Protect Our Local Koalas and Ecosystems—Take Action Now!
The Blueberry Crest development is threatening our local environment, and we need your help to stop it. The developers have already cleared vital koala habitat and now want permission to clear even more trees.
We can’t let this happen. Every email sent to our Councillors makes a difference. Show the Toowoomba Regional Council that our community cares deeply about preserving our natural environment.
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Read the Toowoomba Chroncil news article here.
Media Release: Darling Downs Environment Council Demands Rejection of Blueberry Crest Development Application and Stronger Environmental Protections
The Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC) is calling for the Toowoomba Regional Council to reject the Blueberry Crest development application following the recent revelations of unlawful land clearing and construction activities. The developer, Rolfe Nominees Pty Ltd, has been fined a mere $14,375 by the Department of Environment and Science (DES) for the intentional destruction of 4000 square metres of critical koala habitat—a penalty that fails to reflect the severity of the environmental damage caused.
The DDEC is appalled by the inadequate fines issued by the DES, given the scale of harm inflicted on a species as iconic and vulnerable as the koala. "A fine of less than $15,000 is a slap on the wrist for such a significant breach of environmental laws. This level of penalty sends a dangerous message that developers can destroy protected habitats with minimal financial consequences," said Ahri Tallon from the Darling Downs Environment Council.
The Blueberry Crest development, planned to occupy 33 hectares bordering the Geham State Forest, has been the subject of growing concern among local residents. Satellite imagery and witness accounts have revealed that large-scale construction, including the clearing of trees and the building of dams, has already taken place, despite the developer not yet securing the necessary council approvals. This blatant disregard for the legal process and environmental regulations underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement and penalties.
In addition to the ongoing environmental violations, the DDEC is alarmed by the developer's application to clear an additional 248 trees along road reserves as part of their project. This request, which will further devastate local ecosystems, must be unequivocally rejected.
The Darling Downs Environment Council stands with the local community in demanding that the Toowoomba Regional Council reject the Blueberry Crest development application at the upcoming special meeting on September 18, 2024. Furthermore, we call on the DES to review and significantly increase penalties for environmental breaches to deter future violations and to ensure that developers are held accountable for their actions.
"We cannot allow the destruction of our natural environment to go unpunished. The future of our koalas, our ecosystems, and our community's well-being is at stake," Mr Tallon added.
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