• The current DA only lists 1 hectare of clearing for the proposed development and therefore the consultant concluded it was only a small area of habitat clearing and thus was equivalent to a low risk of significant impact to the koala population. The vegetation clearing of 28 hectares was initially recommended by The State Assessment & Referral Agency for a bushfire safety buffer; the proposed development is located in a High Fire Hazard area. Council state they can manage the bushfire risk without the clearing but still have up to 2 hectares of clearing and pruning listed in their development application reports. The numbers keep changing & now council states only 760 sqm to be cleared despite also stating 217 large trees have to be removed in their DA. Engineers suggest the construction phase will require additional clearing for vehicle access, lay-down areas for materials & workers' facilities.

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• This extensive clearing of vegetation and the zipline development being almost 16 hectares in size will fragment the landscape and obstruct current connectivity and fauna movement. The canopy will be directly affected also by the noise, lights and human activity for extended hours (7am to 10 pm) all year round.

 

• Comparing the development area to the area of the entire Mt Coot-tha forest does not lessen the impacts.

 

 

A person must not take an action that is likely to have a significant impact on an environmental matter protected by the Federal Environmental Protection Act without approval from the Federal Government Minister for the Environment.

 

Request the Federal Government carefully review the impacts of the proposed development and the development application reports.

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Submissions closed Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 11.59 pm

 

epbc.comments@environment.gov.au

 

Or post (allowing for the public comment due date):                     

Referrals Gateway
Assessment & Governance Branch
Department of the Environment and Energy
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601