THE Bellingen Environment Centre (BEC) and other community groups raised concerns when Transport for NSW (TfNSW) advertised that a parcel of land on the Kalang River was going to auction last Saturday.
The land is a designated Biodiversity Stewardship Site and BEC wants it to be considered for inclusion in the proposed Great Koala National Park (GKNP).
Advertise with News of The Area today.It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au
BEC spokesperson Ashley Love, said Transport NSW purchased 463 hectares along the Upper Kalang River as part of the process for establishing compensatory habitat provisions for the Coffs Harbour Bypass and it is covered by a Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement.
“The land forms part of the Kalang Headwaters and is located in the heart of the proposed Great Koala National Park,” he said.
The Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement area and an adjoining property of approximately equal size are surrounded by State Forests which form part of the proposed GKNP, and BEC says it is a valuable potential ‘inholding’.
The land also forms part of the linkages between existing conservation reserves including the New England and Dorrigo National Parks Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Areas, Bellinger River and Gumbaynggirr National Parks and Baalijin and Juugawaarri Nature Reserves.
The Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement includes biodiversity credits for the site for the koala and other animals and designated forest types.
“It should have been evident to all agencies that the Kalang River Biodiversity Stewardship site was potentially an outstanding freehold addition to the proposed Great Koala National Park.”
Mr Love said that the Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement has been undermined by numerous tracks through the property allowing logging contractors to legally access adjoining Oaks and Roses Creek state forests.
Having a private ownership of an extensive proportion of the “place of arrival” for the proposed Great Koala National Park in the headwaters of the Kalang River, would greatly restrict or remove opportunities for appropriate visitor facilities and management.
Catherine Jones, BEC’s secretary, said, “The proposed sale of the Kalang River Biodiversity Stewardship Site has not been discussed with local residents or community groups and has been poorly advertised”.
When asked for comment, a TfNSW spokesperson said the proposed auction for 3566 Kalang Road, Kalang Biodiversity Stewardship Site, has been deferred.
By Andrew VIVIAN