Latest environmental and campaign news
Campaign Updates
Media enquiries: Cathie Agg 0425 720 763
1 February 2011
Quick facts - ‘No more talking while our wildlife disappears,’ says Bob Irwin
AN URGENT national campaign is currently underway to halt the destruction of a pristine marine wilderness next to World Heritage listed Fraser Island. View media release
20 January 2011
Tin Can Bay provides a safe haven for marine species from muddy floodwaters
Floodwaters currently inundating the Queensland coast are expected to cause extensive damage to the critical food source and habitat of endangered marine species. View media release
December 2010
Bob Irwin video of Tin Can Inlet
SEE NEW VIDEO Steve Irwin's dad asks for your help! Bob Irwin calls on people everywhere to help protect this marine wilderness from being developed.
10 November 2010
“Enough is Enough! says Bob Irwin. This is no longer a local issue. I need your help!”
On the eve of ‘Steve Irwin Day’ (Nov 15), Bob Irwin, father of the late Steve Irwin, in a rare plea is calling on one million people to urgently ‘Click and Save’ Tin Can Bay. View media release
5 October 2010
Latest News - Bob Irwin Now Championing Click and Save Tin Can Bay Campaign
“Soon there will be nowhere left for our wildlife to breed and live” says Bob. Our target is 1 million clicks! We need your help.
The full media release can be downloaded from this link: BOB IRWIN TO CHAMPION NATIONAL CAMPAIGN
17 September 2010
Green group battles marina plans
ABC News Report by Kallee Buchanan: “A Tin Can Bay environment group says it is taking its campaign against a marina development to the Federal Government.” The full ABC news article can be viewed here
13 September 2010
Media Release - Click and Save Tin Can Bay Campaign
Australians have just a small window of opportunity to have their voice heard in protest against the development, before a final decision is made as early as November 2010. The full media release can be downloaded from this link: Click and Save Tin Can Bay
25 August 2010
Notice and invitation to comment under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Preliminary documentation has been provided by the Seymour Group in relation to the Fraser Straits Marina proposed for Snapper Creek
This documentation can be viewed at the Gympie Council Chambers at 242 Mary Street, Gympie. The documentation and further information is not available on the Fraser Straits Marina website.
The documentation is available for viewing for the 20 business days from Tuesday 25 August 2010 until 23 September 2010 and comments are invited until the closing date of 5pm on 21 September 2010.
The EPBC Act details can be found at the EPBC link for referral 2008/4633
After the closing date for comments, KS9 / Seymour Group has unlimited time to revise its information based on comments received. Following lodgement of its revised information it has 10 days to republish its preliminary documentation with the comments received.
The Minister has 40 business days from lodgement to make a decision on whether to approve the proposed action, approve with conditions, or not approve. This means that a final decision on EPBC process can be expected no later than at the end of February early March.
20 May 2010
Meeting with Carlo Creek marina proponent and consulting firm
Earlier this week the marina campaign committee met with the proponent of the Carlo Creek marina development and a representative from Cardno the engineering consulting firm engaged for this proposed project. This preliminary meeting forms part of the EIS requirement to consult with the community.
The committee expressed our concern about the wider environmental impacts, the lack of detail on the project to date (including highly questionable assumptions about the economic value), the validity of modelling on the impacts of the marina. the inappropriateness of this type of development in these narrow waterways as well as the lack of planning and foresight into the potential differentiation of the region. We await further communication over the coming months as the EIS is prepared.
23 April 2010
Marina developer lodges an appeal against council conditions
On the 13th April Fraser Straits Marina Pty Ltd filed a Notice of Appeal with the Planning and Environment Court in relation to Gympie Regional Council imposed conditions mainly related to infrastructure contributions. The Gympie Times: Marina developer appeals council.
27 March 2010
Minister Kate Jones announces joint State and Australian government bid to include Cooloola in Fraser Island World Heritage area
We belive this sentence says it all.. "World Heritage areas are places of such outstanding signficance that their qualities make them universally unique and worthy of protection for future generations, and the Queensland government believes Cooloola has that signficance." (Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, The Honourable Kate Jones).
To make a comment in support of this listing please e-mail world.heritage@derm.qld.gov.au or comment via this link to DERM web site.
21 February 2010
Community groups unite in the marina campaign
Local community groups opted to band together as a co-operative in order to most effectively harnass available community resources in the ongoing battle against the Snapper Creek and Carlo Point marina developments. Environmental issues being a major focus of this campaign.
10 February 2010
Gympie Regional Council gives final approval for the Snapper Creek marina (including conditions)
The community was disappointed that the Gympie Regional Council approved this marina despite the considerable opposition to it by residents. However, the community vowed to fight on with the EPBC process now the focus of our campaign.
Media Updates
14 March 2011
Pacific Year of the Dugong respect and protect
A fantastic new initiative from UNEP/CMS and the Pacific Regional Environment Program. This is a regional campaign aimed at increasing protection of dugongs and their habitats by raising awareness, improving knowledge and fostering to save Dugongs partnerships for conservation of dugongs and their habitats.
Read more about this initiative at the Pacific Regional Environment Program web site30 June 2011
Bob Irwin calls for a stop to cruel indigenous hunting
From Sydney Morning Herald:Bob Irwin says Queensland must review its animal cruelty laws to stop the suffering of endangered species taken by indigenous hunters. View web page
30 June 2011
Plastic is deadly to sea turtles
From ABC News:A green sea turtle has been found dead on a New South Wales beach with more than 300 pieces of plastic in its digestive system. View web page
5 March 2011
Bob Irwin interview on Urban Jungle Radio
Listen to Bob talk at length on Urban Jungle Radio about threats to Australian wildlife and hear his views on what needs to be done to protect our wildlife into the future
23 February 2011
Scientists gain fresh insight to travel diaries of dugongs
From Cairns News: DUGONGS have been tracked for the first time swimming across the shark-infested stretch of ocean between Torres Strait and Papua New Guinea View web page
17 February 2011
Calls grow for more dugong protection
From Cairns News: THE Crocodile Hunter's father has called for greater protection of dugongs, as the Federal Government trains traditional owners to assist in the battle against illegal hunters View web page
11 February 2011
Critics predicted damage to Port Hinchinbrook
From Sydney Morning Herald: A secret Queensland Harbours and Marine Department report from the 1970s had rejected the Port Hinchinbrook Marina site as an unsuitable place to carve a new harbour because it would ‘fail to fulfil the prime functions of a boat harbour’ View web page
8 February 2011
Irwin: Act now or lose Bay
From Gympie Times: WILDLIFE campaigner Bob Irwin has stepped up his campaign against the Norman Point marina, as the deadline looms for a federal decision on the proposal View web page
20 January 2011
Flood run-off will kill dugongs: experts
From ninemsn.com.au Environmental experts warn dugongs will be Queensland's next flood victims as plumes of contaminated sediment pour into the ocean View web page
19 January 2011
Scientists hit the coast to assess the impact of floods on Qld marine life
From Qld Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Kate Jones: Teams of scientists are hitting the waters of Moreton Bay today as part of a statewide program to assess the impacts of the floods on Queensland’s marine environment. View Ministerial Media Statement
12 January 2011
Floods and their impact on seagrasses and fish
For a perspective on the importance of seagrasses to fish see this Fishing World article by Dr Ben Diggles with a focus on seagrasses in Moreton Bay and Pumicestone Passage / Bribie Island areas.
19 December 2010
Qld Biodiversity Strategy – a plan for protecting our precious environment
Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones today released Queensland’s first ever Biodiversity Strategy, providing a whole-of-state blueprint for ensuring the conservation of our special natural areas and diverse wildlife for future generations. Read the Minister's full statement Queensland Govt Ministerial Media Statements web site. Visit the DERM A Draft Biodiversity Strategy for Queensland web page to find out more.
26 October 2010
Joint media statement from Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage Greg Hunt with the Federal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch - ‘Push for National Dugong and Turtle Protection Plan Begins’
Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch and Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage Greg Hunt launched a push to establish a National Dugong & Turtle Protection Plan in Parliament last night. The duo called for bipartisan support to save the majestic creatures from unnecessary slaughter. Read the full media release here Push for National Dugong and Turtle Protection Plan Begins
20 October 2010
From the Gympie Times - ‘Bob Irwin Act Now to Save the Sandy Straits’
Australians who criticise Japanese whaling or Asia’s treatment of orangutans need to look in their own backyard and stop rapacious state government policies in the Great Sandy Straits and Fraser Island, wildlife warrior Bob Irwin said at Tin Can Bay yesterday. Read the full Gympie Times article here Bob Irwin Act Now to Save the Sandy Straits
14 October 2010
From the Gympie Times - ‘Bob Irwin Backs Tin Can Bay Marina Protest’
The backing of high-profile wildlife campaigner Bob Irwin has given a massive boost to the campaign against the proposed Norman Point marina at Tin Can Bay. Read the full Gympie Times article here Bob Irwin Backs Tin Can Bay Marina Protest
7 October 2010
Sea cow, origin of mythical mermaid, threatened with extinction, UN warns
Dugongs, or sea cows, believed to be the source of mermaid legends, are threatened with extinction within 40 years. View UN web page
6 October 2010
From the Gympie Times - ‘Bob Irwin Backs Fights to Save Norman Point’
Bob Irwin, renowned wildlife conservationist and founder of Australia Zoo, is calling on all Australians to lend their voice and help protect Tin Can Bay’s vitally important inhabitants. Read the full Gympie Times article here Bob Irwin Backs Fights to Save Norman Point
18 September 2010
From the Gympie Times - ‘Australians Urged to Click and Save Bay’
Carole Gillies, president of the Southern Sandy Straits Marine Environmental Group, said the battle to save one of the “few outstanding ecosystems” on Australia’s east coast had now escalated to a federal issue. Read the full Gympie Times article here Australians Urged to Click and Save Bay
22 May 2010
WWF - 2010 International Year of Dugong
WWF in Japan are fighting to save a small dugong population from extinction as a result of a proposed US Marine Corps facility. "Dugongs are now believed to be an endangered species in Japan. In 2006, WWF Japan designated 2010 as "International Year of Dugong". This year, it hopes to raise awareness about the plight of this graceful mammal." Raising awareness of the plight of these animals around the world is incredibly important if we are to save them from extinction. We hope you help out by spreading the word among your friends and family. WWF 2010 International Year of Dugong
1-2 May 2010
Cruel reality that's killing native wildlife (Glenis Green, Courier Mail)
An interview with Bob Irwin reveals his belief that dugong, turtles as well other species including the koalo, cassowaries and dingoes are all heading for extinction unless the government takes action. "Australia's native animals have become collateral damage in a society consumed by greed and apathy." For more infomation head to the Bob Irwin Wildlife Fund web site.
28 April 2010
Dugong found dead in a net near Cairns
Following the discovery of 3 dead dugong in a net the WWF and Indigenous leaders have called for a full investigation amid reports of an illegal trade in dugong and turtle meat. The death of 3 dugong is a major blow to the survival of the species due to their long life cycle. WWF media relese
1 April 2010
Marine rubbish impacts on turtles
UQ researcher Dr Kathy Townsend is heading to the US to lead a discussion around the impacts of marine rubbish on turtles for the Earthwatch Institute. UQ media release
1 April 2010
Dredging threatens dugongs in Gladstone
The development in Gladstone Harbour to support the LNG export contracts is another example of seagrass destruction related to development spoil. Dugong are the big losers. The Australian: Dredging threatens dugongs
26 March 2010
Bay turtle deaths rise; Encroaching humans hit ecosystem (Brian Williams, Courier Mail)
This article outlined concerns for the survival of turtles in Moreton Bay with disease being linked to their environment on top of the existing pressures from boat strike and marine debris. "About 200 of the gentle marine creatures are found dead in the Bay each year but the toll is thought to be much higher." UQ research media release