But wait! There's more!! |
Where were the reps from the community and bird orgs? |
This image shows the netting coming down on the weekend of 22/23 Aug. The council officers were spotted at the jetty on the morning of 25 Aug.
TL:DR
The Sighting: Council officers were spotted on-site this morning discussing what looks like further bird deterrent measures.
The Legal Rule: Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, Council cannot tamper with native breeding or roosting sites without an approved Species Management Program (SMP)—requiring ecological surveys, mitigation, and licensed spotter-catchers.
The Action: Contact the Acting Mayor and Councilors using the details below to ask for formal proof of an approved SMP before any further actions are taken.
Earlier today I released an article that talked about how delighted the community is about the netting coming down, and a CTA for council to move forward in a slow, measured and consultative way.
A Coochie resident passed four officers (presumably) from the council this morning, and reported back they were discussing what one can assume would be further deterrents (more than happy to be proven wrong with this assumption!).
I asked if I could make her comment public, so here it is!
If your spidey senses are tingling like mine are, please read below and feel free to use any of the information (be sure to double-check its accuracy for yourself) in letting council know that a course of action that is taken without following their statutory obligations to observe a SMP will be pursued as far as we can take it.
https://www.redland.qld.gov.au/About-Council/Contact-Us - online form submisstion.
Redland City Council:
• General Enquiries: rcc@redland.qld.gov.au
• Mayor Jos Mitchell: mayor@redland.qld.gov.au
• Cr Lance Hewlett (Division 4 – Victoria Point & Coochiemudlo): lance.hewlett@redland.qld.gov.au
• Cr Shane Rendalls (Division 5 – Southern Moreton Bay Islands): shane.rendalls@redland.qld.gov.au
Conservation & BirdLife Organisations:
• BirdLife Southern Queensland: southernqld@birdlife.org.au
• BirdLife Australia: conservation@birdlife.org.au
• Queensland Wader Study Group: info@waders.org.au
• Wildlife Queensland (Bayside): bayside@wildlife.org.au
I'd be asking RCC to make sure they focus on a SMP (Species Management Program)
In case you were wondering...
A Species Management Program (SMP) is a legal framework under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 required before any activity can tamper with or destroy native animal breeding places (like nests, roosts, or hollows).
Here is what an SMP involves:
• Ecological Survey: A qualified ecologist inspects the site to identify protected species and map all active and potential breeding places/nests.
• Impact Avoidance & Minimisation: Council/contractors must demonstrate how disturbance will be avoided (e.g., timing works outside breeding seasons) or kept to an absolute minimum.
• Mitigation & Alternative Roosts: If nests or roosts must be modified or deterred, safe alternatives (like nesting boxes or nearby artificial structures) must be provided.
• Licensed Spotter-Catchers: Qualified wildlife spotter-catchers must be on-site to inspect structures prior to works, handle/relocate eggs, chicks, or adults, and coordinate with wildlife carers if needed.
• State Approval & Monitoring: High-risk works or tampering with colonial breeder habitats require formal sign-off from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI), along with ongoing compliance monitoring.
While I can't say for certain, there are serious doubts Council actually had an approved SMP in place for putting the netting up or taking it down.
Asking them directly for proof of an SMP is a great way to nudge them on their statutory obligations under the Nature Conservation Act!
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10 Comments
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Has anyone from BirdLife Australia commented on this? Would love their input before council moves again.
If they do anything without an SMP, authorities need to be called in. There are rules for a reason!
Wish the council would do some proper signage telling us what's happening. The rumors make it worse for everyone.
I saw them down near the jetty too. It did look official but no one said anything to the public around.
Asking for proof of SMP is the right move. They can’t just skirt around these laws because it’s inconvenient for them.
Why can’t they just leave the birds alone and let nature do its thing? Seems like more drama than needed.
Happy to see the netting gone but I worry what 'deterrents' really means for the birds. Council needs to reply, not just act.
I'd love to know if they ever even had that SMP in the first place. Not sure I believe they did.
Anyone else notice that council always waits until folks are distracted before making moves like this? Stay alert.
I hope they don't just throw up another net without doing it properly this time. Let's hold them to it.