WELCOME to the second in our poster series on Woogaroo Forest wildlife.

These photos were taken by Glenys Passier and Anne Reardon at the forest.

Developer Stockland, under the auspices of the Springfield City Group, wants to flatten Woogaroo Forest at west Springfield for 1,800 homes.

The Springfield Structure Plan – drawn up in 1997 – guides planning decisions over the area and mentions promotion of “conservation, visual and landscape character” “in a manner sympathetic with the natural landform taking into account the protection and, where possible, enhancement of the natural environment”.

Quite clearly, that is not the case with this forest.

Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters said the community had been “ignored by their local representatives, council, state and federal”.

“People are crying out for real representation,” Senator Waters said.

“I’m shocked at the lack of engagement on this issue, for the state member to dust their hands and say, ‘nothing we can do’, will be a disappointing response to the hundreds of locals fighting to save Woogaroo Forest.

“These are people who care deeply about protecting the land and wildlife at this site.

“If the Council and State won’t step in and protect this vital area of bushland, like they should, the Federal Environment Minister could.

“I’ll be writing to Tanya Plibersek and calling on her to reject the proposed development, and to protect this area permanently.

“The buck passing between levels of government is a cop out. This is the last remaining intact tract of remnant bushland which is vital habitat and loved locally – it must be saved.”

Jordan MP Charis Mullen said she acknowledged that the Plan was antiquated – created when Rob Borbidge was Queensland Premier, and the mobile phone was still a novelty.

“I appreciate community expectation has changed a lot since then and they would like to see more land protected for our wildlife,” Ms Mullen said.

“However, this site has historic development rights under the Springfield Structure Plan which guides all approvals in Greater Springfield and sits within the Urban Footprint under the SEQ Regional Plan.

“The State has no authority to intervene – the only role it has in relation to this development application is considering impacts on the State Transport Network (under the State Assessment and Referral Agency).”

Federal Member for Oxley Milton Dick would not comment.

Join the Save Woogaroo Forest campaign group on Facebook and sign the petition here https://shorturl.at/TcdgI.