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)