Redland City Bulletin: Letters to the editor August 7, 2019

Considering the time that the railway line has been in operation, how long does it take to erect and maintain a koala proof fence?

Hopefully we will see some high quality professional journalist demand answers to the questions, starting with whose responsibility it is to maintain the koala proof fence, what action was taken after the first, second and third koala deaths, and what action has been taken now.

To get a sound basis for this investigation, it would be essential to have the record of all koala deaths with any associated information since the railway line became operational.

It would be no surprise if many koala deaths have not been reported.

When Brisbane City Council is talking about Brisbane becoming the koala capital of Australia, it is long overdue for governments to stop the hypocrisy of continuing to destroy wildlife habitat while talking conservation and present a plan of increasing the population with targets and time frames.

- D. Baxter, Alexandra Hills

Good to see a story about our local koalas (RCB, Jul 17).

I noticed a koala near my home, took some photos and videos and so thought I would report the sighting to the Redlands Wildlife Rescue as the story stated.

But no, I will not be doing this as you have to register, then log into an account and then submit a survey form

Sorry, but I'm not giving all my details to anyone just to report a sighting of a koala.

- C. Ford, Redlands

I refer to an article regarding the Toondah Harbour proposal (RCB, Jul 17).

Have I missed something here?

From reading the article "Toondah jobs should be local" one would be led to believe the project has been approved by the state/federal governments. Is this so?

Probably, I am one of many who believe Toondah, although it needs some improvements, should never be developed.

My understanding is that Toondah is a Ramsar site and should be protected... can anyone clarify this please?

- G. Ewer, Mount Cotton

I've been trying to ignore the chattering in the Redland City Bulletin about having our own botanic garden - with references made to the likes of Mount Tamborine, Roma Street Parkland and the suggestion by B. Geary of using the recently acquired 61.8 hectares of heritage land at Birkdale.

I just have to pipe up and bring some relevance and facts on board.

The original Southbank Parklands cost $100 million in 1992 to build on about 5 hectares. The Roma Street Parkland cost $54 million in 2000 on about 12 hectares. Annual operating costs at start-up were about $10 million and $4.5 million respectively.

It was Queensland government that had the vision and redeveloped, owned and operated both sites - until in more recent years having transitioned both to some BCC quango group - and with it a huge operational budget to accommodate and commercialise it for modest revenue.

BCC refused to take direct ownership of either site in the early days due to the running costs; so both remained state government sites for more than a decade. I had the privilege of working in a senior capacity at these sites for 12 years.

Redland City Council has absolutely no capacity to envisage, design, implement, drive or finance anything of the calibre of a botanical garden remotely compared to these.

RCC struggles just to mow our grass in the numerous reserves and nature strips.

I'm concerned about this council group Redland Investment Corporation running around buying up adhoc, expensive and questionable land parcels around our shire.

Once they are bought, the council asks the community what the heck should we do with it.

I don't see this as being an investment in the slightest. I see this as reckless and incompetent.

- N. Wilson, Birkdale

People were asked if they could remember where they were the day astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon, announcing: One step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

I remember having just begun working at the World Bank in Washington, DC, sitting in front of a TV with many other employees, in the bank's cafeteria.

When time came for the astronauts to step off the moon's surface, I was home listening to the proceedings, with a visitor who was a friend of one of those who died in a command module fire.

Visibly agitated, he was concerned whether the astronauts would make it to the module in time... or be left stranded on the moon.

Also, the day President John F. Kennedy was shot dead in Dallas, Texas, is forever etched in my mind.

Driving home from work, news came over the car radio so I pulled into the nearest shopping centre and sat in the car for some time in disbelief.

Many recall his words: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country!".

- A. Glade, Capalaba

May I ask the reason why we need to have our pets registered?

- S. Lee, Redlands

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