A Ballina Greens councillor is calling on government agencies to act immediately over claims that native clearing is occurring on a private property in Lennox Head.
Councillor Kiri Dicker says the natives support a sugar glider colony, and that as many as ’80 mature native trees, many hollow bearing, have been cleared at 516 Ross Lane, Lennox Head, with clearing set to continue for at least another week’.
Through a media release by Byron Greens councillor Elia Hauge, Cr Dicker says, ‘Wildlife carers who attended the site have found multiple sugar gliders, including two mothers with babies, and believe more animals remain in trees still standing. Gliders have been taken to Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital for care and rehabilitation’.
‘The land is zoned rural, which means Ballina Shire Council has no formal role in managing vegetation clearing on the site.
‘Responsibility sits with Local Land Services (LLS) and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The matter has been reported to the EPA’.
Not EPA jurisdiction
An EPA spokesperson referred the matter to the team from Environment and Heritage, which is part of the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
The Echo sought comment from the DCCEEW.
A DCCEEW spokesperson told The Echo, ‘The Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (the Department) has received reports of alleged clearing of vegetation at Lennox Head. As an investigation is underway the Department cannot comment further. Landholders are reminded to check with Local Land Services (LSS) before undertaking any land management activities including clearing of native vegetation’.
Ballina Shire Councillor Kiri Dicker says, ‘the response so far has been too slow’.
Cr Dicker said, ‘If there’s a permit for this clearing, one of the most basic conditions should be a requirement for wildlife spotters to be on site. That clearly didn’t happen here’.
‘We’re talking about mature native habitat being brought down at scale, with mother gliders and their babies found in the wreckage. Locals had no warning. The property owners do not live on site and neighbours only found out when the chainsaws started.
‘Council has no jurisdiction over rural land clearing. That power sits with the EPA and Local Land Services. So I’m calling on them publicly to get on site now, stop any further clearing until a proper wildlife assessment is done, and investigate whether development conditions have been breached,’ she said.
Cr Dicker is calling for:
- An immediate halt to further clearing at 516 Ross Lane pending a wildlife assessment
- EPA on-site investigation into whether clearing conditions have been met
- Public confirmation from Local Land Services of the clearing’s approval status
The property is located near the roundabout of Ross Lane and Byron Bay Rd (north of Lennox township), and is next to Lennox Head Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
According to realestate.com, ‘516 Ross Lane, Lennox Head, NSW 2478 has a land size of 13,378 m². It is a house with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and no parking space. It was sold in 2020 for $950,000’.
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