Locals have raised the alarm over the clearing of trees in a koala corridor at Rifle Range Road near Bangalow. They are calling on concerned citizens to raise concerns with Byron Shire Council over a development application (DA) for the area that is currently on exhibition.
Voice for koalas
‘The top of Rifle Range Rd is a crucial link and the start of our Koala Wildlife Corridor that has grown exponentially over the past four years,’ said president of Bangalow Koalas, Linda Sparrow.
‘The proposed DA wishes to move existing driveway and build a new house, effectively allowing the existing dwelling to become more tourist accommodation and placing the new driveway right beside established and planted koala habitat… a recipe for disaster for koalas which utilise these trees and use the property to transverse the landscape.
‘The camphors and the koala trees along this part of the dirt road act as part of the movement corridor and proponent has already removed camphors along his boundary line thereby severing a section.’
Protest
According to Bangalow Koalas the DA for the site is currently on exhibition and the landholder has started clearing without permission. A stop work order was issued by Byron Shire Council on Thursday to stop clearing at the site.
‘We need to keep alert of any sign of continuing work. Council needs to be called and emailed immediately if work is seen to continue,’ said Ms Sparrow.
A small but peaceful protest is being organised this weekend to raise awareness of the issue.
‘For people who are interested in participating they are asked to contact Bangalow Koalas at [email protected] to find out the details due to limited numbers over COVID-19,’ said president of Bangalow Koalas, Linda Sparrow.
Comment on DA
Bangalow Koalas are calling on concerned locals to take a look at the DA online at Byron Shire Council and put in submissions.
‘The current DA will cut through a vital link in the koala corridor and increase the amount of traffic that will be accessing the site in a highly sensitive area in all likelihood leading to an increase in koala deaths,’ said Ms Sparrow.
For more information on the DA for 75 Rifle Range Rd, Bangalow 2479 NSW (LOT: 39 DP: 625255) and to make a submission click here.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
