A LEADING koala campaigner has warned the clearing of habitat linked to the Ormiston College expansion sets a “dangerous precedent” for environmental protections across Queensland.
Redlands resident and koala advocate Una Sandeman said her primary concern was not only the loss of recognised koala habitat but what the approval could mean for future developments involving environmentally significant land.
“If habitat that has received the highest level of protection can be cleared for this purpose, it raises serious questions about the effectiveness of those protections,” Ms Sandeman said.
Her comments come as community debate continues over vegetation clearing associated with the college’s approved expansion project, which was granted approval through the State Government’s Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) process.
Ms Sandeman said she remained concerned by claims that koalas were no longer using the site and disputed suggestions the cleared areas were of limited ecological significance.
“The evidence, including recent koala sightings, demonstrates that the campus continues to support resident koalas and forms part of a broader habitat network,” she said.
Ms Sandeman also questioned whether the environmental assessment process had adequately considered all available information relating to koala activity in the area.
“In my view, the approval relied on an ecological assessment that did not adequately consider all available historical koala sighting and tracking data,” she said.
“Given the significance of the habitat and the presence of an endangered species, I believe the proposal warranted a more rigorous assessment process.”
While supporters of the project have pointed to habitat offsets and replacement tree planting as part of the approval conditions, Ms Sandeman said such measures could not replace mature habitat in the short term.
“Many of the trees being removed are decades old, with some likely more than a century old,” she said.
“Newly planted koala food trees can take more than 10 years before they become useful to koalas, while tree hollows relied upon by many native species can take more than 100 years to develop.”
“What has been lost cannot simply be recreated overnight.”
Looking ahead, Ms Sandeman said she would like to see Ormiston College revisit elements of its masterplan to avoid any further habitat loss, particularly around the proposed Early Learning Centre.
She also called for stronger collaboration between the college and researchers who have been studying Redlands koalas for more than six years.
“Rather than denying their presence or significance, we would like to see the College embrace its unique role as custodian of habitat for an endangered species and commit to protecting that habitat in perpetuity,” she said.
Despite the increasingly heated public debate surrounding the project, Ms Sandeman said she supported respectful discussion and condemned any threatening behaviour.
“My mantra has always been peaceful rallies and respectful advocacy,” she said.
“Everyone has a right to express their views, but discussions should remain respectful and focused on facts, evidence and policy decisions.
“I am aware that concerns have been raised about inappropriate and threatening behaviour associated with this debate. No matter where it comes from, such behaviour is unacceptable and has no place in community discussions.”
Ms Sandeman said the campaign was never intended to oppose education or school growth but to encourage a better balance between development and conservation.
“This campaign has never been about opposing education,” she said.
“It has been about protecting an endangered species and ensuring that development occurs in a way that respects the natural environment.
“My hope is that this experience encourages all of us to think more carefully about how we balance growth with conservation so that future generations inherit both excellent educational facilities and a healthy environment.”
