Local conservation groups have formally lodged objections to the proposed Metroplex development at the 100ha (1 sq km) former Sanananda military barracks at Wacol.
These resident conservation groups are concerned about the removal of 750 trees but are strongly opposed to the destruction of at least 165 habitat and hollow-bearing old growth trees as outlined in the development proposal, only vegetation along the creeks on the site will be retained.
These groups include:
“Metroplex in their proposal cannot guarantee there will not be local extinctions and readily admits there will be a reduction in species numbers in the region.”, said spokesperson Nikki Parker for Friends of Pooh Corner.
“Conservation and resident groups categorically reject the claim made by Metroplex that the only option for the site is to destroy all 750 trees outside the proposed creek reserves.”
“The Commonwealth Department of Defence Environment due diligence reports (for the former Sanananda military barracks) recommended preserving two stands of remnant old growth trees, mostly scribbly gums, within the Sanananda site.” See Figure 3.2 of Environmental Assessment for Defence Land Disposal, Wacol Army Barracks PPK, 2004 (11.5 MB pdf download).
”This report also recommended as many hollow bearing trees be preserved at Sanananda as practicably possible. That is, not all should be destroyed.”
“Conservation groups support the Brisbane City Council’s policy direction that there be an east-west wildlife habitat corridor be retained. This east-west corridor should aim to protect a large proportion of the remaining hollow bearing trees.”
“All potential buyers were aware of the Defence Department’s recommendations at the time the Commonwealth put the former Sanananda Military Barracks up for sale. Hence Metroplex cannot cry ignorance. We urge them to follow all the Defence consultant’s recommendations.”
“Conservationists reject the claim made by Metroplex that the vegetation outside the proposed creek reserves is discontinuous and cannot be linked up in a east west wildlife corridor.”
“Metroplex has not show the location of all 165 hollow bearing trees at Sanananda on the Vegetation Retention Plan as requested by council.”
“The EPA and Brisbane City Council have told Metroplex that the preservation of vegetation within the existing waterways at Sanananda cannot be used to offset the destruction of 750 trees.”
“In response, Metroplex has tried to argue that the Federal Government’s decision to protect Pooh Corner in 2005 can be regarded as a part of the company’s remediation plan for Sanananda and the environmental values of Pooh Corner are equivalent to the environmental values of Sanananda. The developer’s claim that ‘revegetation’ of Pooh Corner will justify destruction of the old growth trees beyond the waterways at Sanananda is ecologically nonsensical and there are legal precedents that this is not lawful. Pooh Corner does not have anywhere near the same number of old growth hollow bearing trees as is at the Metroplex site. Conservationists reject and challenge these claims made by Metroplex in their submission to the Brisbane City Council."
“We are outraged at the plan to destroy an aboriginal scarred tree at Sanananda and the failure to search for other aboriginal scarred trees that could be on the site.”
“The community consultation process has been inadequate. Friends of Pooh Corner, a key stakeholder group was not consulted despite Metroplex proposed remediation plan for Sanananda impacting significantly on Pooh Corner.”
“The public has not been allowed into Sanananda for 64 years. Hence public knowledge of scenic and ecological values of the site is poor. This public ignorance is not an excuse to destroy the nature values that exist at Sanananda.”
The Metroplex planning application documents are available on the BCC website: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE:1073708085:pc=PC_224.