Tag: Glass House Mountains

Mount Beerwah Faces Potential Closure Over Cultural Concerns

Photo Credit: Bidgee/CC-BY-SA-3.0

Mount Beerwah, one of the most popular summits in the Glass House Mountains, is at the centre of a fierce debate over proposals to limit public access by replacing traditional climbs with a drone-based virtual experience.

Read: Nook Collective: A Game-Changer for Working Parents on the Sunshine Coast

Mount Beerwah Faces Potential Closure Amid Virtual Climb Proposals

Recent internal communications and community discussions have brought new focus to Mount Beerwah. Documents obtained through Freedom of Information requests reveal that Queensland National Parks officials had been considering a staged approach that might eventually restrict physical access to the summit. The plan would see traditional climbs replaced by a simulator experience using drone technology.

Proposed Changes and Government Response

A draft of the proposed detailed management plan for the project was initiated in July 2022. The proposed measures include the permanent closure of Mount Beerwah along with other nearby peaks, with seasonal closures and alternative virtual experiences in place of physical ascents. In response, Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell later stated that there are “categorically” no current plans to permanently close the mountain, clarifying that any discussions on this subject occurred under the previous Labor government.

Mount Beerwah Close Up Photo
Photo Credit: Save Our Summits/Facebook

Community Concerns and FOI Efforts

The group Save Our Summits has been adamantly against any move that might restrict access to Mount Beerwah. Locals have shared their stories and positive memories of their climbs, emphasizing the mountain’s cultural and recreational value. One participant praised the area’s unique animals and natural beauty while mentioning a memorable hike that took place six years earlier. The organization has submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Queensland National Parks Service in response to these worries. They are demanding transparency on measures that would affect not only Mount Beerwah but also adjacent summits like Mount Tibrogargan.

Read: Remembering Christopher Eccles: Nambour’s Bold and Colourful Artist

A Community United

Local voices are coming together to preserve their right to climb and enjoy the natural environment of the Glass House Mountains. The community asserts that preserving these iconic summits is important to keep local customs alive for generations to come. The controversy brews as residents and climbers call for a fair solution that maintains cultural values without completely denying access to the public.

Published 26-February-2025

Decomposed Kangaroo Found in Water Tank: A Wake-Up Call for Homeowners

Photo Credit: Pristine Water Systems

A decomposed kangaroo inside a resident’s rainwater tank shocked the Gympie-based water tank cleaning company. What began as a routine inspection in the Glass House Mountains region ended with an unexpected discovery.

Read: Sunshine Coast CEO’s Beauti Software Transforms Beauty Industry

A Shocking Discovery: Decomposed Kangaroo in the Tank

Reece Gendron, owner of Pristine Water Systems, arrived for a standard inspection. What should have been a simple check quickly became something much more troubling. Gendron and his team discovered the decomposed remains of a kangaroo inside the tank.

Decomposed kangaroo
Photo Credit: Pristine Water Systems/Facebook

The tank sat level with the grass and had been covered by a tile held in place by a brick. Gendron believes the kangaroo may have stepped on the unsecured cover, causing it to fall inside and become trapped.

“The poor animal had been there long enough for bones and decomposing flesh to remain, and let us tell you—it was not a pleasant sight,” he said.

Decomposed Kangaroo: An Extreme Case

While this decomposed kangaroo is an extreme case, Gendron regularly finds animals in water tanks. He often encounters possums and pythons, but this particular discovery caught him off guard.

Despite the disturbing find, Gendron reassured the public that decomposed animals in tanks don’t always pose a direct health risk. He said that pythons actually worsen the water quality but faeces sitting at the bottom of a tank causes illness. 

Decomposed kangaroo
Photo Credit: Pristine Water Systems/Facebook

The discovery underscores the importance of regular tank inspections. Gendron advises homeowners to check their tanks every one to two years and perform a thorough clean every three to five years, depending on the tank’s location and exposure to contaminants.

Similar Incidents on the Rise

The discovery of the decomposed kangaroo isn’t an isolated case. Other homeowners have shared similar stories, pointing out that this issue is becoming more common. 

Decomposed kangaroo
Photo Credit: Pristine Water Systems/Facebook

A resident named Lee from Victoria’s South Gippsland area found a possum they removed from their water tank, as per the company’s Facebook post. 

“Possums are far more common than Roo’s. And as they can’t cling onto anything (unlike frogs), quickly succumb to being trapped.”

Read: Bear the Rescue Dog: From Rejected Pup to Conservation Hero

The Bottom Line: Secure Your Water Tanks

For anyone relying on rainwater, this incident serves as a reminder: tank maintenance isn’t just about clean water. It’s about securing your tank and making sure nothing unexpected gets inside. 

Regularly checking and properly securing tank covers can make all the difference in keeping your water safe to drink.

Pristine Water Systems has urged locals to take action, posting online, “If you haven’t had your tank cleaned in a while, now’s the time to call in the pros.” 

Published 4-Feb-2025