Safeguards before clearing, says Council

Gosford Council's director of environment and planning Ms Colleen Worthy-Jennings has said there will be "no wholesale clearing" before a construction certificate is issued for development of a retirement village on Hillview St, Woy Woy.

The statement came after a protest stopped work at the site on Friday.

Developer Providence Projects had previously been told it could clear the site without a construction certificate.

Ms Worthy-Jennings said that, before issue of the construction certificate, there would be "only minor clearing to allow completion of safety fencing, getting machinery in to remove the trees for relocation - through a safe passage to ensure UCSW protected throughout the whole process".

She said four trees are to be relocated before any clearing.

She said they needed to be relocated in winter to facilitate their survival.

"They are identified in the SIS and I commend their relocation."

However, Peninsula Bushcare Forum campaigner Ms Shirley Hotchkiss questioned the number of trees to be moved.

She said that already eight grass trees had "had their foliage chain-sawed off", and at least a further eight would appear to be in the way of safety fencing.

Given the size of the machinery involved, it would be surprising if they could move these grass trees without removing other trees and destroying other vegetation, she said.

Ms Worthy-Jennings said the developer had also agreed to provide environmental safeguards to cover activity before a construction certificate is issued.

"As an illustration of good faith, the developer has offered to provide upfront prior to application for the construction certificate the first instalment of the monetary contribution to the an Environmental Trust Fund, being $75000," said Ms Worthy-Jennings.

"In addition, the developer has lodged application with Council's solicitors for the preparation of the conservation covenant protecting the UCSW conservation area."

Ms Worthy-Jennings said the developer has been undertaking preliminary activities on the site in preparation for a construction certificate application.

"Activities required for this preparation include undertaking detailed geotechnical investigations to provide specific details on structural engineering and acid sulphate soil issues," she said.

"All activities currently undertaken on the site are in accordance with the conditions of consent and have been guided by a consulting ecologist and based on advice from Council.

"Given the significant environmental constraints on the site, these preliminary activities have constituted the need for activities to be undertaken in accordance with the approved Bushland Management Plan (BMP).

"The BMP provides specific actions for the protection of UCSW and include the placement of protective fencing, the implementation of a wash-down bay, erosion and sedimentation control and advisory signage.

"Development application for a Senior Living development at Meacham Way Woy Woy was granted approval by Council on May 8.

"The approval was subject to number of conditions of consent, many of which relate to significant environmental safeguards for the protection of the Endangered Ecological Community known as Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland (UCSW).

"The development was approved noting safeguard measures to protect the 96.25% UCSW whilst allowing 3.75% of the entire UCSW Community to be removed from the site."

Gosford Council is expected to consider a staff report on Tuesday night about giving the developer access to the Hillview St site for "investigatory works" which will include some clearing and excavation.

Media releases, 6 Jul 2007 Colleen Worthy-Jennings, Gosford Council Shirley Hotchkiss, Peninsula Bushcare Forum