A Logan City Facebook page with close to 200 likes is fighting to stop the Council proposed Wuraga Bahrs Scrub road with the help of their mascot Gary the koala, however a councillor also advocating against the road has spoken out against them using a ‘koala mascot’.
The ‘Wuraga Rd Bahrs Scrub – Residents seeking review of council road planning’ Facebook page has shared videos of their mascot Gary the koala, and a petition created by Bahrs Scrub local Jodie Batten.
Councillor Tony Hall, in a statement that was not reflective of or endorsed by Logan City Council, said he did not believe it was fair to drag Gary into the campaign.
“I do not endorse the activity of koalas in my division being used for photo opportunities or used as mascots for petitions,” he said.
“Gary the koala only wants to be left alone. He/she did not sign up to be part of this or any other petition.”
On the online petition, shared by the Facebook page, Jodie Batten wrote:
“Logan City Council (LCC) plans to upgrade Wuraga Rd is designed through core koala habitat. Community consultation was sending land acquisition letters to residents LCC require land for the development. All other residents were ignored.
“The plan will see motorists rat-running through Mt Warren Boulevard and Rochester Rd. Increased traffic volumes making school pick up and drop off challenging for Windaroo State School and daycare centres along Mt Warren Boulevard. Rochester Rd will be used as the main access point to the Pacific Motorway.”
Jodie has also claimed ‘the Wuraga road upgrade was approved by the Logan City Council Road Infrastructure Planning team and passed over to the design team.’
This is despite Cr Hall confirming at a council meeting in October that the road ‘was just a proposal’ and had not been ‘approved or financed’.
Cr Hall said to the best of his knowledge Logan City Council has contacted landowners directly affected by the proposed Wuraga Road and Beaudesert-Beenleigh Road connection.
“Councillor Murphy (the Councillor for Division 12) and myself held a consultation with directly impacted landowners and Logan City Council to discuss the proposed connection,” Cr Hall said.
“A correctly completed petition signed by 10 residents was presented to me.
“I believe that people have a right to be heard and that their feedback should be taken into consideration especially when it involves important decisions being made about matters that impact their lives and the areas that they live in.
“My role as councillor is to be a representative of the people in my division and for that reason I have raised local residents’ concerns and presented the petition provided to me about the proposed Wuraga Road and Beaudesert-Beenleigh Road connection in ordinary council.
“I have also raised my own concerns during ordinary council about this proposed road.”
