The Redland City Council professes to promote protection of the environment, a very worthy ideal.
Signs are posted at numerous locations throughout the city encouraging residents to "Enjoy don't destroy" and warning that damage to trees and the environment by residents will possible incur a fine of $5000.
Despite this, the council is destroying the local environment.
Council personnel and subcontract companies are routinely spraying poisons, clearing the undercanopy or spreading mulch smothering native vegetation.
Council's budget could also be significantly improved if this wasteful expenditure was stopped.
A typical example of the environmental destruction is the Hilliards Creek area.
The areas behind the soft ball courts and adjacent to the Ormiston College have been left with ugly scars where all under canopy has been destroyed.
Not many years ago you could walk through this area and enjoy the magnificent sight of red back wrens, fantails and small other small birds flitting in the area.
Their habitat has been totally devastated by this unwantant destruction.
Native grasses have been destroyed and the birds that were reliant upon the vegetation have disappeared.
Natural cover for skinks, lizards and ground dwelling creatures is now non-existent.
Council personnel are currently clearing vegetation adjacent to the playground on the corner of Sturgeon and Starkey Streets.
What is this trying to achieve? This vandalism must stop. The council should give itself a $5000 fine.
Peter Jackson, Ormiston
