The Economist    May 26th 2011

IMAGINE a country of about 25m people, democratic, tolerant, welcoming to immigrants, socially harmonious, politically stable and economically successful; good beaches too. It sounds like California 30 years ago, but it is not: it is Australia today. Yet Australia could become a sort of California—and perhaps a still more successful version of the Golden State.

It already has a successful economy, which unlike California’s has avoided recession since 1991, and a political system that generally serves it well. It is benefiting from a resources bonanza that brings it quantities of money for doing no more than scraping up minerals and shipping them to Asia. It is the most pleasant rich country to live in, reports a survey this week by the OECD. And, since Asia’s appetite for iron ore, coal, natural gas and mutton shows no signs of abating, the bonanza seems set to continue for a while, even if it is downgraded to some lesser form of boom (see article). However, as our special report in this issue makes clear, the country’s economic success owes much less to recent windfalls than to policies applied over the 20 years before 2003. Textbook economics and sound management have truly worked wonders.

Australians must now decide what sort of country they want their children to live in. They can enjoy their prosperity, squander what they do not consume and wait to see what the future brings; or they can actively set about creating the sort of society that other nations envy and want to emulate. California, for many people still the state of the future, may hold some lessons. Its history also includes a gold rush, an energy boom and the development of a thriving farm sector. It went on to reap the economic benefits of an excellent higher-education system and the knowledge industries this spawned. If Australia is to fulfil its promise, it too will have to unlock the full potential of its citizens’ brain power.

Australia cannot, of course, do exactly what California did (eg, create an aerospace industry and send the bill to the Pentagon). Nor would it want to: thanks to its addiction to ballot initiatives, Californian politics is a mess. But it could do more to develop the sort of open, dynamic and creative society that California has epitomised, drawing waves of energetic immigrants not just from other parts of America but from all over the world. Such societies, the ones in which young and enterprising people want to live, cannot be conjured up overnight by a single agent, least of all by government. They are created by the alchemy of artists, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, civic institutions and governments coming together in the right combination at the right moment. And for Australia, economically strong as never before, this is surely such a moment.

What then is needed to get the alchemy going? Though government should not seek to direct the chemistry, it should create the conditions for it. That means ensuring that the economy remains open, flexible and resilient, capable, in other words, of getting through harder times when the boom is over (a sovereign-wealth fund would help). It means maintaining a high rate of immigration (which started to fall two years ago). It means, above all, fostering a sense of self-confidence among the people at large to bring about the mix of civic pride, philanthropy and financial investment that so often underpins the success of places like California.

Many Australians do not seem to appreciate that they live in an unusually successful country. Accustomed to unbroken economic expansion—many are too young to remember recession—they are inclined to complain about house prices, 5% unemployment or the problems that a high exchange rate causes manufacturing and several other industries. Some Australians talk big but actually think small, and politicians may be the worst offenders. They are often reluctant to get out in front in policymaking—on climate change, for instance—preferring to follow what bigger countries do. In the quest for a carbon policy, both the main parties have chopped and changed their minds, and their leaders, leaving voters divided and bemused. There can be little doubt that if America could come to a decision on the topic, Australia would soon follow suit.

Its current political leaders, with notable exceptions, are perhaps the least impressive feature of today’s Australia. Just when their country has the chance to become influential in the world, they appear introverted and unable to see the big picture. Little legislation of consequence has been passed since 2003. A labour-market reform introduced by the Liberals was partly repealed by Labor. A proposed tax on the mining companies was badly mishandled (also by Labor), leading to a much feebler one. All attempts at a climate-change bill have failed. The prime minister, Labor’s Julia Gillard, admits she is unmoved by foreign policy. The leader of the opposition, Tony Abbott, takes his cue from America’s tea-party movement, by fighting a carbon tax with a “people’s revolt” in which little is heard apart from personal insults. Instead of pointing to the great benefits of immigration—population growth is responsible for about two-fifths of the increase in real GDP in the past 40 years—the two parties pander shamelessly to xenophobic fears about asylum-seekers washing up in boats.

…or a golden future?

None of this will get Australians to take pride in their achievements and build on them. Better themes for politicians would be their plans to develop first-class universities, nourish the arts, promote urban design and stimulate new industries in anything from alternative energy to desalinating water. All these are under way, but few are surging ahead. Though the country’s best-known building is an opera house, for example, the arts have yet to receive as much official patronage as they deserve. However, the most useful policy to pursue would be education, especially tertiary education. Australia’s universities, like its wine, are decent and dependable, but seldom excellent. Yet educated workers are essential for an economy competitive in services as well as minerals. First, however, Aussies need a bit more self-belief. After that perhaps will come the zest and confidence of an Antipodean California.

Tuesday 31 May 2011
Redlands – 7.00 to 8.00pm
Redlands Indigiscapes,
17 Runnymede Road,
Capalaba

The Koala Nature Refuge must cover at least two hectares of the property and contain at least one hectare of land available for rehabilitation with koala habitat trees. Funding can be applied for to revegetate the cleared or degraded land nominated as well as other activities that will improve koala habitat such as fencing and weed control.
Successful applicants are required to enter into a perpetual and binding nature refuge agreement with the Department of Environment and Resource Management in order to receive the funding. These agreements are negotiated directly with the landholder and are designed to suit current land management requirements.

What properties are the Queensland Government interested in funding for koala habitat restoration?
The Queensland Government has developed maps of existing koala bushland habitat and areas suitable for rehabilitation in the SEQ Koala Protection Area. To be eligible, part or all of the applicant’s property must be mapped as ‘high’ or ‘medium value suitability for rehabilitation’. Applicants who wish to find out whether they are eligible can call DERM on the contact details below with the Lot on Plan description of their property (e.g. Lot 1 on RP12345) which can be found on the rates notice or title documents, or request a map online.
To find out more about the Koala Nature Refuges Program:
download the Koala Habitat Programs brochure (PDF)* (PDF, 2.8M)* and Koala Nature Refuges Program – Guideline for Revegetation of Koala Habitat (PDF)* (PDF, 187K)*
phone DERM on (07) 3330 5359 or 13 QGOV (13 74 68) (local call) and ask to speak with a Nature Refuge Officer
attend a community information session (refer below)
email koala.refuges@derm.qld.gov.au

Release Date – 23 February 2011

The following is a draft policy position for the Redland Institute and is provided to all members and stakeholders for their comment.

This Draft Policy will be open to comment until close of business on 21March, 2011.

BACKGROUND

The Koala Phascolarctos cinereus is an internationally recognised faunal symbol of Australia and its unique native fauna. There is widespread concern, within all levels of community, for the viability of the Koala and particularly within the local region.

Redland City and surrounds has long been recognised as holding important Koala habitats and population and has for many years been viewed as a part of the “Koala Coast”.  The concept of the Koala Coast was first used officially by the Queensland State Planning Policy 1/97 Conservation of Koalas in the Koala Coast to describe parts of Logan and Brisbane City and the entire mainland of Redland City local government areas. The Koala Coast was essentially bounded by Moreton Bay to the east, the Logan River to the south and the Gateway Motorway to the west.

Despite the State Planning Policy 1/97 and other subsequent State Government planning instruments in the interim the Koala population is recognised as declining. The Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) released a paper in April 2009 titled “Decline of the Koala Coast Koala Population: Population Status in 2008”.  Apart from revealing a significant decline in the Koala population, the paper highlighted the significance of urban Koalas in regard to management of species and even that Urban Koalas are important in bolstering the bushland population.  The paper included the result of predictive modelling (see figure below) demonstrating, if the current rate of decline continues, there will be less than 500 Koalas remaining in the Koala Coast by 2010.

The Koala is currently listed as ‘vulnerable’ in the south east Queensland bioregion under Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Redland City Council recognises Koala as ‘endangered’ within the Koala Coast Region.

Koalas in South East Queensland are well recognised as being under significant threat from urban pressures and specifically habitat loss from development, car strikes, dog attacks and stress related diseases. In December 2008, the Queensland Government introduced the Koala Response Strategy, committing to a number of planning and management actions to protect koalas.

In May 2010, the Queensland Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Kate Jones, and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe, announced the release of further state planning instruments towards protecting koala habitat and to manage conflicts with urban development.

The state planning instruments are:

• State Planning Policy 2/10: Koala Conservation in South East Queensland
• South East Queensland Koala Conservation State planning regulatory provisions

The above policy and provisions commenced on 31 May 2010 and are currently in effect for development assessment purposes.

As part of the Koala Response Strategy the Queensland Government has released the Offsets Policy for Net Gain of Koala Habitat in South East Queensland which looks to ensure that environmental offsets for unavoidable impacts on high quality koala habitat contribute to a net gain in Bushland Koala Habitat in south-east Queensland by 2020. This policy provides a framework and direction for using environmental offsets to meet that objective.

At the local level The Redland City Council (RCC) adopted its own Koala Policy and implementation Strategy 2008 which was approved at Council’s General Meeting in January 2008.  The RCC plan states an aim to take immediate action to recover the Koala population to more than 5,000 in the Koala Coast area by 2014.  This is an ambitious aim and from recent figures the target will not be achieved.

The Redlands Institute (REDI) is an independent, community-based not-for-profit organisation working to create, implement and promote a shared vision for the Redland city and surrounds future.  The Institute consists of committed community representatives who share a desire to preserve and enhance the unique characteristics and lifestyle of our community and the protection of Koalas and their habitat are viewed as a high priority.

On 17 November 2010 the Australian Senate referred the following matter to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 1 June 2011, with effect from the first day of sitting of 2011:

The status, health and sustainability of Australia’s koala population, with particular reference to:

1. the iconic status of the koala and the history of its management;
2. estimates of koala populations and the adequacy of current counting methods;
3. knowledge of koala habitat;
4. threats to koala habitat such as logging, land clearing, poor management, attacks from  feral and domestic animals, disease, roads and urban development;
5. the listing of the koala under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999;
6. the adequacy of the National Koala Conservation and Management Strategy;
7. appropriate future regulation for the protection of koala habitat;
8. interaction of state and federal laws and regulations; and
9. any other related matters.

It is envisaged this policy will respond to the findings of the above inquiry at the relevant time.

REDI has developed this Koala Policy in response to our members and community expectations to seek improvement in Koala Conservation responses and overall management in the local area to prevent the Koalas continuing decline and ultimate loss from our City.

The Institute calls on the people and government of the Redlands to act now to protect the Koala and its habitat,

This Policy was formally adopted by the REDI executive council on 22 February 2011.

The REDI calls on all areas of community and government to respond to the policy and strategy’s provided below.

Education

Increased education and public awareness is recognised a an effective tool in Koala management particularly in urban areas.  Although it is often included in management strategy as a standard response it is vital to effective Koala management.

Education and awareness is particularly critical when the science and research has clearly shown anthropogenic issues as a primary cause of increased mortality and reduced breeding success in the local Koala population.

Redlands has more people sharing their lives with more Koalas than any where else in the world.  We have arguably the most urbanised koala population and a relatively intact island population (on North Stradbroke Island) which provide ongoing news and stories of relevance to our community.

It is considered important that there are ongoing awareness messages regarding dog control, speed limit reductions and habitat retention disseminated to the general public, local authorities and State departments.

The Redland City Council has recently shown significant improvement in its education responses and it is vital that such actions are continued and funding allocated within relevant council and state budgets. We strongly endorse the RCC stated aim “To educate the whole community that Redlands habitat and its koalas are special, unique and integral to the environmental, social, cultural, and economic wellbeing of our community”.

REDI calls on all persons within Redland City to support and promote Koala awareness programs.

Mapping

Currently, Koala habitat mapping and controls are based on geo political mapping.  In order to achieve sound and informed management responses there is a need for baseline mapping and ranking of all koala habitat and movement corridors across Redland City.

All available data should be compiled into a single data set and made available to the public.  The maintenance, storage and dissemination of this data should be entrusted to a single entity – such as RCC, EPA or by third parties under the guidance/authorisation of RCC.

A set protocol should be determined for the studies and research for collection and storage of the data across the RCC.  It should be made mandatory for all professionals carrying out habitat and fauna surveys to meet the protocols and to lodge their results with the entity administering the data set.  This way public information can be garnered utilising private resources.

Information provided to RCC as part of development applications should be required in suitable format and incorporated into such a data set.

With true unbiased mapping of habitats and linkages, areas can be prioritised for specific treatment and preservation.   Areas of less significance can then be clearly identified as more suitable for other purposes.

Land acquisition

Protection of habitat is a key component of Koala Management responses.  It is apparent that a coordinated approach to the acquisition and protection of high value habitats and linkages and inclusion within the overall conservation estate is vital to successful management responses. REDI endorses and/or calls for the following actions:

(1)       A Koala habitat acquisition strategy is required for the city and surrounds.  With accurate mapping there will be specific areas identified as being priority lands and those suitable for acquisition and attention.

(2)       A system of transferable development rights (basically an extension of the current “environmental offsets”) is now available and should be finessed and promted to development industry.

(3)       A coordinated approach between RCC and DERM to the establishment of Koala offsets as required by the Offsets Policy for Net Gain of Koala Habitat in South East Queensland should be ensured.

(4)       Important Koala habitats within proposed development areas should be actively protected and incorporated into the conservation estate.

Government Lands

There are significant areas of Crown, State and local council lands within the RCC area which should be subjected to review and where available suitable sites should be immediately rehabilitated.

REDI calls on all levels of government to ensure such areas are identified, and Koala habitat restoration plans developed.  This action should be undertaken immediately.

Rehabilitation Initiatives

(1)           State Lands :

A program be immediately initiated to identify and rehabilitate land in state ownership to increase extant Koala Habitats where practical/possible.

(2)           Incentives for private owners:

1. Land Tax and/or Rate reductions for private land owners whose properties support Koala habitat and can are protected within hte conservation estate.   There are many properties which support farming and grazing activities solely to minimise payment of land tax.

REDI endorses the RCC Koala Conservation Agreement Program (KCAP) which provides for a partnership between a landholder and RCC to protect and reinstate koala habitat, manage dogs and improve koala movement on private land. The program is voluntary and free to join.  Landholders who join the KCAP currently have the option of signing a three or five year agreement.

As part of the KCAP, Council will financially assist management of  koala habitat on private property. The agreement does not alter the title of the property and is extinguished at resale.

REDI calls for the ongoing promotion and expansion of this program and seeks investigation of further incentives for protection of koala habitat on private lands.

1. Tax Incentives

The Federal government has announced the ability in certain circumstances to write off costs of rehabilitation against taxable income.  This is predominantly based on the demuniition of property caused by imposition of environmental covenants.  Such actions can be extended  to provide tax rebates for maintenance of  lands retained as habitat.

REDI calls for RCC and DERM to actively promote and seek tax deduction for habitat retention and rehabilitation within Koala Habitats.

1. VPO’s

Vegetation Protection Legislation is often counter productive regarding rehabilitation of habitat.   Currently there are large areas which are kept as actively managed as open grassland/pasture because owners/managers rightly or wrongly consider rehabilitation of habitat will reduce future development potential.

This is further compounded in that those persons who have retained vegetation and particularly Koala habitats are those most disadvantaged when seeking alternative uses through the development assessment process.

To encourage land owners to retain or plant trees, vegetation protection should not apply to trees and habitat which have been planted and maintained by an owner.

REDI calls on the RCC and DERM to further investigate ways to compensate private landholders who have retained fauna habitat and to explore methods by which those persons who have not retained habitat to also contribute towards habitat protection and reinstatement actions.

Development Controls

The current development controls within the urban footprint are failing to protect sufficient Koala habitat and safe movement options.

Property owners will be justifiably upset by recommendations or state actions to remove existing development rights by surreptitious methods solely designed to remove the states obligation to compensate owners who have had the value of their property reduced.   As a principle “If it is in the overall community interest to remove actual or potential development rights then the community should adequately compensate individuals so affected”.

Under planning legislation there is a set method to change planning controls.   Injurious affection is dealt with under the Sustainable Planning Act (SPA) with a 2 year “use it or lose it” provision.

If it is considered necessary to remove development rights from Koala Habitats then the following provisions should be used and appropriate compensation paid where appropriate by through the following methods:

1. Expand Koala Habitat Protection Areas to include a network of major corridors and the High Value Bushland Habitat areas.  This will require input from experts utilising accurate aerial and spatial mapping (which is available) and based on ground truthed field data, ignoring urban and cadastral boundaries.
2. Place a 6 month moratorium on all development approvals and clearing of native habitat within the areas identified as Koala Habitat Protection Areas.   .
3. During the above moratorium, amend the relevant Planning Schemes to decrease development densities or prohibit development within the Protection Areas. This would also include mandatory actions for future  development to ensure a net increase in habitat, no reduction in Koala movement options, and mitigation of potential detrimental impacts.  This may include a system of transferable development rights or compensation.
4. An alternative response should also be reviewed to identify and allow increased densities within areas of lesser environmental significance.
5. With new tougher planning controls included in the local Planning Schemes, land owners have 2 years under the SPA  to make a development application under the superceded provisions.
   1. Within the 2 year period development applications will be assessed by the Local Authority in conjunction with the State who will decide:
      1. To allow the development to proceed under the previous provisions; OR
      2. To allow the development to proceed subject to conditions and/or modifications- e.g. clustering development or using a form of transferable developments rights; OR
      3. Refuse the application to be assessed under the superceded provisions – these parcels of land would be subject to injurious affection claims by the land owners.

Road Traffic

There has been detailed assessment of this issue in the local area. Redland City Council has previously commissioned local ecological consultants Biodiversity Assessment and Management (BAAM) Pty Ltd to update their 2004 Action Plan to Reduce Koala Hits from Vehicles in the Redlands. See http://web01.redland.qld.gov.au/robo/plans/Koala_Hits_AP/Action_Plan_To_Reduce_Koala_Hits.htm

While there are many factors involved in conservation planning for Koalas the Action Plan focussed specifically on the issues associated with Koala-vehicle collisions in Redland City, with an aim to identify technically and economically feasible actions that can be applied to roads identified as major contributors to Koala hits.

There has been significant improvement in management responses in recent times. However, the issue remains a significant threat to Koala viability.

The Koala – Vehicle interaction issue requires an all of government response and community support to reduce the current toll on local Koala population.

REDI calls on RCC and DERM to further fund research and actions further reduce Koala and vehicles interaction.

REDI calls on the MRD, whose roads are recognised as the major contributor to vehicle strikes on Koalas to immediate review the Redlands road network to identify key locations and actions required to reduce Koala mortality.

Local Growth Management Strategies (LGMS)

RCC and nearby local authorities should be encouraged to review their LGMS’s in the light of more accurate mapping and the option of more stringent planning controls.   They should ensure they undertake every opportunity to reduce proposed densities in high value habitat areas and increase densities in lesser value locations.

This is particularly applicable to RCC who have chosen to increase urban footprint infill targets to 20%, in excess of the Regional Plan recommendations.

Implementation Strategy

A detailed implementation strategy will be developed as part of policy finalisation. It is envisaged the strategy could include, but not limited to, the following items:

• Immediate compilation of initial mapping to identify critical areas.
• Public awareness program.
• Moratorium (maximum of 6 months) on development within the critical areas identified until:
  • Better mapping and science is available; and
  • Range of proposed additional development controls are formulated; and
  • An acquisition fund and strategy to purchase critical properties is in place.
  • Amend planning schemes for additional controls.
  • Amend the Local Growth Management Strategy to reduce development in areas of high conservation and to increase development densities in areas of lesser conservation value.
  • Enact acquisition strategy.
  • Determine and monitor Tree planting targets by State Departments and Redlands Council;
  • Rehabilitation of habitat on state and local authority lands;
  • Construction of appropriate fauna barriers along major roads and rail lines;
  • Identification and funding for Koala/fauna movement facilities on major roads;
  • Creation of low speed environments in critical areas on lower order roads;
  • Strict enforcement of dog controls and education of owners; and
  • Ensure Council’s web site “Koala Central” is adequately maintained and resourced.

Your feedback is sought and valued.

The REDI seeks feedback on this draft policy and interested persons can provide comment via email to redlands.institute@gmail.com or by return post to

Po Box 178 Cleveland, 4163. ….

REDI intends to hold a koala forum with key stakeholders in May 2011 to review current Koala management responses and formally adopt this policy following community and industry input.

Redland City recently received an Award for being assessed as Queensland’s Most Sustainable City.  What did that assessment entail?  What does it mean for the Redlands and its residents?  What are the benefits?

A panel of highly qualified and interesting speakers will discuss these topics, followed by a workshop to explore the issues raised.

We look forward to your input.

Wednesday 27^th October 2010
Indigiscapes – Tallowwood Room
Runnymede Road
Capalaba
5.30pm for registration, 6pm start
Cost: No charge
Light refreshments will be served

The findings of the workshop will be published and presented to the Redland City Council.

If you would like more information or to confirm your attendance, please contact us redlands.institute@gmail.com

We are currently updating our steering committee membership and are seeking interested persons to take up a role and become leaders of our local community.

As a Redlands Institute steering committee member you will participate in a unique community forum, based on sound data and tested information to contribute positively and drive the future direction of our unique city and lifestyle.

You will be part of an established network, working with a wide range of community members drawn from all walks of life, but sharing one single passion – to create a commanding vision for the Redlands future. Ongoing opportunities to share and benefit from the experience and expertise of other professional people, who are identifying and considering issues that impact on our community.

If you are a South East Queensland resident, or organisation with an interest in the future of the Redlands region and you want to be part of making a difference and as part of our team create and continue driving a vision for a better future for the Redlands, consider a position on our committee.

We seek persons who wish to make a difference and create a vibrant community for all to live, work, and play.  As part of the REDi team you will understand the power of an individual to change your world for the better and will actively participate in our steering committee to foster public interest and debate for the future of Redland City.

As a Redlands Institute member you will enjoy the following valuable opportunities.

• Access to a range of special events that aim to build on the intellectual input into wide-ranging topics impacting on the community’s future. The output from such forums will be utilised to approach key decision makers in driving policy-making on a local, state and federal level
• Events include regular breakfasts, lunches and cocktail evenings and networking opportunities
• You can access, and utilise our special events calendar and membership
• Redlands Institute members often receive priority access to public forums featuring high-profile speakers with recognised, relevant expertise in areas related to topics of debate
• Members will also benefit from special introductions to speakers to further enhance high-level networking
• Members have access to a regular, quarterly E-newsletter updating on the Institutes progress and successes, reports on outcomes of Executive Meetings

Please consider making a contribution to your local community and with a few hours of your time a difference can be made.  I am sure you will enjoy working with us to preserve and enhance the unique characteristic, natural attributes and lifestyle the Redlands is renowned for.

Together we can see the Redlands remain a sustainable and vibrant community.

Interested persons should email:  redlands.institute@gmail.com