Ormiston Koala Group

04/06/2026

A LEADING koala campaigner has warned the clearing of habitat linked to the Ormiston College expansion sets a “dangerous precedent” for environmental protections across Queensland. Redlands resident and koala advocate Una Sandeman said her primary concern was not only the loss of recognised koal...

04/06/2026

It certainly feels like it sometimes

Koalas continue to suffer: Are we dealing with political environmental vandalism?

04/06/2026

The school says it will plant 526 trees to replace the ones the koalas are already using

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

In regards to amanda stokers speech today.

The problem is the ecological report has many flaws and these environmental conditions were not met during clearing, many people have sent in videos and evidence of this to government, a state petition reached 8,300 signatures, people have been concerned for months, some, years. This speech is so tone deaf. People are upset BECAUSE the college could have had both: the expansion and the habitat. It is ormiston college that did not try to balance it, not the environmental groups who have been begging for a compromise. They didn't look for alternatives, they wanted their facilities in that core habitat area and they weren't prepared to build up, redevelop exisitng land or any other suggestions that allowed for both to exist. To spin the narrativeike this, that all concerned people are violent protestors, to cherry pick the few incidents that don't reflect the majority of peaceful campaigners, is extremely disrespectful to to the majority of people with valid questions and concerns. People who have been doing everything to be heard and have been belittled by our local mps. It shouldn't be this hard to be heard and represented. Now we know why all those documents were tabled yesterday, it was for evidence to support this speech. Feeling very disappointed.

04/06/2026

The problem is the ecological report has many flaws and these environmental conditions were not met during clearing, many people have sent in videos and evidence of this to government, a state petition reached 8,300 signatures, people have been concerned for months, some, years. This speech is so tone deaf. People are upset BECAUSE the college could have had both: the expansion and the habitat. It is ormiston college that did not try to balance it, not the environmental groups who have been begging for a compromise. They didn't look for alternatives, they wanted their facilities in that core habitat area and they weren't prepared to build up, redevelop exisitng land or any other suggestions that allowed for both to exist. To spin the narrativeike this, that all concerned people are violent protestors, to cherry pick the few incidents that don't reflect the majority of peaceful campaigners, is extremely disrespectful to to the majority of people with valid questions and concerns. People who have been doing everything to be heard and have been belittled by our local mps. It shouldn't be this hard to be heard and represented. Now we know why all those documents were tabled yesterday, it was for evidence to support this speech. Feeling very disappointed.

04/06/2026

Wildlife advocates say Ormiston College has made a “mockery” of preservation, as a rehabilitated koala wandered into bushland being cleared for sports fields.

04/06/2026

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT UPDATE ON ORMISTON COLLEGE PROPOSAL TO REMOVE 650 KOALA FOOD TREES TO ENABLE THEIR EXPANSION.

By Redlands2030 / September 22, 2025

Amanda Stoker, the state MP for Oodgeroo, responded recently to hundreds of people who joined Redlands2030 in opposing the State Government giving Ormiston College a ministerial infrastructure designation to facilitate expansion plans which would include destruction of koala habitat.

Firstly, we applaud Amanda Stoker for communicating with the many people who have concerns about this issue.

But we think what she said deserves a response. So here’s Redlands2030’s response to the email sent by Amanda Stoker MP.

This is Amanda Stoker’s email in full, followed by Redlands2030 reply.

Amanda Stoker MP, koalas, and Ormiston College

I am informed that the Ormiston College expansion has been planned for a long time and the school has been consulting with the community over the long term about the matter.

I am also informed that the proposal has been examined by independent ecologists who have determined that the proposal, which is actually scaled back considerably as compared to its original form, has an appropriate and modest environmental impact.

I am further informed that the school will plant 9 times the number of koala fodder trees as will need to be removed as part of the project. That’s a reflection of their desire to ensure that the higher amount of food that is supplied by advanced trees is adequately compensated.

The school has an important role to play in the social and economic fabric of the Redlands. Without high-performing schools like this one delivering an offering that is competitive with inner-city schools, the Redlands will not be able to attract and retain the families it needs to deal with equally pressing matters, like its skills shortage.

None of this is to say that koalas are not important; they absolutely are. However, I accept the view of the experts that this project does not have an unacceptable impact on the local koala population. Furthermore, this government has made important investments in local wildlife, such as the facility funded for the RSPCA at Indigiscapes, that show our commitment to it.

Importantly, given that there will be some who are concerned that I may face a conflict of interest in relation to this proposal, I would like to make clear that I have not had a decision-making function in relation to it. The matter was dealt with by the Deputy Premier on the advice of the experts, and while it was not my decision, I think it is the right one.

Redlands2030 email reply to Ananda Stoker MP

What Amanda Stoker said Redlands2030’s response
Ormiston College did minimal consultation with close neighbours in 2023. Back in 2021, Redland City Council advised Ormiston College that its proposal was prohibited development as the site was situated in a Koala priority zone and habitat area under State Planning Regulations.
The report by ecologists hired by Ormiston College is deficient and should not be relied upon as a basis for decision making. It underestimates the importance of this area for Redland City’s koala population and uses an inappropriate method of assessing koalas’ usage of the site.
Any new replacement trees will not be ready for koalas to feed on until about 2040. If koala habitat is reduced at the rate currently proposed in the Redlands, they may be locally extinct by this time. Did you know that Queensland Koalas were declared to be endangered in February 2022 by the then Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley?Redlands doesn’t seem to have any problem attracting families. Ormiston College is already well endowed with facilities whereas inner-city schools must manage with quite small areas for play and sports. If Ormiston College did sensible planning and genuine community engagement, they should be able to achieve some expansion and continue being an attractive option for well-off families.
Glad to hear that you say koalas are important. So are the 650 koala habitat trees Ormiston College wants to remove. If koala habitat isn’t retained then there won’t be much need for a wildlife hospital. You should do more reading and hear what experts who DON’T work for Ormiston College have to say about the importance of retaining this koala habitat.
We understand that you may have a personal interest in Ormiston College getting lots of nice new facilities. But as the MP for Oodgeroo, you should be putting your personal interests to one side and advocating on the community’s behalf to the Deputy Premier that Ormiston College’s expansion plans should be blocked unless and until they are scaled back to avoid koala habitat destruction.

If you have anything to say to Amanda Stoker, her email address is [email protected]

Amanda Stoker did you know that Ormiston College wants to remove 650 trees?