Ninety-three percent of the Cumberland Plain forest (ie greater Sydney
region) has been lost and one of the largest remaining pieces is about to go
under the bulldozer. 1535 hectares of woodland at St Mary's in the city's
west is about to get 8000 houses. The forest is on land owned by Australian
Defence Industries which the Commonwealth government is selling and the
State government is allowing LandCom to build houses.
The land, which is off-limits to birdos, has been looked at by national
parks on at least one occassion and found to contain 8 frog species (three
endangered), two bats, ten reptiles, 9 mammals, 44 vulnerable and 4
endangered plants, 30 species of fungi (some with anti-cancer properties)
and 110 birds. I don't have the list of species but, since the site is close
to Castlereagh NR, probably has regent honeyeaters, swift parrots and maybe
even speckled warblers. It is said there are emus and kangaroos there too.
Anyone interested should write a letter to Premier Bob Carr, NSW State
Parliament, Macquarie St, Sydney 2000.
A rally was held last weekend (despite the rain) and most Saturdays there is
a protest at the gate to the site. The ADI Residents Action Group want a
section of the site to become a picnic area. This would be where the current
buildings are.
Further info can be had from the above group at PO Box C146 Werrington
County 2747 or (02) 4730 1355 (BH. Leave message) or (02) 9625 5614 (AH.
Bruce) or (02) 9673 2545 (AH. Dick) or (02) 4730 1107 (AH. Geoff)
Andrew Patrick
Cumberland Bird Observers' Club
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