Boral quarry makes bid to clear 95 trees in Redlynch Valley

The operator of the Redlynch quarry has applied to Cairns Regional Council to remove almost 100 trees surrounding an excavated pit in the Redlynch Valley.

Boral Resources has applied to Cairns Regional Council to remove 95 trees surrounding the quarry in the Redlynch Valley. Picture: Supplied

The operator of the Redlynch quarry has applied to Cairns Regional Council to remove almost 100 trees surrounding an excavated pit in the Redlynch Valley.

On February 24, Boral Resources applied for an operational work permit at 622 Redlynch Intake Road to remove 95 mostly native trees at the Redlynch hard rock quarry.

In an extensive 206 page report provided to council, Boral stated the purpose of the proposed tree clearing was to “upgrade of overburden stockpile facilities,” which would support previously approved extraction of rock from the quarry.

A fauna habitat assessment found there were no hollow bearing trees or logs at the site and the area had been “heavily invaded by weeds” and was “highly modified with very little diversity of microhabitats”.

Though there was potential foraging habitat for birds and bats and there existed “potential sheltering habitat for reptiles”.

“During the breeding habitat survey, potential or active fauna breeding places were not recorded within the study area,” the report stated.

Of the 95 trees slated for removal 61 species were identified of which 54 species are listed as being of least concern meaning the trees were neither threatened nor near threatened.

The clearing footprint features a large clump of the coffee bush tree or horse tamarind tree which is considered to be an invasive weed species.

The quarry lies in an section of the Redlynch Valley zoned as rural. Picture: Supplied

A further six species were identified as being exotic species and/or environmental weeds.

“In summary, the proposed clearing works will result in limited clearing of regenerating native vegetation; being situated within a highly disturbed area of the site,” the report stated.

If the permit is approved by council the application states a qualified wildlife spotters will be hired to implement fauna management measures for the duration of the tree felling work.

It proposed the clearing be done in four stages, the first being to set up a fence and relocate fauna habitat breeding places.

Next a pre-start meeting will be held with the project fauna spotter-catcher, civil engineer and arborist. Stage three is the actual felling of the trees followed by ongoing management to maintain the health of retained vegetation and safety for future users of the site.

The application in a rural zoned area is a code assessable permit and does not require any public consultation.

Boral Resources has been contacted for comment.

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Originally published as Boral quarry makes bid to clear 95 trees in Redlynch Valley