Covering a thin coastal strip, the area surrounding the city of Cairns was traditionally cane farms and remnant vegetation. The Agile wallaby is a very adaptable species and they have made themselves at home in both of these!

As the demand for property soars and people see dollar signs in their eyes, more and more of the coastal strip has been cleared to make way for housing. Very little regard has been shown to the resident wildlife populations and developer and council alike have an attitude that wildlife will "move on" once they clear the property.

But where does it move on to? With more developments and more clearing the habitat shrinks and the wildlife is left with little chance of survival. Many wallabies are killed every day as they congregate near road verges at dawn and dusk to eat fresh green pick.

Motorists, in their hurried plight, do not slow down for the animals or simply don't see them. Many wallabies who are startled by bright lights and noise fall victim to the automobile. In many cases it isn't just adults, mothers carrying Joeys or being accompanied by young who have left the pouch all become victims.

Many of these animals must suffer terribly from the horrific injuries inflicted by automobiles. Dismemberment, disembowelment and broken limbs are common place.

My family and I have personally attended hundreds of fatalities and have rescued many Joeys whose mothers have been killed. Some are so badly injured that there is little that can be done for them. However, there are also many success stories of Joeys who survive despite the odds.

It is never easy to determine a Joeys chances for survival. Sometimes, euthanasia is the kindest alternative. But even if there is the slightest chance of survival, we believe that every creature deserves that chance.

The profound effect that habitat destruction has on wildlife is very evident in the Cairns area. As more and more remnant vegetation is cleared for housing lots, local wildlife is left with nowhere to go. Hundreds of acres have been cleared around Cairns in the past few years, with developers and council alike showing a reluctance to address the wildlife issues.

There have been many news articles in local papers about the issue. These have come from like minded members of the community who want to see these animals treated the way that they should be.

Statements like "the wildlife will simply move on" or "humans are more important" have been common place from people in positions that can make a difference. The relationship between, tourism (for which Cairns exists), development and habitat destruction has been overlooked.  The problem of displaced wildlife is either glossed over or ignored.

There has been token gestures which include road signs, studies into wildlife in specific areas and recommendations for the provision of wildlife corridors. To date, very little has been done to convert some of these recommendations into reality by the relevant authorities. Our concern is that we are heading for a "too little too late" approach. If these recommendations are not acted upon now, there will be no need for corridors as the wildlife population will have declined significantly.

Regrettably, the Agile wallaby is considered by Government authorities as a "common" species. In lay mans terms, this literally means that the species is expendable. The population is considered such that the loss of the animals to development or road kill is acceptable. But tell me this - what happens when this species is no longer "common"?

Then the authorities will do something about it. But, isn't it easier to do something when a sustainable population exists rather than wait until it has declined to such a level that the species is "vulnerable"? 

Regardless of the classification, we believe that the Agile wallabies on the northern beaches are entitled to live in the area that they call home. Government authorities must stop "buck passing" and enforce the provision of wildlife corridors and preservation of habitat areas.

For to long, developers have been allowed to call the shots and have been largely responsible for habitat loss. They are not interested in the wildlife. If destroying a few trees and paying a fine (which is passed on to the land purchaser anyway) means that they can squeeze in a few extra lots, then they do so.

This selfish attitude will eventually impact us all. Increased population and smaller housing lots is a recipe for the slums of the future.  The quality of life and the lifestyle that many of us moved here for in the first place will disappear. We must all ask ourselves -

• Is this really what we want or do we try and preserve what we have left?

• Do we "pave paradise and put up a parking lot?"

• Do we rest on our laurels or do we make our voice known?

If you feel as strongly about the issue as we do, then lobby your Local State Member, Cairns Regional Councillors and developers. Make these people fully responsible for their actions. Ask your councillor if they support wildlife conservation and if so, what are they intending to do about it! The time has come to put an end to personal greed and to protect what little natural environment we have left. Lip service is no longer an option!

Make your voice heard!