Goodbye phone, hello YouTube
- Photo taken 13 February 2012.
The world is changing. The days of being ignored by councillors has ended.
A new powerful means of reporting issues has replaced the traditional method of phoning, being ignored and councillors losing all record of that call.
The state of the footpath along Collingwood Road was brought to the attention of the local councillor in 2009.
Incomplete footpaths, overgrown vegetation, open drains threaten the safety of local residents. Sadly, no action was taken.
In 2010, a young man lost his life along Collingwood Road. Again, I expressed my concern and submitted a comment to the local paper. <click here to see comment>
One hoped that safety along this road would be improved given that school children and adults frequently walk along Collingwood Road.
Unfortunately, little to no action was taken…until I discovered a new means of communicating a message!
I made a video of the footpath on Collingwood Road and uploaded it on YouTube on the 7th February 2012. I noted that on the 13th February 2012, council workers had begun to repair this treacherous path.
Years and years of campaigning, years and years of attempting to contact the local councillor, years and years trying to get this issue noticed and improve the safety for residents was achieved with a simple ‘click’ of the upload button.
The world has indeed changed and I am willing to greet this new generation of media with open arms.
The lives of residents are far too important to be ignored.
YouTube, I thank you!
Perilous footpaths a threat to walkers
- Footpath on Collingwood Road
Every day, hundreds of residents use footpaths in Division 8.
Residents living in the Wellington Heights estate walk up Tulloch Drive, Pitt Road and Collingwood Road. School children walk this route to travel to and from school while other residents use this route for daily walks.
However, residents are urged to be cautious when walking along Collingwood Road as dense vegetation, old prams and overgrown grass blocks the footpath.
Residents cannot continue walking safely along this footpath. Click here to view the YouTube video.
Yes, there is another footpath on the other side of Collingwood Road, but walking safely to it can also be a feat in itself.
In my mind, residents have two options: trek through knee-high grass that could potentially be a hiding place for snakes (red-bellied black snakes have been found on the side of this road); or, use the footpath on Pitt Road – however, this footpath is incomplete and crossing Pitt Road can be a challenge due to the high volume of traffic during peak times.
It is essential that footpaths are maintained.
Safety is an important issue – one that all candidates and councillors must take seriously.
Your call is important.
The Redland City Council election is fast approaching.
On Saturday, 28 April 2012, residents will cast their votes and elect a Councillor for their division and a Mayor for Redland City.
In the lead up to the local elections, I have been increasingly busy chatting to local residents and listening to their concerns. I have drawn up a long list of issues that need addressing.
Due to the fact that the majority of my time is spent in meetings or assisting with hands-on environmental projects (to provide a clean and livable parklands for residents and wildlife), I cannot answer my phone every time it rings.
Sadly, I cannot return a phone call if the number is shows up as ‘silent’ or if the caller does not leave a message.
Effective communication helps create friendly communities and balanced policies.
I therefore ask that people please leave their name, phone number and quick message and I will return all calls as soon as I possibly can. Alternatively, feel free to send me an email at dianne.hausler@bigpond.com.
Queensland’s flood – 12 months on.
I drove through Grantham yesterday on my way to Toowoomba.
While some residents have rebuilt their homes, a great many more have chosen to abandon their houses.
Across this small town, houses that were once family homes remain uninhabited, wrecked and washed from their stumps. Some local businesses are still closed, with signs on the doors that said, “unsafe to enter”.
Looking at the houses and remembering the haunting TV images of that devastating flood, I could not help but feel a deep sense of sadness for those who lost their lives and their livelihoods.
While the flood happened almost a year ago, the memories, pain and hardship still exist.
“For communities across Queensland, next week marks the one year anniversary of the worst of the floods that hit the state in 2011 and led to one of the largest Red Cross relief and recovery programs in Australia” (Bayside Bulletin, 5 January 2012).
A donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery can help to make a difference to the lives of so many people. As stated on the Bayside Bulletin’s website, donations can be made at http://www.redcross.org.au/
YouTube
Welcome to 2012. I hope you all had a fantastic New Year’s Eve party and celebrated the evening with family and friends.
Over the next few months I will be adding a stack of videos to my YouTube channel, all of which will feature some awesome music by the one and only (and very talented) Baz Bardoe! Click here to check out Baz’s (Sunsaria) albums.
All videos are shot on location in the Redlands and show current issues that plague our environment and lifestyle. The date of filming has been added to the end of each video.
I hope you find them informative.
Keep smiling,
Dianne. 
Waterways of Redland City: Tarradarrapin Wetlands
- Tarradarrapin Wetlands – Tulloch Drive side.
“Our wetlands, creeks, streams and lakes (which we’ll refer collectively to as waterways) are far more than just a part of the scenery – they’re the lifeblood of the environment. They provide homes for wildlife and plants, water supplies for homes, industries and farms, and places of recreation and enjoyment for us all” (Waterwatch Australia).
The above quote aptly sums up the importance of maintaining healthy waterways.
Sadly, polluted creeks, streams and wetlands still exist in the Redlands, and it is important for residents, volunteers and councillors to take an active role in discovering polluted waterways and proactively work towards improving local waterways.
I have created a second YouTube video called, “Redland’s Waterways: Tarradarrapin Wetlands“, which highlights some of the issues in the Redlands.
Together, we can make a positive difference!
Merry Christmas
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and holy Christmas…and I hope you all have a fantastic and fun-filled New Year.
Please take care if travelling on our roads, and please, spare a thought to those less fortunate than ourselves – people who are hungry, sick, poor or lonely.
Organisations, such as The Salvation Army and The Smith Family proactively help those in need.
This Christmas, please consider making a donation and help bring a smile to someone’s face.
Warmest regards,
Dianne Hausler
Beveridge Road Creek Corridor, Thornlands.
I recently paid a visit to Beveridge Road Creek Corridor, in Thornlands and expected to find a peaceful and tranquil place.
Things that go bump in the night.
I woke up in a fright. Strange noises disrupted my peaceful night’s sleep.
There are fables that tell of boogie men, creepy sounds and things that go bump in the night, but these are just that – fables! And besides, such tales are normally associated with spooky old mansions, not with modern two-story brick veneer homes.
Scuttle, scuttle, thump. There it goes again! Scuttle, scuttle, THUMP!
I expected to hear more strange noises, but a deadly silence prevailed since that last nerve-shattering thump.
Bleary eyed, I glanced at the clock. It was 2:23am in the morning!!! What the hell was making all the noise at such an ungodly hour? I tried to push this disturbance out of my mind and tried to go back to sleep, but it was no use. My curiosity was aroused. No matter how hard I tried, I could not get back to sleep.
The hours slowly passed. It remained quiet until 5:00am when several Indian Myna Birds started cackling and scratching on the gutter outside my bedroom window. You see, there is a teeny-weeny gap in the brickwork just above my window and I fear birds may soon find their way into my ceiling.
Scuttle, scuttle, Thump! There’s that noise again! Well, it is now daylight, which means that it is time to investigate.
Armed with a torch I carefully lifted the manhole cover and peered into the ceiling loft. I couldn’t see anything. So I crawled up into the ceiling. Slowly but surely I made my way towards the steady stream of light that came from that gap in the brickwork.
The stream of light revealed a mass of mouse droppings and bird feathers but failed to expose the source of the noise – until, that is, I shone the torch to the beam above my head and glanced upon an enormous Carpet Python.
At this stage of the narrative I should point out that I did not scream in fright or faint in horror. In subversion to the preconceived notion of fragile femininity, I looked upon this snake with awe and admired the beauty of this magnificent creature. There is beauty in its olive colourings, delicate small bead-like head and intriguing diamond-shaped pattern. I should point out though: while the Carpet Python is listed as non-venomous, I do not recommend touching it as its bite may cause lacerations.
Carpet Pythons are commonly found in ceilings and are highly efficient at eradicating mice from ceilings and purging your ceiling of vermin.
Feeling like that famous Belgium detective, Hercule Poirot, and feeling proud that I cracked the infamous case of the ‘Scuttle, scuttle, THUMP’, I slowly descended from the ceiling and replaced the manhole cover. After reading up on the benefits of having a Carpet Python as permanent resident, I decided to leave it be.
Marine-Care Report for 2011
The past 12 months were successful and productive. As a group, Marine-care made a positive difference to our community and environment. We have also received support and recognition from local and state politicians and have been mentioned in various media articles.
Winning the 2011 Queensland Pride of Australia Medal (environment category) was an honour, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the individuals who supported my environmental work. I would especially like to thank Jennifer Singfield, Jennifer Miller, Mark Robinson, Baz Bardoe, Nicky Meinhardt-Jensen and Boyd Essex.
Setting up the Marine-Care group and organising clean-up days allowed volunteers to engage in hands-on activities. Volunteers should be congratulated for their dedication, hard work and cheery attitude.
Marine-Care volunteers participated in:
- A series of clean-up days in Redland City after the January floods
- Seagrass and marine life monitoring events
- Educational talks at local schools
- Litter removal from foreshores in Redland City
- Assisted with a biodiversity forum in Cleveland
- Helped create a marine database.
Observations:
- Seagrass meadows in Redland City have improved since the January floods and volunteers have noticed an increased in dugong and turtle trails at Ormiston in the Redlands.
- Removal of abandoned fishing lines has resulted in a decrease in dead seabirds at various sites.
- Embarking on an education program and creating an online marine reference guide has increased public awareness and assisted students and community groups. Website: www.diannehausler.com
- Removal of litter from wetlands, creeks and foreshores has improved the health of local waterways.
Volunteers:
The number of volunteers at any given time fluctuates depending on weather conditions, tide times and media advertising. A series of Clean-up events, that was given front page coverage in the Redland Times, attracted a mass of interest from the general public.
In order to participate in clean-up and Marine-care events, volunteers must wear appropriate footwear and clothing and agree to follow strict health and safety rules.
The next twelve months should see additional forums and clean-up days, monitoring of new and existing sites, and the continuation of the marine-database. Additionally, volunteers will be encouraged to complete a First Aid course.
Collected data will be offered to schools, universities and government departments, and I hope that Marine-Care can work together with other organisations. One organisation can make a positive difference, but together we can achieve so much more.
Finally, a big thank-you to all my wonderful volunteers. You guys are fantastic!!!
The Sound of Music
WEEKEND AFTER WEEKEND neighbours are being subjected to the sound of music till the wee hours of the morning.
No, I am not talking about a recording of Julie Andrews’ iconic song from that movie, I am talking about music that has been amplified to such an extent that its tune and lyrics distort into one almighty blur.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with neighbours enjoying a party or two, but when the windows of your house start to shake and earplugs make little difference, one starts to wonder whether partygoers actually have any consideration for their neighbours.
Hours pass and the noise continues. The windows still shake and so do the floor boards now. In fact, I found that if I stand in one spot long enough my feet become massaged by the vibrations that pass through the floor.
To call the police on a Saturday night is an option; however, this action is often seen as unfriendly by those who regularly subject their neighbours to a barrage of noise. Residents have the right to feel safe and happy in their own home. The police are there to help if the situation is intolerable.
Communities are made up of many individuals: some residents are elderly, some have young children, some may be sick, some might like to unwind in their own home after a hard week’s work, and some may just like to be able to listen to their own TV without it being drowned out by an almighty racket.
Creating happy communities requires residents to think of their neighbours, to be considerate of their noise and be mindful of how their actions may affect others. Being mindful of the needs of others is the only way to create a harmonious community and a place that we can happily call home.
Sewage: A Polluter of Local Waterways
The 2011 Healthy Waterways Report Card was released on Thursday, 19th October.
This report card grades the health of South-East Queensland waterways on an A+ to F- scale.
Comparing statements from Redland City Council with the Healthy Waterways Report Card and information from The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) is a way to gain an accurate snapshot of the health of local waterways.
The NPI provides the community, industry and government with vital information about substance emissions in Australia. Locations of sewage treatment plants can also be found on this site.
Healthy waterways will ensure the survival of marine life in Moreton Bay
According to the 2011 Healthy Waterways Report Card, there was a slight improvement in the water quality in Waterloo Bay. It increased from B to a B+. Congratulations must go to Redland City Council for their efforts; however, if we examine the Healthy Waterways Report Card we can see a decline in nutrient cycling within Redland’s catchments. For the seventh year in a row, Redland’s catchments received an F.
Redland City Council claimed: “Council’s investment in improving the Victoria Point sewage treatment plant will have contributed to the improvement seen in Eprapah Creek”.
The Healthy Waterways Report Card stated that Eprapah Creek increased from a C- in 2010 to a C in 2011.
Redlands has four sewage treatment plants, of these one is situated at Thorneside, near Tingalpa Creek and another at Victoria Point, near Eprapah Creek. Redland City Council’s statement did not state whether any recent improvements were made to the Thorneside Treatment Plant.
Tingalpa Creek dropped from C+ in 2010 to C in 2011. A less than efficient sewage treatment plant at Thorneside could contribute to the drop in water quality.
The latest NPI figures indicate that the Victoria Point Sewage Treatment Plant is pumping out less substances into our waterways than the Thorneside Sewage Treatment Plant.
Upgrading features of the Victoria Point sewage treatment plant resulted in an improvement in Eprapah Creek’s water quality, therefore it is safe to assume that the water quality in Tingalpa Creek would also improve if council performs additional upgrades to the Thorneside sewage treatment plant.
If Redland City Council continues to invest in upgrading and maintaining all four sewage treatments plants then the health of local waterways is set to improve.
Creating Healthy Waterways
Creating healthy waterways doesn’t just happen; it requires a positive mindset, teamwork and a lot of hard work.
Waterways in South East Queensland, and in particular the Redlands, will suffer if we allow negativity and inaction to reign. Individuals whose mission in life is merely to hurl insults at whoever they perceive to be the ‘enemy’ are undermining the good work of many dedicated individuals who volunteer their time to help the environment. Sadly, individuals who thrive on negativity often end up doing more harm to the environmental cause than actual good.
Slinging strings of negative comments and pinning the blame on past councils and opposition leaderships does not achieve positive results – in fact, it can be likened to a cancer-like disease that slowly destroys the very essence of a happy and sustainable society. Positive results come from positive action that is made up from teamwork that involves hands-on activities. Ethical behaviour coupled with the desire to make a real difference to our environment and greater community is the recipe for cleaner waterways.
In January, 2011, a large plume of flood debris washed into waterways and Moreton Bay. Rubbish threatened the seagrass meadows and marine life. Thanks to the efforts of local volunteers, a large amount of trash was removed. These volunteers did not stand about scratching their heads, debating about which level of government was ultimately to blame, instead they came together, worked hard and achieved positive results.
Even to this date, polluted waterways exist in Redland City. According to the Redland City Council General Minutes, which was held on Wednesday, 23 February 2011, “The Department of Environment and Resource Management were notified of a potential stormwater contamination incident where it is believed leachate did enter the stormwater management system and overflow into Tarradarrapin Creek” (RCC Minutes).
This issue of leachate within Tarradarrapin’s waterways existed with the previous council and is still an issue for this current council. Highly polluted water has also been observed at the Geoff Skinner Reserve at Wellington Point. But, to pin the blame on the previous or current council would be a simplistic and inappropriate move, one that displays a certain immaturity of mindset.
It is a fact that many environmental issues take more than one council period to rectify, therefore it is important for all councils – past, present & future – to seek a common goal, strive towards improving the current issues and keep the momentum alive, which will result in a positive change.
Individuals must rise above petty name calling, dish-the-dirt-on-the-‘enemy’, blame game, for that belongs to bullies who have not mentally advanced from the childhood schoolyard bully.
The fact is: problems exist. The question is: how do we improve on the situation?
The answer, I believe, lies with good planning and professional behaviour, positive thinking and taking a proactive stance, teamwork, and respecting each and every person within our community.
