By Trish Corcoran
SYDNEY — On May 12, members of the United Residents Action Group blockaded bulldozers that were about to begin work on a new development in the Berowra Valley. Landcom — the NSW government developer — had put in an application to the Hornsby Shire Council for 600 building blocks in 28 subdivisions on pristine bush land.
The area is crown land that was zoned residential in the 1960s. However, John Donvito, an environmental activist in the residents group, explains: "Sydney is a very different place now than in the 1960s. We now know a great deal more about the value of our urban bush land; residential development should not take place on native bush."
The blockade was successful in bringing together representatives of Landcom, the mayor of Hornsby Shire Council, John Muirhead, and residents to begin negotiating.
The initial outcome was a moratorium on 26 of the 28 subdivision sites. Landcom will now undertake to reassess all existing blocks and subdivisions and any new proposals. All three parties will appoint a consultant to oversee all new and existing assessments to make sure they are up to standard.
These areas are very sensitive ecologically, many being on an escarpment which leads into Berowra Valley Reserve. In some sections, construction is being carried out on slopes in excess of 18 degrees, which exceeds forestry guidelines.
The areas proposed for development are within the catchment area of Berowra Creek, a tributary of the Hawkesbury River. According to the residents Action group, Berowra Creek and the Berowra Valley Bushland Park are already suffering from run-off from surrounding developments.
There is concern also about the damage to bush land through the establishment of a fire trail and firebreaks. This would further impact upon species and habitat diversity.
Local residents and members of the Conservation Society of NSW have identified rare flora within the sites. Many native animals are known to forage, nest and travel through this corridor to the larger park beyond, including platypuses, several species of possums, echidna, swamp wallabies, lyrebirds, water dragons, snakes, lizards and an abundance of native birds.
A number of endangered species, including the glossy black cockatoo, the red crowned toadlet and the powerful owl, are in the area.
Prolonged excavation, blasting and drilling of the rock face may cause high levels of stress to wildlife and force them to leave. Introduced domestic animals will hunt remaining native species. Introduced flora will impact on native flora.
The United Residents Action Group wants all vacant crown land, including all proposed subdivisions, to be included in the recently established regional park.
The residents group is organising a march and rally on Saturday, June 21. John Donvito says, "We are organising the rally to make sure that people are aware that we have not won yet. We only have a moratorium, and it may not turn out for the best.
"Up to now, the NSW government has done the right thing by granting us a moratorium, but we need to continue the pressure for complete preservation of these areas."
The rally is meeting at 10am at Asquith Boys High School and march to the Hornsby mall. Phone John on 9476 3412 for more information.