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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

NPWS finds creek ecology 'endangered'

 

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has told Gosford Council that the Ettymalong Swamp arm of the Kahibah Creek system is an "endangered ecological community", subject to the provisions of the Threatened Species Conservation Act.

It has identified the area as an important habitat of the grey-headed flying fox, a protected species under both State and Federal law.

The service recommended that either a species impact statement or a comprehensive rehabilitation plan be prepared for the area.

It was responding to the council's proposal to remove at least 200 swamp mahogany trees from the area.

Gosford Council's Review of Environmental Factors (REF) was described as inadequate.

"The NPWS considers that the level of environmental assessment in the REF is inadequate in relation to threatened species and is of the view that a more comprehensive assessment of impacts of the proposal is required," the council was told in a letter in January.

The council review contained "a number of inaccuracies and important omissions", according to the NPWS.

These included under-estimating the number of trees to be removed, mis-identifying the type of ecological community involved and failing to consider clearing of native vegetation as a "key threatening process".

The review failed to give a full list of species, omitting melaleuca species present at the site, and it ascribed the wrong status to the flying fox.

"There is no comprehensive discussion about the ecological impacts of removing habitat," the service's letter stated.

The letter recommended that a number of issues be addressed.

"The issue of compensatory habitat needs to be resolved before Gosford Council can properly make a decision about whether or not to approve this proposal."

Other issues "which need to be addressed ... include urbanisation, encroachment from neighbouring properties, garbage dumping and the proliferation of weeds".

"The NPWS supports Gosford Council's intention to remove exotic species from the Ettymalong Swamp arm of Kahibah Creek and believes this alone will see a marked improvement in flows through the Kahibah Creek system."

Mark Snell, August 21