ENVIRONMENTAL advocates and concerned Ipswich residents are uniting to oppose Stockland’s proposed Springview Village development, which would see 167 hectares of Woogaroo Forest cleared for housing.
More than 15,000 people have signed a petition organised by the Save Woogaroo Forest Group Inc., calling on Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to halt the project.
Prominent conservationist and The University of Queensland Professor and Vice Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellow, Hugh Possingham, has spoken out against the development, emphasising the critical importance of Woogaroo Forest as one of the last intact natural habitats in Ipswich.
“Federal environment laws are clear: Developments likely to have a significant impact on federally listed species should not proceed,” Prof Possingham said.
“Development in Woogaroo Forest, which has a relatively intact woodland bird community with uncommon species like the Varied Sittella, will fragment and destroy the threatened woodland bird community.”
Christina Zdenek, an ecologist and instructor at the Australian Reptile Academy, also voiced her concerns.
“This site is one of the few remaining habitats in the southern range of this species, which is already under immense pressure,” Dr Zdenek said.
“The development will push this species closer to the brink.
“A 30-year-old development control plan (the Springfield Structure Plan) is somehow overpowering our national environmental laws (the EPBC Act).
A Stockland spokesperson said the parcel of land at Springview was privately held and was zoned for residential use by the State Government.
“The region’s need for more homes is well documented,” the spokesperson said.
“Stockland has been working with all levels of government to carefully plan the proposed development at Springview.
“The proposed site remains subject to robust and independent environmental and planning approvals across all levels of government, including the independent assessment of flora and fauna management plans.”
State Minister for the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Andrew Powell responded through a spokeswoman.
“The Ipswich City Council has the planning responsibility for this development, and as such the department has no jurisdiction in the decision,” she said.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding responded to the group’s concern, saying she had met, and continued
to meet with Ipswich residents to hear and understand their concerns regarding the environmental impacts.
