Upcoming Guided Plant Walk 6th April Rogers Reseve

GUIDED PLANT WALK This Sunday 6th April 2.00pm Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve 3 Community Court (Entrance next to Highfields Recreational Centre) Highfields Qld 4352 A free Guided Plant Walk through the Rogers Reserve will begin at 2pm, Sunday 6th April 2014. Trish Gardner from “Friends of Rogers Reserve” will guide the group through the nature trail at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve and will share her knowledge on the wide variety of plants within the reserve, including those currently flowering and in fruit, along with other points of interest along the way.  BYO Camera, Water Bottle, Hat & Comfortable Walking Shoes etc  Further information: www.rogersreserve.blogspot.com  |  rogersreserve@yahoo.com.au www.facebook.com/charlesandmoteerogersbushlandreserve

DOWNLOAD THE A4 PRINTABLE PLANT WALK FLYER HERE...

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN JOINING THE FRIENDS GROUP HERE...

Plant walk a success at Rogers Reserve friends meeting 21/03/2014

Over 22 local residents interested in joining a "Friends of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve Group" attended a casual meeting at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve on Friday.  The group were treated to a guided tour through the eastern side of the bushland reserve by Trish Gardner.  Trish shared her extensive knowledge of the native plants within the reserve and explained the importance of the various layers of forest that make up the ecosystem.  The morning started off a little misty and the distinct sound of Eastern Whipbirds could be heard throughout the reserve.  The morning mist cleared giving ideal conditions for the group to catch up over a cup of coffee after the walk.

Councillor Bill Cahill attended the beginning of the walk and expressed his support and personal interest in the new friends group.  Frida Forsberg from the Queensland Greens travelled to Highfields from Beachmere, Brisbane to visit the reserve to experience the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve in person after hearing about the recent petition.  Achim Eberhart from Toowoomba Regional Council attended the plant walk and then spoke to the group about the suitable options and guidelines for creating a friends group and listened to the groups ideas and suggestions for future projects for the reserve.

In accordance with TRC, the friends group will hold informal walks once a month along with a variety of different activities during the year including informal get-togethers, tree planting, weeding and educational events.   To register your interest in attending, please sign up to our mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/PwZTP

Some of the group prior to starting off on the plant walk at Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve 21/03/14

Trish Gardner explaining about "bush tucker" during the Plant Walk  at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve

Some members of the group spotted this beautiful Male King Parrot leaving a large nesting hollow at the Reserve. 

He was followed by his female partner who emerged from the hole once he flew off

The group looking at the Red-Olive Plum Tree laden with fruits at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve

Interesting patterns on the leaf of a "Coffee Bush" made by an unknown insect.

Trish explains the importance of the forest vines and their important role in the ecosystem.

The smallest member of the group enjoying the outing at the Rogers Reserve.

The Group inspecting the remains of the oldest tree in the Reserve, thought to be over a 1000 years old - now fallen within the reserve.

People Power Saves Reserve - Toowoomba Chronicle 21/03/2014

The Toowoomba Chronicle Newspaper has printed a report on the final outcome of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve Campaign.  "People Power Saves Reserve" by journalist Chris Calcino was published on 21st March 2014 and covered the positive outcome of the petition.

We are very grateful to the Toowoomba Chronicle for accurately reporting on the details of the petition over the last few months.


Read online article here:  http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/people-power-saves-highfields-reserve/2205058/#comments

Victory - The Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve has been saved!

The Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields has been Saved from any form of destruction thanks to 8 Toowoomba Regional Councillors. 

I am very happy to announce that yesterday Toowoomba Regional Councilors voted against the plan (Option A) by TRC’s Infrastructure staff to put a foot path through the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields, choosing instead our preferred option (Option B) to build the whole path on the roadside footpath precinct.

Eight Councilors voted for Option B after considering the extensive amount of public support for the reserve, and the large amount of information supplied to them through our campaign and through the Rogers family.  Only two councilors opted to vote for Option A.  We are very thankful to the 8 Councilors for choosing to vote for Option B that ensures the path will be kept exclusively on the footpath precinct and will not encroach on the endangered ecosystem in any way.  Option B also ensures that no trees or undergrowth will be cleared from the reserve and ensures that tree roots will not be damaged in the footpath area, which will be prevented by the building of small retainer walls and fences.

Toowoomba Regional Councilors agreed again (as was mentioned in the initial vote in January 2014), that a Management Plan for the reserve would be advisable. This management plan will involve local residents, the Rogers family and members of the "Friends of Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve" working with TRC to ensure that the endangered ecosystem is preserved.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who signed the initial petition, who sent emails, texts and letters to Councilors, who offered support, advice, assistance and knowledge of their particular fields to all work together to achieve this positive result.  The 8 Toowoomba Regional Councilors need to be commended for making such a positive decision.

In other news, we can confirm, based on a news report by High Country Herald journalist Miles Noller, that the rumored road widening for O'Brien Road, Highfields to 4 lanes, (which would result in mass tree-clearing and land loss within the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve), is something that is planned to occur within 10 years as advised by Mike Brady, General Manager Infrastructure Services Group, TRC.  This is a serious issue that will need to be addressed in the near future.

I  wish that I could thank everyone who has been involved in this petition individually.  I have been inspired by the caring people of this community and the Toowoomba Region who have shown what community spirit is all about.  Your kind words, advice, encouragement and support will not be forgotten. Your respect for Mr and Mrs Charles & Motee Rogers and this generous gift they have given to our community is truly heartwarming.  Thank you again,

Kind Regards,

Judi Gray
Petition Organizer
rogersreserve@yahoo.com.au
www.rogersreserve.blogspot.com

Plant Walk at Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve on 21st March 2014

News Article from High Country Herald by Journalist Gary Alcorn 18/03/2014

A Friends Group for the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve has been formed and will be hosting an informal Plant Walk this coming Friday the 21st of March at 9.00am at the reserve entrance on Community Court.  Trish Gardner will be sharing her knowledge of the interesting native plants within the reserve, which will be then followed by a BYO morning tea and get-together to discuss ideas and options for the Friends Group.  Please BYO morning tea, drinks and chairs.

High Country Herald Confirms Plans for road widening of O'Brien Road 17/03/14

High Country Herald Newspaper has confirmed plans for future road widening on O'Brien Road to four lanes in the near future.  Based on a news report by High Country Herald journalist Miles Noller, in the 18th March 2014 Edition,  that the rumored road widening for O'Brien Road, Highfields to 4 lanes, (which would result in mass tree-clearing and land loss within the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve), is something that is planned to occur within 10 years as advised by Mike Brady, General Manager Infrastructure Services Group, TRC.  This is a serious issue that will need to be addressed in the near future.

This article also hastily  featured the plan proposal for the Option A Path through the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, of which councillors were expected to vote for.  On the day that this article was published, eight Toowoomba Regional Councillors voted against the proposal printed in the paper, and voted instead for Option B (see more here).  As mentioned in the Herald article that Option A ensured that no trees would be removed within the reserve, Option B also ensured that no trees, undergrowth or wildlife habitat would be removed, making it a far better option for the *Endangered Ecosystem. The final result by Council does not see any tree removal as stated it would in a previous article in the High Country Herald (see article here).

(*Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve is a certified Ecosystem under the Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999 and listed as an Area of Ecological Significance in a biodiversity area in the Toowoomba Regional Council Planning Scheme & Town Plan 2013)

High Country Herald Front Page 18 March 2014 "Trees will remain intact"

High Country Herald Article 18th March 2014 - printed the Plan A path proposal for the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, prior to the TRC Councillors Voting for Option B later that morning.  This article does confirm plans by TRC Infrastructure General Manager Mike Brady to widen O'Brien Road to 4 lanes within 10 years.

Town Plan States Biodiversity Areas Should Not Be Impacted 13/03/13

The Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields is listed as an area of Biodiveristy Ecological Signifigance and is stated as such on the Highfields/Meringandan Town Plan created by Toowoomba Regional Council with consultation of local residents in 2013.

In the Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme, The "Areas of Ecological Significance" and "Areas of Ecological Significance Buffer" in the Biodiversity Overlay correspond to parts of the code which is Section 8.5.1 of the other scheme report (see attached). As the code shows, impacts on these areas should be avoided, or if that is impossible, then impacts must be strictly minimised, and preferably offset.

In this case of the proposed footpath along the edge of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve and then through it, the Environmental impacts could be avoided if Council employed some lateral thinking and developed a better plan for the whole area.  

The Local Town Planning Scheme was an expensive and time-consuming project decided after consultation with local residents and Toowoomba Regional Council in 2013.  While Council is likely to be able to legally ignore its own planning scheme it is totally hypocritical for it to do so.

See screen prints of attachments from the Town Plan and the Planning Scheme re Biodiversity areas and the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve (which is un-named on this plan and called "Treed Section behind recreational Centre")  The fact that this area is not named is also questionable, when other biodiversity areas such as Williams Park and Franke Scrub have names. It is presumed that this is because the Rogers Reserve is not listed as an official park or Reserve as it was intended, but as freehold land.

See links here to view the Town Plan and Planning scheme by TRC for yourself:

Read more and download the Town Plan for Highfields & Meringandan Here:  http://www.toowoombarc.qld.gov.au/our-region/major-projects/local-plans/highfields-meringandan-meringandan-west

1. Key natural areas - The LP area contains regionally and locally significant natural areas and biodiversity. The escarpment is a key natural area for this LP area. Access — pedestrian, cycle and possibly bridle trail — to and along this green spine will be strengthened with a series of recreation and open space nodes proposed along this edge taking advantage of the views and amenity. Other locally significant natural areas are:
   1. Franke Scrub
   2. William Park and the drainage corridor to the north
   3. The treed area behind the Highfields Recreation Centre (aka Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve)

Town Planning Scheme of Toowoomba Regional Council stating the Biodiveristy areas of overlay code which relate to the areas of ecological significance map by TRC below.

Areas of Ecological Significance and Areas of Ecological Significance Buffer shown on the TRC Regional Planning Scheme.

The Toowoomba Regional Council Planning Schemes can be downloaded from the TRC Website here:
http://www.toowoombarc.qld.gov.au/planning-and-building/planning-scheme

We suggest you look at Page 36 on the Part 8 - Overlays section of the Toowoomba Planning Scheme which clearly outlines the restrictions placed on a Biodiversity area.  

Say NO to any encroachment into Rogers Reserve for pathway 12/03/14

Recent requests for information from the local Toowoomba Regional Councillors has met with their responses explaining that no tree removal will be performed for the 2nd pathway proposal as part of the TRC's "Compromise" Plan.  This is a stated Fact.  Here are other facts:

FACTS:

1. No trees will be removed for the 2nd path plan proposed through the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields
2. Undergrowth from a certified area of Biodiversity Remnant Bushland in a regional ecosystem type 12.5.6, which is classified as endangered by the Qld. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection will be removed to make way for the new path proposal if it is approved.
3. There are no ecological or environmental laws protecting this reserve if Council feels that community facilities are required within its perimeter. 
4. No logical reason has been provided to explain the need  for a path to go through the reserve, when many other options including one wholly beside the reserve in the footpath precinct is available.
5. The Reserve land was donated to the people of Highfields to ensure is preservation 20 years ago by generous local residents. 
6. The original hand-over records and agreements from Charles Rogers and Crows Nest Shire Council were requested by the public from the Crows Nest Shire Council Offices have been removed from the Crows Nest Shire Chambers by Toowoomba Regional Council and these records have since been “misplaced or lost!”
7.  The Rogers Reserve is one of the only patches of remnant dry rainforest bushland left in the Highfields area.
8. The Rogers Reserve is home to the Koala, Gliders, Echidnas, Possums, Bandicoots, Birds and Butterflies, any removal of their habitat either undergrowth or trees will result in a decline of their vital habitat.
9. The Rogers Reserve is home to three vulnerable native plant species and one endangered native plant species and have been identified by an ecologist.
10. Despite being marked on TRC's recently released new town plan as "Conservation (Area of Environmental Concern)", we are now told that the land is not classed as a bushland reserve or a public park, but is a freehold allotment and TRC is free to sell it any time it chooses.
11. A pathway through obscured bushland is not a safe option for children or local residents to use on a daily basis.
12. The TRC Roads and Drainage department confirmed that O’Brien Road is earmarked on the future town plan for road-widening to 4 lanes and that the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve will lose at least 20 metres of land for this road widening in the very near future.
13. Only two Councillors (Cr Bill Cahill & Cr Sue Englart) have publicly declared that they are against any encroachment for community facilities into the endangered ecosystem of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve and plan to vote against the 2nd path proposal on the 17th March 2014.
14. Rate payers are voted in by the public to speak for the people with regards to their concerns in their local region.

We would like to believe that the Toowoomba Regional Councillors have the best interest of the local community at heart.  If this is the case, I would suggest you mention any of the above FACTS to your favourite councillor and see what response you are met with.  As mentioned above, this pathway through the reserve is only an option, it is not the only option.  Alternative options are:

1.  Footpath solely  on the existing footpath preceint on O'Brien Road on the edge of the Rogers Reserve.

2.  Students use the existing footpath on Rogers Drive to walk to and from the new High School and sporting and cultural facilities.

3.  The footpath on the eastern side of O'Brien Road is finished (currently it is partly cemented) and is extended along O'Brien Road to the School, with a pedestrian crossing supplied.

What can we do?  With only 6 days until the next vote is made, and with council staff keen to get their footpath started, it is vital that the public speaks out about their concerns.
If you share our belief that this reserve, with its carefully preserved natural environment, is a vital component of the "heart" of Highfields, now is the time to let TRC know. Their vote next Tuesday is not just about a path. It gives permission for the thin edge of a wedge which could destroy the this reserve, bit by bit.
A brief email sent to all the councillors before next Tuesday's Council meeting would be timely. If we all do it, it may produce the desired result.

1.       
Things you can do:
1.      Contact the TRC Councillors and Mayor with your concerns By Email. (see links to their email addresses below. It's easy enough to state your case in a brief email and cut and paste it to all.  An example is provided below, or better still – write your own)

2.      Contact the TRC Councillors by TEXT Message (Copy and paste the text below and send to all councillor numbers provided)
2.      Sign the online petition for the original request for the footpath re-location & ask your friends and neighbours to do so also.
3.      Share this Email and its contents where ever you can.
4.      Encourage others to stand up for what is right and save this area from the destruction that will be its destiny if we do not act.

 Do you remember who you voted for?  Do you expect them to speak for the local citizens and for the publics property?  Remind them of the reasons you voted for them in the first place.

EMAIL EXAMPLE TO COPY & PASTE & SEND TO TRC COUNCILLORS:  "I ask TRC's Councillors to vote against the proposal to put any footpath, apart from the existing environmentally sensitive narrow gravel path, through the understorey of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields. I do not support the view that the shortened "compromise" footpath proposal is acceptable. I ask the councillors to support the retention of the total area of the reserve as a complete ecosystem with all its component parts, from tall trees to understorey, as intended by its very generous donor, Mr Charles Rogers."

SEND A TEXT TO ALL COUNCILLORS:  "I ask TRC's Councillors to vote against the proposal to put any footpath, through the understorey of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields. I do not support the view that the shortened "compromise" footpath proposal is acceptable. I ask the councillors to support the retention of the total area of the reserve as a complete ecosystem from tall trees to understorey, as intended by its very generous donor, Mr Charles Rogers."

Link to All Council’s Emails -   http://www.toowoombarc.qld.gov.au/about-council/councillors

Councillors Mobile Phone Numbers – Cr Mike Williams 0428 182 976, Cr Geoff McDonald 0499 774 276, Cr Ros Scotney 0427 578 264 , Cr Carol Taylor 0417 723 948, Cr John Gouldson 0499 774 273, Cr Chris Tait 0499 774 274, Cr Anne Glasheen 0408 718 720, Cr Sue Englart 0499 774 271, Cr Nancy Sommerfield 0499 774 278 , Mayor Cr Paul Antonio 0429 954 109 

Original Petition Address - https://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/toowoomba-regional-council-preserve-charles-motee-rogers-bushland-reserve-at-highfields

Reserve Blog/Website – http://www.rogersreserve.blogspot.com

Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/charlesandmoteerogersbushlandreserve

(*For those interested, the reserve is regional ecosystem type 12.5.6, which is classified as endangered by the Qld. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.)

I would sincerely like to thank everyone who has supported the petition to ensure the longevity of this precious bushland reserve in Highfields.  Your support and encouragement has shown the local community spirit at its best, and I am truly grateful to each and everyone of you.

Kind Regards,

Judi Gray

(Petition Organizer)

Would you donate anything to Toowoomba Regional Council? 6 days to save bushland

Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve

On the 21st of January a petition was presented to the Toowoomba Regional Council, requesting that they re-locate a planned footpath through the Endangered Ecosystem* of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields, to the existing roadside footpath precinct on O’Brien Road. 

The Council voted to respond to the petition by looking at a “Compromise” where  a replanned, shorter path would still go through the reserve, with the rest  relocated to the roadside .  We are told that the shortcut through the reserve will save money, with the proposed compromise path to cost $71000 to ratepayers whereas a footpath wholly restricted to the road reserve would cost $82000.
We are NOT happy with this Compromise!

This coming Tuesday the 18th of March, will see TRC Councillors vote on the "compromise" proposal.  It is suspected that the majority of councillors plan to vote in favour of the compromise.

The Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve of 4ha was gifted to the people of Highfields in 1993 by well known and respected residents and cattle farmers Mr Charles and Mrs Motee Rogers.  The land was donated to the people of the then Crows Nest Shire, and an agreement made with the Crows Nest Shire Council that this land would be protected and managed for future generations.  A mere 20 years later, the land is now managed by Toowoomba Regional Council, who should not be allowed to forget that its ratepayers are the true owners of the public land in their care.  Currently  despite being marked on TRC's recently released new town plan as "Conservation (Area of Environmental Concern)", we are now told that the land is not classed as a bushland reserve or a public park, but is a freehold allotment and TRC is free to sell it any time it chooses. Recent proposals by TRC to sell parkland in the city show that sale of this valuable land is a real possibility. 
The original hand-over records and agreements from Charles Rogers and Crows Nest Shire Council were requested by the public from the Crows Nest Shire Council Offices.  We were told that the Toowoomba Regional council went and removed those records some months ago.  Requests for a copy of the records from Toowoomba Regional Council resulted in the answer that the records had been “misplaced or lost!”

At the time this precious bushland reserve land was donated, it was worth several million dollars.   While it is obviously an ideal site for future development, Mr and Mrs Rogers' donation was clearly made with the opposite intention in mind. We feel that their wishes are completely in tune with those of a large sector of the Highfields population, who see their community, with its rural links and natural heritage, as something a bit different from just another suburb clustered around a commercial centre. 

The TRC Roads and Drainage department confirmed that O’Brien Road is earmarked on the future town plan for road-widening to 4 lanes and that the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve will lose at least 20 metres of land for this road widening in the very near future.  We question whether such a wide road is necessary or desirable in this position.
We are unable to confirm rumours that plans for a library building and future car-park on Reserve land are already in the pipeline, and that the aforementioned future town plan, for release in five years time, shows no green at all where the Charles and Motee Bushland Reserve now stands. It is certainly true that the smaller the reserve gets, the lower its environmental value, and the easier it will become to justify yet more chipping away. If we let this first cut be made, we can be sure that further little cuts, such as mowing the undergrowth (such an important part of Reserve's preserved environment),  and clearing small areas such as that between a path and the reserve edge, will progressively reduce the ecological qualities of the reserve. 

WOULD YOU DONATE ANYTHING TO THIS COUNCIL???

What can we do?  With only 7 days until the next vote is made, and with council staff keen to get their footpath started, it is vital that the public speaks out about their concerns.
If you share our belief that this reserve, with its carefully preserved natural environment, is a vital component of the "heart" of Highfields, now is the time to let TRC know. Their vote next Tuesday is not just about a path. It gives permission for the thin edge of a wedge which could destroy the this reserve, bit by bit.
A brief email sent to all the councillors before next Tuesday's Council meeting would be timely. If we all do it, it may produce the desired result.

1.      
Things you can do:
1.      Contact the TRC Councillors and Mayor with your concerns By Email. (see links to their email addresses below. It's easy enough to state your case in a brief email and cut and paste it to all.  An example is provided below, or better still – write your own)

2.      Contact the TRC Councillors by TEXT Message (Copy and paste the text below and send to all councillor numbers provided)
2.      Sign the online petition for the original request for the footpath re-location & ask your friends and neighbours to do so also.
3.      Share this Email and its contents where ever you can.
4.      Encourage others to stand up for what is right and save this area from the destruction that will be its destiny if we do not act.

 Do you remember who you voted for?  Do you expect them to speak for the local citizens and for the publics property?  Remind them of the reasons you voted for them in the first place.

EMAIL EXAMPLE TO COPY & PASTE & SEND TO TRC COUNCILLORS:  "I ask TRC's Councillors to vote against the proposal to put any footpath, apart from the existing environmentally sensitive narrow gravel path, through the understorey of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields. I do not support the view that the shortened "compromise" footpath proposal is acceptable. I ask the councillors to support the retention of the total area of the reserve as a complete ecosystem with all its component parts, from tall trees to understorey, as intended by its very generous donor, Mr Charles Rogers."

SEND A TEXT TO ALL COUNCILLORS:  "I ask TRC's Councillors to vote against the proposal to put any footpath, through the understorey of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields. I do not support the view that the shortened "compromise" footpath proposal is acceptable. I ask the councillors to support the retention of the total area of the reserve as a complete ecosystem from tall trees to understorey, as intended by its very generous donor, Mr Charles Rogers."

Link to All Council’s Emails -   http://www.toowoombarc.qld.gov.au/about-council/councillors

Councillors Mobile Phone Numbers – Cr Mike Williams 0428 182 976, Cr Geoff McDonald 0499 774 276, Cr Ros Scotney 0427 578 264 , Cr Carol Taylor 0417 723 948, Cr John Gouldson 0499 774 273, Cr Chris Tait 0499 774 274, Cr Anne Glasheen 0408 718 720, Cr Sue Englart 0499 774 271, Cr Nancy Sommerfield 0499 774 278 , Mayor Cr Paul Antonio 0429 954 109 

Original Petition Address - https://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/toowoomba-regional-council-preserve-charles-motee-rogers-bushland-reserve-at-highfields

Reserve Blog/Website – http://www.rogersreserve.blogspot.com

Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/charlesandmoteerogersbushlandreserve

(*For those interested, the reserve is regional ecosystem type 12.5.6, which is classified as endangered by the Qld. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.)

I would sincerely like to thank everyone who has supported the petition to ensure the longevity of this precious bushland reserve in Highfields.  Your support and encouragement has shown the local community spirit at its best, and I am truly grateful to each and everyone of you.

Kind Regards,

Judi Gray

(Petition Organizer)

In conjunction with the “Friends of Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve”

Email:  rogersreserve@yahoo.com.au

Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve - O'Brien Road displaying allocated footpath zone.

Community rallies against council attack on parks 05 March 2014

The Toowoomba Chronicle Newspaper has featured an article on the Comunity ralling against Toowoomba Regional Council on their attack on parks in the region on the 5th of March 2014.

Four very different park issues were raised including the current threats to Ballin Drive Park, Garnet Lehmann Park, Freyling Park and Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve from Toowoomba Regional Council.

Read the Full Online article here:  http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/floods-weigh-into-debate-on-saving-parks/2188133/

The campaign to save the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields has been featured in the Toowoomba Chronicle on 5th March 2014 along with three other regional parks facing threats from Toowoomba Regional Council.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE 4 PARK'S UNDER THREAT IN THE TOOWOOMBA REGION & SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY RALLYING TO SAVE THEM.

• CHARLES & MOTEE ROGERS BUSHLAND RESERVE:  Preserve Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields
• GARNET LEHMANN PARK:  Lehmann Park Under Threat
• FREYLING PARK:  Save Freyling Park 
• BALLIN DRIVE PARK:  Ballin Drive Park Under Threat

Tree clearing adjacent to the Reserve makes Rogers Reserve a vital habitat for wildlife.

Local residents have voiced their concerns about the extensive tree removal at the new Highfields State High School block located adjacent to the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve.  Many residents have expressed their sadness at seeing all of the large gum trees removed from the new school block.  While it is understood that some tree removal was necessary to build the new State High-School, it is disappointing that the State Government decided to remove all trees.  At the recent meeting for the High School, I enquired about the planned tree removal and was told that no trees would remain of any size and that the whole school block needed to be leveled and that they did not want "widow-maker" trees in school grounds.  I requested that a a strip of trees on the back edge of the school, away from children's play and sporting areas be kept for a wildlife corridor for gliders and koalas, but was told that this was not possible, but that the state government however, planned to plant new native trees in their place.

Because of this recent tree removal and loss of habitat for local wildlife, the small Rogers Bushland Reserve and nearby Williams Park are now vital areas for wildlife that have had to flee their bushland homes and are looking for native habitat.  It is now more important than ever to ensure that the Endangered Ecosystem of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland reserve is preserved not only for the wildlife but for the enjoyment of the local community for future generations.

J Gray.

News paper articles about the adjacent tree clearing below:

High Country Herald Front Cover 18/02/14 - "Trees to come down to make way for new high school"

Article in the High Country Herald 18/02/2014 about tree removal at the Highfields State High School Block

High Country Herald - Letter to the Editor - 25/02/14 from a concerned resident about tree removal at the High School Block.

High Country Herald - SMS to the Editor - 02/03/2014 regarding tree removal at Highfields State High School Block.

Where did the timber Entrance Signs to the Bushland Reserve on Rogers Drive Go?

At the beginning of this year, while walking through the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields, I noticed the absence of the original timber entrance signage on the Rogers Drive side of the Reserve.  I clearly remember this signage and it also had a brochure holder the same as the one on the Community Crt Entrance on the rogers drive side also, which always had the original brochures in it for those visiting the reserve.

During the petition for the reserve and researching the full history, no one I spoke to could remember the signs on Rogers Drive and didn't know anything about it.  I was relieved today to discover these google street view images taken in 2008 which show the entrance signage to the Reserve on Rogers Drive.  While the images are slightly blurry you can see it on the left of the gravel entrance. You will notice also that one large tree on the left hand side of the gravel entrance has also been removed sometime in the last six years.

Any information on why this signage was removed (it has not been re-located within the reserve), why and where it is now would be greatly appreciated. It is possible that the sign was too close to the gravel driveway entrance for access vehicles at the back of the reserve, if this was the case, why was it not moved a little further to the left of the driveway?

Google Street View Image on the left from 2008 showing Original Timber Signage at Entrance to the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve on Rogers Drive Highfields.  Image on the right shows the signage is no longer erected and also that one large tree on the left of the gravel driveway has been removed.

Google Street View Image on the left from 2008 showing Original Timber Signage at Entrance to the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve on Rogers Drive Highfields.

Clean Up Australia Day at Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields 02/03/2014

Eleven members of the local community were up bright and early to participate in Clean Up Australia Day 2014 at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields on Sunday 2nd March.

For over three and a half hours the group worked tirelessly picking up rubbish and recyclables along with also removing environmental weeds from the reserve.  Greg Lukes from the Friends of the Escarpment Parks Toowoomba Inc and Trish Gardner well known author of the Toowoomba Plants blog advised volunteers on weed identification and the correct removal and disposal processes required.

The community spirit amongst the volunteers was inspiring and their concern for the environment and for this little section of endangered ecosystem in Highfields was paramount.  Many other residents visited the Clean-up stand at the reserve to express their interest in the fate of the reserve with the planed pathway and to also register their interest in becoming a "Friend of Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve" which will be a casual volunteers group that will work with Toowoomba Regional Council managing and maintaining the bushland reserve.

Thank you again to everyone who attended this national community event which strives to inspire all Australians to clean up, fix up and conserve the environment.

Some of the volunteers ready to start Clean Up Australia Day bright and early at Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve 02/03/14  (left to right, Greg, Marg, Gary, Judi, Kirra & Cameron)

Tim & Kathleen with the rubbish they picked up at Clean Up Australia Day at Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve 02/03/14

Kirra with her full rubbish bag at Clean Up Australia Day at Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve 02/03/14

Brendon working hard removing a tough environmental weed  "Chinese celtis" while Greg and Trish advise him on how it is done  at Clean Up Australia Day at Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve 02/03/14  More information on Chinese Celtis Here...

Success!  Brendon & Greg with the stubborn Chinese celtis weed tree removed from the reserve at Clean Up Australia Day 02/03/2014

Trish removed a large amount of rubbish and environmental weeds at Clean Up Australia Day at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields 02/03/14

Dorelle with her clean up bag of rubbish collected at Clean Up Australia Day at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields 02/03/14

Local clean-up extraordinaries Gary & Marg from PURE (Pick Up Rubbish Everyday) with their interesting findings and clean-up efforts at Clean Up Australia Day at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields 02/03/14

Greg with one of many buckets of environmental weeds removed over many hours at Clean Up Australia Day at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields 02/03/14

Judi - Clean Up Australia Day Site Supervisor with some of the rubbish and recycling collected during the Clean Up Australia Day Event at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields 02/03/14