The proposed rezoning of bushland in Appin for housing threatens the existence of a “precious core koala habitat’’ and should be rejected, say opponents.
“This will cause the destruction of all critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland present on the site, as well as bushland considered to be core koala habitat,’’ said Jeff Angel, executive director of the Total Environment Centre (TEC).
“Public submissions are open until February 28 and the community should be alerted to the proposal’s lack of concern for the healthy koala colony,’’ he said.
Not so, says the developer, Walker Corporation, which wants to build 280 new homes on the land off Macquariedale Road.
A spokesman said Walker Corporation commissioned ecologists Travers Environmental to undertake detailed koala surveys in 2015, including a survey of residents living immediately adjacent to the bushland.
“The survey found no evidence of a permanent koala population and our ecologists conclude the existing bush is not core koala habitat,’’ the Walker Corp spokesman said.
“Walker is also conserving the main bushland corridor along Ousedale creek, dedicating two thirds of the Appin site as environmental conservation land.
“Overall, Walker will dedicate 54 hectares to conservation and will fund the maintenance of this land in perpetuity at a likely spend of up to $2 million.
“This will be legally enforceable through covenants on title and binding agreements with government.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Walker acknowledges there is a koala colony east of the Georges River and that at times koalas from this colony will transit through Appin,’’ the spokesman said.[/social_quote]
“As a result Walker has committed up to $500,000 towards environmental initiatives, such as koala crossings along Appin Road.
“Initiatives like the koala crossings will actually help protect the koala population in Appin.’’
In a media release issued yesterday, Mr Angel said the development site contained precious shale transition forest (low sandstone influence) to the east, which is proposed to be cleared and replaced by housing.
“This type of forest is known to support an extensive number of koala food trees,’’ he said.
“In addition, late last year, a breeding koala female with baby was sighted in this very location and this sighting was formally confirmed by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.
“The occurrence of koala food trees, combined with the presence of a breeding female, means that this is core koala habitat under State Environmental Planning Policy No. 44 Koala Habitat protection and should be preserved, not destroyed.
“Wollondilly Shire Council has so far failed to acknowledge the presence of core koala habitat on the development site.
“We can only hope that the latest koala sighting changes council’s position and stops the proposal in its tracks,’’ Mr Angel said.
Total Environment Centre
Of course the developers would say that. ?
Of course the developers would say that,they would say anything to get their hands on that land
Of course the developer doesn’t care about this #koala population. Neither does the NSW or Federal Go… https://t.co/hVs11WNyHC
Stop the destruction of habitat and koalas. We’re parasites on this beautiful ?