Northern Beaches Council
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Northern Beaches Council
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Central Coast Council
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Central Coast Council
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GOSFORD
,
New South Wales
Message
Submission attached.
Attachments
Lyn Bartlett
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Lyn Bartlett
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Name Withheld
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Name Withheld
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BUFF POINT
,
New South Wales
Message
I have been a Central Coast resident my whole life and a tax and rate payer who absolutely does not support this project.
I work as an ecologist on the Central Coast, Newcastle and NSW area and I am versed in the environmental significance of the proposed site. I have been apart of small, large and state significant projects and have surveyed, documented and reported on environmental matters associated to proposed and approved developments.
I have reported on BDARs, SBDARs, EARs, Arborist reporting, BTAs and Environmental Management Plans. I have been involved in nest box installations and monitoring and riparian assessments. I am supportive of development where it is environmentally justifiable. This proposal is not justifiable and will have consequences for the biodiversity of the region.
I spent a lot of time in the proposed site and neighbouring bushland while I was studying Conservation and Ecosystem Management, due to it being known for it's rich biodiversity. I have continued to visit that site as a reference point to examine vulnerable, threatened and endangered species, as well as observing and enjoying plant communities that only exist in this area.
If this proposal goes ahead, it would be an environmental disaster for the area and a loss of green space.
There is an array of threatened, endangered and critically endangered flora species that I have had the privilege to observe on this site. I have personally observed Angophora inopina, Genoplesium insigne and Corunastylis branwhiteorum. I make note that the above orchids weren't observed during the BDAR survey period. But I ask you to have an orchid expert observe the property for a thorough orchid assessment. Boris Branwhite would be suggested.
I would contest some of the Flora Transects as per the BDAR mapping. Flora transects should occur at 5m gaps and the mapping supplied in the BDAR, shows much larger gaps. As someone who is experienced in orchid surveys, I am aware of the challenges finding the, however my observation is that the transect mapping of the BDAR is to wide. Again, I would suggest Boris Branwhite is approached or an organisation that is experienced in terrestrial orchids.
I have seen White-bellied Sea Eagles flying over the site, I have seen a Squirrel Glider, Powerful Owl and Masked Owl during a nocturnal survey of the site and heard Wallum froglet. I have seen and observed a large amount of non threatened species, including birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians which all call this bushland home.
I have been involved in many environmental surveys very close a to the site and have personally observed and documented species that have the potential to occur within the plant communities (PCTs) of the proposed site. Glossy-black Cockatoos, Melaleuca Biconvexa, Callistemon linearifolius, Acacia bynoeana, Thelymitra adorata, Giant Dragonfly, Eastern Pygmy-Possum and Regent Honeyeaters. These are a small number of species that have the high potential to live and utilise the proposed site. The site forms part of a major wildlife corridor and sanctuary for noted threatened species and unoted common species. If the corridor is destroyed the negative effects will be extremely detrimental to the biodiversity of the region.
There have been 2 major illegal clearings that have recently taken place in the very close vicinity of the proposed site. Both are under investigation and the true environmental impact and clearing footprint is yet to be determined. This may never be fully determined, but the extent of clearing is thought to of wiped out entire threatened and endangered communities only found within this area, notably Angophora inopina. As per the BDAR prepared by MJD Environmental, thier statement that there is to be no significant impact to the Angophora inopina by the development needs to be reassessed. Given the large scale recent illegal clearing of 2 sites - one at Doyalson and one at San Remo (under investigation) this statement can be contested and should be recalculated due to the large scale loss of the species.
These 2 major cases need to be accounted for within the feasibility of the proposed project.
Species have been popping up in residential areas that have previously not been observed or documented on BioNet for the area I live in. This is referenced to a large Powerful owl observed by myself personally in a residential suburb the week of a major illegal clearing that took place between Doyalson and San Remo only a few months ago. From an ecologists perspective, this could be highly regarded as being a displaced species due to large habitat loss due to illegal clearing, urbanisation and large scale development of the surrounding area.
The proposed site has some of the last remaining habitat trees used for breeding and housing threatened, endangered, critically endangered and common species east of the freeway. Some of these habitat trees take upwards of 100 years to form suitable hollows for large fauna species like the Powerful Owl, Masked Owl, Glossy-black Cockatoos and threatened Glider species.
Knowing the density of the bushland, reading the reports and having the knowledge as someone who has surveyed and reported numerous Bush Fire Threat Assessments (BTAs) and Arborist impact assessments inclusive of Asset Protection Zones (APZs). It is known that a large amount of clearing will take place for these reasons. This is a non feasible site, which is rich in the above noted biodiversity, which should not be cleared to accommodate the proposed development. The loss of habitat and species is not justiable.
Aside from the irreversible and environmental impacts the proposal will have on the site. There are serious issues that need to be noted below:
The congestion of the Pacific Highway is already at major capacity, the sound for surrounding homes and businesses and the safety of pedestrians, including the children who would be using the site and fauna roadkills increasing in the area due to land and habitat loss.
There are areas within the Central Coast that are more suitable for the proposed development and I ask that these are considered just like the environmental impact is considered as noted above.
There are many areas zoned for development within the close vicinity that have already predominately been cleared due to previous farming, and have a much smaller environmental impact over the proposed site. These sites are largely dominated by exotic and noxious weeds and are suited for development and progress of the region which I am all for. Remnant farmland within Warnervale, Wadalba is better suited. The proposed site absolutely is not. There is little green spaces east of the freeway left for people to enjoy and fauna and flora to flourish in.
The site is seen as environmentally significant to the area and would be welcomed by the community to keep it this way. There are more suitable and already largely cleared lands where the proposed is best suited and I ask that these are explored.
Schools are a vital part of our community which is needed for our growing population. Acknowledging this, I ask that the options of suitable sites are broadened and that the local communities wishes to have green space's kept for fauna and flora is also acknowledged.
I work as an ecologist on the Central Coast, Newcastle and NSW area and I am versed in the environmental significance of the proposed site. I have been apart of small, large and state significant projects and have surveyed, documented and reported on environmental matters associated to proposed and approved developments.
I have reported on BDARs, SBDARs, EARs, Arborist reporting, BTAs and Environmental Management Plans. I have been involved in nest box installations and monitoring and riparian assessments. I am supportive of development where it is environmentally justifiable. This proposal is not justifiable and will have consequences for the biodiversity of the region.
I spent a lot of time in the proposed site and neighbouring bushland while I was studying Conservation and Ecosystem Management, due to it being known for it's rich biodiversity. I have continued to visit that site as a reference point to examine vulnerable, threatened and endangered species, as well as observing and enjoying plant communities that only exist in this area.
If this proposal goes ahead, it would be an environmental disaster for the area and a loss of green space.
There is an array of threatened, endangered and critically endangered flora species that I have had the privilege to observe on this site. I have personally observed Angophora inopina, Genoplesium insigne and Corunastylis branwhiteorum. I make note that the above orchids weren't observed during the BDAR survey period. But I ask you to have an orchid expert observe the property for a thorough orchid assessment. Boris Branwhite would be suggested.
I would contest some of the Flora Transects as per the BDAR mapping. Flora transects should occur at 5m gaps and the mapping supplied in the BDAR, shows much larger gaps. As someone who is experienced in orchid surveys, I am aware of the challenges finding the, however my observation is that the transect mapping of the BDAR is to wide. Again, I would suggest Boris Branwhite is approached or an organisation that is experienced in terrestrial orchids.
I have seen White-bellied Sea Eagles flying over the site, I have seen a Squirrel Glider, Powerful Owl and Masked Owl during a nocturnal survey of the site and heard Wallum froglet. I have seen and observed a large amount of non threatened species, including birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians which all call this bushland home.
I have been involved in many environmental surveys very close a to the site and have personally observed and documented species that have the potential to occur within the plant communities (PCTs) of the proposed site. Glossy-black Cockatoos, Melaleuca Biconvexa, Callistemon linearifolius, Acacia bynoeana, Thelymitra adorata, Giant Dragonfly, Eastern Pygmy-Possum and Regent Honeyeaters. These are a small number of species that have the high potential to live and utilise the proposed site. The site forms part of a major wildlife corridor and sanctuary for noted threatened species and unoted common species. If the corridor is destroyed the negative effects will be extremely detrimental to the biodiversity of the region.
There have been 2 major illegal clearings that have recently taken place in the very close vicinity of the proposed site. Both are under investigation and the true environmental impact and clearing footprint is yet to be determined. This may never be fully determined, but the extent of clearing is thought to of wiped out entire threatened and endangered communities only found within this area, notably Angophora inopina. As per the BDAR prepared by MJD Environmental, thier statement that there is to be no significant impact to the Angophora inopina by the development needs to be reassessed. Given the large scale recent illegal clearing of 2 sites - one at Doyalson and one at San Remo (under investigation) this statement can be contested and should be recalculated due to the large scale loss of the species.
These 2 major cases need to be accounted for within the feasibility of the proposed project.
Species have been popping up in residential areas that have previously not been observed or documented on BioNet for the area I live in. This is referenced to a large Powerful owl observed by myself personally in a residential suburb the week of a major illegal clearing that took place between Doyalson and San Remo only a few months ago. From an ecologists perspective, this could be highly regarded as being a displaced species due to large habitat loss due to illegal clearing, urbanisation and large scale development of the surrounding area.
The proposed site has some of the last remaining habitat trees used for breeding and housing threatened, endangered, critically endangered and common species east of the freeway. Some of these habitat trees take upwards of 100 years to form suitable hollows for large fauna species like the Powerful Owl, Masked Owl, Glossy-black Cockatoos and threatened Glider species.
Knowing the density of the bushland, reading the reports and having the knowledge as someone who has surveyed and reported numerous Bush Fire Threat Assessments (BTAs) and Arborist impact assessments inclusive of Asset Protection Zones (APZs). It is known that a large amount of clearing will take place for these reasons. This is a non feasible site, which is rich in the above noted biodiversity, which should not be cleared to accommodate the proposed development. The loss of habitat and species is not justiable.
Aside from the irreversible and environmental impacts the proposal will have on the site. There are serious issues that need to be noted below:
The congestion of the Pacific Highway is already at major capacity, the sound for surrounding homes and businesses and the safety of pedestrians, including the children who would be using the site and fauna roadkills increasing in the area due to land and habitat loss.
There are areas within the Central Coast that are more suitable for the proposed development and I ask that these are considered just like the environmental impact is considered as noted above.
There are many areas zoned for development within the close vicinity that have already predominately been cleared due to previous farming, and have a much smaller environmental impact over the proposed site. These sites are largely dominated by exotic and noxious weeds and are suited for development and progress of the region which I am all for. Remnant farmland within Warnervale, Wadalba is better suited. The proposed site absolutely is not. There is little green spaces east of the freeway left for people to enjoy and fauna and flora to flourish in.
The site is seen as environmentally significant to the area and would be welcomed by the community to keep it this way. There are more suitable and already largely cleared lands where the proposed is best suited and I ask that these are explored.
Schools are a vital part of our community which is needed for our growing population. Acknowledging this, I ask that the options of suitable sites are broadened and that the local communities wishes to have green space's kept for fauna and flora is also acknowledged.
Name Withheld
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Name Withheld
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KILLCARE HEIGHTS
,
New South Wales
Message
This planned private school should not be built in an area of such high biodiversity value. The development will destroy rare and threatened plant species, including Angophora inopina, and critically endangered orchids. It will involve the destruction of large, old hollow-bearing trees that serve as habitat for species ranging from sea eagles to gliders.
In a time of rapid climate change and increasing floods, it is also foolish to site a school in a riparian corridor subject to flooding.
As a resident who moved to the Central Coast because of unspoiled bushland, I object to this area of forest and heathland being destroyed. It is yet another parcel of land with high conservation value that will be destroyed for a development that benefits a privileged few individuals.
Please resite this school to land that has already been cleared or developed.
In a time of rapid climate change and increasing floods, it is also foolish to site a school in a riparian corridor subject to flooding.
As a resident who moved to the Central Coast because of unspoiled bushland, I object to this area of forest and heathland being destroyed. It is yet another parcel of land with high conservation value that will be destroyed for a development that benefits a privileged few individuals.
Please resite this school to land that has already been cleared or developed.
Name Withheld
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Name Withheld
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WOY WOY
,
New South Wales
Message
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to strongly object to development application SSD-14082938 on Lot 2 DP 809106
Arizona Road, Charmhaven.
The development and the associated assessments completely under-represents the existing ecological value, downplays the significant and irreversible risks to Matters of National Environmental Significance and tries to justify the removal of remnant vegetation on account of it being used “for illegal dumping and antisocial behaviour.
There are many records (eBird, Birdlife) of the Critically Endangered Swift Parrot utilising nearby areas as foraging habitat. Removal of native vegetation would not only dimmish foraging habitat, it would also remove important roosting sites for the species. Construction of the school so close to the remaining habitat then increases the risk of collision for the birds. The Recovery Plan for the Swift Parrot specifically identifies the ‘urban and industrial expansion on the central and north coats’ as posing ongoing threat of habitat loss. The Recovery Plan then goes on to discuss the collision mortality of the species being exacerbated by ‘continuing urban encroachment into breeding and foraging habitat’ likely exacerbating the deaths caused by collision.
Beyond the Swift Parrot, the site is also home to many other threatened, endangered or critically endangered species of flora and fauna such as squirrel gliders, glossy black cockatoos, regent honeyeaters, orchids and scribbly gum, which I am sure will be raised in other submissions. There are no developments that could ever justify further risk to these species on this site.
The central coast is an area of abundant natural beauty and significant biodiversity. Much of it is already and risk and already being fragmented by careless development being driven by short-sighted and close-minded decisions. What ironic message would this send to future generations within this educational institution? They are taught to protect and preserve the environment, when the very ground they are learning on was once pristine bushland of immense ecological value which was then razed to make way for further urban expansion.
I am writing to strongly object to development application SSD-14082938 on Lot 2 DP 809106
Arizona Road, Charmhaven.
The development and the associated assessments completely under-represents the existing ecological value, downplays the significant and irreversible risks to Matters of National Environmental Significance and tries to justify the removal of remnant vegetation on account of it being used “for illegal dumping and antisocial behaviour.
There are many records (eBird, Birdlife) of the Critically Endangered Swift Parrot utilising nearby areas as foraging habitat. Removal of native vegetation would not only dimmish foraging habitat, it would also remove important roosting sites for the species. Construction of the school so close to the remaining habitat then increases the risk of collision for the birds. The Recovery Plan for the Swift Parrot specifically identifies the ‘urban and industrial expansion on the central and north coats’ as posing ongoing threat of habitat loss. The Recovery Plan then goes on to discuss the collision mortality of the species being exacerbated by ‘continuing urban encroachment into breeding and foraging habitat’ likely exacerbating the deaths caused by collision.
Beyond the Swift Parrot, the site is also home to many other threatened, endangered or critically endangered species of flora and fauna such as squirrel gliders, glossy black cockatoos, regent honeyeaters, orchids and scribbly gum, which I am sure will be raised in other submissions. There are no developments that could ever justify further risk to these species on this site.
The central coast is an area of abundant natural beauty and significant biodiversity. Much of it is already and risk and already being fragmented by careless development being driven by short-sighted and close-minded decisions. What ironic message would this send to future generations within this educational institution? They are taught to protect and preserve the environment, when the very ground they are learning on was once pristine bushland of immense ecological value which was then razed to make way for further urban expansion.