7 minute read
COMBAT WILDLIFE CRIME
By Jack Waters
IT is hoped a new partnership between Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors and Crime Stoppers Queensland will reduce wildlife crimes across the state.
Wildlife Warriors founder Terri Irwin made the partnership announcement alongside her son Robert and Crime Stoppers Queensland CEO Carmen Jenkinson at Australia Zoo on September 14.
The zoo will off er $1,000 to anyone who comes forward with information that leads to a prosecution for a wildlife crime anywhere across Queensland.
The announcement comes aft er Robert Irwin and his team made a harrowing discovery on the Wenlock River during their annual crocodile research work at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in the Cape York Peninsula.
“We saw a dead croc fl oating down the river which was incredibly sad to see but what made it more devastating was when we actually examined it and found a very clear gunshot straight through its head,” Robert said.
“For us, as wildlife conservationists, it’s just heartbreaking to see something like this.
“That was really the spark for us. We wanted to do something not only for [the crocodile] but the many animals every year that unfortunately suff er,” he said.
Terri Irwin said the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital continued to see an increase in wildlife crime.
“Here at our wildlife hospital we are seeing animals that have been hit by crossbows, shot or attacked,” she said.
“We just had a scrub turkey come in recently. Someone had broken its leg and spray painted it pink.
“We want to stop this and we want to see our wildlife treated with respect,” Terri said.
It’s this very reason why Terri was so excited to announce a formal partnership with Crime Stoppers Queensland.
Carmen from Crime Stoppers said wildlife crime was oft en overlooked, so much so that since the beginning of the year there had been only 61 reports of animal and environmental crime in Queensland.
“At Crime Stoppers we’re not hearing a lot about wildlife crime so that’s part of the impetus to announce this partnership today,” Carmen said.
“We’re asking people to identify that this is something that ought to be reported, that Queensland’s environment is worth protecting.”
GC&M News was the fi rst to report the new partnership on our Facebook page when it was announced.
At the time of going to print, the post had reached more than 972,920 people and had been shared by more than 5,300 people.
The news received an outpouring of support from locals and people across the country who commended both Australia Zoo and Crime Stoppers for the initiative.
To report a wildlife crime contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au
All reports made will be anonymous and anyone who provides information that leads to prosecution will be able to collect the reward anonymously.
Crime Stoppers Queensland CEO Carmen Jenkinson with Terri and Robert Irwin
By Greg Brown
Last fi nancial year around 1,800 development applications were lodged with Sunshine Coast Council, the vast majority of which were assessed and approved.
One local development refusal that created a great deal of discussion was the application to build a Coles supermarket at Beerwah.
Although the council ultimately considered that there were too many substantial confl icts with the community standards expected under the planning scheme, the fact that Coles made the application in the fi rst place shows its confi dence in the future of Beerwah and the Glasshouse Country region.
The refusal disappointed many locals who commented that the decision was just another that showed how the council is holding back the area, not letting Beerwah develop and stopping job opportunities for locals.
A cursory understanding of the development process would show that this isn’t how the system works.
If an area is attractive for an investor, they’ll fi nd somewhere to make their vision a reality.
And if the number of major developments currently in the pipeline is anything to go by, those in the know must consider that the southern hinterland areas are brimming with opportunity and potential.
Don’t believe me? Well, here’s a few major projects under development. Glenview
Sanad Capital is progressing its $400 million resort, tourist accommodation, water theme park and surfi ng wave pool application on Steve Irwin Way at Glenview. Once operational, the 25ha complex will create 320 jobs.
Glass House Mountains
A facility off ering a surfi ng wave pool, wellness centre, paddock-to-plate food and beverage, ocean and marine protection education, learn-to-surf classes and surf coaching at the end of Johnston Road in Glass House Mountains is being assessed. If approved, the $25 million 13ha site is expected to be operational in 2023. Beerwah
Australia Zoo is progressing its development application to build a new tourist accommodation complex at the rear of the zoo, which will include 68 cabins and 40 bush camp sites, allowing more tourists to stay and experience the region. Palmview
A new signifi cant and contemporary tourism development on Frizzo Road at Palmview will include a mix of indoor and outdoor recreation and leisure activities, low impact accommodation, cultural tourist attractions and food-based tourism facilities. Palmview
Just up the road from the above, a new caravan park is approved on Frizzo Road, with 406 caravan, glamping and RV sites, as well as including 3 hectares of open space camping. Beerwah
The Village Marketplace has been approved to build a new extension to the supermarket complex, providing more than 3,000m2 of extra retail fl oor space in the heart of Beerwah and 118 new car parks. Glenview
The Glenview par 3 golf course sold earlier this year to the G’day Group (a $1 billion holiday park provider that incorporates Discovery Parks and G’day Parks). Although they haven’t released plans, Brisbane media reports that the group intends investing to create an attraction that will increase tourism and create local jobs, suggesting that the golf course would be integrated with broader family-friendly attractions. Meridian Plains
A little closer to the coast but drawing on the attractions of the hinterland, a massive tourist park, function facility and short-term accommodation development is on the drawing board at Meridian Plains. This 34ha development on Westaway Road will include 185 camp sites, 40 cabins, 24 safari tents, 93 studio room apartments, a function facility for 200 people, plus eating and entertainment facilities. It will attract 164,000 visitors per year generating $24 million in tourism expenditure and creating 105 jobs. Beerwah
A 200-dwelling lifestyle resort for the over 50s situated on Steve Irwin Way between Back Creek Road and the Beerwah Hideaway has been approved and is awaiting construction. Beerwah
A large aged-care and retirement living facility is proposed for the eastern side of the railway in Beerwah on two adjoining blocks. The 25 independent living units and 93-bed high-care residential facility proposal is for two four-storey buildings – one housing the independent retirement living units and the other the care facility.
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