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ANTHROPOGENIC NOISE AND BIRDS    Dr Helen K Larson

7/1/2021

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Photo Jeff Larson
The proposed heliport in Mission Beach, when operating, will create considerable loud noise from the industrial helicopters at irregular times seven days a week, during daylight. The proposed heliport is to be sited among known cassowary corridors (albeit fragmented).

Cassowaries are diurnal birds and walk considerable distances in search of food, so anything that disrupts their normal behaviour and movement may have a negative effect. Anthropogenic noise pollution is a relatively recent phenomenon that birds now have to cope with throughout much of the world, and investigators have recently found that responses to this include avoidance of noisy areas, changes in reproductive success, and changes in calls and singing (Ortega 2012). 
While there have been no studies carried out specifically on cassowary responses to loud or constant anthropogenic noise, there have been several carried out on two of their closest relatives, the emu and ostrich, under captive conditions, in which emus showed ​​behaviours indicating stress and agitation (e.g. Jakob-Hoff et al 2019). A study of birds’ reactions to constant traffic noise through good habitat showed that constant noise degrades that habitat that is otherwise suitable, and that the presence of a species does not indicate the absence of a negative effect (the bird is just tolerating the noise) (Ware et al. 2015).

​​Cassowaries’ hearing has not been studied but it is known that they produce very low-frequency sounds as long-distance communication in the forest (Mack and Jones 2003). It is unknown how these sounds travel in a noisy environment. It has been observed that cassowaries respond to helicopter noise in a panicked way – Jeff Larson photographed an adult bird running in fear from a military helicopter flying overhead in Wongaling Beach on 17 April 2014 (2 of the 4-photograph sequence below).

Birdlife Australia Guardian, Coastal Wet Tropics Key Biodiversity Area.
Curator Emeritus, Fishes, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, NT
Research Associate, Museum of Tropical Queensland, Townsville, Qld
Co-chair, Goby Group of the Marine Fish Red List Authority, International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Dr Helen K. Larson
65 Reid Road, Wongaling Beach, Qld 4852
Email: eviotahkl@gmail.com
REFERENCES: 
Jakob-Hoff, R.1., Kingan, M., Fenemore, C., Schmid, G., Cockrem, J.F., Crackle, A., Van Bemmel, E., Connor, R., and Descovich, K. 2019. Potential Impact of Construction Noise on Selected Zoo Animals. animals 9(8): 1-25.
Mack, A.L. and Jones, J. 2003. Low-Frequency Vocalizations by Cassowaries (Casuarius spp.). The Auk 120 (4): 1062-1068.
Ortega, C.P. 2012. Effects Of Noise Pollution On Birds: A Brief Review Of Our Knowledge. Ornithological Monographs 74: 6–22.
Ware et al. 2015. A phantom road experiment reveals traffic noise is an invisible source of habitat degradation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
 112(39): 12105-12109.   ​
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Photo Jeff Larson
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Photo Jeff Larson - detail "Bird upside down, feet in air, in ditch after slipping on road in fear".
​“Photos I took while an Australian Army helicopter flew overhead as I was watching a cassowary deciding what to do from inside the fence of the Happy Days farm on Wheatley road. The helicopter came over and the bird immediately tore through the fence and across the road slipping in the act, falling over and sliding into the grass verge on the other side of the road. It then got up and quickly shot into the forest. If a vehicle had been coming the bird probably would have been killed. 5:05pm on the 17th of April 2014.”
​
​(in litt. J. Larson 7 December 2020).
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Photo Jeff Larson

More information on aviation facility
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Community calls for council to listen to the people

4/1/2021

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​Media Release 3 January 2021

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Residents of Mission Beach  are  calling for  the council  to listen to the people and deny approval of  a proposed  aviation facility being located  in the centre of their quiet tourism town.

Almost  200 concerned Mission Beach residents gathered at the village Progress Hall early this afternoon to  express their concern that the CCRC councilors have not listened to the community when  recommending the approval of a Material Change of Use (MCU) for an Aviation Facility on agricultural land.

​The community hall spilled beyond capacity as r
esidents queued at the 'sign in' waiting to hear more about a proposed development they say will threaten their peaceful lifestyle and the towns tourist appeal. 
 It was standing room only as community members listened to the guest speakers talk about the impact of the development on the  peace and quiet,  the community sense of place, loss of agricultural land and the cassowary,

​Biologist Nigel Tucker highlighted the high environmental values and importance to cassowaries of the habitat around and through the proposed development site. 

Nigel, who has carried out studies of the coastal lowland habitat surrounding the proposed development site over the  the last 40 years, questioned why there had not been any State or Federal Environment Department  involvement in the assessment process.
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​Peter Rowles from C4 outlined  the details of the proposed aviation facility and the impact it would have on the  sensitive environment,  the residents and township of Mission Beach.

​Peter encourages the Cassowary Coast Regional Council to work with the proponent to find a more suitable location for the development.
Liz Gallie of Mission Beach Cassowaries said  “There is more protection in the Planning Scheme for Art Deco architecture than there is for the cassowary at Mission Beach”.  Liz is calling for a Master Plan to identify and protect the intrinsic values of Mission Beach during the revision of the Planning Scheme.
​

Liz questions the local council’s Development Incentive Plan which she said appears to allow any development  at any location despite inconsistencies with the Planning Scheme. “The council is not listening to the  people". said Liz. "Inappropriate development is impacting on the character of beautiful Mission Beach"  Liz continued, “We are losing ‘the magic’ and along with it our sense of community identity”
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​Award winning exotic fruit farmer and Fruit Forest Farm tourism operator,  Peter Salleras said it is crucial agricultural land is not developed, denying  future possibilities of food production.

Peter who is a third generation local farmer showcased his highly successful farm tourism business as an example of how  diversification and a boutique approach to farm practices is an alternative to  traditional approaches to rural  land use.
​
Peter said  "The  current process  doesn't  value  small areas for food production. We must get away from the idea that  we can only grow sugar and cavendish bananas. They  are low value broad acre crops". 
"There are endless opportunities for high value crops in this part of the world such as flowers, chocolate, vanilla, medical crops etc. said Peter "The proposed  development site has 'phenomenal possibilities  with the  sea breezes creating an excellent  microclimate for niche crops and the added possibility of a roadside stall. 

Peter also questioned why the councillors did not attend the meeting. "Decisions are being made that have a big impact on 'our place' that don't involve the community" said Peter. "Over time we have witnessed destruction of some of the unique features of our area such as the canopy licuala forest drive at the entrance to Mission Beach" 
​

"Increased air noise pollution from skydiving activities is already impacting on our quiet lifestyles" Peter said." It would be an idiotic decision to put a helicopter aviation facility at the proposed location.   "This place is too good to waste on stupidity like this" said Peter, "If we don't stand up now we will definitely regret it".  

​
The community is questioning why the council would consider approval of a high impact industrial development in the middle of a tourist destination reliant on its reputation as a quiet peaceful village.

“If an industrial  helicopter  business is allowed to go ahead at the current location it will mean the beginning of the industrialization of Mission Beach, the end of our peace and quiet and visitors who come to Mission for a relaxing  holiday" said Liz.

Councilors were invited to the meeting to listen to the communities concerns but declined saying they were unable to attend any meetings held by opponents or proponents due to the fact the matter is currently before council.

A website has been launched  as part of a campaign against a material change of use from agricultural land for a high impact industrial development in the heart of Mission Beach. 
​More information can be found on www.aviation-facility.weebly.com
Ends

Contact:
Liz Gallie 0414 402 315
Peter Rowles  0429 179 152
​Peter Salleras  0429 194 710
Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Mark Nolan 0400 440 837

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Mission Beach ‘heart’  under threat

18/12/2020

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Photo Jeff Larson 'Very frightened cassowary'
Media Release:
Plans for a Helicopter base in the ‘wilderness heart of Mission Beach’ has gained the ire of residents.

Mission Beach Helicopters owned by pilot Ray Cronin of Victorian Kestrel Aviation has lodged a development application to establish an aviation facility on a vacant block of land separating the villages of Wongaling and Mission Beach.

Residents are calling for the Cassowary Coast Regional Council to listen to the community and deny the proposal because it will destroy the peace and quiet they moved to Mission Beach to enjoy.
Mission Beach is described in regional tourism promotion, as a place where  “People come to experience the peace and quiet, relax and do nothing much, it’s that kind of place…”

The community is questioning the Planner’s report description of the proposal as 'low impact' when Mission Helicopters confirmed “Most of the helicopters to be stationed at the proposed facility are highly specialised multi-role craft capable of aerial firefighting, heavy-lift and aerial crane, and reconnaissance missions”.
The Planner’s report also claims that restricting the hours of operation from between 6am to 6pm 7 days a week will minimise the impact.

Many in the community disagree.  The council received 55 submissions against the proposal in response to the DA and a petition has reached 570 signatures.
​John Brown, who owns a property close to the proposed facility, says the noise level would be unacceptable. Many residents moved to the area for the quiet, believing the nearby reserve was a protected area. “There are so many reasons why this is the wrong location”. John said.  “Tully Airport has all the supporting infrastructure for the services being proposed”. 
 
The flight path is planned to go over a large block of coastal rainforest much of which is under Traditional Owner native title.  John said “It is an insult to the Djiru people that they have not been considered”

Liz Gallie of Mission Beach Cassowaries said the impact couldn’t be higher for the cassowary. “There is a cassowary corridor through the middle of the lot and immediately adjacent to the proposed landing pad”. Liz said “There are regular cassowary sightings at the corridor and we have seen how cassowaries react to helicopters flying overhead”.
“The Cassowary Coast Planning Scheme overlays show the habitat surrounding the proposed site and beneath the planned flight path mapped as cassowary habitat and corridors” said Liz.
 
 “One of the corridors includes Lot 66 which the Federal Government saved from development in 2010 because of the impact it would have on the endangered cassowary” said Liz  “And now this! It makes us wonder if the Planning Scheme actually protects anything at Mission Beach”.

​The community has launched a campaign against the development calling for the council to not allow the proposal at the proposed location claiming there are facilities within the Cassowary Coast already designated for aviation services and able to expand. 

​​Peter Rowles from C4 commented “We encourage the Council to talk with Kestrel Aviation about locating the facility to a more appropriate place to provide a real benefit to the region”.  “The current proposed location would have a high impact on the community and environment”. said Peter.  “The Council needs to acknowledge the long-term importance of Planning Schemes and not allow ad hoc changes”.

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Planning Scheme overlay map showing Cassowary Corridors and Areas of High Environmental Significance
Liz Gallie agreed. “We are asking the council to listen to the people and stick to the planning scheme”.
 
More information about the heliport proposal and community response will be available at a community meeting on Sunday 20 December 1pm after the markets in Ulysses Park, Mission Beach.

​Ends
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For more information:
Liz Gallie
Mission Beach Cassowaries
 0414 402 315
 

Peter Rowles
C4
​
0429 179 152
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2020 MUSIC QUEST FEST – ‘BEST EVER’

18/9/2020

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Guests were "over the moon" when Baden (Chappy) and Angela Chapman decided to go ahead with the 2020 Chappy’s Spiritual Music Quest on September 5th  after initial uncertainty caused by Covid 19.  
 
For the past 14 years Baden and Angela have hosted a rock and roll music quiz at their home to raise funds for a good cause. The fun, private event has a dedicated band of followers, some of whom travel as far away as the Northern Territory and South Australia.  This year has been claimed as the “best one ever”.

Chappy in his traditional ‘ring master’s’ hat becomes his alter ego ‘the Quizmaster’ entertaining from his stage all afternoon. Keeping everyone on their toes and testing the competitors’ knowledge, the 'Quizmaster" delivered questions on rock music from the  60’s, and 70’s and 80’s  as fast paced as TV’s Julie Zamira’s Rock Quiz, 

Guests either join a team of four or become a ‘roust-a-bout’ helper. Teams vie for the top score answering questions fired at them in the ‘Quizmaster’s’ inimitable style. The quiz is interspersed with competitions, raffles and auctions all carried out with lots of laughter and frivolity. “We want to thank everyone involved” said Chappy, “Without  the support from our roust-a-bout staff the show wouldn’t  happen”
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Baden (Chappy) Chapaman as his alter ego 'the Quizmaster'
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Prizes and raffles, donated by sponsors from Cairns to Mission Beach are won during the day. Trophys are awarded for the best performances and to the team with the highest score. Hilarious highlights of the day include the mime and air guitar competitions.


‘The Gutta Boys’ team who travel from South Australia each year are the out front favourites and the team to beat. This year teams also included the ‘Blue Heros’ ‘Casso Warriors’  ‘Raging Revolutionaries’ , The  Tree Huggers, ‘Good Vibrations’ and ‘Wait a Minute Chester’.  ​
With twelve months planning, the attention to detail is obvious from the days program of topics and questions, the design of T Shirts and trophy’s to the included evening bar-b-que.

​The ‘Gutta Boys’ won again this year but cassowaries are the biggest winners through the generosity of this fun group of people lead by the colourful Chappy, the Quizmaster. 
​
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For the past 7 years the funds raised from the day have been donated to Mission Beach Cassowaries.  These funds have been used to help raise awareness of cassowaries and contribute to projects such as the famed Mission Beach School Kids roadside signs, the Mission Beach Community Cassowary Festival, and, most recently, developing local cassowary corridor mapping.

Chappy sees cassowaries regularly when travelling on roads while working his garden maintenance business. “If you see a cassowary, please flash your lights to warn other drivers of a road hazard ahead” said Chappy .
With their community always in their hearts, Chappy and Angela encourage their guests to go out while they are in Mission Beach to support and enjoy locally owned and operated businesses.  “It’s a great day and wonderful  to get so many people attending from intrastate and interstate which supports our local community ‘Chappy’ said.
​
 “Chappy and Angela are generous, community minded people, who make their ideas reality and have fun doing it”. said Mission Beach Cassowaries spokesperson Liz Gallie. “Their hard work has enabled our group to develop the ‘Mission Beach Naturally’ branding, letting people coming to our area know why it is so special, encouraging visitors to slow down and stay a little longer.”

Next year’s event is already in the planning. Table numbers are limited so if you know your 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music, and would like to be part of the quiz fest being held on August 28th, 2021, call or email Chappy to find out more.  0418 898 940 quizmequick@iinet.net.au

Ends.
Hilarious highlights of the day include the mime and air guitar competitions.
Photos Liz Gallie
For more information;
Baden Chapman 0418 898 940
Liz Gallie 0414402315
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Mission Beach Community calls for culture of 'Caring for Cassowaries'

10/7/2020

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Community representatives meet with Crs Jeff Baines and Trudy Tschui (Photo Trudy Tschui)
​Media release 
July 9  2020
Mission Beach Community calls for Culture of Caring for Cassowaries
​A road closure, increased traffic management  and developing  a ‘culture of caring for cassowaries’ were some of the  solutions suggested to protect cassowaries at a meeting held last week with Cassowary Coast Councillors Jeff Baines and Trudy Tschui. 
  • The road death of much loved South Mission Beach cassowary ‘Mrs C’ prompts community meeting
  • Call for councillors  to help develop  'Caring for Cassowaries' culture
Amongst those present to discuss  ways the local council and community can work together to find effective solutions to address threats to cassowaries  were representatives from; Mission Beach Cassowaries, Cassowary Coast Alliance, C4, Djiru Traditional Owners, Mission Arts, Terrain Natural Resource Management, Mission Beach Wildcare, Mission Beach Lions, Mission Beach Community Association (MBCA) Mission Beach State School,(MBSS) Mission Beach Rainforest School, Tropical Coast Tourism (TCT) Mission Beach Community Association (MBCA), Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and local vet Graham Lauridsen.
Mrs C’s death was one of a spike in cassowary road deaths in recent weeks and came just days before Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey visited the region to announce the beginning  of works on a world first dedicated cassowary land bridge being built into a major upgrade to the Bruce highway at Smiths Gap north of Tully.
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Tully Vet Graham Lauridsen, who performed an autopsy on Mrs C. said “She was a very large, healthy female cassowary.  Although he could not give an exact age, Graham said she was at least 25 to 30 years old.
 “With the speed of some of the vehicles it’s like a racetrack”
South Mission Beach residents are calling for a road closure of Mission Drive, the small suburban street where Mrs C was killed.  Mission Drive resident, Helen Vincent, said the road is used as a shortcut through to other residential areas.  “With the speed of some of the vehicles it’s like a racetrack” said Helen. “It is very dangerous”. “It could easily have been a child trying to cross the street”.
There was strong support  for  the El Arish Mission Beach Road to be recognised as a tourist scenic route with appropriate signage  alerting visitors to points of interest. 
​
Mission Beach Cassowaries spokesperson, Liz Gallie said discussions with the TMR Minister and local councilors have been encouraging.”  “There won’t be a single solution." said Liz.  “While there could be a combination of different traffic calming measures incorporating, new technology, signs and enforcement, effective solutions will rely on education and community participation.”
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Much loved South Mission Beach cassowary 'Mrs C'
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Artist impression of possible 'cassowary crossing zone'
A consistent message must be rolled out from top down through governments and reinforced by all community groups”, said Liz. "It can be fun and creative".

​Jeff Baines agreed, adding “We need to give the cassowary “hero’ status”.​


Cr Tschui was enthusiastic about road entrance signs alerting drivers they are entering Cassowary Country and said “A ‘No Feeding, No Speeding campaign had a good ring to it”.
​
"The death of Mrs C on a quiet suburban road highlights the high risk to cassowaries attempting to cross roads throughout the region".
 “A question that could be asked ahead of  local planning decisions and when any activities or events are being proposed, is, “How will this action impact on cassowaries”? said Liz,  “We are, after all, the Cassowary Coast and  the cassowary is so important  to tourism in our area.”
 
Liz said “We want to develop a strong culture of ‘Caring for Cassowaries” “It is  the only way to address an issue that is placing our community under stress and constant heartbreak each time there is news of yet another cassowary dying on our roads”.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact
Liz Gallie;  Mission Beach Cassowaries Inc  0414402315
Cr Trudy Tschui;  CCRC Division 3  (Community and Culture)
​Cr Jeff Baines CCRC Division  5 (Governance, Environment & Finance)
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Babinda Community celebrates  Flora and Fauna

13/10/2019

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'Cassowaries' Dinella Cross and Nicki Read with the local constabulary at the Babinda Harvest Festival parade.
Judging by the numbers lining the main street for the  Harvest Festival parade there would have been very few  sitting at home in Babinda yesterday (Saturday 12th). 

This year the festival's theme was 'Flora and Fauna' so it was  without hesitation  Mission Beach Cassowaries responded to the invitation to join in the celebrations. 

​


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All in fun and a good cause

7/10/2019

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2019-10-07
Media Release
All in fun and a Good Cause!
Last Saturday,  Baden (Chappy) and Angela Chapman once again opened their home for an afternoon of rollicking fun activities.  Each year their large garden with rainforest backdrop is set up with marquees, a stage and a number of tables set for teams of four.  Chappy becomes his alter ego ‘the Quizmaster’ complete with a showman costume, entertaining from the  stage all day trying to stump the guests with questions on music from the  60’s, and 70’s and 80’s.
​ 
​
The day rolls along at a fast pace with the quiz interspersed with competitions, raffles and auctions, all carried out with lots of humour and penalties. 
Highlights of the day are the mime and air guitar competitions.​
 
With twelve months planning, the attention to detail is obvious from the list of questions, the design of each year’s T Shirts to the catering.
 
Funds raised on the day through the sale of merchandise, ‘fines’ and fees to compete in activities, are donated to help a local cause.

For the past 6 years the funds have been donated to Mission Beach Cassowaries.  On announcing the funds would once again go to help the cassowary, the Quizmaster said “They are such beautiful birds, we don’t want to see them go the same way as the Thylacine (Tassmanian Tiger)”.
 
Mission Beach Cassowaries spokesperson Liz Gallie said “We are so grateful for the donations. They have enabled our group to develop the ‘Mission Beach Naturally’ branding,  letting people coming to our area  know why it is so special and to contribute to awareness raising projects such as the Mission Beach School kids roadside signs and establishing  the Mission Beach Community Cassowary Festival which will be in its fourth year in 2020.”
 
The private event has been running for 13 years and has a dedicated band of followers, some of whom travel as far away as Victoria, Northern Territory and South Australia. 

Local businesses sponsor the event with donations for raffles. Community minded Chappy and Angela encourage their guests to go out while they are in town to support and enjoy locally owned and operated businesses.

Next year’s event is already in the planning. The number of tables is limited so if you know your 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music, and would like to be part of the quiz fest being held on August 29th, 2020, call or email Chappy to find out more.  0418 898 940 quizmequick@iinet.net.au
Ends.
Photos by Liz Gallie
For more information;
Baden Chapman 0418 898 940
Liz Gallie 0414402315
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Damning report - Qld Gov has no strategy for threatened species

14/1/2019

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Listen to podcast
Download podcast transcript
The following was recently posted on facebook by a former employee of the Queensland Government Threatened Species Unit bringing attention  to the damning  report  from the Government's audit office.  

"A few years ago I resigned from my job in the Threatened Species Unit of the Queensland Government out of sheer frustration. I felt like I was hitting my head against a wall, and achieving very little for conservation.

Today the Queensland Audit Office have released a report into Conserving Threatened Species in our state which summarises many of the reasons that I left. In particular:
"The department has no strategy or framework for conserving or managing threatened species.

"

"The department has no strategy or framework for conserving or managing threatened species. ..."

... Because it has no strategy, its efforts in managing threatened species lack purpose, direction and coordination.​
...The department does not systematically plan where to deploy its available resources to achieve the most effective balance of actions to protect habitats, mitigate threats and reduce species decline. It is not clear how much the department spends each year in total on threatened species management as it does not effectively track and account for funding used on specific activities...

"... Because it has no strategy, its (Qld Gov) efforts in managing threatened species lack purpose, direction and coordination..."

...With few exceptions, the department does not currently know how threatened species are faring and whether management actions are having the desired impact.
...The department’s decisions about which species receive its greatest conservation efforts are often determined by iconic value, individual interests, departmental knowledge and advocacy, rather than by objective assessments of appropriate priorities...

...Despite, managing land with over 1 000 threatened species and having a total 2017–18 budget of $111.3 million, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) does not identify specific allocations of funding for the protection and recovery of threatened species on the land it manages."

Sadly, the main recommendation is more 'plans'. 

We don't need another plan. We know that many species are in decline, but we also know - in great detail - what needs to be done.
​
We need the government to actually support and implement actions on the ground, to DO SOMETHING.
Now".
See Paula Peeter's  original blog post here
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The New Bulletin Issue #1

9/12/2018

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The New Bulletin Issue 1 Dec 2018
A new newsletter is being produced by the Cassowary Coast Alliance to give a voice in support of  an ecologically sustainable future.  The New Bulletin is a collation of articles  provided by individuals or groups who share  the ethos of the Cassowary Coast Alliance.

The Cassowary Coast Alliance (CCA) is a collaborative hub for entities and individuals who are actively seeking good quality and long term public interest outcomes for the World Heritage listed Cassowary Coast in Far North Queensland.


For further information email cassowarycoastbulletin@gmail.com
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Corridors Essential for Cassowaries

6/12/2018

 
CASSOWARIES CAUGHT COOLING OFF IN JUNGLE POND
Source Cairns Post 5 Dec 2018
Peter Carruthers

A CASSOWARY dad and his brood of three chicks have been caught on camera beating the heat by taking the plunge in the refreshing waters of a Mission Beach pool.
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The video was captured by award winning conservationist, Liz Gallie on her iPhone at the junction of two all year round creeks in the Bingil Bay reserve near Mission Beach.

The adult male known to Mission Beach Cassowaries as Joov and can be seen in the clip with three chicks, estimated to be about four months old.
​
"They absolutely love water. They make noises like you when taking a dip in cool water on a really hot day," she said.
"It's obviously a very pleasurable thing to do, especially on a hot day."
 
Not an uncommon sight, Ms Gallie explained proximity to bodies of water was critical to the survival of the species.
 
"Cassowaries have to be near water and access water to drink about 20 times a day, so they are never far from water and in this hot weather we don't see them moving around at all during the middle of the day," she said.
 
Ms Gallie said Joov has struggled in the past to raise a successful brood.

"We are really pleased as it is the best family he has raised so far, he has had a hard time keeping them (alive)," she said.
​

Ms Gallie said the mother of previous chicks had been very intolerant of  the chicks making their survival difficult to ensure.Ms Gallie said the preservation of  wildlife corridors in the Mission Beach area was critical to the ongoing preservation of the cassowary.
 
"A lot of the corridors left around Mission Beach are only there because they are waterways and are really important for them to be able to move around the landscape, without them they have nowhere to go," she said
.
Mapping of the habitat by Terrain NRM was started but never completed in the northern parts of Mission Beach, Ms Gallie said.
 
"So when councils make decisions, they look on their maps and it does not exist and yet the cassowaries are there," she said.

​Ms Gallie has been the recipient of the Cassowary Award presented by the Wet Tropics Management Authority and Mission Beach Cassowaries  won an Australia Day Award in 2 016 .
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