The Save Woogaroo Forest Group is pressing on with its ongoing campaign to protect Woogaroo Forest, with hopes of preventing the forest’s destruction amid proposals for several large-scale developments in the area.
Read: Efforts to Save Platypus Habitat Ramp-Up in Greater Springfield
An Ecologically Significant Area
Woogaroo Forest, which spans 450-hectare, serves as a vital habitat for more than a hundred species, including koalas and owls. The forest provides essential shelter, food, and breeding grounds for these species, which are vulnerable to habitat loss. It is also seen as an important wildlife corridor that connects other natural areas, contributing to biodiversity in the region.
However, the forest now faces the threat of four proposed developments, with the most significant being a project known as Springview Estate Villages 2 and 3, which plans to build 1,800 new homes. According to the Save Woogaroo Forest Group, these developments could have a serious impact on local wildlife by fragmenting or destroying their habitats.
The group is determined to prevent the destruction of this vital habitat and has called for further action to ensure its preservation through an online petition.
“Each one of these developments will have a devastating effect on the wildlife,” the group wrote in the Change.org petition. “Woogaroo Forest is a critical habitat for not only Koalas and Powerful Owls but more than 130 species including Echidnas, Platypus, Brush-tailed Phascogales and Sugar Gliders.”
Concerns Over Planning Framework
The group has raised concerns about the planning processes being used to assess these developments. Specifically, they argue that the proposed developments are being evaluated under Development Control Plans. The group believes that these plans are outdated and do not adequately reflect current environmental concerns, particularly when it comes to protecting endangered species like the Koala.
The petition is addressed to Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water.
“These developments are being assessed under rare and outdated planning instruments from last century called Development Control Plans,” the group said. “However the developments must still be assessed by the Commonwealth Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) 1999.
“We are calling on Minister Tanya Plibersek to ensure the development is thoroughly assessed against this Act and to reject these devastating proposals.”
Petition Calls for Urgent Action
The Save Woogaroo Forest Group has called for immediate action from decision-making bodies to address the potential environmental impacts of the proposed developments. While the projects are being reviewed under regional and state-level guidelines, the group argues that these developments must also be assessed for their impact on nationally significant environmental values, particularly threatened species and critical habitats.
The group also expressed concern about financial offset laws in Queensland, which allow developers to pay fees to offset environmental impacts, such as clearing land for development.
“We also requested that the Queensland Government change its financial offset laws to prevent developers paying a fee to allow them to clear forests and destroy wildlife habitat,” they wrote on Facebook. “To date we have only received a response from the Environment Department suggesting we write to the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Department, which we have done. We are awaiting responses.”
Petition Gains Traction
The petition, which has already gathered more than 15,000 signatures, continues to grow in support.
Supporters of the petition have expressed concern about the long-term impact of the proposed developments. The group encourages individuals to sign the petition and contact relevant authorities to voice their concerns about the proposed developments and their potential environmental impact.
Next Steps for the Group
As the group moves forward with its advocacy, it is focusing on raising awareness of the issue through continued outreach to local residents, environmental organizations, and decision-makers. The group is also calling for a more sustainable and forward-thinking approach to development in the region, one that balances the need for growth with the protection of critical wildlife habitats.
Read: Community Rallies to Protect Wildlife in Woogaroo Forest
For more information about the Save Woogaroo Forest Group and to learn more about the petition, visit their social media page.
Published 6-January-2025
