The General Manager
Eurobodalla Shire Council 20 November 2005
PO Box 99
MORUYA NSW 2537

DA 332/06 TREE AND LAND CLEARING FOR FENCE MAINTENANCE
Lot 82 DP 706528 George Bass Drive, Moruya

Our Association asks that the very high conservation values of this land be given full consideration when assessing this development application. Any clearing should be kept to the absolute minimum required. At a meeting last week representatives of the CMA said the clearing distances specified in the new Native Vegetation Regulation for fencing are the maximum allowed and that narrower clearing should be required in some areas.

Council's own constraints mapping shows the land that is the subject of this application is constrained by having vulnerable vegetation (Bangalay Sand Forest) and a SEPP 14 wetland. Bangalay Sand Forest has just been listed as an Endangered Ecological Community in this bioregion of NSW.

Council's Yellow-bellied Glider Policy identifies the vegetation on the land as requiring protection for the habitat of this vulnerable species. In addition, a recent survey for Coastwatchers confirmed that several other Threatened Species use the land in question and the adjoining forests. The survey concentrated on owl species and found Powerful Owls, Barking Owls, Sooty Owls and Masked Owls. The endangered Glossy Black-cockatoo and vulnerable Gang Gang Cockatoo have also been seen on lot 82.

Last month the forest on the land was damaged by fire caused by arson and the efforts of the Rural Fire Service to backburn. However, the native vegetation and wildlife are adapted to fire and providing that it does not reoccur too soon the ecosystem will fully recover.

Further fragmentation of the forest and wetland habitats by wide clearings for fencing or other activities will cause permanent damage to this very high conservation area.

Jenny Edwards
Secretary