Thank you to everyone who participated in our first meeting on Feb 18, 2010. We hope it was a worthwhile and welcoming exerience for everyone concerned and that you felt you had the opportunity to air your views and concerns.

OUR VERY SPECIAL THANKS GO OUT TO WPSQ GC, WHO SENT A REPRESENTATIVE BEARING A CHEQUE DONATION TO OUR CAMPAIGN OF $400! YOUR KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATED AND WE HOPE TO REPAY YOU WITH A POSITIVE OUTCOME FOR WILDLIFE IN THE BSP.

SBS Planning Committee members made brief presentations to the group: Ted Fensom (BREC) gave a run down of the status of the campaign so far, disconcerted by the lack of community input with the Council's investigation processes and the importance of SBS funding our own independent flora and fauna studies; Rod Bloss (BrisBOCA, Beenleigh) referred to some of the spectacular birdlife of the Precinct, Glenn Leiper (highly-respected local botanist) summarised the incredible value of the flora and the uniqueness of the BSP where no less than twelve listed species exist, and Anne Page (LACA) spoke about the importance of community action in the struggle to preserve our natural heritage as well as membership issues. 

We were fortunate to have all levels of government represented by the Hon Brett Raguse MP (Fed Member for Forde), the Hon Margaret Keech MP (State Member for Albert) and Cr Sean Black (LCC Div 4), as well as key Council Officer, Jim McDonnell as well as other representatives from LCC. Future and past politcal candidates were also present to offer their support to our campaign.

All government representatives faced our questions openly (and often very courageously) and offered us some helpful information,advice and even encouragement. We take heed that this is our opportunity to inform and guide the pending decision on the suitability of Bahrs Scrub Precinct for development. We also look forward to being kept informed of Council decisions and milestones as LCC establishes a full investigation into the development constraints (such as steepness, flooding, social amenity and biodiversity) of the BSP.

It was also encouraging to hear Margaret Keech's statement that she would not support any development that put the biodiversity of the BSP at risk. Upon request, Ms Keech also agreed to assist SBS Alliance to meet Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Sterling Hinchcliffe.

Members were asked to volunteer for key roles within the group and the Save Bahrs Scrub Alliance was launched as a live site available to public view although still under construction. SBS expresses thanks to Kathy Faldt and Rex Faldt for their time and expertise in setting up our site at no cost.

The meeting closed at 8:45pm. The next meeting will be held in a fortnight on March 4, at 6:30pm at Windaroo Valley SHS. This meeting will be for members only and will deal with important 'business' issues such as the establishment of a strong fundraising arm, and a community information outreach, possibly through regular market stalls. Members are strongly encouraged to volunteer for either helper or Coordinator positions for these important activities.

Just a reminder that joining up as a member is possible thrugh this website and we encourage you to either join up yourself or recruit other members because as we all know, politically, there is enormous strength in numbers! More information and updates will be appearing on this website regularly, so please keep visiting your website and even pass it on to your friends and family and other networks to keep spreading the word about UNIQUE BAHRS SCRUB!