Moreton Bay Islands Brisbane - Stradbroke Island Kingfisher Eco Tours Interview Videos - OfabTV: The Greener Life Channel

Moreton Bay Islands Brisbane - Stradbroke Island Kingfisher Eco Tours Interview Videos - OfabTV: The Greener Life Channel

Island Lifestyle :: the breeze | MyNewsletterBuilder

Island Lifestyle :: the breeze | MyNewsletterBuilder

BOLLYWOOD is coming to the Redlands

BOLLYWOOD is coming to the Redlands! Don't miss the chance to join in this multicultural extravaganza in the Bollywood Night at Macleay Island Community Centre next Saturday, May 28 from 5pm.
Feast on Indian food, dance to lively music and enjoy the bright fabrics and exuberant atmosphere that only Bollywood can deliver.

Enjoy live Bollywood performances with Roushini from Roushini's Fun India.

Other performances, by local artists, include tai chi, yoga, belly dancing and an Elvis impersonation.

From next Monday, May 23 to Friday, May 27, Roushini will be on the island, delivering Bollywood fun and fitness sessions at the community centre from 10.30am to 11.30am, for just a gold coin donation.

The sessions are also suitable for people with disabilities and special needs.

FAST FACTS: Tickets for Bollywood Night are: adults $15 ($18 at the door); family $35, two adults and two children under 8 ($38 at the door); students $5, 9-16 years and must be accompanied by an adult ($8 at the door), and are available from Healed by Angels, Dario's Pizza, and Raine & Horne Macleay Island. For further information call Yasoda on 0410 315 250. For more information about Roushini visit roushinisfunindia.com.au. To get to Macleay Island from Redland Bay, catch a Bay Islands Transit System water bus from Weinam Creek Marina in Banana Street, Redland Bay. Timetables and fares can be found online at www.bayislandstransitsystem.com.a u.

Two free sports workshops for Russell Island.

Two free sports workshops for Russell Island
Russell Island locals are encouraged to take advantage of two upcoming sports workshops for children and community clubs on Tuesday 24 May and Thursday 26 May.

Sport Minister Phil Reeves said the Deadly Sports program will promote healthy and active lifestyles to young people while the Sport Summit will focus on event management, development and inclusion for local clubs.

“This Deadly Sports program will promote healthy and active lifestyles to local children and young people through a series of coaching clinics, training sessions and friendly competition,” he said.

“Former Bronco Mick De Vere, Queensland Cricket’s Sarah Harris, Baseball Queensland’s Kevin Johnson and Brisbane Roar’s Sam Saif will teach kids sporting skills and healthy lifestyle tips.

“This is a great opportunity for children and young people to learn from the best in the game while meeting their sporting heroes.”

“The Sport Summit will be run by a number of presenters experienced in planning development, partnership opportunities and getting the most out of events ranging from a community sausage sizzle to major competitions,” he said.

“Topics covered will include organising venues, permits, suppliers and logistics, seeking sponsorship, marketing, risk management, seeking new opportunities and planning for new construction.

“This summit will allow the sports community to successfully implement new practices within their community groups at a grass roots level.”

Mr Reeves said both workshops are presented by the Queensland Government.

“We recognise that sport plays an important role in promoting healthy and active communities,” he said.

“It’s crucial we provide opportunities for Queenslanders to stay involved in sport for the long-term,” he said.

“Under the Queensland Government’s Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland initiative, we want to help Queenslanders become Australia’s healthiest people by reducing obesity levels by one third by 2020.

“This is why we continue to provide support for programs, projects and facilities which help people of all ages participate in sport and active recreation.”

The Russell Island Deadly Sports program will be held on Tuesday 24 May from 8:45am – 2:15pm at Russell Island State School, 38-64 High Street, Russell Island.

The Russell Island Sport Summit will be held on Thursday, 26 May 2011 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at Russell Island Recreation Hall, 1 Alison Crescent, Russell Island. Light refreshments will be served and admission is free.

Bookings for the Sport Summit are essential and participants can register online at www.sportrec.qld.gov.au/workshops before Monday, 23 May 2011.

For more information, contact Sport and Recreation Services, Department of Communities on ( 07 ) 3441 8170 or visit www.communities.qld.gov.au/sportrec

Media contact: 3224 7081 or 3235 9236

Russell Island Park approve; Council to ask for extra funding

Russell Island Park approve; Council to ask for extra funding
After two years of planning and discussion the final form of the Russell Island Sport and Recreation Park has been approved by the Redland City Council latest General Meeting.

Only Councillor John Burns who had been Councillor for the division when the land had been purchased, voted against the approval.

In the briefing notes the Council officers said that the development "prioritises children and young people" with the sorely needed full sized sports fields within easy reach of the ferry services to the other islands.

But Council has warned that it will only be completed as funds becoming available and even then, the large sports field suitable for code level team sport, multi-purpose courts, walking paths and recreational spaces could take up to a decade to complete.

Road priorities shifted to make park accessible

Making the park's sporting facilities accessible by vehicle is a major cost factor.

The SMBI 10 Year Capital Works Program will have to be adjusted to give priority to the park and will cost more than the playing fields themselves.

The final construction stage of Judith Street near the park which will give access from the southwest is programmed for the next financial year.

An important priority will probably be a partial sealing of Union Street, turnaround facility and formalised parking bays near the sports feilds during the 2013. This would cost about $200,000.

Other sealing would be done between Cavendish and Miriam Streets and the road network between Judith Street and Cavendish Street.

All other necessary external road and pathway works would need to be programmed to integrate seamlessly with the proposed Park construction in 2012/13 but as no seperate funding has been made available this would be at the expense of other road sealing and pathway projects on the SMBI.

The Council, in a letter to Russell Islanders in December had foreshadowed the development path of infrastructure development and capital works funded where possible through external grants, internal revenue and community partnerships

So far $150,000 is designated for detailed design in 2011/12 and $700,000 for construction in 2012/13. A further $1.2M has been budgeted for upgrade of the access streets.

Islanders have been disappointed that room was not made for either a Mens Shed or the Museum. Both organisations are now looking for alternative venues within the Russell Island Village.



Council undertook a research project in 2008 to investigate community needs and develop a strategy for sport and recreation on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI). The SMBI Sport and Recreation Strategy report was adopted by Council in February 2009.

The strategy identified a lack of structured activities and organised sport opportunities for children and young people. Club development and capacity building opportunities were also identified as a priority of the strategy along with walking and cycling paths and water-based recreation access points.

The land at Lot 1 RP 848591, 2-50 Union St and Lot 2 RP 848591 23 Nicholas St and Union Street Russell Island was identified as the preferred location for the sport and recreation park on Russell Island and a concept plan was drawn up as part of the study.

The identified land was previously a working avocado farm and the site has remnant avocado and other fruit trees. It is zoned ‘Rural Non Urban’ under the Redland Planning Scheme and is currently part of the 2A Amendment process to be rezoned to ‘Open Space’.


Mature trees will be saved
Significant works have been required to be undertaken to convert this land from a farm to usable public open space. The project to date has involved:

Purchase of the land
Acquiring funding from the Federal Government to upgrade the access and security to the farm house to gain compliance for this building to be used by the public
Working with the community to establish a voluntary community management structure for Kennedy’s Farmhouse to manage and maintain the facility.
A full Environmental Site Assessment that identified hazards to be dealt with as well as necessary works including the removal of several unsafe buildings from the site.
Works to remove asbestos and other contaminants was completed in November 2010
Council's local Parks and Conservation team removing overgrown trees and weeds and regularly mowing the site.
All the trees have been surveyed and identified with trees of high value for conservation to be retained where possible and environmental weed species marked for removal. This work will be progressively undertaken across the site.
Main features of the plan are:

Large sportsfield on the western side of the site that can cater to a range of football codes as well as other events and activities
Four multi-purpose courts that can provide for tennis, netball, volleyball and basketball
Recreation and playspaces
Community gardens
Walking tracks through the site with connections to the school and streets
Car parks and service access points
The old farmhouse is used as community space with the intention of building a new clubhouse/amenities/storage facility between the tennis courts and field in the future.
The draft master plan provides a sport and recreation activities focus for the Southern Moreton bay islands and prioritises opportunities for children and young people. The construction of four multi-courts and a large sports field will provide much needed sporting facilities for the Island residents. The proposed establishment of the community gardens and open access to the community facility will allow further programming options to include people from a wide spectrum of community groups across the islands.

In the 2010 Ten Year Capital Works Program (CAPEX) endorsed by Council in April 2010, $150,000 is designated for detailed design in 2011/12 and $700,000 for construction in 2012/13. PDG will provide a more detailed design and cost estimate for Community & Social Planning to actively seek grant funding for the implementation of the master plan. It is envisaged that State Government Major Sport and Recreation grants will open in March 2011 and that Council would apply for up to 50% of the eligible project costs. If Council is unsuccessful in this round of funding, it may be necessary to stage elements of the construction.

Infrastructure Planning Group (IPG) has advised that road and pathway works external to the Park will be necessary to provide appropriate lead-in and access facilities. Nicholas, Robert, High (from Primary School to Robert Street) and Union Streets will require various road seal, pathway, street lighting and formalised carparking treatments. A pre-design estimate of $1.2M has been approximated for those external works, excluding any allowance for significant road drainage costs encountered during a detailed design stage.

The 10 Year Capital Works Program (as at 7th Dec 2010) does not currently list these works under the Seal Gravel Road or Paths & Trails SMBI Programs. However, it is being proposed that a partial sealing of Union Street, turnaround facility and formalised parking bays at Kennedy’s Farm (anticipated budget required $200K) be undertaken in 2012/13 between Cavendish and Miriam Streets to complete the road network between Judith Street and Cavendish Street. This is consistent with the final construction stage of Judith Street programmed for 2011/12 and in partial response to the Park master planning. However, all other necessary external road and pathway works would need to be programmed to integrate seamlessly with the proposed Park construction in 2012/13 or its equivalent stages. This is currently being reviewed by IPG in terms of SMBI project priorities and capital budgets available under the applicable reserves.

Planning Scheme Implications

Land Use Planning was consulted and a zoning amendment is required to change from rural non-urban to open space under the Redland Planning Scheme. This is currently in process and is awaiting State Government approval. This amendment was presented to Council as part of a package of amendments in July 2010 and has now progressed to the next stage.

Further to the extensive engagement undertaken in the development of the SMBI Sport and Recreation Strategy, Council engaged directly with the community through public invitations to site meetings as well as individual meetings with community groups to further develop the master plan for the site. Targeted engagement of relevant internal staff also provided input to the functionality and primary aspects of the design.

The draft master plan was developed with this feedback and was opened to public comment for a period of three weeks.

Comments received from the public consultation phase were incorporated into the draft master plan where possible. Requests that could not be accommodated, such as the development of non sporting facilities, were noted by Council Officers for an alternative course of action. The Concept Lands

COUNCIL RESOLUTION

Moved by: Cr Townsend Seconded by: Cr Boglary

That Council resolve to:

Name the site identified as Lot 1 RP 848591, 2-50 Union St, Lot 2 RP 848591, 23 Nicholas St, Russell Island as the Russell Island Sport and Recreation Park;
Endorse the draft master plan of Russell Island Sport and Recreation Park for planning purposes; and
Submit an application to State Government for grant funding for the construction of Russell Island Sport and Recreation Park infrastructure.
Crs Reimers, Murray, Elliott, Bowler, Williams, Townsend, Henry, Ogilvie, Boglary and Hobson voted in the affirmative. Cr Burns voted in the negative.

Moreton Bay Marine Park

Palamida, moreton Bay, southern waters

Moreton Bay and Islands, What do you Think

Robotic glider to map Moreton Bay impacts

Reference: 11/06
A $200,000 CSIRO coastal glider is bound for Queensland to be deployed in Moreton Bay to investigate the impact of the recent flooding on marine ecosystems.
20 January 2011
Dr Andy Steven from CSIRO's Wealth from Oceans Flagship says the glider’s deployment is part of a research program to monitor the extent of the flood plume into Moreton Bay and assess its effects.
“This disastrous flood also provides us with a rare opportunity to understand how our marine ecosystems respond to massive inputs of fresh water and sediments,” Dr Steven says.
“The glider will generate three-dimensional maps illustrating the impact of the flooding on the marine waters receiving the flow of the Brisbane River.”
CSIRO biological oceanographer Dr Peter Thompson says there are only two of the robotic monitors in the world with this array of sensors.
“With these we can obtain a view inside the cloud of mud and debris dispersing through Moreton Bay,” Dr Thompson says.
"The glider will generate three-dimensional maps illustrating the impact of the flooding on the marine waters receiving the flow of the Brisbane River."
Dr Andy Steven, CSIRO's Wealth from Oceans Flagship
“This will help us build better models to predict how the system is being affected now and how it will be affected in future.”
Dr Steven says the data obtained during the daily glider surveys will be used together with satellite images and other data.
“Satellite images can clearly show the surface patterns of cloudy water (turbidity) and nutrients, but a companion instrument – the glider – is required to provide a sub-surface view,” he says.
In collaboration with the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management, the Healthy Waterways Partnership and universities, CSIRO started deploying research teams into the bay yesterday to collect water samples to complement the glider data, satellite images and existing monitoring activities.
“We’re also aiming to establish continuous moorings at key locations to provide ongoing measurements of the bay’s health,” Dr Steven says.
“This information will help us understand the dynamics of the flood plume and its likely effects on seagrass, fish, dugong, turtles, coral and other marine flora and fauna. It will also give an idea of the bay’s resilience after this extreme event.”
CSIRO and its partners are planning to conduct a parallel research program in the Fitzroy River-Keppel Bay region using a similar glider.
Dr Thompson says the assessment will be the first major survey by the glider, purpose-built for use in Australian waters.
“We have done routine trials in Tasmanian inshore waters but the Queensland projects are really what they have been designed for – a complete shallow-water assessment during a significant marine event,” he says.
Their sensors will measure light, oxygen, temperature, salinity, nutrients, organic matter and phytoplankton.
Read more media releases in our Media section.

Fishing ban for Moreton Bay until flood debris clears | Courier Mail

Fishing ban for Moreton Bay until flood debris clears | Courier Mail: "FISHING is set to be banned in parts of Moreton Bay until government scientists can be sure the plume of mud and debris washed out of the Brisbane River by the flood is not polluting fish or seafood.

A fishing industry source told The Sunday Mail last night the ban, which could be announced as early as Sunday, was the idea of commercial fishermen who want to allay any public fears about food safety.

Recreational fishos entering inshore areas either side of the mouth of the Brisbane River were likely to be escorted away by Fisheries Queensland patrol boats, the source said.

Commercial fishermen have voluntarily agreed not to fish in the plume until they get the all-clear from the Government.

Fishermen met government officials on Friday to discuss worries about water quality in the aftermath of the floods.

State Government scientists carried out water tests in Moreton Bay on Wednesday and Thursday but the results will not be known for at least a week.

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The area covered by the ban, which is expected to have immediate effect, runs from St Helena Island south of the mouth of the Brisbane River to Shorncliffe in the north.

Solution to a problem

Some say this may be the solution to getting to and from the mainland.

Ferry prices increase

Southern Moreton Bay Islands ferry users will be hit with two waves of fare rises in the next four months.

The first will come in nine days time when a one way fare will go from $7.70 to $8.40--a rise of nine percent

All other fares are affected with the Adult 40 trip multi-ticket at $258.80, a rise of 8.28%

But the real shock is with the inter-island ferry prices that have risen by over a half with the new single costing $2.40 and the Return 10 $19.60. Since September 2008 the inter-island charge has risen by 85% and may well rise again in April.

Exactly how much all fares will rise again on April 17 is not known.

The first that islanders knew of this was on Friday when a sign appeared at the ferry terminals saying that the increases had been approved by Queensland Transport and Main Roads.

While the increases for January were displayed on the ferries no further information was available on the Transit Systems Australia website as promised.

The last wave of BITs fare increases were in 15 September 2008 and in 2 March 2009. Then the price for the adult one way rose from $6.60 to $7.20(9%) and then to $7.70(6.94%)

At the time the operating company said that the company felt that it could no longer absorb the increases in running costs. The increases are in line with those granted to other ferry operators in Queensland.

This time around the Brisbane Terminal Gate Price for Diesel has fallen from $1.58 a litre at the last price hike to $1.08 on New Year's eve--a drop of 31.5%.

Memorial drive planned for Russell

Memorial drive planned for Russell from the bay journal.
A memorial drive is being seriously considered for Russell Island.

The concept is meant to complement the Russell Island RSL plans to greatly expand its club facilities at Cuphea Street to meet growing membership needs.

Key to the club expansion is to add a second storey, giving sweeping views eastward over a rural landscape, Canaipa Passage and the vegetated dunes of North Stradbroke Island from an upstairs function area.

But spoiling that view at present is Cuphea Street, a hot, barren and windswept blot on that landscape Originally laid out as a crop duster landing strip, little has been done with the awkward 50m wide and 400m long space except to bitumen a central strip for traffic. The only other use has been for remembrance ceremonies at Anzac, Armistice and Long Tan Days.

"It is perfectly set up for becoming a remembrance or memorial drive because it is such a wide avenue" said Club President Malcolm Humphries.

Culphea Street was designed as an airstrip
Two months ago a subcommittee was formed led by John Coupe to put a proposal for redevelopment before the Redland City Council.

On Friday, Mayor Melva Hobson and Councillor Barbara Townsend, intrigued by the possibilities, did a site visit.

They wanted to walk the ground to understand what the Club was planning and how the Council could help.

They pointed up the issues that expansion of the club would bring, such as the need for more car parking.

John Coupe countered that the Club has, for many years, worked on providing adequate car parking for an expanded club by increasing its holdings of adjacent blocks.

Also under discussion was the need to protect the views of residents on the street when considering what kind of plantings should be done.

"The right type of plantings is going to be critical to the success of our plans" said John Coupe.
Part of the plans is for the stage two of the War Memorial fronting the street. This would be an intimate memorial garden with seating. The wall of the memorial will be opened for plaques to deceased ex-servicemen. Photo shows Malcolm Humphries (left) explaining the idea to Mayor Melva Hobson on right. Eric Short, member of the memorial drive committee, is at centre.

"And While it is a lightly used thoroughfare, consideration has to be given to the needs of traffic, especially at intersections."

Both Councillor and Mayor agreed that the project was a worthwhile undertaking but that there were a lot of hurdles to be cleared.

Malcolm Humphries said there were many reasons why the Club wanted to undertake the memorial drive project--the first and most important to remind us all of the sacrifices that made what we have today possible.

Nancy Olsson, President of the Russell Island Association, who was also present during the walk-around, added "From a community point of view, the additional function space and memorial drive will provide an excellent venue for special occasions like weddings and other significant island events.

"The revamped RSL will also provide visitors to the island with an opportunity to see why we islanders love it so."

But it was Malcolm Humphries that summarized the situation: "It is a great view and location, and we should make the most of it"

Russell Island Assocation changing of the guard

Russell Island Assocation changing of the guardfrom the bay journal
Changes to the Executive
At the last meeting of the Russell Island Association, some changes to the Executive were made:

I was elected President, and Kay Ross Vice-President. Alison Greenwood was re-elected Treasurer. Lee Shipley remains our Delegate to the SMBI Forum.

We need a Secretary, and I would ask anyone who think they might have skills in this area and a little time to contribute to nominate themselves.

Future meetings
We will now be meeting at the Kennedy Farm House on Robert Street, on the first Saturday of the month at 10 am. The next meeting will be on 6 November.

Alternate Barge Routes
At the meeting, Brian Paddison discussed progress on alternate north and south barge routes for the SMBI. Council has appointed GHD Consulting to do a study on alternate barge routes (after having recommended them in its 2002 Integrated Local Transport Plan - ILTP), and we look forward to their report. Brian reported that the MBCIA has had discussions with a range of people, including Energex, Council, and State and Federal MPs and bureaucrats. He reported that generally the reception is positive although it is acknowledged that there is much more work to be done before these become a reality (if they do).

The Russell Island Association voted to support continued investigation of alternate barge routes by the MBCIA, Council and State Government and work with them and other groups to explore these options.

Island Wish-list for Council Works on Russell 2011-2012
We received over 30 responses to our survey to islanders. The next meeting we will discuss the results of the survey and our submission to Council.

Next
The next meeting is Saturday 6 November at Kennedy Farm House, Robert Street. Hope to see you there.

More artificial reefs planned for Moreton Bay - Seven News Queensland

Moves to increase fishing

The State Government has announced two more artificial reefs for anglers in Moreton Bay off the south-east Queensland coast.

Six man-made reefs are being sunk in various areas around Moreton Bay to make up for fishing areas lost to green zones.

One has already been completed east of St Helena Island, off Brisbane.

Work is also underway on the design and construction of three reefs in offshore waters off Bribie Island, Moreton Island and South Stradbroke Island.

At Manly yesterday, Climate Change Minister Kate Jones announced the location of the final two artificial reefs - west of Peel Island and to the east of Coochiemudlo Island.

"These six reefs will ensure that mums and dads and recreational fisher people will have the opportunity to fish and enjoy Moreton Bay," Ms Jones said.

"Moreton Bay is one of the most spectacular places right on the doorstep of Brisbane and we want to make sure that future generations get to enjoy the bay and drop a line."

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas says the reefs will include specially designed balls of concrete.

"What they're like is not unlike a practice golf ball and so the little fish can swim into the holes and hide in there so the big fish can't eat them and bite them," he said.

"There are many parts of the bay that are pure sand - it is very hard for little fish to breed and multiply there without big fish coming along and eating them.

"Little fish will be in there, hiding in the holes and when they get big enough they'll swim out and some of them will be caught by people."

The Government says all six reefs will be completed by 2011.

Events

Events: "Glossy Black Cockatoo Community Tree Planting
Date: Saturday 4 September, 9.30am – 12.00pm
Description: For this year’s Threatened Species Week, Redland City Council’s Bushcare program and Wildlife Rescue team are holding their seventh annual Glossy Black Cockatoo Community Tree Planting at Sentosa Park, Macleay Island in Southern Moreton Bay Island. Join us and help plant 600 native trees!
Bring: Hat, enclosed shoes, drinking water and something to sit on during the talk. Council will supply garden tools, a sausage sizzle and refreshments.
Ferries depart from Weinam Creek Marina, Banana Street, Redland Bay. For more information on ferry times and prices, ph 3206 8033. Please register with IndigiScapes on ph 3824 8611 so transport on the island can be arranged."

Moreton Bay green zones pay off

from the Bay Journal

The Bligh Government's decision to move towards a more sustainable Moreton Bay is already paying dividends, new scientific data is showing.

Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said in State Parliament today that new research indicated Moreton Bay Marine Park's expanded green zones were showing early signs of increased fish numbers.

Ms Jones said since the start of new marine park zoning on 1 March 2009, scientific monitoring led by CSIRO was beginning to point to several promising trends.

"Moreton Bay is a favourite spot for thousands of South East Queenslanders to enjoy relaxation and recreation right on Brisbane's doorstep," she said.

"But using the Bay cannot come at a cost of reduced habitat and fishstocks, two key features that attract people to the region in the first place.

"That's why green zones were expanded last year to cover 16 per cent of the marine park's total area, to protect each of the marine park's habitat types from fishing and to protect dugongs and turtles with the introduction of go slow zones."

Ms Jones said the latest research showed green zones were acting as a nursery, allowing fish and crab populations to recover to more natural levels.

"We expect these levels will lead to greater numbers of fish and crabs moving outside of the green zones," she said.

"Preliminary results show mud crabs from the new green zones are already larger and more abundant than they are in adjacent non-green zones."

Male mud crabs of legal size (15cm) were found between three and five times more frequently in the old green zones than outside the protected areas.

In the new green zones, the numbers of legal size crabs are increasing, but haven't yet got to the levels of the original green zones.

At Willes island, catch rates outside the green zones were less than half a crab per pot, rising to over 1 crab per pot in the new green zone, and more than two crabs per pot in the old green zone.

"Data is also indicating that certain fish species are becoming more abundant in the new offshore green zones around St Helena Island and Tripcony Bight," Ms Jones said.

"The CSIRO and other research organisations are examining the new zoning plan's effect on commercial and recreational fish species, the effectiveness of go slow zones in reducing impacts on turtles and dugongs and the socio-economic implications of the revised marine park."

A survey of 200 recreational fishers was undertaken a year after the rezoning of the marine park.

The survey's findings included:

the impact of the rezoning on recreational fishers, in relation to closure of favourite fishing areas or crowding at fishing locations, was minimal.
respondents reported no additional travel costs to access a fishing area as a result of closures or crowding.
only one per cent of fishers interviewed reported a decrease in catch.
there was a strong perception that fishing restrictions were actively enforced and that the fishers had access to sufficient information regarding zoning.
"Nature changes slowly, and it's too early to expect to see any major response to the changed conditions in the marine park," Ms Jones said.

"However, the results from the monitoring program are significant and point to Moreton Bay showing the same positive changes over time as have been observed in other marine park areas across the world.

"Most relevant of these for Queensland has been the equally positive impact of marine park zoning in the Great Barrier Reef."

To find out more about the Moreton Bay Marine Park Zoning Plan, visit www.derm.qld.gov.au

Serious fire breaks out on Karragarra

Serious fire breaks out on Karragarra
.Gutted house on Karragarra.
Fire brigades from at least four stations have been called to fires that that broke out on Karragarra Island.

One house had been gutted before the outbreaks were extinguished and Police are treating the incidents as suspicious.

Aladdin Opals | Online Jewellery Shop

Aladdin Opals | Online Jewellery Shop
Local bay islander couple Norm and Julie have now launched a new website selling opals mined from their very own opal mine in outback Queensland.
The opals will now be available on an international level as well as Australia wide.
All those supporting local business have a look and give your feedback. www.aladdinopals.com

Surpise about the Coral in Moreton Bay.