MEMO
11th August 1999
webink@pasdex.com.au
http://users.pasdex.com.au/~webink
Comments On DNR Lease Myrtletown/Luggage Point
Enclosed is our comments regarding these lands.
We believe that they contain significant environmental, cultural and wider values that should be protected. These significant values and its proximity to luggage point make these lands unsuitable for industrial development. The proposed development for the land has design features that will only worsen the negative impacts. The proposed marina with no flushing regime will be quickly eutrophied by the sewage plume bought into it by the incoming tides. This water quality will result in possible environmental harm and represent a public and workplace health hazard. The possibility of aerosolic pathogen transfer from the aeration system of the treatment works also raises questions about increasing workplace population densities in the area.
If the land was retained as a landscape reserve until the determination of any native title claims it would represent a far better use of public crown land.
Environmental values
Fisheries
This area has a high rehabilitation potential for mangrove and saltmarsh communities. Further upstream on Boggy Creek there are mature remnant mangrove forest including trees with a DBH of >1500mm(See attached photo). These upstream reserves will ensure any restoration works in this area will be effective.
These estuarine ecosystems will be able to host a larger number of invertebrates and provide sustainable habitat for other fauna.
Biodiversity
This area is an important habitat for the local population of Rainbow Bee-Eater. Attached is list of bird species observed on the site recently. Some of the migratory birds are covered by the JAMBA and CAMBA agreements. Marsupial and rodent monitoring is now underway nearby.
It is important to note the lease site contains the only accessible fresh water body remaining in the Myrtletown area. This makes the site essential for local fauna survival.
The area contains a stand of Yellow Mangroves and if grazing pressure were lessened it would allow this stand to recover and spread. If the grazing pressure were reduced it would allow for the regeneration of grey mangroves stands in the area.
Delta water systems
The Brisbane River delta is a poorly conserved landscape. The delta system is a very important source of freshwater and a critical filtration area for the maintenance of coastal water quality. The delta groundwater system has one of the largest freshwater discharges into the Bay, approximately eight times the volume of the Brisbane River outflow. The maintenance of water quality will be adversely affected by industrial development
Endangered Regional Ecosystem
The area contains an example of SEQ Regional Ecosystem 12.2.15 Swamps with Baumea spp., Juncus spp. and Lepironia articulata. The EPA notes this ecosystem is regarded as endangered south of Noosa ("The Conservation Status of Queensland's Bioregional Ecosystems" 1999, Sattler P & Williams R. EPA )
Cultural Values
The Turrbal Association are the registered native title claimants for the area and are interested that this area be protected and restored.
National Estate
This area could potentially be listed on the Register of the National estate under the following criteria:
Wider Community Benefit (Open Space)
The river mouth area is seen by all air and sea travellers and requires a significant retention of open space to present an attractive and inviting entrance statement to the city and region. This greenspace will complement the estuarine landscapes of Moreton Bay and help sustain the areas commercial and recreational fisheries.
Threatening Processes
The area is subject to a number of threatening processes including:
Inappropriate Grazing
Luggage Point Sewage Plume
Oil Spills
Industrial Development
This will have adverse groundwater and other hydrological impacts. It will destroy valuable habitat and reduce the sustainability of local fisheries.
Weeds
Major Hazard Risk from the BP Refinery
Illegal Dumping
Yours Sincerely
Michael Petter
Coordinator Brisbane Region Environment Council
Bird Species count from Myrtletown/Luggage Point
26/7/99 - 6/8/99
|
White faced heron |
Silver gull |
|
Pacific black duck |
Wood duck |
|
Royal spoonbill |
Yellow billed spoonbill |
|
Brown quail |
Brown falcon |
|
Silvereye |
Grey fantail |
|
Red backed wren |
Grey thrush |
|
Olive backed oriole |
Spangled Drongo |
|
Whistling kite |
Brown mangrove warbler |
|
Osprey |
Great white egret |
|
Lesser white egret |
Cattle egret |
|
Willy wagtail |
Tawny grass bird |
|
Pied stilt |
Eastern curlew |
|
Yellow faced honey eater |
Golden headed cistacola |
|
Spurwinged plover |
Black fronted dotterel |
|
Grey goshawk |
Nankeen kestrel |
|
Australian hobby |
Brahman kite |
|
Glossy ibis |
Sacred ibis |
|
Pied cormorant |
Mangrove kingfisher |
|
Black faced cuckoo shrike |
Fairy martin |
|
ustralian goshawk |
Richards pipette |
|
White breasted sea eagle |
Rainbow bee eater |
|
Mangrove heron |
Black shoulder kite |
|
Chestnut breasted teal |
Black cormorant |