Press Release 17.01.2025

Unauthorised clearing of threatened species

habitat in Gulmarrad

On the morning of the 17th of June 2024, clearing of native vegetation began on a 4.96 acre undeveloped property in Gulmarrad. This property, now cleared, is located in-between an incredibly biodiverse area of Crown land and the wildlife corridor which we at W.P.C.V are working to acquire to turn into a community reserve.

We have repeatedly documented multiple threatened species occurring on these properties including Coastal Emus, Glossy Black Cockatoos, Rufous Bettongs, Powerful Owls and Barking Owls in reports which have been submitted to Clarence Valley Council. Due to the significance of the area, and suspicion regarding the legality of the clearing, we, along with Valley Watch Inc immediately inquired with Clarence Valley Council to find out if the clearing had been approved.

Despite our inquiry and the unauthorised nature of the activity, the clearing continued unimpeded for 3 days.

Upon recent inquiry, we were notified that an investigation into the clearing was conducted and it had been determined that the clearing was unlawful. As part of the review, it appeared the landowner was given incorrect advice by a real estate agency and the operator who did the clearing. A maximum $3,000 fine was issued to the landowner for unlawful clearing of native vegetation in accordance with relevant policy. The fine was appealed but upheld. We at W.P.C.V think this is totally inadequate as a deterrent.

Subsequently, it has recently come to our attention the property is being advertised with the potential to subdivide into 4 lots, necessitating a road to be constructed. The allocated road reserve is situated half way onto the adjoining wildlife corridor, causing concern that construction would not only have significant impacts on the ecosystem and biodiversity but completely cut off access for Coastal Emus, further fragmenting their dwindling habitat.

We appreciate Council’s investigation, but are alarmed about the inability of local governments to deter unlawful, irreversible destruction of critical habitat for endangered species with the levers currently available. Furthermore, if Council had the means to investigate this matter on day one, the clearing could have been stopped immediately.

We will work with other environment organisations in the Clarence Valley to lobby state and federal government to improve these laws. We will also work with the Clarence Valley Council to develop better information packages for landholders and real estate agents to make them aware of their responsibilities under current environmental and planning policy regarding threatened and endangered species and the importance of hollow bearing trees.

We will issue further updates as the situation develops. We encourage everyone to head to our website to find out more about the significance of this area, we need your help to make the remaining wildlife corridor a community owned and managed asset. Please share our project with others who might be interested.

Thank you for your support.