Koalas in danger from Mirvac IBM development

The last remaining Sydney koala population is in the crosshairs of a major residential development in Sydney’s northwest, as a new report revealed the endangered species are living on the site.

A NSW Forest Corporation report revealed koalas live in and around the Cumberland State Forest which is next to a proposed development on an old IMB site.

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The last remaining Sydney koala population is being threatened by a major residential development site, in Sydney’s northwest, as a new report revealed the endangered species are living on the site.

The Forest in Danger action group have called on the State Government to stop plans for 600 dwellings proposed by developer Mirvac for the IBM site in West Pennant Hills.

The renewed battle cry to prevent the development comes after the NSW Forestry Corporation published a report which revealed koalas, powerful owls and several other threatened species had been reported to inhabit “within and adjacent to (the) Cumberland State Forest”.

Mirvac proposed a major residential development in West Pennant Hills with 200 townhouses and 400 apartments have .

“Cumberland State Forest, together with the adjoining Mirvac site and Bidigal Reserve form a forested stepping stone within the fragmented fauna and flora corridor between Lake Parramatta Reserve and Berowra Valley Regional Park and serve as an important corridor from Lane Cove National Park,” the Forest Corporation report said.

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DOCTOR WARNS OF WEST PENNANT HILLS MIRVAC DEVELOPMENT

The Mirvac development site at 55 Coonara Ave, West Pennant Hills, makes up part of the Cumberland State Forest.

The vulnerable eastern freetail and yellow-bellied sheath-tailed bats, as well as the endangered swift parrot have been identified to inhabit the forest, according to the NSW Forest Corporation report for the management of the Cumberland State Forest.

Community groups called on residents to take a stand against the "inappropriate development" of the site. Picture: AAP Image/ Ryan Osland

Forest in Danger spokeswoman Jan Primrose said koalas that inhabit the Cumberland State Forest and adjacent Mirvac site are “some of the last known remaining koalas in the wild to be found within the Sydney Metropolitan Area”.

“They are of great significance not only to Sydney but to the state of NSW as well,” she said.

“The Forest Management Plan has been compiled by the reputable organisation that manages NSW State Forests, the NSW Forestry Corporation, and as such the plan of management is considered to be independent of any commercial interest in the Mirvac site.

The advisory director for the National Trust, Graham Quint has objected to development at the site. Picture: AAP Image/ Justin Sanson

Ms Primrose said the independent organisation was “best placed” to provide information on the koala placement and the report was “authoritative and compelling”.

Hornsby Greens councillor Emma Heyde called on the government to intervene and “protect the entire site”.

Generic image of endangered swift parrot which is also known to inhabit the Cumberland State Forest. Picture: Geoffrey Dabb

“Everyone knows how beautiful the former IBM site is and now we know it’s also home to the last urban population of koalas in northern Sydney,” Cr Heyde said.

“This forest is a refuge and retreat not only for people but also for Australia’s most beloved animal.

“We already have an oversupply of overpriced apartments, but don’t have an oversupply of koalas — the koalas need forests, not flats.”

The Forest Corporation report said the powerful owl also inhabits the site. Photo: Stephen Davey

Cr Heyde called for the Hills Shire Council to “immediately withdraw their support for this development in the interests of protecting the koalas”.

A Mirvac spokeswoman said the company was committed to permanent protections for the remnant forest.

“Mirvac has done extensive work with multiple government agencies and has confirmed there are no koalas present on our site,” the spokeswoman said.

“We have undertaken extensive ecological assessments and mapping by qualified and environmentally accredited consultants to ensure the important ecological characteristics of the site and adjoining areas are preserved and to protect the remnant forest.

“In addition Mirvac has offered to transfer ownership of the remnant forest, approximately 10 hectares, to the State Government to manage and protect.”

An overview of the proposed development in West Pennant Hills.