Noosa District Landcare members with Phil Moran

Landcare – it’s all about nurturing and cherishing the land and making sure it’s in a fit state for our descendants. It began in Australia in 1989 as a collaboration between government, business and the community to tackle some serious environmental concerns – erosion, salinity, and loss of biodiversity to name just a few. Now there are over 4500 Landcare groups, with over 60,000 people involved in Landcare activities in Queensland alone.

The Noosa and District Landcare Group – based in Pomona in the Noosa hinterland – has been around since 1991 and has some impressive statistics of its own.

With 28 staff it’s the second largest employer in town, and it has well over 150 volunteers.

Their work seems to cover the spectrum of on-ground environmental repair work. Water quality monitoring, revegetation, weed control, Greenhouse abatement measures, coastal rehabilitation, nurseries for propagating native plants (120,000 last year) and education – Noosa Landcare does it all and more.

Phil Moran is the Natural Resource Manager and is passionate about the bush as well as involving the community in its protection.

One current project is running a Green Army programme, under the auspices of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. It provides work in local National Parks for 14 unemployed people, repairing flood damage and removing weeds.

Phil sees much value in this type of project.

“There’s the obvious environmental benefit,” said Phil.

“Not only that, it’s better for the community to have more people in work, and the value for individuals is enormous.

“Long term unemployed people develop more confidence and better self-esteem. Younger people gain a work ethic. For all, there’s an opportunity to acquire valuable skills.”

Contracting services out to landholders is another part of Noosa Landcare operations.

There is a consultancy service, and an experienced crew who deal with weeds, plant the trees and make sure they keep growing.

“These are the guys and girls who do the hard work,” said Phil. “They’re out there in the heat and rain helping property owners repair the land.”

Phil himself began with Noosa Landcare as a volunteer in 2000. He lives on a 13 hectare bush block, where he’s done much revegetation and pulled lots of weeds. He was the first in the old Noosa Shire to have his property covered by a Voluntary Conservation Agreement, thus protecting it in perpetuity.

Noosa Landcare has water care firmly in its sights too.

With financial help from the Federal Government and Sunshine Coast Council, they’re running the Cootharaba Community Erosion Awareness Project – this is a detailed study of sediment, water and nutrients in Lake Cootharaba, Kin Kin Creek and the Upper Noosa River.

Solid data about threats to the waterways is essential to guarantee their long term protection.

The project has a multi-disciplinary team with people from universities, government bodies and community groups all contributing their energy and expertise. They’ll be using the latest technology to pinpoint sources of pollution, and relying on a lot of well-trained and well-supported volunteers.

Then there’ll be workshops to inform the community, look at the research and help prioritise management issues.

Projects like this are all part of Noosa Landcare’s multi-faceted approach to caring for our patch of country.

They offer education programmes – learning the difference between native and exotic plant species is popular – and run talks and walks for schoolchildren, even the tiny pre-schoolers, as well as presenting at universities, State Government agencies and community group meetings.

Noosa Landcare coordinates the Community Nature Conservation Programme. Residents from the coast to the hinterland gather each weekend at their local bushland reserve for a working bee, learning much about local plants and animals in the process.

The group has won many awards, and in 2010 were themselves sponsors for the Conservation for Biodiversity Award at SCEC’s Froggies, the Sunshine Coast Environment Awards. (The winner was Beverley Hand for the Bunya Dreaming Festival.)

Following in the footsteps of a savvy prince and the founder of farming philosophy that has taken the world by storm sounds a sensible thing to do. John Burrows talks to Kaye Cheval who is spreading the word about biodynamics.

Appearing at the GREENhouse: Healthy Ideas -10 am, Monday, December 27, 2010.

Transformation — changing the ways we do things – is what the Greenhouse is all about.

Advocating big changes to the way we produce food is Kaye Cheval, the first presenter in this year’s program. Kaye is a natural therapist and educator of biodynamics, the organic farming philosophy which has adherents world-wide. The essence of the biodynamic approach is that the farm is regarded as a self-contained entity where individual elements – soil, plants and animals – are integrated into a self-nourishing whole.

There are various techniques of soil enhancement, and an astronomical calendar is used to guide planting and harvesting times. Kaye is applying the biodynamic method on her property in the rolling hills of Carters Ridge, in the Noosa hinterland. It’s a lush landscape, green after good spring rain, very different from the semi-arid plains of western Queensland where she grew up.

Kaye Cheval

“My parents ran a sheep station near Winton,” Kaye recalls.

“We were very connected with the outdoors, went horse riding, ran around barefoot and swam in the dam.

“For much of our food, we were pretty well self-reliant, we had milk and butter, fruit trees and a garden enriched with cow manure, no chemicals at all.”

Chemicals, however, did play a big part in raising sheep, but safety issues didn’t get much attention in those days.

“My father developed and died from cancer in his early 50s from his exposure to these chemicals, so I have made it my life work to pass on what I have learnt over the years from others and from real life experiences,” said Kaye.

To that end she is developing her property – Waratah Eco Farm – as a place where people can learn and experience what it’s like to be on a farm operating under biodynamics and permaculture principles.

Kaye’s journey from the western plains began with a move to Sydney to study and work as a nurse, then marriage, children and a move back to the land. This was to a place in the Northern Rivers, a mixed farm where Kaye raised cattle and pigs, and grew vegetables. Her husband was a school teacher at nearby Nimbin, and it was inevitable that Kaye would encounter different approaches to farming.

“We didn’t use chemicals from day one,” said Kaye, “But living in the area led to an understanding that modern farm practices left a lot to be desired and there was a better way of doing things.”

Kaye also studied natural therapies and after moving to the Sunshine Coast, set up the Natural Therapy Centre in Cooroy. Here, for 10 years, she had a very successful practice; it was a no pills and no potions approach, more about advocating lifestyle changes, particularly regarding food. Her interest in biodynamics was sparked by a course she attended in 2002. It was run by Lynette West from the Biodynamic Education Centre. Lynette was the biodynamics consultant to the Mullon Creek Natural Farm.

This is the largest biodynamic farm in Australia and caught the interest of Prince Charles, who invited Lynette to run a foundation course on biodynamics at his organic farm in England.

Lynette died recently, and is an inspiration to Kaye, who is aiming to continue Lynette’s work of spreading the biodynamics philosophy on her property.

Kaye grows fruit and vegies, and there are the animals – chooks, ducks and goats which supply milk and cheese. Grevilleas mingle with fruit trees and attract birds, keeping insects under control. There are swales to conserve ground moisture. One corner of the property is devoted to forest.

Kaye says that biodynamics is viable for both large and small-scale farming. The principles can be applied to a backyard or even a small courtyard. She cites the case of a friend in her 80s, living in a retirement home.

“Space is tight, but my friend grows bananas, vegetables, herbs, and various fruit trees in pots, as well as keeping bees and making biodynamic preparations. She is a good example of someone doing it on a small scale.”

The use of preparations is an intriguing part of the biodynamics method. They’re made by packing a cow’s horn with cow manure, burying it deep in the ground in the autumn, recovering it in the spring and further treating the fermented material by mixing with water and stirring in a certain way. The preparation can then be used as a compost additive, or more commonly used to spray on fields – a little goes a long way – to increase soil nutrition and fertility.

It’s an important part of the biodynamics philosophy, which was developed in the 1920s by Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian who also founded a new spiritual movement – Anthroposophy – and the Steiner education system.

He believed that the preparations imparted cosmic forces into the soil. His methods must have results, if the growth of biodynamic farming is any guide. It’s practised in more than 50 countries.

New Zealand proponent Peter Proctor has taken the concept to India, where he has worked with marginal farmers across the country to conserve soil and save communities. A film of his work, One Man, One Cow, One Planet, has won awards world-wide.

Kaye is spreading the word at the local level, and concentrates on the practical steps that everyone can take.

“We need to avoid dead food,”  said Kaye.

“That’s why the soil used for growing food must be healthy and able to supply the nutrients needed in our diet. We can then expect to have healthy bodies.”

Happy cyclist at the Woodford Folk Festival

Surveys show that driving is easily the most popular way of getting there, with 86.3 per cent of patrons arriving by motor vehicle. There are a host of problems caused by all that traffic – congestion, the need for parking space, dusty conditions if it’s dry, and mud if there’s been rain. So it makes sense to encourage patrons to find an alternative.

Public transport is a good choice for many. There are up to 10 express bus services a day out to the festival site from Caboolture train station, taking patrons right to the ticketing gate.

The bus services don’t start until Boxing Day, by which time many of the prime campsites have been taken by motoring patrons who arrive the day before. So organisers are providing ‘bus travellers’ camping – car free camping space exclusively for those arriving by bus.

It’s an attractive camping area – level and well drained ground with trees for shade, and close to the ticketing gate and welcome gate. Car-pooling to the festival is another way to keep cars to a minimum. It saves money and is great for making new friends. On the festival website, you can find a link to Car Pool Australia, which connects patrons seeking a ride with those who have space in their cars.

Alternatively, find the notice board on the website, there’s a ‘ride share’  section where you can seek or offer a ride.

Cycling patrons are very welcome at Woodford, a free luggage service being a major incentive.  Together with sponsors Epic Cycles and the Sunshine Coast Environment Council, the festival arranges for luggage to be collected from pick-up points in Paddington in Brisbane (the Epic Cycle shop), and from Nambour (SCEC’ s office in Porters Lane).

The luggage is collected before Christmas and is waiting for patrons when they arrive. It’s then delivered back to the pick-up points on January 2.

Some cyclists ride incredible distances to reach the festival, but most take their bikes on the train to Beerwah or Beerburrum stations, and cycle from there. It’s a relaxed ride through forest and farmland along mostly quiet roads.

Cyclists are encouraged to jump the queue at the ticketing gate – push bikes may push in! They, too, have dedicated camping space. Cyclist camping is nestled along a creek bank lined with rainforest. There’s a marquee for secure bicycle parking and socialising, and, if needed, a mechanical service provided by Epic Cycles.

More details about cycling to Woodford can be found on the festival website.

The Sunshine Coast Environmental Council (SCEC) is the umbrella organisation of more than 50 community groups. In this issue of ECO, we feature the Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group and its role in supplying a vital asset – clean water.

Caring for the Catchment

“Water water everywhere  …” – not in Australia unfortunately, this is the dry continent, water worries are predicted to worsen with climate change and managing this most precious of resources is a must.

Much of the Sunshine Coast relies on Lake Baroon, also known as the Baroon Pocket Dam, for its water supply.

The dam, with a catchment area of 74 sq kilometres, was built on Obi Obi Creek in 1988. Big problems soon surfaced. Excessive clearing had removed protective vegetation from the banks of many streams and gullies in the catchment. As a result, large quantities of sediment and nutrients from built up areas as well as farmland found their way into the lake with dire consequences for water quality – an outbreak of the potentially toxic blue green algae in 1990.

Lake Baroon

Another outbreak in 1991 prompted action, and community members got together to set up the Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group (LBCCG) in the following year – one of the first catchment care groups in Queensland.

Only a small percentage of land in the catchment is “locked up” for conservation, so not much can be done to restore the environmental health of the catchment unless farmers and other private land owners are on side.

Developing good relationships with landholders is crucial, according to LBCCG President Peter Stevens.

“We need a proactive approach in catchment protection. Our current policy is to identify the most pressing problem areas and target landholders accordingly.

“We supply funding and resources to help landholders with on ground projects such as revegetating riparian areas, weed removal, fencing waterways to keep cattle away, helping with dairy effluent disposal, and hardening stock laneways and dairy aprons.

“Many of the farmers in the catchment operate on slim profit margins, they recognise how their land can become degraded, but need financial help for the remedial work which we promote.”

Funding is a perennial problem for community groups. SEQ water, the government body which manages catchments and water storage areas, saw the advantages of working closely with a well supported community group such as LBCCG, and in 2007 agreed to fund a ten year programme enabling the group to employ a full-time Catchment Coordinator and to subsidise on ground projects.

“Sometimes we can fully fund a project, “said Mr Stevens.

“We’ve found that once farmers become involved in a particular project, they tend to continue with other projects which are also beneficial for catchment health.

“More and more farmers realise the value of a partnership with LBCCG – as well as good environmental outcomes, our on ground projects help farmers become more efficient, thus more profitable.

“For example, clean watering points for dairy cattle reduce stream bank erosion as well as reduce contamination of milk from mud.”

“While we target particular farmers, we also find that others are voluntarily approaching us as the benefits of catchment care become clear.

“We make it easy for land owners by minimising paperwork for project funding and looking after documentation and accountability.”

LBCCG has completed almost 100 individual water quality improvement projects over the years.

The group also helps land owners develop property plans.

President Peter Stevens (left) with Catchment Coordinator Mark Amos. Photo by John Burrows

“We advocate a whole-farm approach to managing the business, taking into account economic, social and environmental factors. We’re committed to supporting large landholders who want to keep their soil and nutrients in the paddocks where they belong,” said Mr Stevens.

Controlling weeds in the catchment is important too – LBCCG is working with the CSIRO in developing a biological control programme to deal with mistflower, potentially a major threat in riparian areas.

Community involvement is also part of business for LBCCG, operating a Green Jobs Corp programme which provides local unemployed youth with work that gives them bush regeneration skills and helps them gain a Diploma in Conservation and Land Management. They’re done environmental work on three properties so far.

LBCCG operate from offices in a refurbished house on a 40 hectare property adjoining Lake Baroon. The property was purchased by Seqwater, who provided the house as well as guaranteeing funding for the group – the sort of partnership which LBCCG hopes will be a template for the public utility to work with other community catchment care groups.

For more information about LBCCG, contact  Catchment Coordinator Mark Amos on 5494 3775 or visit the Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group website.

Great panorama on the Great Walk – the Gheerulla Creek valley provides a sublime view and a place to be contemplative

The recently-opened Great Walk Conondale Range is a trip back in time in more ways than one. The 56-kilometre circuit walk, which begins and ends at the popular Booloumba Creek campgrounds, provides much more than a glimpse of the spectacular forests, creeks and gorges for which the Conondale Ranges have become noted.

While the walk includes three new walkers’ campgrounds and is intended as a four-day experience, it also provides the opportunity for a number of shorter walks as well.

While other great walks like those at Cooloola and the Blackall Range offer a diversity of experiences for the walker, the new Conondales walk brings with it decades of history of forestry, community and conservation involvement.

Anyone driving across the largely cleared hills around Maleny, or visiting the remnant forest of Mary Cairncross Park couldn’t help but wonder of how things had been before European arrival.

Looking across to the forest-clad Conondales in the west provides the answer, but ironically it was only the action of a far-sighted forester who saved such places from the rapacious clearing for farming as was experienced around Maleny. Recognising the future need for timber, the state government around the turn of last century set up a forestry department based wholly on future demand for timber rather than any ecological consideration.

In 1966, Kenilworth scoutmaster, Ross Scott door-knocked Kenilworth with a petition for a National Park in the Conondales, but, though unanimously supported locally (even by the local branch of the Country Party), it was shelved by the state government.

The Save the Conondale Range Committee was established in 1976 following the work of a number of young researchers who were more than impressed with the area’s unique flora and fauna, most notably the Gastric Brooding Frog Rheobatrachus silus. There was great urgency in these early days as the lowland rain and vine forest around Little Yabba Creek was being cleared and the whole area was ear-marked for clearing to make way for pine plantations.

Now, more than four decades on, Ross Scott’s original National Park proposal has been more then realised with a large area of 35 500 hectares having been progressively declared. Sadly Rheobatrachus isn’t around to see it. The last one was sighted in the early 80s and is generally considered to be extinct, one of a number of victims of the introduced Chytrid fungus.

To wander the newly created trails is to walk back through time. The tree fern gullies and mountain creeks suggests links to our Gondwanan origins when such forests were far more widespread. They speak of our indigenous forebears heading up the waterways laying lobster traps as they went, for mountain lobster were highly prized.

Other sections speak more loudly of a forestry past. The walk out from Peters Creek, in particular, takes you past old log-loading ramps and giant stumps from, many of which have re-shot, and much of the walk utilises old forestry tracks, now being reclaimed by forest. While the views from the Mt Allan fire tower are spectacular, the walker is reminded that the tower is but one of a network (including the iconic Jimna Fire Tower) built to protect the forest estate from unplanned fires.

While planning and construction of the walk was principally carried out by a state government Great Walks team, it has also involved considerable local expertise and experience. In the early planning stage, a number of meetings with retired forester Eric Glassop, Sunshine Coast Bushwalker’s Don Burgher and members of the Conondale Range Committee provided valuable information based on years of working and walking experience. As well as this, several volunteer working bees were held to physically construct sections of the track and the Conondale Range Committee and members of the Sunshine Coast Bushwalkers have decided to adopt one of the walker’s campgrounds for ongoing care.

The walk will eventually include an on-site sculpture by internationally renowned artist Andy Goldsworthy who visited the area last November.

DERM (Department of Environment and Resource management) has published a detailed and informative map of the walk. From it, it is possible to identify smaller walks in addition to the four-day one, any of which would provide an introductory glimpse and leave the walker wanting more. The waterfalls on Booloumba Creek, Peter’s Creek and Summer Creek are all worth visiting, each with its own distinct character.

Now living in Gympie, Ross Scott fondly reflects on his scouting and bushwalking days but the construction of this latest walk should make him feel doubly proud for his far-sighted petition more than forty years ago.

Brief walk details

Google Map

Walking Maps

Camp Site Bookings

More information on the Conondale Range

The 56 km four day walk includes three campgrounds with daily sections of between 11 and 17km. Bookings for the low-key campgrounds are necessary before commencing. Some shorter walks are also outlined on the map and other possibilities (like the 10.4 km round trip from Sunday Creek Road to Peter’s Falls) can be readily identified. Walkers are advised that rocks in the creeks in the Conondales become very slippery when wet.

The walk begins and ends at Booloumba Day Use Area 2 and would-be walkers are advised that to reach the start of the trail involves driving over 3 creek crossings for which 4wd vehicles, or at least vehicles with high clearance, is required.

Ian Mackay has been President of the Conondale Range Committee for “quite a long time” and last year was made a life member of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council. He readily acknowledges the work of all those who laid down the groundwork for the recognition of the Conondale’s natural wonders and who’ve worked so selflessly to see them properly recognised and protected. The Conondale Range Committee is one of the Sunshine Coast’s longest serving conservation groups and has been recognised with two environment awards.

Author, John Burrows, on the Noosa Trail

It’s hard to resist the beach at Noosa, but for an adventure off the beaten track you must travel west a little way into the hinterland.

Exploring here has become a lot easier with the establishment of the Noosa Trail Network. It offers 106 kilometres of trail through a smorgasbord of landscapes – rolling hills and mountain peaks, bushland often in National Parks and State Forests, farmland, a scenic lake and the hinterland townships.

The Network was designed for horse riders, walkers, and mountain bike riders, and caters for all tastes and levels of fitness and experience. It utilises gazetted roads, road reserve, bush tracks and some private property, it crosses paddocks and small bridges in quiet valleys or climbs hills of daunting steepness.

Access is possible from many points, particularly the townships which can be reached by public transport, except for Kin Kin.
The Network is made up of eight separate trails, and the ultimate experience would be to combine some of these into one long circular trip.

Lake Macdonald near Cooroy is a good starting point for such a circuit. A picturesque spot, the artificial lake is Noosa’s main water source. Birdwatchers will find many species here – it’s one of 32 sites on the Noosa Bird Trail, and you’ll encounter more of these sites as you explore the Noosa Trail Network. The lake has Canoe Trails, but swimming is not allowed. In any case, Lake Macdonald is infested with cabomba, a pernicious water weed controlled to some extent by Council’s weed harvester which you may see crossing the lake like some weird contraption from Mad Max.

Our circuit begins by following Trail 4 – all trails have excellent signage, some markers may be obscured by vegetation so keep a sharp eye open. There’s interpretive signage too, describing the vegetation or snippets about the first Europeans in the area.
Trail 4 passes through pleasant bushland, dropping and climbing a little, a taste of things to come. It crosses a portion of Ringtail State Forest along an old Cobb & Co route – there’s some nice vine scrub here, although the track is boggy and unpleasant after rain and the alternative Trail 4 route may be preferable.

The country starts rising now up along a watershed separating the Noosa River and Six Mile Creek catchments. There’s a chance to rest and take in admirable views at Twin Hill Views Lookout. The Trail then runs along fence lines through private property and road reserve, the climb continuing to the top of Sheppersons Hill. The going here is steep, rocky and difficult.

Further along is Cootharaba Hills Lookout, offering one of the best panoramas along the Trail. Eastwards, the outlook includes the Cooloola Sandpatch, Lake Cootharaba and the ocean. Camping is permitted – there’s water and a picnic shelter – and it’s a beautiful spot to spend the night.  The lights of Noosa Heads can be seen twinkling after dark.

To the west, the Cooran Tableland dominates the horizon, with rolling hills of the Kin Kin Valley in the middle distance. Immediately below, the view is less appealing.

Preliminary work has begun on a mega-quarry which has locals worried. They’re concerned with the danger posed by many large trucks on small winding roads, including Sheppersons Lane which is part of Trail 4. The quarry spells bad news for the Network, could even result in this section being closed. Residents are organising legal action to have the scheme scrapped, or at least wound back.

For the moment you can continue peacefully along Trail 4. It leads a short distance westwards to Kin Kin, but our circuit switches to Trail 1, and runs through undulating farming country to Wahpunga Lane, the northern-most part of the Network.

Trail 1 then turns south to meet Trail 3, which follows quiet country roads until heading west and ascending the Cooran Tableland. There’s a short excruciatingly steep section up to Johnstons Lookout. A good spot to rest – it has a picnic shelter and water – it’s mostly enclosed in bushland, with limited views northeast into the Kin Kin Valley.

After this, the Trail is merely very steep. The long climb out of the valley reaches an altitude of 450 metres and leads to the shady rainforest of Woondum National Park, a welcome relief on a hot day. It’s one of Queensland’s newest National Parks, 4001 hectares in size.

It’s also one of the few National Parks where horse-riding is allowed. Conservationists objected strongly when the State Government amended the Nature Conservation Act to allow horses in Woondum and several other National Parks. They were dismayed with possible impacts – increased erosion, compromised nutrient status and water quality, and a general undermining of the integrity of National Parks.

The Noosa Trail heads south through Woondum, passing some interesting side tracks. Then it’s delightfully downhill to Tablelands Lookout and a commanding view of the countryside with its spectacular steep-sided volcanic peaks prominent. More descent, including a notoriously steep section known by mountain bike riders as The Mother, before the Trail flattens out and enters Cooran, where Trail 3 ends and our circuit switches to Trail 5.

With the terrain more or less level now, travelling on the Trail is not so arduous. There’s a close-up view of Mt Cooran and you’ll pass by a couple of lagoons that might be good for cooling off on a sweltering day.

Pomona is the next township, on the way the appealing bushland of the Tuchekoi National Park and the start of the walking trail to the top of Mt Cooroora. At 439 metres, it’s steep but manageable and popular.

From Pomona, there’s one last section to complete our circuit. The latest addition to the Network, Trail 7 leads east to our starting point at Lake Macdonald (it’s dubbed Mac ‘N’ Back). Another excellent section of trail, most of it runs alongside or through Yurol State Forest.

Allow plenty of time if doing the entire 70 km circuit as described here, and make sure your trip is well-planned and within your capabilities. Cooler months are best. Cyclists, especially if loaded with camping gear, should expect tough conditions.

Accommodation along the way is plentiful – hotels, bed and breakfast, campgrounds, with bush camping allowed at Cootharaba Views Lookout and Middle Lookout on Trail 2.

Trail users should follow caring-for-the-bush practices and respect the rights of landowners by staying on the trails. In National Parks, horse riders must be aware of the Code of Conduct for riding in protected areas.

More information: the very useful Noosa Trail Network map is available free from any Sunshine Coast Regional Council office, or: the Sunshine Coast Regional Council website.  

Decisions in the 80s gave the green light to high rise development

Survey after survey has confirmed the sentiment of most Sunshine Coast residents — “We don’t want another Gold Coast.

With some predictions that the population here may reach a half a million by 2030, restraining the aspirations of developers and property marketeers is important for residents, and there are many examples of how the community has worked to prevent the urbanisation of the Coast from top to bottom.

One group of Coolum residents gathered in 2004 and set up Development Watch Inc, its spur to action being an inappropriate development proposed for Mount Coolum. They were perhaps inspired by the bulk of Mt Coolum overlooking this coastal suburb. The prominent peak is now protected as National Park instead of hosting a major development involving chairlifts and restaurants – this was an odious proposal of the late 80s defeated by an irate and determined community.

Coolum itself is far from being the sleepy village that attracted so many who live there. It suffers the ignominy of high rise on the beach as a result of shoddy decision-making by Maroochy Council in the 80s. Now it’s faced with fast-growing industrial and commercial precincts and expanding suburbia.

Development Watch fights to keep it all at bay by making sure that the community is well informed and has a strong voice in making its views known.

The group has about 50 members, they meet in Coolum bi-monthly and take a close look at any applications for development that are inappropriate not just for the Coolum area but also for the wider Sunshine Coast.

Careful monitoring of development proposals is very important, to make sure that they’re in line with the various State Acts and Policies and the planning schemes of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, and also compatible with community aspirations. Members are adept at reading and understanding the fine print and negotiating the bureaucratic maze.

They keep a keen eye on Council’s website and PD Online – the Council’s self-help service – and pick up development applications of interest at the application stage.  They then monitor the application’s progress through the system and will usually know when the white signs go up.? The group involves the wider community with letter box drops, by getting petitions signed and holding public meetings. They formulate detailed submissions to local and state government to make sure that community views are represented.
Their involvement may not end even when Council rejects an application. Developers will often appeal the decision to the Planning and Environment Court.  Development Watch may then elect to co-respond with Council to provide them with support and to reinforce the community view.  Current applications now before the court range from an application for commercial offices in a residential area at Coolum Beach to a 950 dwelling residential development at Pacific Paradise.

President Brian Raison says that while the primary aim is preventing inappropriate development in the Coolum area, it’s important to have a regional perspective.

“Any major development proposal north of the Maroochy River could have an adverse impact on Coolum residents and businesses.  Even residential developments further afield can affect parking, traffic congestion and liveability in Coolum,” he said.

“Take for example the proposed Caloundra South development – the Coast’s population jumps by 50,000 if it goes ahead. Creating a city the size of Gladstone so close to existing towns will really have a serious effect on liveability along the coast and in the popular hinterland towns.”

Unsustainable population growth is the key threat, according to Mr Raison. With a State Government determined to accommodate huge population increases in South East Queensland, and much the same outlook at the national level (both the Federal Government and Opposition seem to favour a forecast population 60% increase by 2050, which outstrips all other industrialised nations) what’s the best way deal with this?

“For starters, the Federal Government has to be convinced to have a population policy,” said Mr Raison.

“It has given no indication as to how it will stop the ever-increasing tide once its absurd target of 35 million by 2050 is reached.  The country’s post-secondary education system needs serious overhaul so that skilled workers for Australia’s future needs are sourced from within, rather than relying on an unacceptable level of immigrants.

“This is an arid country and we will become a net importer of food unless the Federal Government can think beyond the ballot box and can also dampen the drivers of immigration.?“The Federal view is unlikely to change unless the States understand the problem.  I don’t have a positive view of that happening.  Development Watch is focussed on convincing our Council to maintain its publicly stated policy of determining carrying capacity before committing to development.  With the Department of Infrastructure and Planning having the power to impose development on our Council, this conflict may only be resolved in the courts. That is, if our Councillors have the courage to pursue this course of action.”?Development Watch also sees unrestrained tourism growth as a threat to community liveability and well-being.

“We must have tourism, of course, but there is a limit to the number that can be accommodated,” said Mr Raison.

“Tourist blight – the disease that sees the very things that attract tourists to an area destroyed – is a serious concern of ours.  As an example, Council plans to construct a new airport runway.  Accommodating and amusing the increased number of tourists that will be required to justify expenditure on this project will exacerbate this blight.

“Remember, the Queensland Government requires the Sunshine Coast to have, in 20 years time, the same population that the Gold Coast has now.”?We are keen to hear from residents in the Coolum area who would like to assist in ensuring Coolum remains a great place to live and visit.

Phone Brian on 5446 4493 if you would like more information.

More information about Development Watch

With this in mind, the Woodford Folk Festival promotes cycling as a good way of getting there. Sounds daunting? Combined with a luggage service and a ride on the CityTrain, it becomes very manageable.

It’s an easy ride if you cycle regularly, but you don’t need to be a Lance Armstrong – anyone of average fitness can do it.

Cyclists can leave their luggage at a drop off point for collection before the festival begins. The luggage service — it’s free for cyclists — has been operating from Brisbane since 2004, and this year is available for Sunshine Coasters too. The drop off point is the SCEC office in Nambour on December 22 and 23 – be aware though that booking for this service is absolutely essential.

Unhindered by camping gear and everything else needed for a week at Woodford, you can then take your bicycle (it travels free) on the CityTrain to either Beerwah or Beerburrum stations, and start riding.
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The ride to the Festival site is less than 30 kms, and follows scenic roads through forest or farmland. Starting from Beerburrum station is the quietest and safest route, although there’s a fair bit of gravel road.

It’s important to take your time – it’s not a race, ride at a relaxed pace, hop off your bike and walk up that one big hill that lies between the train station and Woodford no matter which way you go.

Once at the festival gate, cyclists – well exercised and elated – receive priority and are encouraged to jump the queue. There’s more red-carpet treatment at Cyclist Camping, a designated car free camping area in a quiet spot along a rain-forested creek bank.

Here, along with some very pleasant camp sites, there’s a roomy marquee with your luggage waiting and plenty of room for secure bicycle parking or socialising with other cycling festival goers.

The festival has produced a Cycle to Woodford Guide/Map which will help you decide which way to go, along with other useful details. There’s a strong emphasis on cycling safety.

For a free copy, phone the Festival office (5496 1066) to have one posted, or collect one from the SCEC office.

Bookings for the luggage service – phone 5447 6993 or 3368 2324.

The latest community group to become a member of SCEC, PAGE is fighting to protect community members and at the same time playing an active role in reducing carbon emissions on the Sunshine Coast.

PAGE – the useful acronym doubling for the Powerline Action Group Eumundi and People Advocating Green Energy – was formed in 2007 in response to a proposal which threatens the communities west of Eumundi with high voltage powerlines and pylons marching across an idyllic landscape.

What to expect - transmission towers, power lines and their easement cut a swathe through Beerburrum State Forest. Photograph: John Burrows

The proposal comes from Powerlink, the government agency responsible for Queensland’s power transmission network, and involves power lines connecting a present substation at Woolooga, up past Gympie, with a new substation close to Eumundi.

It’s all part of a larger scheme to extend new transmission lines on wide easements the length of the Sunshine Coast. Exact details aren’t readily available, but it’s clear that the scheme will lock the Coast into a carbon dependent future.

Most of the new line from Woolooga is planned to run alongside an existing easement, but it’s the final nine kilometres, running through Eerwah Vale, which will have a profound effect on community and environment.

PAGE has been fighting the proposal from the outset. They make the compelling point that it’s just another large-scale old-world engineering solution to current climate change challenges and argue strongly for alternatives.

Demand management could see power use by many businesses and households reduced by up to 30 per cent. During Brisbane’s water crisis, a public awareness campaign plus regulation resulted in water use being cut dramatically – up to 54 per cent in 18 months. Why not try the same approach with power?

Powerlink also seems to disregard renewable energy. PAGE promoted a plan by Sanctuary Energy Ltd to provide power on the Sunshine Coast using solar thermal generators, a plan which our Transmission Network Service Provider casually dismissed.

PAGE also supports SCEC’s 1000 Solar Roofs Project, a successful community initiative to provide solar panels to roofs on the Sunshine Coast – there are over 800 households signed up at the time of writing, demonstrating the huge potential for renewable energy.

Recognising that political support is vital, PAGE has met with the Minister for Mines & Energy and the Opposition. They also organised a State Election candidate’s forum, held at Eumundi which was very well attended. There was support from the former Noosa Council, and PAGE is planning a presentation to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council for its backing.

PAGE has an informative website, and has held community meetings and information days. Affected residents had the benefit of workshops to help them respond to documents required under the community consultation process – the draft Terms of Reference and recently the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The draft EIS was 1900 pages long and widely seen as being too complex, not to mention daunting in size, for most people to digest.

Community members got together with an environmental scientist and other specialists to respond to the draft EIS, and produced a comprehensive and hard hitting document, concluding that the assessment and the assessment process were fundamentally flawed.

“The draft EIS can be characterised as misleading, incorrect, inadequate and lacking in critical detail,” said PAGE coordinator Graham Smith.

“It clearly lacks any independence in its analysis, conclusions or recommendations.

“Unfortunately, this is consistent with the woeful consultation and poorly detailed studies undertaken by Powerlink and their paid consultants.”

In their response to the draft EIS, PAGE emphasised their desire to one day make clean, sustainable energies a reality in the power profile of the Sunshine Coast and Queensland.

Along with many other crucial issues, the assessment of environmental impacts was seen as totally inadequate.

The Richmond Birdwing Butterfly - a local colony faces extinction if Powerlink has its way. Photograph by Jennifer Broomhall

A case in point — the beautiful but endangered Richmond Birdwing Butterfly has only a few small pockets of suitable habitat remaining, and the most northern of these, right in the path of the proposed powerlines, could be compromised if Powerlink gets its way.

Koalas too are set to suffer – a loss of 20 hectares of koala habitat at a time when their numbers in SEQ are plummeting.

Both of these species have special interest for photographer Jennifer Broomhall and husband Fred who live on a property which will be affected if the powerlines come through.

Registered under the Land for Wildlife programme – along with 21 other properties which will be affected – the Broomhall’s block straddles a ridge which is a watershed for the Mary and Maroochy River catchments. There is high plant diversity with areas of riparian rain forest and remnant vine forest.

Koalas are seen (or heard) frequently, thanks in part to koala food trees planted since the couple moved there 32 years ago.

The Richmond Birdwing Butterfly occurs there as well, and like the koalas is much photographed. It only has one food source – the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly vine. There’s a fine specimen of the vine on the next door block, unfortunately right in the path of Powerlink’s easement.

The draft EIS recommends that this vine be translocated, even though scientific opinion is adamant that it doesn’t survive replanting. So the local population of the butterfly is doomed if the Powerlink proposal goes ahead.

PAGE has found many deficiencies like this in the draft EIS. With the final EIS due by the end of this year, the group plans to continue campaigning and gaining community support, and intends to lobby the Minister for Mines & Energy highlighting the many inadequacies in the process.

They’re closely connected in the Dreamtime tale of the Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) people. Both were rivals for the affection of Maroochy, a beautiful young woman. A fierce battle saw Coolum’s head knocked off into the ocean to become Mudjimba Island, Ninderry turned to rock, and Maroochy’s copious flow of tears forming the Maroochy River.

In geological parlance, they are remnants of past volcanic activity. They’re rough and rocky outcrops with near vertical sides and caution is needed if exploring close to their edges.

Looking south from the summit of Mt Coolum. Image John Burrows

Mt Coolum is the most accessible and the most popular. Many thousands take the reasonably easy climb to the top each year to enjoy a great vista – Cooloola National Park to the north, the Glasshouse Mountains to the south, Mt Ninderry and the Blackall Range to the west, and the vast infinity of the Pacific Ocean.

The mountain is 208 metres high, and only 1500 metres from the beach, and you probably won’t find such a high lookout so close to the ocean anywhere else in Queensland.

The starting point for the climb is in Tanah Street West, just off the David Low Way, five minutes walk from the bus stop. Sunbus has an excellent service – the 620 – which runs between Maroochydore and Noosa Heads every half hour.

A National Park information board mentions that Mt Coolum’s cliff edges provides habitat for the peregrine falcon, the fastest animal on earth. It can reach 200 kilometres per hour while diving on prey, and you may be lucky enough to witness this.

The track to the summit can be a little steep and rocky, but won’t present difficulties for anyone of average fitness and agility. It may be slippery if wet. Do observe warning signs where the track nears cliff edges. It’s about 800 metres to the top; allow two hours for the return trip.

There are some interesting rock formations as you ascend. Higher up there is montane heath, a rare vegetation type which occurs where the soil is too thin to support large shrubs and trees.

Then from the summit there are 360 degree views, just walk around a bit to find the best vantage points. The panorama includes extensive coastal development, especially to the south.

If things had worked out differently, the summit of Mt Coolum itself could have been afflicted in the same way. In 1986 the Maroochy Council wanted to allow a development involving a chair lift up the side of the mountain and restaurant, café, function room and other facilities at the top.

This was desecration in the eyes of local community groups, who nipped the proposal in the bud, then fought for Mt Coolum to be declared National Park, as it eventually was in 1990.

That important peregrine falcon habitat thus became protected, along with a host of botanical treasures. These include 40 per cent of all species of ferns in the world, as well as some plant species found nowhere else on the planet.

From Mt Coolum’s summit, there is a walking track down the western side, not as well maintained, but offering good views across cane fields to Mt Ninderry.

The western face of Mt Ninderry. Image John Burrows

Ninderry has a wilder character, and is more difficult to access. For the non-motoring minority, public transport can get you to Yandina, it’s then about an hour’s brisk walk to the trailhead.

From just east of where the Yandina-Coolum Road crosses the Maroochy River, turn up Collins Road to reach Ninderry Road, turn right and proceed for 2.2 kilometres until you reach Eucalyptus Crescent. There’s an unmarked concrete driveway on the right, which looks private, but leads up to a small car park and picnic shelter which is the start of the trail to Ninderry’s summit.

Now largely protected from development with Conservation Park status, the mountain is 304 metres heigh.  It’s not an arduous walk to the top, although rocky and steepish in places, it should take about half an hour.

You’ll walk through attractive eucalyptus woodland, but views are limited until reaching the summit. As with Mt Coolum, there are wonderful panoramas, but you’ll need to scout around to find viewpoints. Spectacular cliffs are on the southern and western sides of the mountain.  Be very careful if approaching the edges.

To the south there’s a great outlook over the Maroochy River snaking towards the ocean, and immense expanses of land once used for growing sugarcane, now mostly unused since the local sugar mill closed down. Mt Coolum dominates the eastern landscape, with the Pacific Ocean providing a fine back drop.

It’s good if you can climb both Mt Coolum and Mt Ninderry in quick succession, to better appreciate how each stands in relationship to the other.

Enjoy both – but keep in mind the fragility of our natural wonders, and be a minimal impact visitor.