Future looks good for BIEPA!

Four years as President

With the AGM coming soon in May, it is time for members to get nominated to step up to run BIEPA. This is an exciting moment for our organisation with many of our long-term aspirations being realised.

New Home

At last we have a home, BIEPA Central at 96 Webster Street, which will greatly assist us to meet, plan and make progress in coming years.

Active Projects

Our teams, projects and systems are achieving excellent results. The single reason why our collective efforts over years have built this success is our amazing volunteer base, which has developed because of our commitment to a culture of encouragement, inclusion and active participation.

Discovery Centre

After tireless advocacy from our team we can at last be optimistic about the establishment of the long-awaited Yarun Environmental Discovery Centre. This follows assertions last week by City of Moreton Bay that this is now “a key strategic priority”.

DA Appeal

We have successfully completed our four year legal appeal against an inappropriate development decision by the City of Moreton Bay. While BIEPA did not stop the development, we achieved the best outcome we could with every condition we requested being imposed, including restrictions on numbers, parking, noise, light and sewage pollution. In acknowledging the impact on nature, the developer paid BIEPA $50,000 expressly to restore natural habitat on the Island. We were congratulated by the Planning and Environment Court for achieving a good outcome for our community.

Beach Driving

We anticipate a significant outcome based on BIEPA’s suggestions for reducing the impact of recreation on our ocean beach. The State Government is listening (at least on this!).

Governance and Brand

Our efforts to sharpen up our governance, to establish a well-recognised public brand, to develop positive working relationships with government and business are all bringing significant benefits. We are streamlining our financial management, and fostering input from a broad base of members.

Time for New Things

After several years of hard work and responsibility I will be leaving the Management Committee. It’s been a privilege for me to be President of BIEPA for four years. I’m sincerely grateful to members and friends of BIEPA all around the region who have helped build our activities and achievements.

The story of BIEPA is one of inspiring community commitment to nature. I have done my best to value the contributions of every member, to maximise our reach and effectiveness as an organisation, nurturing relationships throughout our community. It is my sincere belief that the Organisation has potential to continue growing, attracting ever more contributors and supporters.

It has genuinely been a highlight of my professional career to work alongside everyone, and has reinforced my view that by working together across community people achieve tremendous results.

There is important work ahead in citizen science and advocacy, engaging with the planning scheme and sharing our values and objectives across the region to put nature first. I have confidence in the BIEPA membership. It is now time to elect a new Management Committee at the forthcoming AGM, and develop new goals with new leadership.

— Richard Ogden, President