Media Announcements - August 1st, 2024
Today local television and social media were alive with the release of PRAX's 'vison' of what should go into the Mt. Coot-tha Quarry. While there was no specific mention of the Pine Mountain, the future of our local quarry is likely to be a similar fate. https://brisbanedevelopment.com/from-quarry-to-landmark-prax-studios-iconic-vision-for-mt-coot-tha/
In an interview with Sophie Formica on 4BC Radio, Mayor Schrinner (start listening @ 4:55 min.) was pleased to share how we could 'transform a big hole in the ground into a destination for Brisbane residents and also tourists'. No mention of green space, biodiversity or wildlife, beyond it serving as a backdrop to a major tourist attraction. https://www.4bc.com.au/podcast/victoria-parks-master-plan-unveiled/
Tellingly he said that the the project would have 'to generate income' and 'attract private investment'. In other words, be a minimum investment for City Council but a fabulous business opportunity for business investments.
So what comes next? 'We will consolidate the feedback received from the community and BUSINESS' and 'present two or three options for the public to choose from' later this year as 'a part of their consultation process.'
In the City's eyes the consultation process is over, before it began. Later this year, residents will presented with a short list of pre-approved projects, then be asked which one they would like to see built by business interests and run for profit, on publicly owned lands.
If this is NEITHER your vison for the Quarries, nor your understanding of what real 'public consultation' looks like, then go to our petition and emphatically add you name to the list! https://www.epetitions.brisbane.qld.gov.au/petition/view/pid/1352
Pine Mountain Quarry Redevelopment
Brisbane City Council (BCC) has declared that Pine Mountain Quarry which sits within Whites Hill Reserve is end of life and will be developed.
Pine Mountain Quarry is currently an operational recycling facility north of Pine Mountain Road, where the asphalt removed during road resurfacing is taken to be reused in fresh asphalt production. From 1964 to 1991 it was an operational quarry producing hard rock.
What is clear is that the Pine Mountain Quarry straddles the headwaters of Salvin Creek and the narrow fauna corridor that connects Whites Hill to Bulimba Creek and nearby Belmont Hills. If the City is truly committed to maintaining the long-term viability of koala, wallaby and other animal populations in Whites Hill, then any future plans for the Quarry site must ENHANCE and STRENGTHEN that natural connection, not reduce its functionality.
Our group believe the community should be involved in any future plans. The results of our community meeting helped us form the five main principles which anchor our petition which is asking BCC to commit to these principles as part of the development process.
Quarry information session results
Attendees at our meetings were concerned that the scope of the Visioning Project at Pine Mountain was not clear. Would the project limit itself to the current Quarry footprint of about 18 hectares or were all of Lots 226 and 264 Pine Mountain Road – approximately 65 hectares – assumed to be ‘part of the quarry’? When we shared with them that the Quarry straddles the headwaters of Salvin Creek, a known fauna corridor to Bulimba Creek and Belmont Hills [see maps], they were keen to know more about the how that creek could be rehabilitated [see Daylighting Project] and returned to its natural function. When we identified that the two lots surrounding the Quarry are the location of some of Whites Hill’s rarest habitats and plants, they were concerned about how a future Quarry site would enhance and re-integrate these natural features into the existing natural green space [see maps].
The other issue raised repeatedly was Pine Mountain Road, a) its inability to handle its present traffic, let alone an increased flow, b) the danger it currently presents to endangered koalas and wallabies attempting to cross it to access bush on the other side, and c) how the planned housing in the former BMI Quarry south of the road will affect both of those issues when it, too, is eventually closed. When we asked those present to review the Five Key Principles, we were hoping to have BCC commit to during the Visioning Project process, there was unanimous agreement.
Key Principles
1. Regardless of what the Pine Mountain Quarry eventually becomes, an industry standard rehabilitation plan will be created and followed.
2. The final plan for the Quarry will ecologically integrate the property into the existing local greenspace and enhance the existing fauna corridors.
3. A safe and sustainable transportation plan for access to the site shall be created for both human and fauna, including movement along the length of Pine Mountain Road.
4. Brisbane City Council will publish a precis / summary of all submissions received; and
5. Brisbane City Council commits to a full public consultation process, with local public meetings, that includes all affected stakeholders, local residents, and the general public.
