Ban on cats and dogs: Ecologists share their views on proposed conditions for a major West Byron residential development
Ecological experts have shared their views on some of the proposed conditions that could be imposed if a controversial Northern Rivers development is approved.
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Ecological experts have shared their thoughts on some of the proposed conditions for a major West Byron development.
Those conditions are proposed to be imposed if the development, subject to a Land and Environment Court appeal this week, is approved.
Ecological experts Dr David Robertson and Dr Mark Fitzgerald have so far fielded questions from the lawyers for each side, including on whether koala food trees on the site could constitute “core habitat”.
The court has heard about possible conditions, including a ban on cats and dogs, revegetation, koala-permeable fencing, and a 40km/h speed limit within the proposed development.
Lawyer Clifford Ireland, representing Site R & D, queried whether the proposed regeneration would have a net benefit to the habitat on the site.
He said this involved the planned regeneration of 4.98ha of swamp mahogany habitat.
Dr Robertson found “substantially more (koala) feed tree” would exist “in a more connected habitat than currently occurs on the site” under the proposed regeneration plan, the court heard.
Dr Fitzgerald stressed the outcome was dependant on a range of factors.
“If it’s successful and the plants grow to maturity with a good survivorship, then yes,” Dr Fitzgerald said.
He told the court he knew of some local landholders who had planted swamp mahogany which was “being consumed by caterpillars”.
On the preclusion of cats and dogs from the proposed development, Dr Fitzgerald said this would “unfortunately” not hamper the impact of feral animals.
The court heard this was an issue across the Byron Shire.
Dr Fitzgerald agreed a 40km/h speed limit within the development would be an appropriate way to reduce traffic-related risks to koalas.
He said koala-permeable fencing around all residential lots would “reduce the barrier-effect that would be present if you have normal fencing”.
Also related to koalas’ ability to move freely, another proposed condition is to install ladders to allow them to travel over the noise barrier to be built along Ewingsdale Road.
Dr Fitzgerald said there was “no evidence koalas ever used them” when similar structures were used along the Pacific Motorway, although possums did use them.
Photograph: Jason O'Brien
Dr Robertson said the ladders were “a recommendable and supportable measure” and would likely be most useful for koalas who had crossed Ewingsdale Road from the north, who would otherwise be trapped against the noise barrier.
“It gives some potential for animals to escape upwards and over the fence,” he said.
“I think it’s a worthwhile measure.”
Site R & D originally proposed 387 residential lots through its initial development application.
This was refused by the Northern Regional Planning Panel in February 2019 and an amended proposal involving 162 lots was lodged in August 2019.
But it is Byron Shire Council which is contesting the hearing against the applicant.
The hearing continues.
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