Straddie Island News

AUTUMN 2014 StraddieIsland News

$3.00SUMMER 2013-14AT NEWSAGENTS& SELECTED OUTLETS

MINJERRIBAH/NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND COMMUNITY NEWS

connected to culture PHOT

O: K

ATIE

JOHN

STON

Story page 10

SIN_Summer2013-v3_SIN_Summer2013 30/11/13 8:47 AM

RISING

Three months on from the devastating wild fi res,

the bush is regenerating (page 12)

FROM THE ASHES

NEWS

2 STRADDIE ISLAND NEWS AUTUMN 2014

EDITOR Elizabeth Tucker [email protected] EDITOR Trish LakeDESIGN AND LAYOUT Francesca WhitingADVERTISING Bernadette Ryan [email protected] SIN ENQUIRIES: 07 3252 4551 FOLLOW SIN ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/straddienewsISSN 1839-5716GENERAL DISCLAIMER Views expressed in articles are contributors’ own and not necessarily the view of the publisher. Statements of fact are believed to be true, but no legal responsibility is accepted for them.PRINTER PrintcraftPUBLISHER Freshwater ProductionsPO Box 86 Point Lookout Qld 4183

COVER PHOTO: JAN ALDENHOVEN AUTUMN 2014 StraddieIsland News

$3.00SUMMER 2013-14AT NEWSAGENTS& SELECTED OUTLETS

MINJERRIBAH/NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND COMMUNITY NEWS

connected to culture PHOT

O: K

ATIE

JOHN

STON

Story page 10

SIN_Summer2013-v3_SIN_Summer2013 30/11/13 8:47 AM Page 1

RISING

Three months on from the devastating wild fires,

the bush is regenerating (page 12)

FROM THE ASHES

IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE I INTRODUCE two new women to the Straddie Island News, Elizabeth Tucker the editor, and Francesca Whiting, the designer.We say farewell to the wonderful creative team of editor Kate Johnston and her partner, Mr T, who have together steered the paper so brilliantly for many years.But they had new ventures ahead, and they'll join the many legions of loyal SIN readers who continue to support our quarterly community magazine.We look forward to continued solid reporting, a wealth of Islanders' contributions, and wonderful creativity starting from this their fi rst issue.Please join me in welcoming them aboard the SIN!Trish Lake

OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD

I’m sad to write that my mother Bunty Lake, who had a long association with Point Lookout, died in January, two days short of her 92nd birthday.

Mum first began holidaying at the Point with her friends and family in the 1940s and met my father, Joe Lake, outside Clayton’s Guest House at Cylinder Beach in 1950.

Bunty was a strong, independent woman and anyone who knew her would remember her as warm, talkative and gregarious in spite of some pretty hefty handicaps – the main one being her hearing disability, and as she got into her later years, her diminishing eyesight.

She was a gifted dressmaker and despite her failing sight, retained her

talent for drafting patterns and sewing well into her latter years.

She often created some very flamboyant designs for her busy social life in Cleveland when she finally became a single woman in her 70s, after Mum and Dad divorced after more than 40 years of marriage.

Sadly she had another major setback when she lost her youngest child, Peter Lake, to cancer at 37. Peter known to Straddie locals by his nickname of “Snake”, was an early member of the Point Lookout Board-riders. Mum missed him terribly, and I don’t think a day went by when she didn’t think about him.

She had a wide circle of long-time friends she met at Point Lookout – Bev Bodger, Fay Smith, Margaret Hollings and Joan Healy, and she often reminisced about good times at Clayton’s with Bert and Peg Clayton, and Muriel Essex.

There are so many influences that I am grateful to Mum for – but the main ones were her love of Stradbroke Island, nature and the great outdoors. She even taught Dad, me and my two brothers how to fish, and Dad went on to catch some whoppers! (see pictured).

Bidding a fond farewell

Bunty with Joe and John Lake at the One Mile, Dunwich

Bunty Lake at Cylinder Beach in the 1960s

Bunty Lake with Peter, John and Trish in the 1950s, at Rocks between Cylinder and Home Beach

NEWS

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Before delving into questions of how the bushfires were managed, it is most important to recognise the incredible work of all participating

parties, whether from structured organisations such as the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) or the local members of the community who worked tirelessly and courageously on salvaging the island from the fire.

To everyone who contributed in both the immediate action of putting out the fires and to those who worked on rebuilding and renourishing the island after the fires, your incredible efforts are to be applauded.

In any large-scale disaster such as this, it is only natural in the aftermath for the community to then begin asking questions as to how such damage can be avoided in the future and to wonder about what possible alternatives could have been executed to have lessened the extent of damage that occurred.

SIN has received community feedback on the fires including two letters to the editor sharing thoughts and feedback from the community since the January fires which we will outline below.

In her letter featured on page 11 of this issue, Julie Kearney, member of Friends of Stradbroke Island, cited historical evidence of bushfire management on North Stradbroke Island, namely the methods of the Minjerribah people, and has suggested that those in charge of fire management on the island should consider calling upon

the indigenous community for advice on traditional methods of guarding against controlled fires.

Another letter we received from Bill Giles (full extract on page 10) raised questions about QYAC and the possibility of the organisation having a disproportionate influence over island affairs. He questioned QYAC’s governance of Quandamooka sites in the case of fire emergencies and in particular over the QFES and their reaction to the bushfires.

QYAC have since provided a response to this letter, which you can also view on pages 10 and 11.

While this is only a small representation of the island community’s thoughts after the fire, the points raise different issues, both political and cultural, communicating the same fundamental message – that Stradbroke is a treasured island that requires more active care and preservation.

Thank you to all for sharing your concerns.

Community questions bushfi re managementThe devastation of the January bushfi res has raised many questions within the Stradbroke community about fi re management, writes SIN editor Elizabeth Tucker

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OPINION


Contrary to assertions made by some State politicians, the amendments to the North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability Act passed by Parliament on November 21, 2013 did not extend sand mining to 2035. This is revealed in the release, on February 6, of a consolidated North Stradbroke Act incorporating the amendments.

What it shows is that no extension of sand mining is scheduled to take place until 2019 and that the current expiry date for the Enterprise mine’s leases remains as December 31, 2019. The November amendments allow Sibelco to apply for renewal of the relevant mining leases to 2035 – but the applications cannot be made until 2019.

As with all legislation, the Act can be amended again by a future Parliament, including by repealing the Newman Government’s amendments.

A key section of the Act is section 11, in all its parts. It now provides for the future extension of sand mining at Enterprise Mine by permitting Sibelco to apply for (and be granted) the renewal of the Enterprise Mine leases. Usual rights which allow public interest objections from community groups and individuals are extinguished by the section. Court appeals on the merits of a renewal are also extinguished.

The December 31, 2019 lease expiry dates enacted by Parliament in April 2011 have not been altered. Instead, the new Section 11C permits Sibelco to apply for renewal of the leases within the

Sand mining extension is no certaintyLawyer Richard Carew explains why, despite last year’s amendments to the NSI Protection and Sustainability Act, the battle to end sand mining on the island by 2019 is far from over

11C Application for renewal of mining leases

1) The holder of mining lease 1105, 1109, 1117 or 1120 may, within the renewal period, apply to the Minister for renewal of the mining lease.

Subsection 3 of Section 11C defines “renewal period” as:

a) at least 6 months, or any shorter period allowed by the Minister, before the current term of the lease expires; and

b) not more than 1 year before the current term expires.

“renewal period” (see above box). Schedule 1 of the Act provides that

the “current term” of the relevant leases expires on December 31, 2019. Because of the definition of “renewal period”, no application for renewal of these leases can be made before January 1, 2019.

The November amendments also removed other restrictions on areas permitted to be mined at the Enterprise Mine. If the mining leases are renewed in 2019, this is likely to result in a total area approximating 14 sq.km being cleared of all vegetation and sand mined to a depth of up to 100 metres, destroying complex dune structures formed up to 300,000 years ago. Based on the number of past admitted incidents of damage to island water bodies, the expansion of sand mining will also increase the risk of

damage to the adjoining, internationally recognised RAMSAR wetlands.

As reported in the last SIN, native title owners have indicated an intention to challenge in the courts the Newman Government’s amendments. A successful legal challenge would render them invalid. But even if a successful challenge is not made, as this article illustrates, a future Parliament could still amend the North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability Act by repealing the Newman Government amendments. If that occurs, it would result in sand mining ending at Enterprise Mine on December 31, 2019.

No compensation would be payable to Sibelco because section 6 of the Act prohibits it. As recognised in the explanatory notes to the 2011 Bill, Sibelco would still be bound by the mining lease conditions to rehabilitate the mined land.

Lawyer Richard Carew has been a part-time resident of Point Lookout for 25 years. He has represented environment groups and some indigenous owners. In 2010 he defeated Sibelco’s attempt to expand the company’s island mining related interests.

Further informationFind out more about the changes to the Act at this web link: https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/N/NorthStradA11.pdf.

Sibelco Enterprise mineral-sand mine, North Stradbroke Island, pictured in July 2010

NEWS


Real estate agency, Discover Stradbroke, recently underwent a makeover, including new branding, a new website and a new marketing strategy.

And the biggest change is its location, with the company’s sales team enjoying an ocean view from their new offices overlooking Frenchman’s Beach in the heart of Point Lookout township on Mooloomba Road.

Principal of Discover Stradbroke Real Estate, Colin Battersby, says the business is a one-stop tourism shop for all things Straddie-related. “We’ve built a great team of professionals and experts on Straddie. Their focus is ensuring that visitors to the island have a special stay.”

Colin says the team is made up of long-time and newer Straddie locals who pride themselves on their knowledge of the island.

“We like to provide our clients with expert advice and assistance in a diverse range of services, from sales to holiday accommodation, guest services, property management and housekeeping.

“So if you’re a visitor or local at Point Lookout and you’re walking past, feel free to drop in and check out Discover Stradbroke’s beautiful new work space.”

The rebranding and office fit-out was managed by Liz Weiley of another local island business, Stradisphere.

Tourism shop gets makeover

The volunteer garden group from Dunwich State School would like to thank the Gelati Bar for its generous donation of a $100 gift

voucher for the summer seed-guessing competition.

The winner was Connor Cowan, brother of Nathan Cowan, currently in Prep.

The number of seeds was 1,043 and Connor was only 11 off guessing 1,054!

The group, which meets every Wednesday from 9-11am, is currently planting the first stages of the Bush

Tucker garden and a new potato patch in colourful tyres.

Businesses and individuals are encouraged to donate to have their names painted on the Community Vine of Appreciation.

If you would like to support the garden, contact Jess Scott on 0429 852 701.

Blossoming support for gardeners

NEWS


Island Vibe is seeking community input for 2014, with dates now confirmed for October 31- November 2 at Point Lookout’s Home Beach.

Local Island Vibe staff member and filmmaker Nikki Michail is excited at the possibility of more locals getting involved in all elements of the festival.

Expressions of interest are now open to all local Island-based and Redlands residents.

“The earlier we hear from people, the more of a chance we can seek support and funding to achieve some of the projects and ideas put forth. We’re a relatively small team, so the more feedback and help we get, the better the festival becomes each year,” said Nikki.

Island Vibe has had many requests for the pre-festival workshops that have previously been hosted for school students and locals, so they are looking to repeat these.

“We plan to revive the film program so

Picking up good vibes cultural program, kids festival and workshops.

Island Vibe is thankful to SWM, Youthlink and all the individuals, businesses and organisations who have helped shape and support the festival.

Nikki adds: “We hope to forge even stronger partnerships as the years go by – this is festival number nine, so fingers crossed for the best year yet.”

• Applications for musicians, DJs, market stalls, workshops, roving performers, visual artists, volunteers and ticket sales will be open this month via www.islandvibe.com.au.• Local expressions of interest open now – contact Nikki on 0407 641 323, [email protected] or [email protected].

How to get involved

we can showcase some more local films, and we’re hoping to mentor some youth and adults who are interested in the music industry and events management,” said Nikki.

Island Vibe will also work with QYAC and other community organisations and individuals to design an appropriate and exciting cultural program. This will include hosting a gallery of art and textiles with Salt Water Murris.

The new Green Space will be an area for workshops, guests and environmental and oceanic education, and interaction.

Organisers are seeking more local art work and input for that area, and for any elements of the community and cultural program.

Having won the international Greener Festival Award for four years running, festival organisers are looking to educate and inspire visitors.

On average, around 5,000 punters come to enjoy the festival and its international and national music acts, markets village,

Pictured clockwise from left: local Salt Lickin' Hicks band; SWM artist Craig Tapp from Dunwich puts finishing touches on his sand art on Island Vibes dance circle; cultural guests Jipajiroa from Vanuatu with musician Nicky Bomba

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OPINION


The Straddie Sand Mining Community Fund (Straddie Fund) was established by Sibelco Australia in 2011to assist with improving the quality of life for island residents and visitors, and creating a long term sustainable future post mining for Straddie. “The Straddie Fund is currently looking to work with the community to help achieve a better future for Straddie. If you have an idea or wish to submit an application, we would love to hear from you!” Jim Babon, Chairman, The Straddie Sand Mining Community Fund.

Kate Adams, Sibelco Community Relations Coordinator0499 999 085 [email protected]

Deb Olive, Sibelco Community Relations Advisor0438 995 398 [email protected]

For a copy of the Straddie Fund guidelines and application kit contact:

Applications for this round of funding close on Tuesday 15th April.

Callinini g for applng for appln icici acac tions fromtions from ththt eheh Straddietraddietraddi communitye communityeCalling for applications from the Straddie community

Second round of funding closes 30th September 2014.

Peter Turnbull, Cleveland-based environmental planner:The Toondah Harbour PDA scheme is being rushed through by the Council against the wishes of the community.

The plans for massive over development are only proposed because government won’t fund community infrastructure. So, the site with significant natural, historic, and community values will be turned into Las Vegas by the Bay: a new residential/commercial centre taller and denser than anywhere else in Redlands.

Tens of hectares of critical marine habitat will be dredged and covered by concrete. A marina is to be built in a wetland of international significance. This development scheme is highly speculative, and not backed by any detailed social, economic or environmental assessment.

Focus should be on a low key upgrade of Toondah Harbour that is sensitively designed around its unique character, and provides opportunities for rejuvenation of other parts of Cleveland that are struggling.

A recent design workshop proved there are better alternatives. Why won’t the council listen?

Jackie Cooper, editor of architecture magazine UME and Point Lookout resident:These are my primary concerns: Priority Development Area means the RCC no longer has any control, in perpetuity. Existing planning and environmental regulations are set aside, and the Minister for Economic Development Queensland (MEDQ) is vested with total power.

The current fiasco about council changing its proposal to reflect community concerns, reducing the height from 15 to ten storeys, is meaningless because it is no longer up to

council to decide what happens on this site. The MEDQ can decide 30 storeys or whatever

he wants. Residents and council have no say. This is unprecedented planning law. Draconian. It removes all democratic rights to oppose or to influence the planning outcome.

Toondah Harbour is about basic civil rights in a 21st-century western democracy.

The impact on NSI of a white elephant Gold Coast development at Toondah Harbour will be wholly negative. It will hurt Islanders financially. It will trash our precious Quandamooka Country values and identity.

Islanders will no longer enjoy free parking on the mainland. Even in the redux scheme the mayor is hyping, there are still 2,000-3,000 extra cars brought into the small Toondah Harbour site. This will require a multi-storey parking station up to two-thirds the size of the one at the domestic terminal at the airport. Islanders and tourists will have to pay to park. Visitors will think twice about shelling out for a car park and coming across on the water taxi for a weekend.

The PDA scheme comes at great cost to the tourism industry and the wider economy of NSI.

Toondah Harbour is a highly managed exercise to neutralise community dissent and anxiety. Dissent over the proposal to impose a Gold Coast high-rise precinct on a natural waterfront. Anxiety over loss of views, loss of GJ Walter Park with its natural, semi-pristine historical, cultural and aesthetic values, irreplaceable if built on or if the waterfront is ‘improved’ by an edging wall or artificial beach. Anxiety about the destruction of mangroves – source of life – and fish breeding habitat, and the protection the mangroves afford the shoreline.

There are two sides of Cleveland: the east which is where old Cleveland was first settled

with a jetty into Moreton Bay in the 19th century. This horizontal green peninsular edge along Moreton Bay possesses all the town’s historic treasures such as Fernleigh, the Grand View and the lighthouse. It has natural vistas, some as old as time, and others like the nine or ten Norfolk pines that define the waterfront but will be dwarfed by ten-storey buildings.

The other side of Cleveland is the ‘new’ side containing the Raby Bay development of the 1980s. This is ‘artificial’ in contrast to the ‘natural’ east face. The land at Raby Bay is all man-made. The aspect is north, far more pleasant than the harsh south-east aspect of Toondah Harbour. Raby Bay is the only intelligent location for a major waterfront attraction.

Mayor Karen Williams wants to put the city on the map, however no one will come to a wannabe Gold Coast fragment shoehorned on to a small site that overlooks mudflats at low tide, with nowhere to park and competing with thousands of visitors jostling to get on to and off barges. She thinks it’s a commercial winner. No developer would touch this site with all the environmental problems and increased construction costs involved. Whereas at Raby Bay, these fundamental development problems disappear.

I hope the government can see this epic economic disaster for what it is and will stop the potential train wreck now rather than suffer the consequences later.

Toondah Harbour is a very poor candidate for a PDA. We do not need to build the pyramids on the mudflats in order to fix the port.

Rescind the PDA.

Councillor Craig Ogilvie comments on the Toondah Harbour Development in his column, page 20

HARBOUR VIEWSThe Queensland Government and Redland City Council’s Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area (PDA) Proposed Development Scheme has caused much turbulence in the Redlands community over the past couple of months. The release of the plan has seen local residents distressed by signifi cant fl aws in the scheme, considering it to be costly, misdirected and deeply out of line with the community’s wishes. Below, Jackie Cooper and Peter Turnbull, two residents who have been highly involved in efforts to infl uence the State Government to rescind the scheme, outline their concerns.

NEWS


More than 200 landowners on North Stradbroke Island have responded to the call to help in the fight to save Stradbroke

Island’s pandanus trees from a moth-like bug commonly known as the Pandanus Planthopper (Jamella australiae).

Pandanus trees are an iconic species found along the Queensland coastline and islands, and are culturally important for Aboriginal people, but in recent years have come under threat up and down the coast from the spreading planthopper.

SEQ Catchments, Redland City Council, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service are working collaboratively to address the planthopper infestation and protect the island’s pandanus trees.

Planthoppers eat the new growing shoots of the trees while the larvae suck the sap from the leaves resulting in a sticky residue that encourages further infestations of fungus and mould. Pandanus trees become stressed and in some circumstances die off.

Pandanus trees on the island’s council land and public reserves have so far been mapped, inspected for planthopper infestation and treated by professional contractors.

Given that pandanus trees occur in environmentally sensitive coastal areas, the most suitable method of treatment is via stem injection.

The identification and monitoring of both treated and healthy trees is important for the continued management of the planthopper infestation on the island.

Independent contractors have been

systematically treating affected trees and, by the middle of the year, a predatory wasp will be released to ensure the long-term control of the pest.

Joel Bolzenius from SEQ Catchments says that the identification and treatment of affected pandanus trees on private land is also an essential part of the overall management strategy.

“Landowners in the Point Lookout area were invited to contact SEQ Catchments if they were interested in having a professional contractor assess and treat their pandanus trees, free of charge,” said Bolzenius.

“We have had a great response, with landowners keen to do what they can to save their trees.”

Pandanus trees on council land and public reserves have already been inspected and treated by professional contractors and the results have been encouraging.

The assessment and treatment of pandanus trees on private land will commence in the coming months.

A growing concernIsland landowners unite to save pandanus trees from a moth-like bug known as the Pandanus Planthopper

Pictured top: the infected pandanus tree and, above, the Pandanus Planthopper

WILDLIFE ON YOUR WALLThe fi rst edition of the Wild-LIFE-Stories poster was recently launched at the North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum. The poster, funded by the Regional Arts Development Fund, Redland City Council and supported by the Lines in the Sand Arts Festival was facilitated by local photographers Josephine Ellis and Baz Brown. Workshops were run encouraging photographers to capture images of local fl ora and fauna. The result is now a reference poster for the wildlife of the island. Posters are $8 from the museum and select shops on the island. For more information contact Jo at [email protected] or Baz via www.facebook.com/wildLIFEtimeMAP.

HAVE YOUR SAYRedland City Council is calling on the State Government to meet with Amity Point residents to discuss ongoing erosion that has affected the Amity township for decades. “While the Amity erosion issue is nothing new, it continues to have the potential for signifi cant consequences for affected residents, so it is important all parties, including the State Government, meet to discuss the dangers and how to deal with this issue in the future,” Cr Ogilvie said. “Council recently met with Amity Point residents to discuss the issue and we will now establish an advisory committee including members of the community to further develop Council’s draft Amity Point Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP).” Finalisation of the plan has been delayed until the end of June so that the community can be further involved.

CHEAPER FERRY FARESStradbroke Ferries has recently initiated lower cost walk-on fares in an attempt to attract day-trippers to the island. An adult return fare is $10 and child return is $5 with no extra cost for bringing a bicycle on board. With the return of the Minjerribah from Gladstone this month, there will be increased capacity on its services.

A SWEET CAUSEA reminder to save your lidded jars to donate to Judy and Michael Hines, the volunteers who are regularly supplying their marmalades and jams to raise money for the Historical Museum. Washed jars can be dropped to the museum with labels removed.

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NEWS


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The theme for this year’s LINES in the SAND festival, Hot Island, first came up in conversation with architect Shane Thompson at a very

hot market day at the Point Lookout hall before Christmas.

We were talking about climate change and how the urban-built environment magnifies heat. When bushfire hit the island, Hot Island seemed the perfect theme. But it is a hot island in other ways too, most recently with the controversy over the proposed Toondah Harbour redevelopment.

Michael Bulloch, a stalwart LINES in the SAND artist, believes that the theme of Hot Island will not only recognise the heroic efforts of our emergency services, “The fact that no one died” but also remind us of the effects of the fire, “the tragic death of so many animals and the regrowth of the natural environment, which is evident.”

A festival theme inspires artists in their art-making and shapes our environment

forum at the North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum, as well as the school’s poster project.

Last year we spoke about Nature First, and the year before we explored the fresh water aquifer that lies beneath the island.

Cameron Costello, chief executive officer of the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) will speak at the environment forum about QYAC’s involvement in fire management on the island.

QYAC is the Native Title Body and Cultural Heritage Body for the Quandamooka traditional land and waters, including Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).

As usual, our festival includes outdoor Gorge Walk art installations, nature-based art workshops in the Point Lookout Hall (supported by the Jani Haenke Charitable Trust), projection and performances at Mooloomba Reserve and South Gorge, and the school’s poster project.

Our festival celebrates the ecological significance of North Stradbroke Island

and extols the Aboriginal principles of caring for Country.

This year we are pleased to announce QYAC joining us as a festival partner. We continue to provide creative employment opportunities for island locals wherever we can.

Having recently received good practice recognition from Creative Partnerships Australia, our commitment to the festival and business partnerships continues and we would love for local businesses to get involved.

We are also proud to be part of the Creative Arts Redland 2014 program and to be exhibiting Convolution: a woven sculptural installation, from Sunday, July 6 to Sunday, August 17 at the Redlands Art Gallery. The installation features work from contemporary fibre artists Casselle Mountford and Anaheke Metua.

The project also brings these artists and local weavers together to share skills. The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government and Redland City Council partnership to support local arts and culture.LINES in the SAND festival takes place on June 28 and 29. For further information, visit www.linesinthesand.com.au

Hot talent festival line-upLINES in the SAND festival director Jo Kaspari explains the inspiration behind this year's theme

LETTERS


QYAC has ‘disproportionate’ influence on Stradbroke

Letter to the editor from Bill Giles, Dunwich, North Stradbroke IslandIt strikes me that QYAC, an unelected organisation, is allowed disproportionate governance over island affairs. Their influence over the day-to-day management of the fire fighting effort during the recent bushfires is a case in point.

The lightning strike that initiated what was to become a conflagration that burnt 60-plus % of the island, started as one fire front adjacent to Blue Lake. At that stage the fire was not accessible by wheeled vehicles, so Queensland Fire Services called in aerial water bombers to control escalation.

QYAC insisted refilling water buckets from Blue Lake was taboo because it is a hallowed site and therefore inviolable. Consequently QYAC vetoed the lake as a replenishment site and suggested the Key Holes as an alternative. The fire at the time was at the southern end of the island. The Key Holes are at the northern end of the island. Blue Lake was within a few hundred metres of the fire.

It is dangerous to refill water buckets slung under helicopters from the ocean.

The helicopter blades create a down draft which throws salt water over the windscreen of the aircraft.

When the helicopter moves off the water is blown away but the salt remains, obscuring the pilot’s vision. I believe this was explained to QYAC.

The result was the water bombers refuelled from fire hydrants on the secondary school campus at Dunwich – a considerable distance from the fire.

The extra turnaround time and distance resulted in a sub-optimal use of a fire fighting resource, an unnecessary

expenditure of flying hours and an increase in fuel consumption.

Relevant facts:• Blue Lake is a window lake. i.e. The

water table has come to the surface of the island.

• Thousands of litres of water overflow the lake daily into the eighteen mile swamp and end up in the ocean.

• The aquifer is constantly replacing water lost to the lake by overflow and evaporation.

• RCC has licence to extract a maximum of 32 mega litres per day from the aquifer. Regardless, the aquifer can still top up Blue Lake.

• Straddie Camping (a commercial arm of QYAC) promotes the lake as a tourist attraction. Access is facilitated by street signs showing direction, a large sealed car park and a graded walk in to the lake. And, of course, visitors swim in it.

• Recent research of the waters and surrounding environment of Blue Lake show the characteristics of the lake have not altered significantly in thousands of years.

It’s time for QYAC to explain to the island community at what point prevention of destruction of the environment and flora and fauna, and responding to a potential threat to life and property, will take precedence over cultural issues. And why their partisan beliefs should be allowed to override common-sense decisions made by qualified professionals charged with protecting the island and the community at large.

Disunity is ‘disappointing’

Letter to the editor from Cameron Costello, chief executive officer, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal CorporationThank you for the opportunity to respond

to Bill Giles’ letter. The issues raised are serious allegations aimed at QYAC and we welcome the opportunity to inform your readers.

QYAC does not have the power to veto an emergency response and such a serious allegation is not only fanciful but undermines the authority of those qualified professionals who did such an amazing job. QYAC assisted throughout the fire response, and has had their contribution recognised and valued by the appropriate authorities. It is a shame that some island residents are unable to accept that Aboriginal people can contribute valuable knowledge and resources to emergency situations.

The Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) is an elected organisation – of the Quandamooka People – a proud Aboriginal society comprised of its own distinct laws and customs that has a continuing custodial relationship with Quandamooka (Moreton Bay) and Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) over tens of thousands of years.

The Quandamooka People had their rights to land, water and sea (known as native title rights) recognised by Federal, State and Local government on July 4, 2011. These rights extend over more than 50,000 hectares of land and waters on and around Minjerribah.

QYAC consented to the creation of Naree Budjong Djarra National Park on Quandamooka Aboriginal land and is the joint manager along with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

QYAC is a co-owner of Straddie Camping which manages all the campgrounds and foreshores on the island (and who successfully evacuated over 900 campers during the event).

QYAC’s role in governance for the island is actually disproportionate by its history of under representation in governance

SIN readers’ letters with their views about how the recent bushfires were managed

BURNING ISSUE

PHO

TOS: Q

FES


over island affairs – not over represented as the writer suggests.

The recent bushfire disaster was a major event that united our island community. Regardless of what township you were from, your race, or political persuasion, island residents and landholders stood side by side with key agencies and volunteers to defend our townships and protect all that is special about Minjerribah.

Due to the native title rights and landholdings outlined above, QYAC’s role was significant in the response. QYAC is a member of the NSI Fire Committee that meets to deal with fire management issues on the island. Therefore, QYAC is well versed in the procedure and role of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Services (QFES) and Queensland Police in these situations.

It is not our first time involved with an emergency response. We have Traditional Owner Occupiers on our lands so we take fire management extremely seriously.

Soon after the fire began, QYAC was present in the Incident Control Centre (ICC) providing valuable technical and cultural advice to relevant agencies. QYAC staff assisted police to evacuate Quandamooka residents.

A Quandamooka Ranger from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS) acted in a liaison role in ICC. QYAC brought in under its banner local environmental experts to assist QFES to identify key flora and fauna habitat to protect. QYAC also successfully advocated for a local rural fire fighter to be brought in to the ICC to assist by providing local knowledge.

QYAC attended the community briefing sessions and worked closely with the Redland City Council communications unit.

During the event QYAC provided QFES its preferred water bodies to take water from on the island. Bummiera (Brown Lake) and Kaboora (Blue Lake) were at the bottom of the list due to their cultural and environmental significance. It is important to clarify, at no stage did QYAC say that QFES could not use Kaboora. Simply, it was QYAC’s preference that it be used as a last resort. The QFES were not bound to follow QYAC’s advice. At no time did QFES, as the qualified professionals, or any agency come to QYAC stating that it needed to use Kaboora or that by not using Kaboora it hindered QFES operations.

In fact, contrary to the writer’s view, QFES used, and QYAC actually endorsed use of a sacred lake to assist emergency operations during the fire event.

At one stage during the event the fire proceeded to threaten lives and property near Dunwich. QFES came to QYAC to let them know of the situation and out of courtesy sought our counsel on the issue of taking water from Bummiera to preserve life and property.

QYAC promptly agreed with the proposed course of action to take water from Bummiera. Any suggestion by the writer that QYAC was not willing to utilise

sacred water bodies could not be more incorrect. Further, during formal post bushfire debriefs with relevant agencies the issue of not using Kaboora was not raised at all – by anyone.

Kaboora (Blue Lake) is an extremely special place by world standards. As the writer points out, it is indeed scientifically recognised for its unique environmental qualities. The Quandamooka People are directly linked to it by our Dreaming stories.

Kaboora is to the Quandamooka People what Uluru is to the Anangu people, or Bethlehem is to a Christian. Whilst some may see Kaboora simply as another one of the island resources to be plundered, it is extremely sacred to the Quandamooka People. The use of Kaboora for water extraction is not endorsed by the Quandamooka People or science.

Like with Uluru, it is a demonstration of utmost generosity that our Quandamooka Elders continue to share access to this sacred area with the broader community. The use of Kaboora continues to cause erosion to the side of the lake, and swimming in it pollutes it. QYAC is working with QPWS to increase infrastructure that enables a balanced approach to sustainable utilisation of this very special place.

The common sense approach and QYAC’s position is to not impact on Kaboora unless it is absolutely necessary to disturb it for the protection of life, property, flora and fauna.

Post disaster, QYAC has advocated to all levels of government for all stakeholders to continue in a united manner to address the recovery and future fire management on the island. QYAC is working with relevant stakeholders to assess cultural heritage damage, flora and fauna assessment and pest eradication.

QYAC will continue to play its role in the recovery from this disaster in a positive productive manner with our partners for

the benefit of all island residents.QYAC again sincerely thanks all

agencies and community members involved in the fire response. Particularly QFES, whose respect for the cultural and ecological importance of our island was very professional.

Looking back

Letter to the editor from Julie Kearney, Committee member, FOSIThe devastating New Year fires raise serious questions about current fire-management on Straddie. It is hard to believe the Minjerribah people would have tolerated the kind of destructive fires the island now endures, that they would not have used fire as a controlling tool. For this reason those in authority might do well to look to the indigenous community for advice on traditional methods of guarding against uncontrolled fires.

During the 19th century when the Minjerribah people still retained a large measure of control over their environment, there is no record of damaging fires. As evidence of their fire-management here are two historical references.

On October 13, 1873, Gustavus Birch who lived at Amity, recorded in his diary that local clansmen had returned with honey ‘after having set fire to country.’ In an article in the Queenslander in June 1877, a white visitor to Amity described seeing an indigenous man using a firebrand at night to spot-burn the long grass on the foreshore. Presumably he chose night-time because the grass would then be damp from dew or an afternoon shower.

How different the island looked before British settlement we can only guess. Bill Gammage’s book The Greatest Estate on Earth provides clues − fire-managed grasslands on the headlands, as is consistent with evidence he documents on Australia’s mainland, more grassland created inland as an aid to hunting kangaroos, and on flat foreshores for use as meeting-grounds. Such native grassland, as Gammage has established, needed to be maintained regularly with burnings conducted by men and women skilled in the variables of grass type and season.

Long-time resident of the island, Ellie Durbidge, remembers the headlands above Point Lookout’s beaches as being grassed, not forested as they are now. Nineteenth century photos of the Dunwich area reveal it was similarly lawn-like. As the Minjerribah people gradually lost control over their environment, horses unwittingly continued the job of maintaining these parklike expanses. They were, Ellie Durbidge recalls in her book Historic North Stradbroke Island, the island’s only lawn-mowers. But when the horses were removed from the island, vegetation began encroaching on what was, in effect, a sophisticated system of fire-breaks.

PHO

TO: Q

FES

NEWS FEATURE


Many plants are now sprouting from lignotubers, storage units held underground, or from epicormic buds that have

lain dormant under bark. Grass trees pushed out green within days of being burnt. The sturdy seed capsules of some banksias are only opened by the heat of fire. Other seeds are stimulated to germinate by smoke.

Scribbly gum bark reflects heat, and the golden trunks stand in stark contrast to the charred fibrous bark of other species: two different strategies to protect the inner tree and its epicormic buds. Now the outer carapace of the scribbly gum is falling away and the shiny new skin beneath is adorned with bunches of new leaves.

Clearly plants know their stuff. They have been weathering fires for a long time.

The rains of the past two years ensured the peat beds of the swamps didn’t burn, providing a refuge for frogs and other aquatic life to burrow into. Eighteen Mile Swamp flushed green so quickly it was hard to believe it had been burnt at all. Other swamps were soon dotted with flowering trigger plants and sundews, taking advantage of the opportunities fire brought.

But there are concerns and questions.

Sensitive species in fire shadow areas burnt: tall tree ferns and rainforest pockets. Elsewhere, grand old trees hundreds of years old succumbed. How well will mining-rehabilitation areas recover?

Long-term residents can’t remember a fire that burnt so much of the island at one time. Sixty per cent of the island was affected. Those animals that couldn’t find shelter were incinerated. Thousands died.

The Australian bush is adapted to fire but, critically, different plant communities need different fire regimes. The periodicity and intensity are important.

Too-frequent fires will not allow some plants to mature to produce adequate seed. Too long between fires, and some species disappear. Too little rain after fire will exhaust plants.

Aboriginal people have been in Australia for some 70,000 years, and for 21,000 years on Stradbroke. Aboriginal burning practices have shaped habitat diversity.

In times past it seems very unlikely that Quandamooka People would have risked half the island burning in one hit. So what was their burning practice?

Piecing together and synthesising knowledge – traditional, local and scientific – is the challenge ahead. Climate change is giving us more frequent and

Three months on from the January wildfires, there are signs of new life in the bush, writes Jan Aldenhoven

Out of the ashes...

more intense fires. We want to protect the townships and infrastructure, but no one wants to sacrifice huge swathes of bushland to do so. The process of review and planning is under way.

The months ahead could be an opportunity to tackle the fox and wild dog problem on the island. The local Wildlife Forum is working with agencies to come up with a plan.

In 2007, the drought focused our attention on the island’s hydrology. Now is our opportunity to understand more about fire for our own sake and that of the bush.

Pictured clockwise from above: Many of the island swamps looked like this a few days after the January fires; three months on, swamps have flushed green with a myriad of species, many flowering and seeding, like this trigger plant on the swamp margin; yellow Xris flowers; white flowers and red insect-catching tentacles of sundews, Drosera binata; dotted across the swamp; new fern leaves have re-sprouted

PHOTOS: GLEN CARRUTHERS AND JAN ALDENHOVEN


HELP THE BUSH RECOVER• Slow down and watch out for wildlife when driving.• Stick to roads and designated tracks so not to disturb regeneration or spread weeds and disease. • Keep dogs in an enclosed yard or on a lead except in designated off leash areas.• Be aware of fire regulations and stick to them.

• Keep a tidy camp and don’t let bins overflow, as this will encourage proliferation of feral animals that target native species trying to recolonise. • Report sick and injured wildlife to 0407 766 052.• Report feral animal sightings and fox dens to 07 3829 8999 or email [email protected]

...springs life

NOTICE BOARD


STAND UP FOR STRADDIE. HELP MAKE SAND MINING

HISTORY BY 2019.The November 2013 Newman government amendments to the North Stradbroke Island Act allow Belgian miners Sibelco to apply for an extension of sand mining to 2035. But the applications to extend cannot be made until 2019. Parliament can repeal the Newman government amendments before then.

You can help by starting to spread the word. Together we can bring about the repeal of the amendments. Together we can save the habitat of Straddie’s threatened and vulnerable animals.

Friends of Stradbroke Island fosi.org.au

Massage & acupressurePostural correctionInjury rehabilitation

Improve your breathingLymphatic drainageRelieve pain & tension

MOB: 0409 538 972 E: [email protected]

Linda RagoMeiso Shiatsu Practitioner

The Yoga Tower8 Billa StreetPoint Lookout

www.glidesurfboards.com.au

NEWS


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TheIslander_BC_Islander_BC_SIN 12/06/13 9:23 AM Page 1

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The annual Straddie Salute Triathlon, an event that has experienced strong year on year growth since its launch in 2008, will be held on a

Saturday for the first time in 2014, reports organisers, Weekend Warrior Events.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31 with the triathlons (road and off-road) and the fun run to be held on Saturday

morning instead of Sunday. The Straddie 1000 ocean swim and

500m recovery swim will be held on Sunday.

Event director John Guise says that the main reason for the change is to “encourage competitors to stay a few nights on the island to enjoy the total Straddie experience and also to partake in some post-race celebrations at the Straddie Hotel on Saturday night.”

Guise is also inviting local residents to get involved in the event this year. “We know there’s a healthy contingent of fitness lovers on the island and we’d love to see more locals taking on the mainlanders on their home course.”

For further information about the event, visit www.weekendwarriorevents.com.au. Race entries open in May.

Saturday salute

• Straddie Salute Triathlon: 750m swim/18km MTB ride/8km run• Straddie Pure Triathlon: 750m swim/20km road cycle/8km run• Straddie Stride Fun Run: 8km run or walk.• Straddie 1000: 1000m ocean swim• Recovery Swim: 500m ocean Swim

Pictured left: Kimberley Busteed enjoys the Straddie Salute Triathlon

Triathlon options:

REVIEW


8am til noonAt the community hall

opposite the bowls club.April 6, 13, 19, 20, 27.

May: no markets.June 8, 29.

Check signs.

POINT LOOKOUT

MARKETS

Cai Guo-Qiang’s Falling Back to Earth is a provocative exhibit, inciting strong reactions from GOMA visitors. “It reminds me of this past week in

Parliament,” observed Queensland Arts Minister while viewing the installation titled Head On, a mesmerising work featuring 99 wolves hurling themselves at a glass wall.

Another equally stunning installation is Heritage which was inspired by the artist’s visit to Blue Lake on North Stradbroke Island in 2011.

In surroundings of shadowless dreamy white, 99 diverse wild animals drink peacefully from a blue lake surrounded by pristine white sand.

On one level the installation expresses the theme behind Cai’s exhibition, which according to him is “the return to a harmonious relationship between man and nature, re-embracing the

tranquillity in the landscape”. Certainly what is also conveyed by

this installation, albeit disquietingly, is a sense of stepping into a lost paradise, an experience Cai obviously shared with every other visitor who sees Straddie for the first time.

In Chinese numerology, however, the number 99 symbolises something incomplete, something awaiting fulfilment, and Cai conveys this in a subtle way.

The animals, constructions of polystyrene under hides of unknown provenance, seem at peace and it is the unreality of the scene that gradually becomes the viewer’s dominant impression.

What you are looking at, the installation seems to say, is the ideal. It is not reality. As subtly insistent as the single drop of water that silently breaks the surface of the lake, the frozen tableau of beautiful endangered creatures made life-like by art confronts us with what we have lost in our environment

Paradise lost?Julie Kearney, Friends of Stradbroke Island, reviews Cai Guo-Qiang: Falling Back to Earth, at GOMA

and what we are yet to lose if we don’t take action.

To judge by gallery visitors’ responses, a similarly disquieting effect seems to have been produced by another installation titled Eucalyptus, which is no more and no less than a magnificent upended gum-tree. On the wall alongside, on drawing-paper provided, one visitor’s message says of the paper it was written on: “This was a tree”, while another one simply reads: “Protect Stradbroke Island’s lakes and wildlife. End sand-mining”.

An artist of international standing, Cai Guo-Qiang is no stranger to the Brisbane art scene, having produced a huge gunpowder-driven calligraphic serpent on paper in homage to the Brisbane River, as well as other installations for two Asia-Pacific Triennials.

It is the mark of good art that it has the power to raise questions in the minds of its viewers and Falling Back to Earth is no exception to Cai’s earlier work.

You won’t be disappointed by a trip to GOMA to ponder and wonder over his installations, and what they suggest about our current relationship with our environment.Falling Back to Earth runs until May 11, 10am-5pm daily, at the Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane. Tickets are $16.50 in advance

PHO

TO: SUE ELLEN

CAREW

NOTICE BOARD


NOTICE BOARD

SPRING 2011 10 YEARS OF LIVING IN SIN — STRADDIE ISLAND NEWS 23

BAY ISLAND VALUATIONSPaul W Mergler AAPIAssocDipBus (Real Property Valuation)Certified Practising Valuer

Phone 3409 8855 Fax 3415 3060Mobile 0417 786 [email protected]

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PO Box 300 Point LookoutNorth Stradbroke Island

QLD 4183

Stradbroke Island

BLINDS & AWNINGSYour local supplier of all types of Venetians, verticals,

roller blinds aluminium and fabric awningsShowroom at 7 Ballow Road Dunwich (beside Dolphin Real Estate)

PHONE DAVID THORBURN

3415 32060400 341 532

www.islandweddings.net.au [email protected]

SIN_Spring2011_Final_SIN_Spring2011_Final 9/09/11 12:02 PM Page 23

NOTICE BOARD


TO ORDER OUR DELICIOUS FRESH PIZZAS

CALL -‐ 3415 2444 OPENING HOURS 4pm – 8pm Wednesday to Saturday 7am – 8pm Sunday (or Public Holiday Mondays) Open EVERY DAY during School Holidays

PIZZA PICK UP Shop 1, 7 Ballow Road DUNWICH (Opposite Straddie Sharks Football Field) PIZZA DELIVERY POINT LOOKOUT (Orders in by 6:30pm for 7pm+ deliveries) AMITY POINT (Orders in by 5:30pm for 6pm+ deliveries) $30 minimum order plus a $10 Delivery Fee -‐ Friday and Saturday only DUNWICH and MYORA $5 Delivery Fee -‐ Wednesday to Sunday Find our MENU and DEALS on

NOTICE BOARD


Enjoying the Minjerribah Recreation Area

Some things you should know about camping and 4WDriving on Straddie

Driving on the beaches

Camping on the foreshores?

Dogs on the beaches and in the camping areas

You need a permit to drive on the beaches and to the beach camping areas. Book and pay on our website, and collect the windscreen sticker from one of our offices at Dunwich, Amity Point, Adder Rock or Cylinder Beach.

You need a permit for beach camping, and you must affix a tent tag to each camping structure for the duration of your stay. Tent tags must be clearly visible to our beach rangers.

You can bring your dog onto the beaches, and into the Flinders Beach and Main Beach camping areas, however the dog must be on a lead at all times. You are allowed a maximum of 2 dogs per campsite.

Can I have a cooking fire at my campsite?

You may have a small cooking fire, which must be extinguished with water immediately after use. Fires covered with sand or dirt are dangerous for up to 8 hours and can cause horrific burns. Never leave fires unattended. Check our website for fire ban information. T: 07-3409-9668www.straddiecamping.com.au

Feel the spirit of Quandamooka Country

Minjerribah Recreation Area

It is a privilege to be allowed to drive on the beaches, and to camp in the Minjerribah Recreation (RAM) Area. Please comply with these simple guidelines

We have now established an office atPoint Lookout, attended by appointmenton Thursday and Friday.You will find us at 32 Tramican Street.Phone 07 3806 1511 for a discussion with Brian Hooker, partner.

SOME OF OUR SERVICES:

Strait tothe Point.

• Taxation and BAS returns for all entities • Super fundaccounting and audits • Clear and concise accountingand tax advice • Tax Planning and Estate Planning •Planning for Succession • Management Reporting and Secretarial Services.

MortonWare_QP_110912_MortonWare_QP_110912 11/09/12 11:38 AM Page

OPINION


TRANSPORT IS A PRIORITY

It has been heartening to see Islanders and Cleveland residents band together against the proposed Toondah Harbour redevelopment.

The draft plans – compiled by Redland City Council and State Government planners – have missed the key point of the redevelopment: That Toondah Harbour is firstly and most importantly a key transport hub for access to North Stradbroke Island.

Developers argue that large scale infrastructure is needed to help pay for the costs of upgrading the harbour and community open space, and to create a tourist destination for day-trippers from Brisbane.

But local people – and leading industry experts – know the plan is unrealistic, and presents a real threat to the environment, the existing open space, the character of Cleveland, and to council finances.

Extremely important elements of the

plan are missing. It is incomprehensible that a properly considered parking study hasn’t been included.

The parking facilities on both sides of Moreton Bay are an urgent issue. Some industry experts have estimated that a parking tower the size of that at the Domestic Airport Terminal in Brisbane would be required to cater to all the users proposed on the site. Of course, a facility like that would need to be paid for by its users!

It seems to me that the planners saw Toondah Harbour and the surrounding parkland as a potential development site, and not as an existing transport hub in need of an upgrade to improve the experience of Islanders and visitors to NSI.

People who love and understand Straddie know that transport is both the biggest opportunity and biggest threat to island life.

The State Government needs to listen to

Islanders and Cleveland residents, and get working on an integrated transport plan for Stradbroke Island.

Perhaps the State Government could reinvest some of the $75 million it is expected to receive in sand mining royalties in some forward planning on transport?

”“People who love and

understand Straddie know that transport is both the biggest opportunity and

biggest threat to island life

FISHING


CLUB RESULTS It came down to the wire at the Amity Point Fishing Club at the end of 2013 with two anglers fighting out for the major award of Club Champion.

Bernie and Terri Mascord made it a first for a husband and wife team to take out the top awards for the club anglers for the year concurrently.

Junior Club Champion Ben Armstrong may find the competition a little harder this year as he has graduated to the senior ranks and will have to compete with the likes of his dad, Bob, who probably wishes he had not told him his favourite spots.

The most Consistent Angler award went to Jo Maguire, who along with many others is a real club stalwart.

LICENCE TO THRILL Getting your boat and jet ski licence is about to be made a lot easier. Allstate Boat Licensing will be running courses from the Little Ship Club. They will need eight people to run a course.

The course will be held on a weekend with an introduction to boat safety and boat handling held in one of the function rooms at the LSC. Participants will then be tested for their licence in the Allstate supplied boat or jet ski.

For details and bookings call Straddie Super Sports on 34099 252.

RISKY BOATING BUSINESS A lesson could be learned from a recent incident involving the local VMR boat Blue Diamond.

What started out as a simple operation to tow a stranded yacht off a sandbank could have been disastrous.

After successfully towing the yacht off the bank in extremely windy conditions, the skipper of Blue Diamond waited for the tow line to be released from the previously stranded vessel. Suddenly he found his craft being dragged backward at a very fast pace by the other vessel, with water pouring over the transom, and finding his boat starting to overturn and submerge.

One of the crew was thrown clear while the skipper and his mate found themselves under the boat in an air pocket. They were both able to swim clear of the boat and were subsequently rescued.

Is there any mechanical device on the market that could stop this situation from occurring? I would like to hear some comments. Please don’t say an axe.

THRILLS AND SPILLSThe Jolly Bod boat race was the brainchild of Steve Barwell. Eight boats and their crew went to sail in the first outing. Entrants in the race could only use wind-assisted vessels.

It was a fun afternoon with thrills and spills galore. Disaster Dave broke a rudder while Geoff and Criena Moore flipped their boat. They were rescued by a quick thinking crew from another vessel. Steve Barwell took out the honours on his wind surfer.

The next Jolly Bod will be held on August 31.

Real estate sale prices on North Stradbroke Island have dropped between 25-30% since the impact of the global financial crisis. In conjunction

with this worldwide downturn, I believe Straddie has had a correction in values which probably needed to happen.

For decades our properties have doubled in value approximately every five years, which is twice the rate of properties on the mainland.

In fact, in late 2004, Point Lookout had the second highest capital growth for coastal property in Australia (74.5% growth for 12 months).

For any location to sustain this level of capital growth indefinitely it would become the domain of only the mega rich and, in my opinion, this is not what Straddie needs going forward.

We need to be able to encourage a broad range of people to either move to Straddie or to make it their regular holiday destination by keeping values affordable and within reach.

This also applies to rental properties – you can rent almost any property for certain weeks of the year, but to build occupancy and return bookings, again, prices need to be kept affordable.

We have also had the uncertainty about the closure of the mines and this was evidenced by the major banks being unwilling to lend for purchases on the island without massive deposits. From my discussions with our Loan Market professional this is no longer the case with most lenders.

We are on the doorstep of a major city which is constantly growing, we have the best beaches in the world, a wonderful

natural environment, a fascinating indigenous and European history, an involved, caring community and those of us who are lucky enough to live, work or holiday here are the envy of many.

I believe we will continue to see good capital growth going forward, but in the longer term not in the short term.

To illustrate this I would like to mention that Point Lookout is one of the tightest-held property markets in Australia with properties, on average, held for approximately 18 years.

Rae Green is principal of Ray White Stradbroke Island and has been selling real estate on Straddie for more then 20 years. Queries about real estate or property management can be sent to her care of the Point Lookout post office or by visiting www.raywhitestraddie.com

PROPERTY

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Enviropest_BC_0312_Enviropest_BC_0312 5/03/12 9:53 AM Page 1

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Stradbroke IslandBUTCHERY

FIRE DAMAGE While the club house was spared from fire damage, unfortunately the irrigation system on the second tee was completely destroyed, along with the associated watering infrastructure.

NEW PUMP There are two bore pumps, fondly known as B1 and B2 providing water for the course. A new bore pump to replace the larger, B2, was delicately inserted into the 75+ metre well that provides Straddie Golf Club with the majority of its water for irrigation. B2 has made a complete recovery and is functioning as per specification.

VOLUNTEER MOWERS Like a number of clubs on the island, Royal Dunwich depends on its base of volunteers to keep it in operating mode. Many of the organisations on the island dependent on these volunteers have to put in hours of training, but not at Royal Dunwich – check out our qualified team of ‘wildlife mowers’, pictured right.

STRADDIE AMBROSE RETURNS After the triumphant return in 2013, the Straddie Ambrose Golf Competition, open to all, is scheduled to return from July 17-19. Telephone the Golf Club on 3409 9999 to reserve your place.

The North Stradbroke Island Golf Club is open daily from 8am to 5pm. Phone 3409 9999 or visit www.northstradbrokeislandgolfclub.com.au

YOGA


Summer on Straddie is a great time to di-vest yourself of layers – layers of thinkingas well as layers of clothing.

Often our opinions are built on limited obser-vation or inaccurate thinking and unravellingthose extra layers can be liberating.

When we concentrate on postural changesthat relieve pain or discomfort, we “simplify” thepressure on our nerves and our breathing pat-terns change and deepen.

If we observe that deeper breathing rhythmand watch the new pattern, we start to unpackthe layers of thinking that have settled on us,accruing each year.

Run into the water yelling, then stand in thesun and observe your breathing rhythm. Smileand observe your breathing rhythm. Walk back-wards up the big sand dune at Deadmans Beachand observe your breathing rhythm.

None of the above suggestions involve thetricky business of thinking. The simple act ofobserving the breath is one of the most helpfulprinciples of yoga practice.

This summer at Beach Yoga we will be all

about simplifying things. Moving from complex-ity to simplicity is only tricky if we are attached toour mental noises.

Get o� the treadmill and into the cool sand. Feel the sensations of hot sun and cool breeze

and concentrate on those sensations whileobserving your breathing rhythm.

Things get more complicated when we try andspeak and observe our breathing rhythm. Tryconcentrating on someone else’s speech andobserve your breathing rhythm. Very tricky. Whatmost of us notice is, we hold our breath.

Your rhythm is like your �ngerprint, individualand intrinsically you. It �nds you if you practice.

Once you’ve become familiar with your natu-ral breathing rhythm, shorten the inhalation fora while then return to your natural rhythm.Lengthen the exhalation for a while then returnto your natural rhythm. Watch the tide come inand go out, relentless and rhythmic. It’s one ofnature’s best examples of stability, endurance,strength and surety.

Celebrate the summer by developing aware-ness of your natural breathing rhythm.

SUMMER 2013–14 STRADDIE ISLAND NEWS 23

TEE TIMENews from the NSI Golf Club with Geo� Nette, Secretary

WILDLIFE ON THE GREEN This year has brought a bumper crop of new joeys, wood ducklings,baby golden face plovers and juveniles of all sorts, including somevery keen baby lace monitors (goannas), not to mention a few JoeBlakes (snakes).

Finally, a little �ngernail bu�ng. The club, with expert help fromour grants administrator Greg Grimmett, has secured an additionalnearly $9000 for continuing wildlife conservation projects, as well as$5000 for a feasibility study into further club house improvements,including raising the roof. This should enable the club to be fullycompliant as a venue for hosting weddings and parties.

COURSE UPGRADES Thanks to the wonderful group of members and volunteers whohave spent their time keeping one of the Islands best kept hiddenjewels very much alive.

All nine of the greens have recently undergone a complete pro-gram of scari�cation. And once the recalcitrant bore pump isreplaced, hopefully before this summer issue goes to print, togetherwith an upgraded fertilisation adaptation to the recently completedirrigation system, the course should be at its prime.

In another upgrade, many visitors and club members will be bothoverjoyed and saddened at news that the sand trap at the famous Par3, 6/15th has been brought back into play. Players will be welladvised to replace the sand wedge in the bag to contend with whatawaits the errant tee shot.

BEACH YOGA TALESBy Linda Rago

Linda Rago [email protected] has beenstudying and teaching yoga andshiatsu healing practices since1989. She specialises in mindfulpostures, recovery from injurythrough positive attitude, movement and respiration. Beach Yoga Straddie is on Facebook.

The North Stradbroke Island Golf Club is open daily from 8am to 5pm.Phone 3409 9999 or visit www.northstradbrokeislandgolfclub.com.au

PHOTO: B

SIN_Summer2013-v3_SIN_Summer2013 30/11/13 8:49 AM

Autumn on the island is worth bottling! Beach Yoga starts a bit later in the morning because comfortable temperatures and soft light produce such pleasant

conditions. Some people function well in heat and others love the cool of winter but whichever your type, you can create balance through movement, breathing, attitude and diet.

‘Opposite training’ produces great results. Here are some suggestions: Hot and cold showers or hot and cold foot baths can help ‘rejig’ your thermostat. Start and finish with hot water alternating with a cold dowsing. If you’re showering, start the cold on your feet and work up.

‘A’ frame postures (legs apart, toes spread, arms up and out, fingers open) alternated with crouching or squats are excellent to energise and raise internal temperature.

If you tend toward a slow or sluggish metabolism introduce quick small leg movements with a quick small inhalation and strong exhalation.

If you tend toward quick thinking, a ‘faster’

metabolism or a nervous condition then a slower methodical approach is your friend. Concentrate on the quality of your alignment as you move, repeating postures in an incrementally increasing then decreasing fashion.

Beach Yoga Straddie is organising an international conference from May 28 to June 1, where these techniques will be discussed. The theme is ‘Truth, Possibility, Change’.

There is a public session (Saturday, May 31) where all interested parties can receive a shiatsu treatment from one of the many practitioners attending. There are also two evening sessions with the venerable Robina Courtin focusing on practices which support compassion and, secondly, detachment.

Sibelco, Transit Systems, Stradbroke Holidays and the Redland City Council are supporting the event. Beach Yoga Straddie is going global in its effort to demonstrate educational, environmentally-friendly, sustainable tourism.

If you are interested in billeting someone, volunteering or have a genuine enquiry, call me on 0409 538 972.

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