RESIDENTS met in North Ipswich on Sunday to discuss solutions to what they say is a looming liveability crisis facing future generations.

The rapid rate of local forest clearing has left Ipswich languishing at the foot of the Local Government Areas (LGA) table for retention of remnant vegetation, with hundreds more hectares of bushland slated for clearing for housing developments in the next few years.

Bush Protection Alliance and Birdlife South Queensland spokeswoman Sheena Gillman said enough is enough.

“We are losing our native vegetation and wildlife at an unfettered, prodigious rate which will have a massive impact on liveability in this region,” she said.

“Our children will be denied the opportunity to experience and enjoy our native flora and fauna, particularly if the large Springview Village 2 and 3 development proceeds.

“It is one of the last reasonable-sized, intact habitats for endangered species such as koalas, platypus, frilled neck lizards, gliders and powerful owls.

“Once a large chunk of the forest is cleared, most of the native animals will not survive.”

Professor Hugh Possingham, of The University of Queensland and the Biodiversity Council, added: “Allowing large scale clearing of remnant vegetation, such as Woogaroo Forest, will cause local extinctions of species and reductions in the quality of life for people.

“If the development goes ahead, the Springfield area will be hotter, the air and water quality will be poorer, human mental and physical health will decline, and flooding will increase.

“Ipswich must stop large scale housing developments in remnant native vegetation.

“The council must stop any further removal of forest to stop species extinction. There is no need to remove more forest – 100-200 hectares is not enough for species to survive.”

Woogaroo is current around 450 hectares.

“Housing can occur on already cleared land. That is smart planning,” he said.

Meanwhile, ecologist and herpetologist Dr Christina Zdenek said forests were irreplaceable natural assets for endangered and common species and local communities.

“Australia is losing habitats and native species faster than any other nation globally,” she said.

“Woogaroo Forest has many old-growth trees that are centuries old and are simply irreplaceable and invaluable.

“These ancient trees and regrowth vegetation within Woogaroo Forest provide food and shelter for over 130 bird species, over 80 non-avian species of animals and over 430 species of native plants.”

Speaking during a Q&A session, one mother said: “The Ipswich region exemplifies how poor council decisions based on excessive developer influence can lead to this level of natural habitat destruction; Woogaroo Forest must not be cleared.

“Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever and that is simply not acceptable to so dramatically and negatively affect the liveability of the region for current and future generations.”

All councillors and the mayor were invited to attend, none of whom took up the offer.

Sign the save the forest petition at change.org.

Council planners will make the decision on whether to allow the bulldozing of the forest next Thursday, February 24.

Contact admin@savewoogarooforest.com.au