Despite widespread public condemnation and protest, and Wildlife Queensland lobbying Brisbane City Council, the development of the Minnippi Links Residential and Golf Course is to go ahead on 125 ha of public open space at Minnippi Wetlands and Holmbrook Farm, Tingalpa, according to Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman.

Wildlife Queensland deplores what the development will do to the environmentally significant Minnippi area and its diversity of native fauna, including the densest known Squirrel glider colony in Australia. However, the Society will try to reach a compromise with Brisbane City Council and the developers.

In a letter to Wildlife Queensland, dated 14 January 2005, the Lord Mayor stated that he shared the Society's concerns about the fate of the glider colony housed in the development area, just 8 km from the centre of Brisbane.

However, Councillor Newman explained that the agreement signed by the previous City Council administration and the developers could not be broken without exposing Council to legal action.

'There is nothing I can do legally to stop this development application from proceeding,' said the Lord Mayor.

However, Councillor Newman did say he had asked the developers, BMD Group, to 'mitigate the impact of the development,' and apply industry best practice for sustainability in all parts of the development. His letter asked Wildlife Queensland to play a part in this process.

'By continuing to keep me informed of what is happening and by working with the developers to minimise the impact of the development, we can hopefully find a solution that will save the Squirel glider colony,' wrote Councillor Newman.

Wildlife Queensland is following this issue up with the Lord Mayor and the developers.

More information about the Minnippi development

STOP PRESS: A rally to show opposition to the development is planned for Tuesday 15 February in King George Square, Brisbane, from 11 am. For more information, call Barry Wilson (Minnippi Against Development) +61 7 3399 6204.

elopment of Minnippi open space, including a petition and a form letter to send to BCC.

For more information about the poultry shed grant scheme and other activities, contact Wildlife Queensland by email or call +61 7 3221 0194.