Monaltrie residential development approved despite concerns of impact on koala breeding habitat

Fears a contentious housing development could obliterate a critical koala breeding habitat has enraged advocates, with claims the endangered population could become “functionally extinct” by 2050.

​A controversial development has been approved amid fears it could accelerate extinction of koalas in the region.

Fears a contentious development could obliterate a critical breeding habitat of endangered koalas has enraged animal advocates, with claims the population could become “functionally extinct” by 2050 from “death by 1000 cuts”.

The concerns didn’t stop Lismore councillors voting in support of the 100 new homes and, to add insult to injury, then refused to support a push to stop native forestry logging.

The public gallery was at full capacity at the September council meeting with community members opposing a housing development that would see koala habitat cleared.

The proposal to rezone land on Durheim Rd, Monaltrie Lane and Wyrallah Rd, Monaltrie to make way for 100 homes was criticised for exacerbating habitat clearing in the Northern Rivers.

Advocates say the destruction of koala habitat has seen a tragic increase in the beloved marsupial being hit by cars and attacked by dogs due to being forced into urban areas.

Sick koala being treated at Lismore's Friends of the Koala hospital. Photo: Friends of the Koala.

There has also been and a spike in deadly chlamydia cases due to increased stress from human encroachment across the Northern Rivers.

The development was voted through at the August meeting, but a rescission motion was tabled on Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to kill the project.

President of Friends of the Koala, Lorraine Vass gets a picture of 'Sweetie' on her iPad for the Greta Koala Count.

Pleas from Friends of the Koala, the only licensed koala rescue, rehabilitation and release sanctuary in the Northern Rivers, fell on deaf ears.

Lorraine Vass, former president of Friends of the Koala, told councillors the organisation was “gravely concerned” about the future survival of koalas in the region with the development “smack bang” in the middle of a “critical” breeding colony.

“The Northern Rivers can't afford to lose a source population – and I would suggest the state of NSW can’t afford to lose a source population of this importance,” she said.

She said if developments continued to encroach on koala habitat like the Monaltrie breeding population koalas could be “functionally extinct” by 2050 from “death by 1000 cuts”.

Site at Monaltrie where 161 hectares of land is sought to be rezoned for large lot residential use.

The land owner Gale Munce told councillors at the August meeting the project aimed to balance progress and preserving the natural environment.

“The amended subdivision has been meticulously planned and designed to ensure there will be minimal impact on koala populations in the area,” she said.

Cr Darlene Cook said it was virtually impossible to enforce compliance with koala protections and council would eventually “give up” on enforcing compliance.

The development was voted through a second time with councillors Darlene Cook, Adam Guise, Vanessa Ekins and Elly Bird opposing the plans.

Native forest logging

Protesters 'lock on' to a harvester at the Orara East State Forest near Coffs Harbour, demanding NSW Forestry Corporation cease logging native forests on June 7, 2023. Picture: Bellingen Activists' Network

Meanwhile, an attempt to take the issue of native forestry logging to the 2023 NSW Local Government conference failed.

Forestry Corp has come under fire for its logging practices in public forests in NSW, leaving swathes of habitat cleared.

Cr Cook said Forestry Corp’s practices had left “unsightly moonscapes”, “barren landscapes” and “ecosystems completely gutted”.

The protesters commenced action in Girard State Forest to stop logging the homes of several protected native species. Picture: Forest Defence NSW

“They have done no replanting, no regeneration. We have to make them stop,” she said.

Sean O’Shannessy from North East Forest Alliance told councillors ending native forest logging would help protect Lismore from major floods and protect endangered Australian species.

“It's a disaster on every front. If you’re concerned about flood, native forest logging reduces our catchments’ capacity to soak up and store rainfall,” he said.

An anti-logging protest at Newry State Forest on the southern outskirts of Coffs Harbour on July 31, 2023. Picture: Facebook

“Native forest logging equals fire, flood, drought, poverty and extinction.”

Cr Guise moved for Lismore Council to advocate for a stop to native logging at the NSW local government conference.

He said Forestry Corp was making “rampant and unnecessary” logging on the North Coast that was destroying the environment.

“We can’t let our native forests be the subject of a rogue forestry corporation that has multiple breaches and terrible practices,” he said.

This comes as the state government announced a stop to logging across areas on the Mid-North Coast to protect 106 “koala hubs” in a proposed Great Koala National Park.

Cr Gordon opposed the move vehemently, saying logging was a major industry for NSW and was important for building and infrastructure.

Cr Rob, one of the delegates to the local government conference said native forestry logging didn’t impact climate change and it was “fear mongering”.

Crs Cook, Guise, Colby, Bird and Ekins moved to prosecute an end to native forestry logging while Crs Gordon, Hall, Bing, Rob and Krieg opposed it. Mayor Steve Krieg used his casting vote to defeat the motion.