1034-1106 Underwood Road Priestdale QLD 4127

This submission is one made, not in support of the proposal, but to identify reasons why it should not be allowed.

The land identified in this proposal is located immediately adjoining the Daisy Hill Conservation Park with its dedicated koala education facility, the Daisy Hill Koala Centre, established by the Queensland Government in 1995 and extensively refurbished in 2009 and most recently in 2018.
A large bushland area lying partially within the boundaries of Logan, Brisbane and Redlands was incorporated into one known as the Koala Coast, proclaimed in the 1970s to ensure the survival of Queensland’s dwindling and threatened Koala population. Within this area, Legislative control severely restricted development, removal of vegetation with Vegetation Protection Orders and even restricted recreational use.

As one of only two horse-mounted voluntary Park Rangers for Logan in the 70s, regular sightings of Koalas were made in and around the area identified in this proposal. Unfortunately, the Koala density has dwindled substantially since then. Now, being aware of this, both the State Government https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/koalas/conservation/draft-seq-koala-strategy
and Brisbane City are independantly enacting moves to ensure the survival of the Koala. This is mainly by purchasing and revegetating where necessary, suitable tracts of rural land to establish and increase wildlife conservation areas necessary for this species to survive.

The inappropriate location of the fenced (animal-proof and man proof) Buddist Temple already prevents unrestricted Koala movement through the region. Koalas will not simply walk around a new obstacle placed in a previously used path. The obstacle presents such mental stress that the Koala is unable to navigate an alternative, with dire consequences. To allow any extension of activities there would only contribute to other present issues likely to thwart successful implementation of moves to prevent futher loss of Koala bushland habitat necessary to ensure the survival of the Koala.

Conclusion: Because the proposal identifies increased urban intrusion and human activity into an already ‘restricted’ Koala conservation area and likely to negatively impact further upon this conservation, it should NOT be allowed.