There has been no appropriate environmental impacts assessment conducted for the proposed development sites. The site has significant bushfire risks which have not been addressed, these bushfire risks are predicted to increase with climate change as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle intensifies resulting in more intense El Niño related droughts and heatwaves. Additionally, intensified La Niña periods is predicted to cause increased frequency and intensity of flooding, this is likely to directly impact areas of the proposed sites as well and indirectly impacting the greater catchment as development will result in increase runoff due to impervious surface.
Furthermore, I am deeply concerned that this process has not consulted with the Traditional custodians of this land, the Guringai people, my understanding is that the MLALC does not have the authority to speak on behalf of other nations regarding decisions for their land.
I strongly oppose not only the development of Lizard Rock but ALL development of native bushland areas on the Northern Beaches of Sydney including all proposed development of MLALC land. All MLALC must be protected and conserved as valuable bushland and habitat and acknowledged for the important services it provides our community. The preservation of these lands offers opportunities for carbon credits by maintaining the carbon storage of this area.
No cultural or heritage assessment has been undertaken, this is absolutely essential. This local area contains many sacred sites and rock carvings that are tens of thousands of years old. It is absolutely critical that we protect these important sites. The incredibly sacred Moon Rock is located very close to the proposed site, Moon Rock has been granted the highest level of protection by the Heritage Minister and must therefore be adequately considered before any development. It is very likely that the proposed site contains uncovered culturally significant sites, it is extremely irresponsible to disturb this area in case such sites are destroyed or impacted by development.
Northern Beaches does not require any additional housing “for the record, we don't need additional housing. Council is already meeting the new housing targets set by the State Government and we certainly don't need to destroy pristine bushland to meet those targets!” - direct quote from email exchange with Northern Beaches Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham. I would also like to acknowledge that the proposed development of any MLALC land directly conflicts with the priorities and actions of the Greater Sydney Region Plan and North District Plan and the Northern Beaches Council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement, Towards 2040 and Local Housing Strategy. These existing plans and strategies have not been considered or addressed in this proposal.
Oxford Falls Rd West and Morgan Rd are currently already not dealing with the traffic as there is often and extremely long queue of cars turning to Forest Way and Wakehurst Parkway during peak hour traffic, the wait time can be extremely long. Adding over 450 additional housing to this area is not appropriate for these roads. Additionally, Oxford Falls Rd West is frequently subject to flooding causing major disruptions to traffic, this would further exacerbate existing traffic issues in the area.
Furthermore, the Telstra satellite facility in Oxford Falls borders the proposed development site, the satellite site was specifically chosen for its isolated location and would be impacted by the light and electronic pollution of major development. Additionally, high voltage power lines run through the proposed development sites and would therefore need to be relocated, this would be extremely expensive.
This area is incredibly biodiverse and is invaluable habitat to our local flora and fauna. Several endangered species including powerful owls, red crowned toadlet, barking owl, heath monitors and glossy black cockatoos reside here and there have been local documented sightings of koalas and wombats by wildlife professionals. It is imperative that we protect all remaining habitat for our precious wildlife. During the development of Northern Beaches Hospital there was increased roadkill due to wildlife being pushed out of habitat and it’s been noted that many female wallabies have been found killed due to traffic, which means it is very likely there is a local breeding colony of swamp wallabies. This area is also an important release site used by wildlife carers.
There has been extensive bush regeneration work done by volunteers over years, this bushland is extremely healthy native flora. Protected flora species including Angophora crassifolia are found in this area and it is extremely important that we protect this remaining habitat. This area is remnant bushland and a wildlife corridor, we have seen a considerable reduction in biodiversity in the Northern Beaches and greater Sydney Basin, therefore it is of utmost importance that we protect and conserve all remaining habitat.
There has been no appropriate environmental impacts assessment conducted for the proposed development sites. The site has significant bushfire risks which have not been addressed, these bushfire risks are predicted to increase with climate change as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle intensifies resulting in more intense El Niño related droughts and heatwaves. Additionally, intensified La Niña periods is predicted to cause increased frequency and intensity of flooding, this is likely to directly impact areas of the proposed sites as well and indirectly impacting the greater catchment as development will result in increase runoff due to impervious surface.
Furthermore, I am deeply concerned that this process has not consulted with the Traditional custodians of this land, the Guringai people, my understanding is that the MLALC does not have the authority to speak on behalf of other nations regarding decisions for their land.
I strongly oppose not only the development of Lizard Rock but ALL development of native bushland areas on the Northern Beaches of Sydney including all proposed development of MLALC land. All MLALC must be protected and conserved as valuable bushland and habitat and acknowledged for the important services it provides our community. The preservation of these lands offers opportunities for carbon credits by maintaining the carbon storage of this area.
No cultural or heritage assessment has been undertaken, this is absolutely essential. This local area contains many sacred sites and rock carvings that are tens of thousands of years old. It is absolutely critical that we protect these important sites. The incredibly sacred Moon Rock is located very close to the proposed site, Moon Rock has been granted the highest level of protection by the Heritage Minister and must therefore be adequately considered before any development. It is very likely that the proposed site contains uncovered culturally significant sites, it is extremely irresponsible to disturb this area in case such sites are destroyed or impacted by development.
Northern Beaches does not require any additional housing “for the record, we don't need additional housing. Council is already meeting the new housing targets set by the State Government and we certainly don't need to destroy pristine bushland to meet those targets!” - direct quote from email exchange with Northern Beaches Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham. I would also like to acknowledge that the proposed development of any MLALC land directly conflicts with the priorities and actions of the Greater Sydney Region Plan and North District Plan and the Northern Beaches Council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement, Towards 2040 and Local Housing Strategy. These existing plans and strategies have not been considered or addressed in this proposal.
Oxford Falls Rd West and Morgan Rd are currently already not dealing with the traffic as there is often and extremely long queue of cars turning to Forest Way and Wakehurst Parkway during peak hour traffic, the wait time can be extremely long. Adding over 450 additional housing to this area is not appropriate for these roads. Additionally, Oxford Falls Rd West is frequently subject to flooding causing major disruptions to traffic, this would further exacerbate existing traffic issues in the area.
Furthermore, the Telstra satellite facility in Oxford Falls borders the proposed development site, the satellite site was specifically chosen for its isolated location and would be impacted by the light and electronic pollution of major development. Additionally, high voltage power lines run through the proposed development sites and would therefore need to be relocated, this would be extremely expensive.
This area is incredibly biodiverse and is invaluable habitat to our local flora and fauna. Several endangered species including powerful owls, red crowned toadlet, barking owl, heath monitors and glossy black cockatoos reside here and there have been local documented sightings of koalas and wombats by wildlife professionals. It is imperative that we protect all remaining habitat for our precious wildlife. During the development of Northern Beaches Hospital there was increased roadkill due to wildlife being pushed out of habitat and it’s been noted that many female wallabies have been found killed due to traffic, which means it is very likely there is a local breeding colony of swamp wallabies. This area is also an important release site used by wildlife carers.
There has been extensive bush regeneration work done by volunteers over years, this bushland is extremely healthy native flora. Protected flora species including Angophora crassifolia are found in this area and it is extremely important that we protect this remaining habitat. This area is remnant bushland and a wildlife corridor, we have seen a considerable reduction in biodiversity in the Northern Beaches and greater Sydney Basin, therefore it is of utmost importance that we protect and conserve all remaining habitat.