Kennedy's Farm Sports Park and Community Precinct
Have your say!
Bay Island residents are encouraged to have their say on the Kennedy’s Farm Sports Park and Community Precinct Revised Draft Concept Plan.
Click here to have your say on the Kennedy’s Farm Sports Park and Community Precinct Revised Draft Concept Plan
Submissions to be received by Friday, 6 August 2010. Responses remain confidential.
Kennedy’s Farm on Russell Island is a 4.7 hectare property, previously a working avocado farm, acquired by Council for the purpose of developing sports and recreation facilities for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) community.
Investigations for the use of the site began in 2008. This led to the original concept plan developed as part of the SMBI Sport and Recreation Plan. Following further community engagement in 2009, the concept plan has been revised for public comment.
Latest project news
The Farmhouse has recently been refurbished under the federal government’s stimulus package and will soon be available for community groups to use. Expressions of interest (EOI) for members of a voluntary committee to manage use and programming of The Farmhouse are currently being sought from community representatives. Please email frank.pearce@redland.qld.gov.au.
More information on the SMBI Sport and Recreation Plan can be found at the Council website
For more information, contact Community and Social Planning on 3829 8775
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Moreton Bay and Coral
Scientists want to use the bay, off Brisbane, as a lifeboat for the Great Barrier Reef's equatorial species that are suffering from climate change and human impacts.
Corals cover only 1 per cent of the bay and have been growing there for about 7000 years although remains from about 130,000 years ago were found at a North Stradbroke Island sand mine.
A total of 62 species live inside the bay and another 120 at Flinders Reef and Flat Rock.
Mud, St Helena and Green islands once had beautiful coral reefs but these were destroyed by mining, river dredging and pollution.
Matt Lybolt, a University of Queensland scientist from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, said a team studying the bay found it could host coral communities, given substantial coral reefs had formed during other warming periods.
``If you are going to try the radical idea of seeding for conservation purposes, the bay is a place you'd look,'' he said. ``We're looking at the sorts of odds attached. They're not good about 50 per cent.''
Between the 1840s and 1880s settlers cleared 70 per cent of the catchment, causing many corals to die off.
``Every man and his dog were cutting down trees. People complained they had to walk for two days to find a piece of timber suitable for a mast. The catchment was deforested by 1880,'' Mr Lybolt said.
Tropical coral reefs around the world had similarly been hit hard by over-fishing, pollution and climate change but corals could move from one environment to another.
``In view of this, various places, including Moreton Bay, are being investigated as possible refuges in which coral systems can be preserved should they begin to die out in their natural settings,'' he said.
``We understand what causes corals to die back but we are less clear about what causes them to recover.
``Under climate change we expect winters to be warmer and sea levels to rise and both of these factors will tend to favour the expansion of corals in Moreton Bay.
``However this expansion of corals may not occur unless we make a major effort to improve water quality in the bay, by not allowing effluent, polluted run-off or sediment.''
The paper by Mr Lybolt and David Neil, Jian-xin Zhao, Yue-xing Feng, Ke-Fu Yu and John Pandolfi appears in the latest issue of Frontiers in Ecology and Environment.
Corals cover only 1 per cent of the bay and have been growing there for about 7000 years although remains from about 130,000 years ago were found at a North Stradbroke Island sand mine.
A total of 62 species live inside the bay and another 120 at Flinders Reef and Flat Rock.
Mud, St Helena and Green islands once had beautiful coral reefs but these were destroyed by mining, river dredging and pollution.
Matt Lybolt, a University of Queensland scientist from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, said a team studying the bay found it could host coral communities, given substantial coral reefs had formed during other warming periods.
``If you are going to try the radical idea of seeding for conservation purposes, the bay is a place you'd look,'' he said. ``We're looking at the sorts of odds attached. They're not good about 50 per cent.''
Between the 1840s and 1880s settlers cleared 70 per cent of the catchment, causing many corals to die off.
``Every man and his dog were cutting down trees. People complained they had to walk for two days to find a piece of timber suitable for a mast. The catchment was deforested by 1880,'' Mr Lybolt said.
Tropical coral reefs around the world had similarly been hit hard by over-fishing, pollution and climate change but corals could move from one environment to another.
``In view of this, various places, including Moreton Bay, are being investigated as possible refuges in which coral systems can be preserved should they begin to die out in their natural settings,'' he said.
``We understand what causes corals to die back but we are less clear about what causes them to recover.
``Under climate change we expect winters to be warmer and sea levels to rise and both of these factors will tend to favour the expansion of corals in Moreton Bay.
``However this expansion of corals may not occur unless we make a major effort to improve water quality in the bay, by not allowing effluent, polluted run-off or sediment.''
The paper by Mr Lybolt and David Neil, Jian-xin Zhao, Yue-xing Feng, Ke-Fu Yu and John Pandolfi appears in the latest issue of Frontiers in Ecology and Environment.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Point of View: Ian Kirk considers the mood of the SMBI
from bayjournal.com.au
There are those who bemoan that their cup is half empty while others rejoice in the fact that they’re fortunate to have a cup half full.
The former are likely to never be satisfied with their lot in life while the latter has greater joy because they’re much more easily pleased. The former pass on their dissatisfaction to a vast number of people while the latter consciously impart their joy to a handful; but they are always the people whose company you enjoy.
Such it is with Island living. There are those whose focus is on discrimination and a half empty cup of perceived needs. Then there are those whose cup is half full who rejoice in every day and the songs of the birds, the cooling sea breezes, the sparkle of sunlight on the waters of beautiful Moreton Bay, a fish on the bite, a walk in tree clad lanes, a refreshing dip in the bay, a glass with friends while watching the sunset over the water, the lack of traffic, the friendships, the help when its needed and a vast array of interests and sports catered for.
Then there is the joy of seeing children at play in the streets, parks, bush and beach without the need of protection from predators.
The shopping too is ‘an event’ where most customers are known to the staff by name and it’s impossible to walk home without being offered a lift- ‘car out of action mate?’
Our community is helped enormously by the countless volunteers who give freely of their time and usually at their own expense. These wonderful folk need a smile, a handshake and a thank you for their efforts and not, ‘They should have done more’ comments. Better still, offer to lend a hand. Many of us have been placed in a situation where we have too much time and not enough to occupy it. Volunteering gives us purpose, a sense of achievement and new friendships.
And guess what else? It tends to ‘fill the cup’ for everyone as the real needs are met as the result of your efforts. Seeing people’s joy because of your efforts is better than the yummiest chocolate or most delicious drink.
So instead of sitting around having a collective grizzle maybe you can discuss a way for you and your friends to make positive changes- blimey the cup may even overflow!
PS Oh, if you do have a flash of brilliance, it is polite to ask around. Some one may already be working on your idea. Better to help them than to interfere.
Crikey! If that’s the case you could enjoy instant gratification for very little effort! Now, that’ a fantastic outcome. The ultimate cup full scenario.
There are those who bemoan that their cup is half empty while others rejoice in the fact that they’re fortunate to have a cup half full.
The former are likely to never be satisfied with their lot in life while the latter has greater joy because they’re much more easily pleased. The former pass on their dissatisfaction to a vast number of people while the latter consciously impart their joy to a handful; but they are always the people whose company you enjoy.
Such it is with Island living. There are those whose focus is on discrimination and a half empty cup of perceived needs. Then there are those whose cup is half full who rejoice in every day and the songs of the birds, the cooling sea breezes, the sparkle of sunlight on the waters of beautiful Moreton Bay, a fish on the bite, a walk in tree clad lanes, a refreshing dip in the bay, a glass with friends while watching the sunset over the water, the lack of traffic, the friendships, the help when its needed and a vast array of interests and sports catered for.
Then there is the joy of seeing children at play in the streets, parks, bush and beach without the need of protection from predators.
The shopping too is ‘an event’ where most customers are known to the staff by name and it’s impossible to walk home without being offered a lift- ‘car out of action mate?’
Our community is helped enormously by the countless volunteers who give freely of their time and usually at their own expense. These wonderful folk need a smile, a handshake and a thank you for their efforts and not, ‘They should have done more’ comments. Better still, offer to lend a hand. Many of us have been placed in a situation where we have too much time and not enough to occupy it. Volunteering gives us purpose, a sense of achievement and new friendships.
And guess what else? It tends to ‘fill the cup’ for everyone as the real needs are met as the result of your efforts. Seeing people’s joy because of your efforts is better than the yummiest chocolate or most delicious drink.
So instead of sitting around having a collective grizzle maybe you can discuss a way for you and your friends to make positive changes- blimey the cup may even overflow!
PS Oh, if you do have a flash of brilliance, it is polite to ask around. Some one may already be working on your idea. Better to help them than to interfere.
Crikey! If that’s the case you could enjoy instant gratification for very little effort! Now, that’ a fantastic outcome. The ultimate cup full scenario.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Macleay Island Arts Complex
Notes from Macleay Island Arts Complex
Following our successful pottery exhibition, our Winter Exhibition showcases Island Artists using many different mediums in both painting and pottery. We are sure visitors will be impressed by the diversity of artistic talent on the Islands.
As we are all volunteers the Gallery will only be open every Saturday & Sunday 10a.m-3p.m. Members exhibit for free but non- members are also welcome to exhibit for a small fee. Groups are welcome to phone for an appointment during the week.
On July 3rd Allen Calvert held a very successful mould making workshop .Ten people attended and all completed a mould. Even experienced potters went away with new tips and all learnt the skills to make their own moulds in future.
Life drawing classes continue to take place every second Friday in the month –cost $5. 10 am -12pm. Models wanted. Last month’s class was well attended and we give thanks to our model for braving the cold.
In August we are holding a Papier Mache making for members only. $10
Contacts: Ruth Venner, Gallery Co-ordinator Tel 34094620
Following our successful pottery exhibition, our Winter Exhibition showcases Island Artists using many different mediums in both painting and pottery. We are sure visitors will be impressed by the diversity of artistic talent on the Islands.
As we are all volunteers the Gallery will only be open every Saturday & Sunday 10a.m-3p.m. Members exhibit for free but non- members are also welcome to exhibit for a small fee. Groups are welcome to phone for an appointment during the week.
On July 3rd Allen Calvert held a very successful mould making workshop .Ten people attended and all completed a mould. Even experienced potters went away with new tips and all learnt the skills to make their own moulds in future.
Life drawing classes continue to take place every second Friday in the month –cost $5. 10 am -12pm. Models wanted. Last month’s class was well attended and we give thanks to our model for braving the cold.
In August we are holding a Papier Mache making for members only. $10
Contacts: Ruth Venner, Gallery Co-ordinator Tel 34094620
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