Recently, Harbour Georges River group wrote to Randwick Council about a proposed development in Jennifer Street, Little Bay which threatens local bushland. Here is their submission and images to illustrate.
Dear Cr Dylan Parker and Randwick Council Development Assessment
We are the Harbour Georges River group of the Australian Plants Society NSW.
We represent people with a passion to learn about, share, grow and conserve Australian native plants and their habitats. Our district group covers eastern Sydney, incorporating Randwick Council LGA. It was formed at the inaugural meeting of the NSW Region in 1957 and is the oldest in New South Wales.
We do appreciate the efforts the Council has gone to in promoting the protection of bushland through Bushcare and other initiatives. And with these aims in mind, we are writing to address proposed developments at 11-27 Jennifer Street, Little Bay. In particular, the latest submission for 11 Jennifer Street of DA-580-2022.
We would like to express our concerns about the proposed developments on Jennifer Street and highlight the risks to our botanical heritage these pose. The proposals should better account for future disturbances that will be caused by further fragmenting this threatened bushland – weed incursion, winter shading, domestic animals and loss of seed bank viability to name a few.
Any major development on sites of Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub is unsuitable and wastes rare opportunities for rehabilitation. We would also like to advocate effective mechanisms of oversight be put in place if any development does go ahead. And any future medium density developments on Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub be avoided.
Thank you for the efforts you have already gone to in protecting these sites.
With warm wishes,
Australian Plant Society NSW – Harbour Georges River Group
Images by Andrew Sinclair
