World’s attention on koala habitat

A CHANGE.ORG petition calling for the Toowoomba Regional Council to stop the Defence Housing Australia development at Mount Lofty has received about 12,000 signatures from people all around the world.

The petition was started by members of the Save Mount Lofty group, a group that has for years campaigned against the housing estate plans.

Diane Fedor from Pittsburgh in the United States of America was one of the signatories.

“I’m asking to save this habitat for koalas,” she said.

Gail Carmisciano from Leominster, also in the United States, agreed.

“Why would you do this when much of your country is being destroyed?” she said.

“You’ll be sorry when all the animals are gone.”

The DHA proposal, if it goes ahead, would see a 342-lot housing estate built on the Toowoomba escarpment.

DHA is an Australian Government business enterprise that provides quality housing and related services to Defence members and families.

According to Google Trends data, since the launch of the change.org petition, “Mount Lofty” as a search term has jumped drastically in both Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“This land has escaped the developers only because it’s an ex-rifle range and has been owned by the Department of Defence for over 100 years,” the petition read.

“But now our Federal Government wants to clear all the land that’s flat enough to build on, including 38 hectares (that’s 76 football fields) of critical koala habitat. They’ll bulldoze the forest and cram the bare dirt with 342 houses and villas, on blocks down to 300m2.

Jedda Helliwell from Leeds, in the United Kingdom, said she had signed the petition as she was heartbroken by the loss of wildlife from fires around Australia.

“In the current circumstances, why on earth would you want to endanger anymore of these beautiful creature’s habitats,” she said.

“These animals are indigenous to Australia and you should be embracing your wildlife.

“Those who want to destroy their habitats for development and of course ultimate gain are beyond apprehension.”

The petition also attracted responders who replied in other languages, such as Ursula Burgdorf who wrote in German.

“The forest areas must be preserved,” Ms Burgdorf said, according to Google Translate.

“The privileged will one day appreciate the diverse flora and fauna.”

Mary Sheehan from Dallas in the United States said the whole world was watching what was happening in Mount Lofty.

“Please save Mount Lofty for koala release once they are healthy again,” she said.

“I am horrified at what continued mistakes are being made there.

“The world is watching.”