Yes it’s coming – our forest is to make way for a city. Henceforth to be known as ‘Forest’ in name only.
It is to be taken by the King –
‘Kings Forest’ will bring over 15,000 people to 4,500 dwellings.
It is to be placed in the heart of Tweeds natural world.
Cudgen Nature reserve, presently home to hundreds of natural species, many rare/some endangered will be enveloped by urban living. By what is essentially a new town.
We may not be aware of what this nature reserve – our nature reserve – presently gives us.
Anyone who simply enjoys Tweeds marvellous variety of birds, butterflies, ground critters, even fish owes something to the existence of Cudgen Nature Reserve.
And our lack of awareness by virtue of its seclusion is what enables Cudgen Nature Reserve to support so much of Tweeds stunning plant and animal life.
This is all about to change.
Leda will build and build densely and intensely for ‘maximum commercial viability’.
Tweed Council has made the comment that “the habitat of every threatened species on the site will undergo some loss”.
Leda is relying on one single line of defense to protect Cudgens wildlife (in particular our second last viable koala colony).
That is by a ‘koala proof fence’.
But fences fail, have entry points and do not keep out invasive garden weeds which devastate sensitive natural eco systems.
And Ledas plans are glaringly absent of any funding for their “environment protection plans”.
Regarding koalas alone, two of the highest causes of their current devastation are roads and dogs.
Leda will introduce both with a force.
Roads that will carry 20,000 cars per day.
No limit on dog ownership of any size and species (with a handful of exceptions).
Traffic density is one thing but Ledas roads are planned to go right through koala habitat and they are yet to specify speed limits and traffic calming measures to give wildlife a fighting chance against becoming roadkill.
But dogs…
Should we be inviting this well known koala killer into their long standing habitat?
By the thousands…
And relying on fences and cattle grids to seperate them?
The estate can still be made dog free as is Koala Beach thereby protecting the many creatures that are likely to become sport for dogs just following their natural instincts.
As denizens (not subjects) and guardians of our public lands we have the right to be heard.
Kings Forest is still at ‘concept stage’.
Submissions are welcomed
Go To : http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=2642
Or come to a concerned residents meeting : 11 Jan 7-9pm Cabarita Beach Sports Club
Lets not end by saying The Kings (forest) is dead – Long live the King.
Marion Riordan
Condong
