Save the Steve Irwin Way​ Forest

The following information specifically relates to the impact of a motorsports complex within this forest. This information is relevant to saving this forest from any threat.

 

This area of native forest contains significant ecological values. These values are recognised in Commonwealth law, state law as well as in various state and local planning and policy documents.

 

There appears to have been a deliberate attempt by the government to downplay the ecological values of the site, for example the tender document (Expressions of interest, Development and operation of an off-road motorcycling facility in the Mooloolah logging area, Beerwah State Forest) in the property information section listed the various vegetation communities found within the site. However it neglected to mention that any rainforest occured on the site. This is despite the fact the government’s own vegetation mapping (Regional ecosystems) shows large areas of regional ecosystems 12.9-10.16 (Rainforest) and areas of 12.3.1 (Gallery rainforest).

 

The tender documents also failed to mention the fact that numerous threatened species (listed under both state & federal legislation) occur in the forest. Furthermore in an attempt to downplay the ecological values of the area Minister Dickson has on numerous occasions referred to the site as the ‘degragaded’ (sic) Mooloolah Logging area’.

 

Matters of National Significance EPBC Act (1999)

There are a number of matters of national significance that will be adversely impacted should this forest be damaged. The presence of these matters requires the proponent to refer any developments to the Commonwealth government for assessment according with the requirements outlined in the EPBC Act (1999). The relevant matters are as follows:-

• Presence of and likely impacts on a critically endangered ecological community -Lowland subtropical rainforest.
   

• Presence of and likely impacts on the vulnerable listed Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population.
   

• Presence of and likely impacts on the vulnerable listed Wallum sedge frog (Litoria olongburensis) population.
   

• Presence of likely impacts on the local population of endangered Giant-barred frogs (Mixophyes iteratus)
   

• Presence of and likely impacts on feeding habitat for the vulnerable Grey-headed flying fox

 

Matters of state significance

There are a number of matters of state significance that will be adversely impacted should this forest be developed and or damaged and therefore requires compliance with the Nature Conservation Act (1994). These are as follows:-

• Tusked frog (Adelotus brevis)
   

• Wallum froglet (Crinia tinnula)
   

• Green-thighed frog (Litoria brevipalmata)
   

• Elf Skink (Erotoscincus graciloides)
   

•  Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) and host vine (Pararistilochia praevenosa)
   

• Glossy-black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami)
   

• Grey Goshawk (Accipiter novaeholandiae)
   

• Square-tailed kite (Lophoictinia isura)

 

Other matters of ecological significance

• State government mapping identifies areas of essential habitat with this forest.
   

• There is an abundance of old growth habitat trees in the forest that provide habitat for both sedentary and seasonal hollow dependant fauna. These are an ecological asset of regional significance. Even if the majority of them are retained development within the forest may severely limit their viability as ongoing breeding sites. 
   

• This site is mapped as having very high nature conservation management priorities (SEQ NRM Regional Plan).
   

• This site is mapped as having high ecological significance for terrestrial and wetland areas (QLD Government HES mapping)
   

 According to Biodiversity Planning Assessment (v3.5) this remnant forest:-

• Forms part of a bioregional corridor
   

• Contains a regional ecosystem that is one of the largest of its type in the SEQ bioregion
   

• Has ecosystem diversity in the top third quartile & contains core habitat for priority taxa

 

Environmental impacts

Remnant vegetation clearing associated with new track construction; track widening and facility construction will result in significant habitat loss and ongoing disturbance to the species listed above as well as the many other ‘non-threatened’ animal & plant species that occur in the area. The construction and operation of this facility will result in the ongoing disturbance to both the habitats and species that occur throughout the site. Even if ‘buffer zones’ are instated, edge effects, noise disturbances, erosion and sediment impacts will result in a spiralling decline in forest health and carrying capacity of these habitats. 

 

Cumulative impacts

The impacts of this proposal on the forest cannot be viewed in isolation. The current layout for the proposed upgrade of the Bruce Highway/Caloundra Road interchange and realignment of the Steve Irwin Way will result in significant habitat loss in the area immediately adjacent to this facility.  Recent road widening’s and upgrades of the Steve Irwin Way and Caloundra road have already resulted in significant habitat loss for a number of the threatened species described above. The cumulative impact of these proposals will result in a number of these populations becoming locally extinct in the near future. 

 

Insufficient investigation

No environmental impact assessment appears to have been undertaken for this development, a development that will impact over 500 hectares of remnant forest. 

 

Erosion and sediment control issues

This area is already subject to some significant impacts through the current level of unregulated trail bike activity. Soil erosion is evident on many gully crossings. Impacts resulting from the sedimentation of low energy waterways are causing a noticeable decline in canopy health of some vegetation, especially palm forests. An intensification of this use as proposed will only exacerbate these currently unmanaged impacts.

 

The susceptibility of the sandy soils to erosion is a major management issue for motor vehicle use in this area. If tracks are developed for various types of motorbike sports the impacts will be significant.  Track viability is likely to be short term as old tacks become progressively eroded, unusable and/or unsafe. Experience shows that this causes riders to keep taking an ever-wider path, incrementally increasing clearing the footprint. Even if a management requirement is to rest old tracks and build new ones, this process still results in the exponential increase of the disturbance footprint and adverse impacts on vegetation communities/wildlife habitats.