Media Release

The Community Environment Network has expressed alarm at the massive clearing taking place in Johns Road Wadallbah as part of a new subdivision. The broadscale clearing now approved by Wyong Council will cause increased sedimentation of Tuggerah Lakes and loss of habitat for threatened species. In previous subdivisions nearby, habitat and trees were retained as much as possible. In addition, this clearing is excessive and inconsistent with earlier corridor plans. 

Chairman of CEN, Mr John Asquith said: “Wyong has changed its approach to subdivision since the Environment Section of Council was abolished in 2013. Previously, the environmental impact was minimized by keeping as many trees as possible as well as retaining habitat where possible. Now all trees are removed and this will result in many native animals being killed including Squirrel Gliders.”

Clearing leads to increased soil erosion and nutrients being released which are carried by rain and storms into the creeks, streams and inevitably the lakes. The approval that accompanied this clearing is suspect and CEN will be seeking a copy of the reports to review.

Mr Asquith went on to say: “Council has not introduced any measures to mitigate their changed approach to clearing and since they abolished the environment section they have little expertise to review Developers reports. Approval appears to have been done to favour Developers at the expense of the environment. The costs of environmental repair will inevitably fall to ratepayers and volunteers. Tuggerah Lakes will further degrade as a result of this decision to allow unrestrained tree clearing.” 

Attachment: Photos of Clearing at Wadalbah