Horticulturalist Tim Pickles calls on environment protection for new estates
Horticulturalist Tim Pickles has called on developers to better protect the environment.
Macarthur
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Horticulturalist Tim Pickles has called on Camden’s developers to better protect the environment after countless trees were removed from the new Emerald Hills estate at Catherine Field.
Camden Council last week approved a development application to remove trees and conduct earthworks on 88ha of the estate including stages seven to 11.
Mr Pickles, the owner of Tim’s Garden Centre, Campbelltown, said he was continually dismayed at the lack of emphasis placed on the environment in the area’s new estates.
“I was amazed at the devastation of the land,” he said. “It’s never enough for the developers. They want to fit in as many houses as possible.
“If they did leave more trees and turned it into parks with walkways, people would get off the computer and enjoy their nature.”
Mr Pickles said retaining trees would benefit all new homeowners in the new estates.
“If you get outside with nature its brings better mental health,” he said.
“What is also important is how trees cool the earth.
“Houses and concrete heat the planet while grass and trees cool it.”
Macarthur Developments general manager Stephen McMahon said he was happy with the environmental values of the Emerald Hills development bordering Camden Valley Way, Raby Rd and St Andrews Rd.
“We have been pioneers through a combined biodiversity and rezoning plan, where we maintain and improve the environment,” he said.
“We have a 20ha bio banking site off St Andrews and another site along Burragorang Rd.
“We are also spending $6 million on revegetation along our ridge line, which has the most amazing views. We are proud of what we are creating.”
Camden Mayor Lara Symkowiak said it was unavoidable that trees would be lost in estates throughout the South West Priority Growth Area.
“It is inevitable that some large areas of vegetation will have to be removed,” she said.
“Emerald Hills is the only estate with a biobanking agreement in place, protecting the environment elsewhere. Close to one quarter of Emerald Hills will be conservation, with the Cumberland Plain Woodland.”
Cr Symkowiak said as disappointing as it was to see vegetation removed, it was unfair to expect developers to plan around trees.
“There are a number of things which need to be taken into consideration, including the topography and drainage of the land,” she said. “It isn’t as simple as planning around the trees.”
Mr McMahon said a comprehensive tree-planting program is in place through out the estate.
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