Environment

DO NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.
THE TIME TO TAKE ACTION IS
NOW!

The Southern Gold Coast relatively unspoiled

The Southern Gold Coast is relatively unspoiled in comparison with the Northern Gold Coast and we aim to keep it that way. With your support we can keep our creeks, the white sanded beaches, our waterfalls and ecosystems for many generations to come.

Environmental Significance

The environmental areas in the Burleigh to Currumbin corridor have been identified through a review of the Environmental Significance – Biodiversity, Environmental Significance – Vegetation Management and the Environmental Significance – Wetlands and Watercourses Overlays available under the Planning Scheme and the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Industry and Planning (DSDMIP) State Planning Policy and Development Assessment (Jacobs 2021). These overlays provide detail on biodiversity areas, waterway and wetland areas and areas for vegetation management consideration and also reflect the Matters of State Environmental Significance. These areas are shown on Figure 3-10 (Jacobs 2021). 

Large areas of Protected Areas, Regulated Vegetation and Hinterland to Coast Critical Corridor, shown on Figure 3-10, are located within and surrounding Burleigh Head National Park and Currumbin Hill Conservation Park. Both Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek are identified as major Watercourses. The main channel and the northern banks of Currumbin Creek are also identified as State Significant Wetlands and State Significant Aquatic Systems (Jacobs 2021).

The Jacobs 2021 report, signifies the immense environmental value of Burleigh Hill, Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks, yet fails to justify, why they prefer THE MOST ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGING ROUTE via the Gold Coast Highway.

We will aim for a proper Environmental Impact Statement, and Environmental Impact Assessment, as is mandatory for major projects under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act (EPBC act) 1999.

Burleigh hill will be physically devastated by a wide – 12m high cut, but koalas will also not be able to reach their mates, will be impacted by noise and chemical pollution. A pilot research study into the possible impact on the koala population is planned by SOSGC.

The proposed, additional railways bridges (20m wide) over Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks will devastate an already pressured ecosystem. The impact on hydrology, sedimentation and biodiversity of these creeks will drastically alter the ecosystem and might push these ecosystems over a “tipping point” i.e., a point of no return. As these creeks are tidal and connected to the ocean, additional impacts on adjoining wetlands and the marine system are expected.

At the moment, we are conducting a pilot study into the floral and faunal biodiversity of Tallebudgera Creek and shores, to present to the government.

Download the Jacobs 2021 report (4mb)

Stay tuned for SOSGC further studies and updates.

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