Council, Sydney Water investigate destruction of bushland in Warriewood wetlands

NORTHERN Beaches Council is investigating the clearing of a large chunk of bushland in Warriewood following concerns raised by residents.

A picture of the wetlands destroyed to make way for a sewer line. Picture John Illingsworth.

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NORTHERN Beaches Council and Sydney Water investigating the clearing of a large chunk of bushland in Warriewood following concerns raised by residents.

And the water authority has called for all works on the site to be suspended until it can determine if the site’s developer acted in accordance with the agreed environmental plan.

It follows a release of a video on YouTube titled “the ongoing rape of the Warriewood Wetland” which shows a huge amount of trees — including endangered species — cut down.

“If destruction of this intensity can happen here at a dedicated conservation area in Warriewood, what chance (is there) for the rest of Pittwater’s sensitive environment,” the video’s creator John Illingsworth said.

“This is rape of a dedicated conservation zone.”

It appears the bushland was destroyed to allow the construction of a sewer line to service a new subdivision for 30 blocks of Torrens title homes which was approved by the Land Environment Court.

It also allowed the developers to extend Lorikeet Grove and a new public road connection to Warriewood Rd.

The council’s chief executive officer Ray Brownlee sent a memo to all councillors yesterday which said his staff are now investigating the property — 41 Warriewood Rd — which appears in the video.

A screenshot of the video taken by John Illingsworth. It shows land cleared in Warriewood wetlands.

“Council officers have reviewed the footage and have raised serious concerns with the site owner about these works,” the memo said.

Mr Brownlee’s memo said the subdivision “went through exhaustive process” in the court “to ensure protection of the area at the western part of the site where the clearing has occurred”.

With the exception of water management infrastructure immediately adjacent to the new road, the southwestern side of the site was to be preserved and enhanced.

There was not supposed to be works within the creek line and area of Swamp Sclerophyll Coastal Forest Endangered Ecological Community.

Conditions of consent were imposed to prohibit all works, with the exception of vegetation rehabilitation in the area, with further conditions requiring it be fenced off, with access to the creek line restricted to pedestrian access only.

A screenshot of the video taken by John Illingsworth. It shows land cleared in Warriewood wetlands.

“It appears the developer has approached Sydney Water and received what is known as a Section 73 certificate to allow the bushland to be removed to make way for a sewer line

“The location of the sewer line as proposed was never expected or assessed with the DA and raises serious concerns about how an appropriate assessment … was undertaken.”

The clearing is believed to have started on Monday.

A Sydney Water spokesman said development consent is not required for a wastewater lead-in, but he said strict environmental guidelines were given to the site’s developer.

He said a change was made to allow “the clearing of a small area of vegetation after the developer indicated issues with underboring the lead-in”.

“This addendum was determined after an assessment from an independent ecologist concluded the clearing would not have a significant environmental impact... and included a requirement to rehabilitate the site with similar vegetation to that removed.

“We will monitor the works and ensure rehabilitation is undertaken in accordance with the Review of Environmental Factors Addendum.”

A screenshot of the video taken by John Illingsworth. It shows land cleared in Warriewood wetlands.

The video’s creator was pleased his video had caught the attention of policy makers.

“I Was shocked when I saw it, it is such a lovely pace,” Mr Illingsworth told the Manly Daily. “Pittwater has a unique environment and it is unique because it still has a lot of semi-natural landscape.

“To have this whittled way by ad-hoc small time development is unacceptable, we cannot allow this, we have to secure our public lands for generations going forward.”

Narrabeen ward councillor Vincent De Luca said the council should do everything in its power to ensure the clearing goes no further.

“I’m absolutely horrified with the extent of land clearing in this precious area,” he said.

“This area has already been significantly overdeveloped with a lack of infrastructure to cope. “Open space is essential and I do feel that we must do all we can to ensure that massive Land Clearing and further over development is brought to a halt.”

Michael Regan said council staff would provide more details once further evidence has been gathered.

Vince De Luca independent councillor for Narrabeen ward. Picture: Adam Yip.

“Council staff are undertaking an investigation as to the authorisation of works and exploring all options within our power to address this serious issue,” he said.

“I’m shocked at the damage caused by these works. Serious questions must be asked how works in this precious bushland area can be justified in contrary to the conditions of their DA.

“Thank you to the community for reporting this matter to Council as protecting our environment relies on the community and Council working together in partnership,” he said.

Mr Brownlee’s memo said: “The Council and the community have spent many years seeking to maintain creek line corridors free of development and kept in as natural condition as possible as development in the Warriewood Valley has progressed.

“This recent work is contrary to the planning objectives for the area and we are taking this matter very seriously.”

The clearing appears to have also encroached onto adjoining properties.