Loss of every tree on building site a huge loss
The silence in Blackwall on Monday, February 8, started as any other day, until I heard the chainsaws start.
There is a bush track that runs from Warwick St to Wallaby St in Blackwall filled with many shrubs, trees, birds and wildlife.
I have been a resident of Blackwall for over 20 years now.
I used to walk my daughter to pre-school through this bush track which in the winter time fills with water and mud. It also floods.
The blocks in this bush track have been subdivided and have been due for development for years now.
On Monday, the chainsaws took out every paperbark tree on the site as well as all the smaller trees.
Tuesday came and I was shattered when I heard the tree trunk crack of a 30metre tall gum tree on the edge of the block.
This tree was not in the middle of the block and was not in the way of building on the block.
I was a wildlife carer for many years and released many birds onto this block over the years.
It was home to every species that we see here on the Coast.
Not one of those trees were checked for wildlife before they were put through the mulcher.
I spent my whole week crying over the total loss of our wildlife and our green spaces.
I wrote to Lucy Wicks MP and have asked her to check with the council who approved the removal of every tree on this block.
I am so scared with the Council now in great debt that they are now selling off our Coast to developers at a whim.
Under this Government, we know they do not look after our environment or wildlife and we must hold them accountable.
I understand about development but we have had no vacancies for a doctor's appointment in Woy Woy for 10 years now so with all this new development going on where are the services they will need?
After the black summer of last year, we really should be protecting what green spaces we have left for future generations.
This is a huge loss and, even if they plant new trees, it will take 100 years or more for them to reach the stage of the ones they took.
It is up to all residents to look after our own backyard for the benefit of all in the future.
SOURCE:
Email, 16 Feb 2021
Joanne Roberts, Blackwall