Thursday, 15 February 2024
On Sunday 4 February, hundreds of nature lovers from across south-east Queensland united to celebrate World Wetlands Day, and urge the Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to save Toondah Harbour.
Held on the shores of Toondah Harbour, the annual World Wetlands Day event was themed “Our Bay – Our Flyway,” highlighting why these internationally significant wetlands must be protected for the migratory shorebirds that call them home.
This event comes just weeks before the Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek will decide whether to approve or reject Walker Corporation’s controversial real estate project proposal to destroy hectares of these Ramsar-listed to build 3,600 apartments, a hotel, restaurants and marinas.
Activities on the day included an artistic interpretation of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, used by migratory shorebirds on their epic 12,000-kilometre journeys from the Arctic to Australia’s shores. This community art project saw participants help paint a ‘flock’ of hundreds of cut-out migratory shorebirds to place on the map.
On the day, visitors also heard from speakers including Dr Hugh Possingham, BirdLife Australia Vice President, former Queensland Chief Scientist and Chief Councillor with the Biodiversity Council, and learnt how wetlands contribute to our wellbeing. Participants also enjoyed viewing local shorebirds through powerful scopes and seeing Toondah’s koalas in their natural habitat – as well as live music and displays from community and environmental groups demonstrating their opposition to Walker Corporation’s proposal.
The community also called for a Week of Action to put pressure on Minister Plibersek to save Toondah Harbour, in the leadup to her April 23 decision deadline.
This event was organised by the Toondah Alliance, which includes BirdLife Australia, BirdLife Southern Qld, Redlands2030, Qld Wader Study Group, ACF Community Bayside, ACF, Koala Action Group, Stradbroke (Terrangeri) Environmental and the Cultural Protection Association.
To protect the critically endangered Eastern Curlew and many other threatened species, it is vital that the Federal Government save Toondah Harbour. The Walker Corporation's proposal will permanently destroy many hectares of irreplaceable migratory shorebird feeding habitat.
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