Tree clearing, not urban sprawl, wiping out koalas in Queensland, WWF says

Environmentalists estimate that tree clearing in regional and rural Queensland is now 15 times more destructive to the state’s koala populations than urban sprawl.

The clearing of agricultural land in Queensland is putting
koalas under threat, say environmentalists. 

Development, and the loss of koala habitat for housing and infrastructure, was considered a key reason why the koala was added to the “vulnerable” species list in 2012.

But analysis by WWF conservation scientist Martin Taylor challenges the idea that the state’s koala populations are most at threat by the growth of Brisbane, the Gold Coast and sunshine coast.

Taylor concludes that of more than 5,000 estimated koala deaths due to loss of habitat in Queensland from 2012 to 2016, almost 94% occurred outside the heavily developed south-east.

Read the story by Ben Smee from The Guardian - “Tree clearing, not urban sprawl, wiping out koalas in Queensland, WWF says.”

Two-thirds of Australians think reef crisis is 'national emergency' – poll

A scientist assesses coral on the Great Barrier
 Reef. Australians support strong measures to
 protect it, a poll shows.

More than two-thirds of Australians think the condition of the Great Barrier Reef should be declared a “national emergency” and support much stronger measures to protect it than are now being considered.

On Thursday the government released its report on the reef to Unesco, which was a condition of the reef being excluded from the UN body’s “world heritage in-danger” list. The government reported slow progress on the key issue of water quality and the failure of a major plank in the plan – slowing tree clearing in Queensland.

An Essential Research poll of more than 1,000 people found 68% of people agreed that the reef should be declared a “national emergency”.

Read Michael Slezak’s story in The Guardian - “Two-thirds of Australians think reef crisis is 'national emergency' – poll.”

Tree clearing clamp down creates backlash for Labor

The divisive issue of tree clearing.

Federal Labor's push to clamp down on tree clearing has created backlash in farming communities in the key state of Queensland, putting the Opposition on a collision course with rural electorates.

As part of its new-look climate change policy, Labor has threatened to override state governments that fail to put the brakes on vegetation clearing.

Clearing involves bulldozing trees, or ripping them from the ground with a large metal chain, to make way for agriculture or development.

"I think you need to trust the people who are on the land and who have managed the land for many generations," Queensland grazier Nikki Cameron said.

Read the ABC story - “Land clearing laws spark backlash from Queensland farmers as Labor pledges federal takeover.”

(Nikki Cameron’s observation about farmers having managed the land for many generations is obviously true, but the facts that guided those generations, which are now being followed by the existing generation have changed and we need to think what former economist the late John Maynard Keynes said: "When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?"

Today’s climate, in every sense, is different than what it was just a generation ago and what was once appropriate, no longer is – Robert McLean).

Queensland Government to tighten up tree clearing regulations

T

he Queensland Government has revealed it is investigating 35 alleged illegal tree clearing cases in the state and has vowed to tighten legislation.

In a statement provided to Landline, the Government said the alleged offences were in addition to eight finalised vegetation incidences.

The State Government said tree clearing legislation would be tightened, while "taking a considered approach to implementing protections that will promote sustainable agriculture as well as addressing increases in carbon emissions and the long-term health of the Great Barrier Reef".

An environmental row is coming to a head in Queensland, as green groups and farmers fight it out over the controversial land clearing laws.

Read the ABC story - “Queensland Government vows to tighten land clearing legislation amid 35 illegal cases”.