Friends of Grasslands

supporting native grassy ecosystems

PO Box 440
Jamison Centre
Macquarie ACT 2614

email: advocacy@fog.org.au
web: www.fog.org.au

Yass Valley Council

council@yass.nsw.gov.au

 

Dear Councillors

Yass Valley Shire DA200091B – removal of 24 trees in Wallaroo Terrestrial Biodiversity Zone to allow for gully filling, including 22 Blakely's Red Gums, 2 Yellow Box

Friends of Grasslands (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 native grassy ecosystems, and carries out surveys and other on-ground work. FOG is based in Canberra and its members include professional scientists, landowners, land managers and interested members of the public.

FOG is concerned that applicant’s recent lodgement of a s4.55(1A) application, to vary the DA originally approved by council, is totally inconsistent with the original application.

We urge the council to review the process and reconsider the application afresh. In the latest proposal the intention is to remove 22 mature Blakely’s Red Gum and two mature Yellow-box trees. The original proposal was that no trees would be removed.

Mature trees are important habitat and flightpaths for many rare and threatened birds and are important in maintaining wildlife corridors. It is also possible that the patch is part of the critically endangered Box – Gum Grassy Woodlands and Derived Grasslands and their proposed removal of trees trigger maybe an action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999. As council would be aware that Yellow Box – Red Gum Grassy Woodland are protected under NSW legislation. 

 

Sincerely yours

 

Jamie Pittock

President

Friends of Grasslands

10 May 2023