Biodiversity is the variety of life: the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and the ecosystems of which they are a part.
The Sunshine Coast is said to have the second highest rate of biodiversity in the country and it is a priority of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council
The biggest threat to biodiversity is clearing and weeds. Clearing is usually driven by development and farming. Coaastal Wallum ecosystems seem to bethe most endangered on the coast, and of course, like the rest of the world, rainforests are becoming rarer.
There are many developments on the coast that are threatening biodiversity. Also, there are some threats to coastal wetlands and rainforest at Warana.
December 20th 2005
RE: Great Ocean Walk
Dear Councillor,
The Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) is concerned about a section of the Caloundra Coastal Walk, parallel to the Oceanic Drive (between Buddina and Bokarina).
The land is owned by state government with the transfer of management and responsibility having been given to the Caloundra Council during the 1970’s. With this in mind, the Council’s management of the area has to be applauded with revegetation and rehabilitation occurring under the Beach Protection Act in regards to flora.
Coastal management in regards to flora and fauna is one of the most difficult and under valued areas of decision making that occurs all around Australia. Both coastal flora and fauna, and the ecological functions they carry out, are of vital importance, yet becoming increasingly scarce by the day. What still remains, faces various, mounting pressures.
Having recently walked along (not through) the aforementioned area, I was amazed at the melaleuca wetlands, littoral rainforest (both recognised at a state and regional level as significant) and the density of vegetation. Coastal areas behind dunes rarely exist on the Sunshine Coast and it is significant in coastal processes such as erosion and the cycle of dune building. And in the ever increasing threat of sea level rises and storm surges, this would form an important barrier.
Finally is the importance of this area as a source of faunal habitat. I only had the opportunity to spend an hour there but saw several species of butterfly, birds and even a brown snake. I recognised the Birdwing Butterfly Vine there which is vital to the endangered butterfly of the same name. Having looked at the environment report, it was disappointing that only 40 hours was spent over the whole proposed walk. With this sort of floral density, and the varying habitats, I am sure with my ecology background, that several threatened Wallum species would exist. Having read the Environment review it states that it is important habitat for turtle and shore birds (all covered in international treaties such as RAMSAR).
With Currimundi Lake to the South and Mooloolah National Park to the east, this tract forms more than a local habitat -it forms and important link or corridor. These sorts of linkages are vital to protecting the biological diversity of the Sunshine Coast, recognised as second only to the wet tropics for biodiversity. These linkages provide not only passage ways for faunal movement to access similar and different habitats but also to access water. This available movement also avoids inbreeding and capture by predators. Without these corridors we will have islands of habitat with fauna that will be left vulnerable for the aforementioned reasons.
As humans, it is far easier to look forward and plan the actions necessary that will bring equity in enjoyment of nature across generations. It is more difficult to look back at lost flora and fauna and in some cases never be able to replace them. It is these irreversible decisions that are hardest to tell future generations.
So with this in mind, I ask council to consider its proposed 3 metre concrete walkway parallel to Oceanic Drive. It will cut a swathe through what is an important, but under valued, ecological system. It’s location will have very limited “ocean views” and we would prefer that for this length that is continues along the bike and walkways provided along Oceanic Drive. SCEC recognises that there is still beach access at regular intervals along part of Oceanic Drive. Combine these with the proposed walkway and you will have fragmented patches of flora with no fauna. SCEC would also hold initial concerns of snake bites as they maybe forced to leave their habitat out of fear of predatation. If they did stay, concrete has always formed an attractive medium to lie on to to sun themselves.
I hope you can see our concerns with this portion of the walk and can see the significance of this habitat. A great deal of effort has occurred both with council and local groups in it’s protection and management.
It would be a shame to lose it and all the services it provides.
Yours truly,
Scott Alderson
Campaign Coordinator
Sunshine Coast Environment Council
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