Safe Base Bravo
To ensure the future land management of the old Mt Lofty rifle range site, President Shaen Egan has developed a plan for the establishment of Safe Base Bravo for the Toowoomba and wider Queensland community.
Safe Base Bravo looks to the establishment of a facility for PTSD sufferers to use the rifle range site for rehabilitation whilst undertaking land management strategies across the site.
“SAFE BASE BRAVO”. 25th Battalion Park and Wildlife Refuge
Ex Rifle Range Property> Mt Lofty. Qld.
Save Mt. Lofty Inc (SML) believes it is time to re visit the future use and management of the Old Rifle Range and Military Training property; owned by the Department of Defense (DOD) and currently under the control of Defense Housing Australia (DHA).
In September 2019 Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) voted down a DHA 50 lot development application with a resounding 100% vote! This followed the withdrawal of DHA’s 2017 application for a 342 lot development on the property, due to public pressure and a partition signed by 148,000 people worldwide, to save the 44 ha. Koala habitat on the property. Following the Council’s unanimous vote, Mayor Paul Antonio stated, quote “there are much better possibilities for this land”.
DHA appealed the 50 Lot decision but after 7 days withdrew the appeal. We note that DHA has not withdrawn their original 342 lot application.
DHA’s plan was to develop house lots on the prime “top” escarpment land and gift the rest to TRC to extend “Jubilee Park”. As pointed out by SML at the time, a 330 hectare property with steep, rough and overgrown terrain, 60 odd years of little to no management, a probable UO and contamination problem and a very high bush fire risk; such a “gift” would be somewhat of a “Poisoned Chalice”.
The last information Save Mt. Lofty Inc. has was that TRC and DHA would sit down and discuss the property’s future, we asked both TRC and DHA that SML inc. be included in those discussions. We have heard nothing since then and we worry that DHA is plotting another “confidential agreement” with TRC that will again waste Councils time, while spending another large tranche of taxpayer’s money on expensive consultants who have to date shown little regard for the residents, fauna and flora of this extraordinary piece of Toowoomba’s landscape.
In 2020 Save Mt Lofty Inc. submitted a proposal which we think ticks all the boxes for the best use of the property. The following is our proposal: -
The 370 hectare property ranges from the top of the Toowoomba Escarpment at Martini St. and Rifle Range Road on its western boundary and runs down to its eastern and northern boundary that follows along “Jones’s Road” in the Lockyer Valley. (Some of this land is situated within Lockyer Valley Council area).
The property joins “Jubilee Park” on its southern side and the quarry on its NW corner.
There has not been any real land care management of the property over many years, what has been is limited to the high plateau area where for 32 years, 30 odd horses were run. Since 2017 DHA has used a contractor to slash the grass in this area at taxpayer’s expense. There has been NO management of any kind to the bottom land; the area is completely covered in weeds (lantana, privet,vines and cobblers peg plus massive sucker regrowth). Boundary fences are covered in the debris. The last reduction of any ground fuel was a bush fire in 2002. It is a disaster waiting to happen and therefore imperative that a long term management plan for the property be put in place as quickly as possible to protect surrounding properties, wild life and flora in the area.
It is clear that DHA and the Department of Defense do not intend managing the property, why would they? They have been thwarted in their quest to extract large profits by selling it off as real estate. They have no future use for it as a training asset….It is outside the PIA therefore for the same reasons it is of no interest to other private developers. So their best option seems to “on gift it” to TRC. If this were to occur the obvious plan would be to attach it to “Jubilee Park” that joins on its South Eastern boundary. But for Council, the cost of management presents major considerations and massive initial and ongoing financial expense for little or no return.
This proposal is designed by SML Inc. to establish “SAFE BASE BRAVO” (SBB) as a management tool to manage and develop “25th Battalion Park and Wildlife Refuge” so that it might become a World Class heritage and rehabilitation park with the following attributes.
1. A potential for Toowoomba to establish a Nationally recognized project for special recreational development; assisting in the care and rehabilitation of front line personnel suffering from all variations of mental health (PTSD), depression, physical disabilities and suicidal depression. Be they Military, Ambulance, Police, Nurses, Doctors, Veterinarians, SES, or Fire and Rescue.
2. To establish an ongoing project for the “Park” where people can come freely in order to achieve a goal. From digging out weeds and planting a native (koala) tree to caring for wildlife; from redeveloping and maintaining park land to being part of a specialized decontamination unit; learning the art of land care, bush fire and flood mitigation; and finally and most importantly, assisting themselves and others to recognize and confront their trauma.
3. The SBB program is not a medical facility; It is about bringing your family or your friend to be part of your journey, it is about sharing goals; being part of a program of rehabilitation of the Soul and an unloved piece of land on the edge of the Toowoomba escarpment. It is a membership only project for those that want to be part of building something special for their future and those that come after. For definition purposes and in keeping with its name. “A Safe Place!”
4. Eg. An affected family comes to visit Toowoomba. They may stay in air bnb, motels, hotels, caravan parks, apartments, or with friends. The affected member joins of the Safe Base Bravo program as a volunteer for a day, a week, a month, a year , indefinitely; as they wish. They may come once, or they may become regular visitors.
The possible benefits to Toowoomba and the region are huge both monetarily and morally. The benefits to the increasing numbers of Australians suffering from Mental Health, PTSD, Depression, Suicide, Domestic Violence and Loneliness is inestimable!
5. The cost of establishing the project is small in comparison to the rewards.
The gifting of the property from DOD / DHA to an appropriate organization should include an amount of 5 million dollars for initial set-up that should include the cost of UO and chemical decontamination. The decon’ project would be the responsibility of, and carried out by, SBB Members who have been trained for such work. ie. qualified retired military personnel. A further 5 million dollars should be payable on completion of that project to expand the rehab programs of the enterprise. With this investment of 10 million dollars, it’s estimated that within 6 years the project can be self funding.
6. Initially, the project will require up to 20 permanent employed salaried staff and would include:
a. CEO and 2IC;
b. Team Leader parks and wildlife, + 2
c. Plant operator trainers X 2;
d. Team Leader infrastructure planning.
e. Team Leader decontamination squad + 3.
f. Team Leader (Veterinarian) Wild Life Carers.
g. Team Leader Plant and Equipment workshop.
h. Team Leader Land Care, weed control and tree replanting.
ALL additional staff to be member / volunteers. Note: It is assumed members would be retired personnel on some sort of pension or retirement plans from their base sources of employment.
On-site accommodation would be only for security staff and or special ops personnel.
“SAFE BASE BRAVO” to be situated on the site of the old pistol range off Henry Street (past the (Vic French VC) giant historical Moreton Bay Fig Tree). It is envisaged the base complex would include:
1. Reception and Administration office.
2. Workshop, fully equipped (see notes)
3. Garaging for machinery, plant, equipment etc. (see below).
4. Veterinary clinic with operating room and wildlife recuperating accommodation.
5. Women’s locker, change rooms, toilets, and ablutions block.
6. Men’s locker, change rooms, toilets, and ablutions block.
7. Main meeting (round) house. Equipped with kitchen and dining facilities.
8. 2 Small (round) separate private meeting fare’s.
9. Private parking area for SAFE BASE BRAVO members and staff.
10. Security gates with manned gatehouse.
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT requiring restoration by members.
It is envisaged that all plant and equipment used on the property be obtained second hand. Then restored on site by members.
4 older model farm tractors of the similar popular make and model, for restoration.
2 or 3 Heavy duty slashers or mulchers for restoration.
DONATED BY DOD.
4 ex military Land Rovers or equivalent, for restoration.
1 ex military Cat D4 bulldozer. For restoration.
1 ex military medium size Cat Grader. For restoration.
1 “ “ 8 tonne Cat Excavator.
1 “ “ Tracked Cat Bobcat.
2 “ “ Tip trucks for restoration.
2 Second hand bush firefighting trucks, for restoration.
Spare parts for above. Various tools, lathes, hoists, plant and equipment required to make up a proficient workshop and land care operation.
The Public area to be developed in a number of ways.
Eventually to encompass the entire 370 hectare property as “25th Battalion Park and Wildlife Refuge.” It would include:
The open park land area from Enfield Court to Rifle Range Road. Include native species gardens, picnic areas and pathways to places of historic importance eg. the old drystone waterfall and look-out; the rifle range target area and other sites of interest. Bike tracks down into the valley and along the escarpment to join up with others now in planning.
Across the gully and the bush land of the “North Ridge”: Cleared of Lantana and other weeds and over time planted to Koala food trees and Native Bush Land flora to encourage Wildlife. There are many places of interest throughout this area that include both military and ancient indigenous sites. All can be developed and protected sites of interest over time.
Military Museum with public car park, tourist Center (café, shop, playground area etc.) be developed over time at the corner of Rifle Range Road, Alfred and Martini Sts.
This would be the public entrance to the Park; managed by SAFE BASE BRAVO members.
The vision is that the whole of the property be developed over time by its members, becoming an icon to the Toowoomba Region. With the forest, the waterfall, walking and bike trails, wildlife and flora spotting; all part of The Parks offering.
THE ROLES AND SERVICES OF “SAFE BASE BRAVO”:
To assist in providing a SAFE BASE for Front Line Personnel suffering from:- Trauma, Mental Health; PTSD; Suicidal Depression, Domestic Violence or Loneliness by:-
Working with and being part of the various facets of other organizations.
Organizing and being part of discussion and support groups.
Assisting and working with Lifeline, Red Cross, RSL, SES, DV Shelters, and other associated organizations.
Providing or receiving Land Care rehab training.
Assisting with Koala and other Wildlife Refuge and Rehabilitation.
Small wildlife animal hospital and rehab center.
Working at and educating of weed control and Natural Bush Land Rehabilitation.
Being part of a Bush fire Mitigation Training Center Incl “cool” seasonal burning techniques.
Workshops to restore and maintain project vehicles, plant and equipment plus “special” projects.
Developing a military and indigenous museum managed by SBB Members.
Suitably qualified Members to decontaminate the property of unexploded ordinance (UO) or chemical contamination (funded by DOD/DHA as negotiated at time of title transfer).
Developing vegetable gardens and special projects for community fund raising.
Work with council to build a housing project along “Jones’s Road” specific to SBB members. (Such a development would also form a bush fire barrier on the property's North and Eastern boundary). Note: This part of the property is situated in the LVRC area.
“SAFE BASE BRAVO” to be the operational headquarters for “25th BATTALION PUBLIC PARK and WILD LIFE REFUGE.” Assisting its members and over time further developing its modus operandi.
The opportunity for SBB to expand into other ventures such as land care / bush fire mitigation. training camps, youth development projects are all future possibilities.
ITEMS FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION:
Note 1: Budgets and projections to be further developed:
Note 2: Comprehensive dialogue with TRC who are aware of the proposal and in favor.
Note 3: Full and comprehensive dialogue with Federal Minister DOD and DHA to:
a. Negotiate the transfer of the property to an appropriate corporate entity.
b. Negotiate compensation to decontaminate the property. (See above)
Note 4: Negotiate the vesting of used plant, equipment etc from DOD. (see above).
Role of Councils: TRC and LVRC:
5 year free connection to water; sewage; rates and electrical connection. For SAFE BASE BRAVO, The Park and the Museum.
Full cooperation and dialogue with council planning, parks and wildlife.
Funding assistance flood and bush fire mitigation training.
Role of State Government:
1. Provide grant funding to assist the initial set up of SAFE BASE BRAVO.
2. Full cooperation and dialogue with TRC, Qld. Parks and Wildlife.
3. Membership and initial training by Qld. Bush Fire Brigade and SES.
Role of Federal Government:
1. Transferring the property's title from DHA to an appropriate entity < yet to be established. (Remembering that the property was originally gifted by the State Government to the Federal Government who in turn gifted it to DHA).
2. Cooperation with Ministry of Defense in sourcing surplus plant and equipment.
3. Full funding assistance and certification over time and as required with UO and any other contamination found on the property.
Shaen L C Egan:
President, Save Mt Lofty Inc.
M 0434398633
E shaenegan@gmail.com
