Yes we should pay to drive on Cooloola Coast

As reported in The Courier-Mail today, the Queensland Government has released for consultation a management plan for the Cooloola Coast north of Noosa to Double Island Point and around to Rainbow Beach.

Our family loves this area, so I declare a vested interest, but also some first hand experience of the people that are damaging this environment and threatening the safety of others.

It is proposed to charge people to drive and camp in the area, just like you have to pay for a permit to visit some National Parks. At the moment, it is used and abused as though it is a highway and a fun zone. A proper management plan is long overdue because this area adjoins the Great Sandy National Park and the World Heritage Fraser Island area. It has equal environmental value and beauty.

We take great enjoyment from driving along the beach to swim at Double Island Point and walk up to the lighthouse to look for whales - although we do it with some guilt about the incongruity of driving a polluting 4WD through a pristine environment. So we try to drive and visit with respect for the privilege we have been given.

Paying for access will also allow facilities to be built to accommodate 46,000 car loads of people a year -- for example, there is only one set of toilets in this huge area at Freshwater.

Link to The Courier-Mail article

Have your say by 7 September 2009 Go to the Queensland Government website for info on the Cooloola Recreation Area plan and how you can make a submission.

A wander through coastal woodland of Scribbly Gum & Banksia

Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park, near Rainbow Beach, Queensland

Once at threat from sand-mining, this stunning area stretches from the north shore of the Noosa River, along beaches backed by high dunes, open wallum heathland, woodlands of scribbly gum and banksia, shady blackbutt forests, rainforests and tranquil lakes, to the mangrove lined fish habitats of the Tin Can Bay inlet. The coloured sands, Carlo Sand Blow and Double Island Point lighthouse are popular attractions. Our family explored the area over the school holidays.
house

The Burning Season - please support this incredible Australian-made movie about saving Orangutans

Help us spread to word so everyone goes to see this movie!
The Burning Season, which premiered in Brisbane last night, is the story of a remarkable achievement by one young man not afraid to single-handedly confront the biggest challenge of our time. Dorjee Sun believes there's money to be made from protecting rainforests in Indonesia, saving the orangutan from extinction and making a real impact on climate change. Armed with a laptop and a backpack, he sets out across the globe to find investors in his carbon trading scheme. It is a battle against time, but Dorjee's determination to succeed and his award-winning achievement will uplift and entertain audiences and inspire hope in our future.

One of Biome's team members, Lauren, is a good friend of the Associate Producer from local Brisbane film production company, Freshwater Pictures. She has seen this movie go from idea to reality, and how the production team have all been passionate, ecologically minded professionals, absolutely intent on supporting Dorjee Sun in his quest to protect the Indonesian rainforests, away from just the business side of making the film.

It showcases the ideology that we can all make small, everyday, ecologically friendly changes to how we live our lives and that one person can make all the difference.

The Burning Season website has lots of info about the issues and what you can do. Check when its screening near you and follow them on Twitter.

David & Margaret from At The Movies on ABC TV loved it too, awarding it 4 stars each! Read their review.

Landcare calls on everyone to help

Landcare Australia and Coastcare are calling on all Australians to join their register of volunteers to help our country and planet.

Landcare's Your Planet Needs You campaign aims to make it easy for you to sign up to a volunteer register to say what skills you can offer. Everyone can help, whether it be pulling weeds, making coffee, transporting equipment, designing or distributing posters to promoting events within your company.

On World Environment Day, Landcare staged a flash mob event to promote Your Planet Needs You. Look at those awesome inflatable globes being tossed around... Biome's Earth Balls. We were very chuffed that Landcare chose our Earth Balls for the fun. And, yes, among the celebs in this photo is French ‘Spiderman’ and climate campaigner Alain Robert (who else could look so cool in a red suit?).

Check out the Flickr album with more photos of the Landcare event