SHELLHARBOUR COUNCIL INACTION CAUSING DESTRUCTION OF RARE PLANT

Saturday, 03 August 2002 10:00

Failure by Shellharbour Council to stop vegetation removal on a site in Nepean Place, Albion Park is likely to cause the destruction of a rare plant species the Total Environment Centre (TEC) has warned.

"Vegetation removal on the site is destroying a vital stand of threatened Zierra granulata, however, resident's pleas to stop the environmental damage are being ignored. It is appalling that Council can stand by and allow such environmental destruction to go unchecked", Mr Leigh Martin TEC Urban Campaigner said.

The site in Nepean Place, Albion Park is home to a population of the threatened plant species Zierra granulata. Vegetation removal on the site began on August 22 under the guise of lantana control. Several Zierra plants were damaged or destroyed along with other native vegetation. Under pressure from local residents Council Officers inspected the site and asked that clearing be stopped. Since that time vegetation removal has recommenced, however, Council has failed to take any further action.

Council has previously refused a development application for subdivision of the land into residential lots. The application is now subject to proceedings in the Land and Environment Court, however if vegetation removal continues unchecked the threatened plant species will be wiped out.

"Unless Council acts immediately to stop the clearing there will be nothing left to defend in the Land and Environment Court. Council must immediately put a halt to the destruction and vigorously defend its decision in Court", Mr Martin said.

This latest incident is the second time that Zierra granulata have been damaged or destroyed by vegetation removal on the site and the second time that Shellharbour Council's response has been woefully inadequate. In July last year (when the subdivision application was still being assessed) residents alerted Council to vegetation removal. Council Officers inspected site but failed to detect any damaged specimens.

An inspection two days later by National Parks and Wildlife Service staff revealed up to twelve plants damaged or destroyed.

"Shellharbour Council appears unable or unwilling to protect threatened species. If they are to maintain any environmental credibility they must issue an immediate stop work order and require rehabilitation of the site", Mr Martin said.