Presented by David Staines

With an aptitude towards natural sciences and drawing, David Staines commenced a career in Cartography with the Qld Department of Mapping and Surveying in 1976; not realising one day he would be utilising Geographic Information Systems (GIS) on a pilot research project in parts of Brisbane, Logan, and Redland City (SE-Qld) mapping koala habitat. This involved the technologies of remote sensing data, digital map information linked to biological analysis of koala faecal pellet counts under gum trees. The results was several datasets/maps of tree species used by the koala for food and shelter.

The project was such resounding success the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) decided in 1995 to create a Koala Habitat Atlas over the entire koala’s geographical range which was completed in 2018. Today, David is living the dream maintaining the completed Koala Habitat Atlas for the AKF.

Come along to listen to this presentation about the history and future directions of the AKF and its aims to save the wild Koalas and their habitat.

Cost:-   RGSQ Members $5:00.  Non-members $10.00 which includes a special morning tea.  This presentation will be available on Zoom.  Register and pay via the website.

Coordinator:-  Len Lowry

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Brisbane 2032’s Games delivery partners describe Elevate 2042 as “our shared 20-year vision for a lasting Games legacy” – a far-reaching strategy building upon opportunities accelerated by the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The stated mission of Elevate 2042 is “to make our region better, sooner, together through sport”, while its vision is that “by 2042, we will live in an inclusive, sustainable and connected society, with more opportunities in life for everyone.” [International Olympic Committee].

Speakers:
Professor Ali Cheshmehzangi, Professor and Head of the School of Architecture, Design and Planning (ADP) at the University of Queensland, where he leads the school and researches across the fields of architecture, design, and planning/urbanism. He is among the top 30 global scholars in the urban sustainability research area. Ali is internationally known for his scholarly contribution and extended work on climate resilience and sustainable urbanism research. Ali is a member of the Committee for Brisbane's Games Legacy and Growth Sub-committee.

Mr Mark Sawatzki, Losee Consulting. Mark will present on his experience in leading and advising multidisciplinary teams in sustainability assessments under various frameworks, which have the aim to create buildings and infrastructure that go beyond traditional project assessment to considering assessments across the quadruple bottom line of the whole life cycle.

James Mulligan Strategic Planner | Project Manager | Master Planner. James is a globally experienced strategic planner and project manager with a passion for shaping cities and communities through visionary thinking and collaborative leadership. With a career spanning Australia, the Middle East, and the UK, James has led multidisciplinary teams on complex and transformative regional and city-shaping projects and policy initiatives. His international portfolio includes the Dubai World Expo 2020 Master Plan, the Istanbul Transformation Plan, and the regeneration strategy for Canada Water in central London. Closer to home, James is a proud Brisbanite who has played a pivotal role in shaping Brisbane’s inner-city urban renewal, including the Brisbane Knowledge Corridor Precinct Renewal Strategy and the Victoria Park / Barrambin Master Plan. Currently, James is contributing to the legacy and impact of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, helping to plan and design venues and villages that champion sustainability, accessibility, First Nations culture, and long-term community benefit.

Each speaker will have 8 minutes to spotlight their work. During the Q&A forum the audience will have up to 60 minutes to ask questions of the experts on their research.

Light refreshments are served on arrival. This is a chance to network with colleagues and friends interested in this topic.

Please post your questions on notice to:
Email questionsonnotice@gmail.com

5:30 pm light refreshments
6:00 – 6:30 pm Presentations
6:30 – 7:30 Q&A Forum
7:30 – 8:00 Mingling

Have you ever driven the full length of the Mary Valley – from Booroobin (near Maleny) to River Heads (near Maryborough)? Are you aware of the Borumba Pumped Hydro project? Did you know the native fish are having to compete with an invasive species, Telopia?   How can the "punk" "bum-breathing" Mary River turtle be protected (Picture above)? What is happening with train manufacturing in Maryborough?

Find out this and more with a self-drive/tagalong trip along the valley from 28 July to 30 July. It will finish with an optional whale-watching cruise in Hervey Bay on 31 July.

As part of the geotour, a forum is being organised in Imbil with a range of speakers talking about local issues of geographical interest, particularly the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project.  The town of Imbil is near the southern end of the valley.

See map of the catchment area below.

The trip will start in Imbil on Monday 28 July and overnight in Gympie, Maryborough and Hervey Bay / River Heads. Accommodation will be in caravan parks with cabins

The cost is  $50 to cover coast of venue hire in Imbil plus other expenses.  A half-day whale-watching cruise is an optional addition.

Participants will pay their own accommodation, vehicle costs and meals. Also, participants will need to make their own accommodation bookings.  Preferred caravan parks with cabins will be advised to registrants.

For insurance purposes, participants will need to be members of RGSQ.

Whale-watching cruise: 
A group booking will be made for a half-day whale watching cruise with the Pacific Whale Foundation (https://pacificwhale.com.au/ ) from Urangan (cost $119).  The registration process will provide for this option.  If you wish to do this cruise, please register as soon as possible, so a group booking can be made.

Geotour Coordinator for RGSQ Traveller: Ralph Carlisle

It probably wasn’t planned that Ipswich, one of the earliest towns in Queensland that first emerged as a limestone mining settlement in 1827, and at one stage a candidate to be the state Capital, sit  within the same local government boundary as Springfield, the adjacent master-planned greenfield city development which has been emerging  since 2000. A group of RGSQ members visited Springfield in July 2024 and heard and saw something of how that is being achieved.

Thursday, 21^st August 2025 offers the opportunity for members to visit Ipswich to see, and hear about how that city has navigated the intervening near 200 years, and developed to the city it is today, while maintaining linkage to it’s fascinating past and heritage. 

The visit will commence (and end) at the Ipswich Rail Station.  There is a half-hourly train service to Ipswich (one end of the Caboolture line) and it is suggested that participants use the service that arrives at Ipswich at 9.56am. (It’s about a 60 minute journey from Central Station.)   The Journey Planner tab on the Translink website is useful in identifying travel options.

A coach will be used to convey the group to various locations including:

• -          the Ipswich Visitors Information Centre in Queens Park, for a short introductory talk and a Devonshire Morning Tea,
• -          a one and a half hour Heritage Tour, with accompanying commentary, visiting many of the significant historical and geographic points of interest in Ipswich and immediate surrounds.
• -          Lunch* at the historic Prince Alfred Hotel
• -          the Cooneana Heritage Centre (talk by a Centre volunteer and conducted walking tour).  Additionally, the Centre houses a museum of mining history, and exhibits covering the Ipswich district’s wartime history.
• -          return to the Ipswich Station around 3.15 pm.

The Event will conclude at 3.15 pm in time for the rail service from Ipswich towards Central Station at  3.37pm (and half hourly services thereafter.)

The Ipswich Station is located within the Ipswich CBD, and participants might wish to spend more time in the city precinct.

No difficult terrain will be encountered, and the Event is suitable for Members with reasonable fitness and mobility.

Cost:  (covers: coach hire;  morning tea; lunch*; Heritage Tours and entry fees);    $80 per head (Members)     Non-members $90 per head

•      *Lunch selections will be obtained from participants closer to the day.

Please register on-line (by 25^th July 2025).   Numbers are limited to 20.   A wait-list will operate.

RGSQ Traveller Coordinator: Roger Grimley