Thursday, 10th March 2011
Today, Bert van Manen MP, Federal Member for Forde, visited environmental hot spots around the community with Greg Hunt MP, Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage.
Bert and Greg were actively interested in hearing local residents’ thoughts and ideas for important local action needed within the Forde electorate.
Stops included meeting with Councillor Lisa Bradley and Jim McDonald of the Logan City Council to discuss alternatives to proposed powerlines across the Logan River; a trip to Buccan to meet with local action group VETO and gain an understanding of the effect new powerlines would have on local residents; a discussion with the Save Bahrs Scrub Alliance and a meeting with Stop the Quarry about the local area.
The afternoon culminated in a press conference with Greg, Bert and Federal Member for McPherson Karen Andrews at Surfers Paradise, discussing with Zarraffa’s Coffee founder and CEO, Kenton Campbell, the impact of a Carbon Tax on tourism, small and medium businesses.
“Small businesses on the Gold Coast and Logan are struggling, and a carbon tax will only make this worse. Small and medium businesses will utilise capital far more efficiently than the government will,” Bert van Manen said.
Bert and Greg are developing strategies with concerned locals to achieve a sustainable balance between development and the protection of our unique environment for future generations to enjoy.
[End.]