HUNDREDS of concerned residents turned out on Sunday in a last-ditch attempt to save Woogaroo Forest from a proposed 1800-property development.
The lack of attendance by elected representatives from all three levels of government was seen as concerning by the contingent, with the only political representative being Greens Senator for Queensland, Larissa Waters.
“I joined with hundreds of local community members who have serious concerns about this development going ahead,” Ms Waters said.
“They feel ignored by their representatives, with Council blaming State Government, State blaming Federal..”
The forest is recognised as habitat for koalas and powerful owls, both classified as endangered, but Jennifer Basham from Queensland Conservation Council said it was about more than just the one forest.
“Woogaroo is really an important forest in terms of its connectivity,” she said.
“Not only is it habitat for a range of species, but the connectivity that it offers in a north-south and an east-west direction that connects up other fragmented parts of habitat in that area.
“Essentially if you go and bulldoze Woogaroo, not only do you lose the resident population, but it disconnects a whole bunch of populations.”
The developer still needs final approvals, including at a Federal level under the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act.
“We appreciate that this is a particular assessment process that this developer and other developers are following, but the development control plans date from last century,” Ms Basham said.
“There is a definite win-win here, where the developers could potentially relinquish their development rights over that area and their tenure, and the State step in and purchase it and make it a protected area.”
Fast Facts:
- Woogaroo Forest is a 160-plus hectare parcel of bushland that is bordered by the Opossum and Woogaroo Creeks Woogaroo Forest
- It is in the Western Springfield area.
- In March, Ipswich City Council approved a housing plan for the area.
