Top greens condemn DA approval

The State's peak environment group has "condemned" Gosford Council approval of a luxury retirement villa on the Woy Woy Peninsula.

Over 10 per cent of the remnants of Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland will be destroyed, according to the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.

"Once this endangered bushland has been cleared, it will be gone forever," NCC Executive Director Ms Cate Faehrmann said.

"The council decision to approve the development application will destroy the third largest of 12 sites of rare bushland known as Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland.

"After fighting a similar proposal on the same site just last year and succeeding in the Land and Environment Court, the council has now caved into pressure from developers.

"Approval to clear the site was been granted by the Department of Environment and Conservation, despite the fact they have identified that 'less than 10 hectares' of the endangered bushland remains.

"The Department of Environment and Conservation have irresponsibly ignored its own recommendations by giving the green light to the developer in clearing this precious place.

"The Glossy Black Cockatoos, Barking Owls and the Grey-Headed Flying Fox, all inhabit the site and will suffer as a result of this decision.

"It is vital that all endangered bushland be protected on the Central Coast and not given up by council to inappropriate development."

Press release, 16 May 2007 Terri Latella, Gosford Councillor