the service to Bulwer. However departure from Bulwer shop, the petrol station, cabins and the ferry Scarborough will cease. …………………………… service. MICat intends to provide a limited ……….cont Page 3 Moreton Island Protection Feral Pigs reduced. extensive baiting runs pig numbers Committee Inc. At the beginning of this year feral will be reduced to a level where pig tracks and sightings became aerial baiting will no longer be PO Box 2182 Ashgrove West 4060 very common around Moreton required. www.moretonisland.org.au Island. Newly planted plants The new Natural Resources Ranger email planted by MIPC volunteers at the for Moreton Bay Islands, Andy North Point campground and the Quirk is responsible for the feral [email protected] re-vegetation site below the grave pig control programme. Phone (07) 3321 1463 at the Cape were being dug up by More information on “PIG OUT” Executive Members foraging pigs. The Park’s pig can be found on Animal Control President control programme had lapsed due Technologies website Alan Genninges 0428 783781 to delays in registration of the new www.animalcontrol.com.au Vice President safer bait “PIG OUT”. Alan Marissa Grant 3216 2377 Dugong sighted. Secretary Beth Crawter 3371 1329 In early May a baiting programme Off duty experienced Rangers Assist secretary Nanette Kempel using 1080 poison delivered in a sighted a dugong in the waters Treasurer Pam Schindler new type of bait was commenced. below the First Light keepers Executive Committee In accessible areas baits were cottage at the Cape during the day buried, and in inaccessible areas on Thursday the 3rd July. The Linda Back 3366 1292 baits were delivered by helicopter. unusual sighting was confirmed Susan Bedford 1080 although highly toxic to pigs, with binoculars. Gordon Bennet 3399 6351 has a low toxicity to native Patricia Cavanagh Australian animals. Turtles washed up Janet Dovers On the 5th July, a visitor to the Dennis Maher 3369 1681 Prior to poison bait laying, the new Information Centre reported to Leonie Hegvold style of bait, without poison was Cape volunteers the location of 5 Schona McKeown 3389 0133 tested to ensure baits were turtles that had been washed Statement of Aims desirable to pigs, and were not ashore. Some had already been 1. To promote the preservation of Moreton taken by native animals. The new recorded by rangers with a total of Island as a natural area to be managed for public type of large sausage shaped bait 8 turtles washed up for the week. recreation and enjoyment provided always that can be eaten by pigs, but due to the Two of these had tags. the recreational uses are consistent with conservation aims. baits large size and texture the Note; Turtles marked with a yellow 2. To foster the conservation of the vegetation, poison in the centre is not able to cross across their backs have been fauna and natural features of Moreton. be eaten by native Moreton recorded by Rangers. 3. To facilitate public awareness and animals. An infra red triggered appreciation of Moreton Island as a natural area camera on Moreton confirmed that …………….. Cont Page 1 and encourage support for its preservation and management in accordance with these objects. test baits were taken by pigs and Resort proposed for 4. To co-operate with, or promote co-operation were not being consumed by native Cape Moreton by any means with and among persons, trusts, animals. Scavengers, such as highly Now is the time to express your corporations, firms, associations, institutions, susceptible dogs and foxes eating opposition to the Cape Moreton governments, instrumentalities or government, municipal authorities and other bodies in the poisoned pigs, can only be becoming a resort to; Commonwealth or its Territories or elsewhere poisoned if they eat the remains of The Premier, for the purpose of carrying out any object of the the bait in the pig’s stomach. Once The Hon Ms Anna Bligh organisation. exposed to rain the baits lose their PO Box 15185 5. To oppose any development or usage of toxicity. It is extremely unlikely Moreton Island which is contrary to the CITY EAST QLD 4002 preservation and good management of the island that native animals will eat the in accordance with these objects. poison, and if they do they are 6. Generally, to take such lawful action as it unlikely to be affected, given the The Hon Desley Boyle, considers necessary or appropriate in the low toxicity of 1080 to native Minister for Tourism. Regional interests of promoting the preservation and good Australian animals. For instance it Development and Industry management of Moreton Island in accordance with these objects. has been calculated a bird of prey GPO Box 1141 The views expressed in this newsletter are not would have to consume more that BRISBANE QLD 4001 necessarily those of the Moreton Island 10kg of flesh from a recently dead Protection Committee or its members. pig at one time to receive a dose to Contributions to this newsletter are welcome, Thanks for all the pots! but the editors accept no responsibility for put the bird at risk. (Brochure by alterations made to articles. Animal Control Technologies) The north point nursery now has a Printed by Rex Leo ph. 3878 5248 substantial collection of pots Editors; Alan Genninges, Linda Bach, The May baiting run has resulted in adequate for the foreseeable future. Chris Hall. a significant reduction in pig Merv thanks all those who numbers. A follow up programme th contributed their left over pots. … Printed 14 July 2008 of aerial and buried baiting is …..Cont page 1 planned for July. It is anticipated that after three or four more Combie Trader Service to cease Residents on the Redcliffe Peninsular with houses at Interested in becoming a Cape Bulwer will have to travel to Port of Brisbane, and then on reaching Moreton will mostly have to drive Information Centre Volunteer? from The Wrecks. MICat has also stated that it will Registered volunteers are required to commit to not be able to compete with the prices currently staffing the Cape Information Centre once a year. offered by the Combie Trader of $124 each for 10 Rangers are generally unable to staff the centre due vehicle tickets and $28.50 each for 20 foot passenger to other commitments. Parks training includes tickets. how the visitor booking system works In a press release on 21st May 2008, “the ACCC noted work place health and safety the strong concerns from residents of Scarborough, protocols in dealing with the public Bulwer and surrounding area about the loss of the All volunteers bring with them their own particular ferry service currently provided by the Combie knowledge about Moreton which they can impart to Trader” The ACCC investigated the purchase and interested visitors to the Information Centre.