Bins & Birds

When I first started asking questions about the removal of the jetty bins and the installation of bird netting at Coochiemudlo Jetty, I genuinely thought a few straightforward answers would clear everything up.

Instead, almost three weeks later, many of those questions remain unanswered.

On 18 June, I sent Redland City Council a follow-up email. Rather than starting from scratch, I worked through every response I'd received, identifying which questions had been answered, which had only been partly addressed, and which hadn't really been answered at all. My AI assistant even produced a flowchart to untangle the maze of correspondence, using responses received from several community members who had also contacted Council.

As of today, I haven't received so much as an acknowledgement.

So I've sent the email again.

Not because I'm looking for a fight.

Because our community deserves answers.

When Questions Become Action

Rather than simply waiting for a response, I also referred the concerns to BirdLife Southern Queensland, BirdLife Australia and the Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, asking each organisation to consider the environmental, wildlife and animal welfare implications of the netting.

Since then, something remarkable has happened.

What began as a handful of conversations on our little island has steadily gathered momentum.

Residents have continued sending photographs, observations and information.

BirdLife Southern Queensland has become involved.

BirdLife Australia has offered expert advice.

The Mayor's Office has responded.

The Queensland environment department has commenced an investigation.

That's the power of a community that refuses to simply look the other way.

BirdLife Southern Queensland Steps In

After reviewing the information provided, Sheena Gillman, Convenor and Chair of Conservation for BirdLife Southern Queensland, contacted the Mayor's Office directly.

The response was encouraging.

"To ensure your concerns are addressed promptly, I have forwarded your email to the Office of the General Manager, Infrastructure & Operations for their consideration and direct response. I have also copied in the Divisional Councillor for his information. The relevant team will respond accordingly to the issues you have outlined.

Thank you again for your email and for sharing the community's concerns."

 

For the first time, it feels like these concerns have travelled well beyond our shoreline.

Hopefully, that also means the outstanding questions will finally receive the attention they deserve.

Our Tiny Allies

One of the most thought-provoking responses came from BirdLife Australia.

Along with providing information about Queensland's Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020, they reminded us why these birds matter in the first place.

Welcome Swallows, swifts, martins and other insect-eating birds aren't simply entertaining to watch as they twist and turn through the sky.

They're some of the hardest-working volunteers on the island.

Every mosquito they catch is one less mosquito looking for you.

Every sandfly they eat is one less itchy bite.

Nature has already provided Coochie with an incredibly effective pest management team, free of charge.

Perhaps that's something worth celebrating instead of overlooking.

BirdLife Australia also highlighted that Queensland legislation generally protects the breeding places of native wildlife, with only limited exemptions applying under specific circumstances.

It's a timely reminder that these little birds aren't just part of the scenery.

They're part of what makes Coochie... Coochie.

Evidence Is Beginning to Build

When the netting first went up, many people worried birds might become trapped.

Those concerns are no longer just theoretical.

Since this issue began, community members have documented a bird trapped in the netting, two Welcome Swallows trapped inside the netting while trying to reach their nesting area and plastic offcuts left behind following the installation.

None of these observations, on their own, tell the whole story.

Together, they tell us something important.

They tell us this issue deserves careful attention.

Not assumptions.

Not rumours.

Evidence.

If you witness birds becoming trapped, repeatedly attempting to access netted areas, carrying nesting material, or displaying unusual behaviour, please photograph or film what you see if it is safe to do so.

The same goes for overflowing rubbish, poor cleaning, damage around the jetty, or anything else that helps build an accurate picture of what's happening.

One photograph captures a moment.

A community documenting those moments over time creates something much more powerful.

It creates evidence.

An Environmental Investigation Is Underway

While all of this has been unfolding, another important development has taken place.

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation has acknowledged my environmental report concerning the bird netting.

The department has now commenced its initial investigation.

As part of its standard process, Blast Pest Management, the contractor engaged by Redland City Council, has been notified of the concerns through a Procedural Fairness process and invited to respond.

Blast Pest Management has been given ten business days to provide its response, after which the department will consider the information before advising me of the outcome.

Importantly, the department has also encouraged me to continue documenting observations, recognising that further evidence may assist the investigation.

This doesn't mean anyone has been found at fault.

But it does mean the concerns raised by our community have reached the threshold for formal investigation.

That's a significant step.

This Is Bigger Than Bins and Birds

Some people have asked why I keep pushing.

The answer is simple.

Because this isn't really about bins.

Or birds.

It's about transparency.

It's about protecting the unique character of our island.

It's about asking respectful questions and expecting respectful answers.

Most of all, it's about a community that cares enough not to simply shrug its shoulders and move on.

Over the past few weeks, I've watched something incredibly encouraging happen.

People have started paying attention.

They've shared photographs.

Recorded videos.

Asked questions.

Sent emails.

Offered expertise.

And quietly, piece by piece, we've begun building a record based on facts rather than opinions.

That's how meaningful change happens.

Not overnight.

But one observation...

One photograph...

One question...

One conversation at a time.

If you notice birds becoming trapped, looking for somewhere to roost, rubbish accumulating, cleaning that falls short, or anything else around the jetty that helps build an accurate picture, please send your photographs, videos or observations to editor@coochiecommunityonline.com.

Every observation matters.

Every photograph strengthens the record.

Every person who chooses to speak up helps protect the place we all love.

I'll continue sharing updates as they happen.

And as always, I'll keep asking the questions until we get satisfactory answers.

PS/And Cheerio to my AI buddy who has helped keep me on track with the timelines and sorting of information.  I used to be called Pollyanna, I now bestow that title on you, ChattyGee!!