Friends of Grasslands
supporting native grassy ecosystems
PO Box 987
Civic Square ACT 2608
Phone: 02 62.. ....
Mr. David Rhind
Commonwealth and Territories Section
Environment Assessment Branch
Department of the Environment, Water Heritage and the Arts
PO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2600
02 6274 2611
David.Rhind@environment.gov.au
Dear David
North Weston residential development
Reference Number: 2009/4752
In relation to this proposal, FoG notes that there are areas of woodland, secondary grassland and possible pink tail worm lizard (PTWL) habitat at risk. In respect to remnant vegetation, care should be exercised so that it is not destroyed during construction. The proposed measures to avoid or reduce impacts to this remnant vegetation during construction appear adequate provided they are set up properly and adhered to by the developer.
In respect of the PTWL, it would be helpful if some further work was undertaken to establish the presence or absence of the lizard. If the lizard is definitely present, even though the population may be small, FoG considers that additional mitigation work may be needed to ensure that the population is not impacted both by the construction work and in the long term by increased public access to the area.
Both the remnant vegetation and the PTWL habitat need to be managed in the long term to maintain their conservation values. Plantings in adjacent areas should complement a strategy to maintain such vegetation rather than compete with and possibly destroy it.
FoG is a community group dedicated to the conservation of natural temperate grassy ecosystems in south-eastern Australia. FoG advocates, educates and advises on matters to do with the conservation of grassy ecosystems, and carries out surveys and other on-ground work. FoG is based in Canberra and its more than 200 members include professional scientists, landowners, land managers and interested members of the public.
Sincerely yours
Geoff Robertson
President