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Glen Alice development - URGENT

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Subject: Glen Alice development - URGENT
From: Carol Probets <>
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:48:34 +1000
Hi Birders,

I thought people should be aware that there is a development proposed on one of the most well-loved birding sites in the Capertee Valley (NSW). I have just learnt that we only have until THIS MONDAY (28TH SEPT) to object.

Many of you will be familiar with the lovely patch of woodland behind the old church and cemetery at Glen Alice. This is one of the few publicly accessible sites in the valley where it is possible to wander through a patch of good quality Box-Gum woodland. Local businesswoman Lyn Richardson has lodged an application with Lithgow Council to build a real estate office between the church and the cemetery. This application was actually lodged back in May but the news has been slow to filter through to the wider community, and I have only recently managed to find out some details. Due to objections from concerned locals the matter is now going to be dealt with at a Council meeting. If you visit this site and feel strongly about it passing into private ownership, please make an objection to Lithgow Council (details below).

The land is currently owned by the Uniting Church and has been freely visited for many years by birdwatchers and others, and is part of an official Regent Honeyeater breeding survey site. The following background to the change in land tenure is as I understand it from several sources. The Glen Alice church closed fairly recently due to lack of patronage, and the two blocks that belong to the Uniting Church (Lots 40 - which has the church on it - and 41 adjacent) were then offered to the Glen Alice Community Association for $1. The association were undecided about the cost of upkeep for the old church, and time went by with no decision. Lyn (Secretary of the association) offered to personally buy Lot 41 from the Uniting Church for an undisclosed sum (this block was designated historically for the Manse), so that the proceeds could go towards upkeep of the old church. The Glen Alice association approved of this action, and the DA to build the real estate office on Lot 41 was put to Lithgow Council with very little publicity. Lyn states that her purchase of Lot 41 is subject to this DA being approved.

I personally feel that this is an inappropriate development, a) on an environmentally sensitive site, b) on an historic site, and c) on one of the few public sites that birdwatchers have access to in the valley.

The developer has stated that access for birdwatchers to the creek will not be affected. This may be so, but the following points are worth considering.

* The block (Lot 41) to be purchased is over 2000 square metres and it extends part-way towards the creek encompassing some of the woodland area. Currently if you visit the site you'll see pegs marking the corners of the block, approximately halfway down from the road towards the creek. This woodland is "White Box Yellow Box Blakely's Red Gum Woodland" which is an Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) in NSW while its National conservation status is Critically Endangered.

* Threatened birds occurring on this site include Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot, Barking Owl, Little Lorikeet, Brown Treecreeper, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Hooded Robin, Grey-crowned Babbler and Diamond Firetail. It is also a regular breeding site for a number of these species.

* The DA states that the developer intends "to create lawn and landscape and improve around the building and improve the surroundings of the church also". Such modifications would have a direct impact on the EEC and its value as habitat for a range of woodland birds found at the site. Creation of lawn and landscaping may also facilitate the spread of weeds and the colonisation of feral birds such as Common Myna into this valuable woodland remnant.

This is currently a quiet, picturesque spot where it's possible to pull off the road, park under the shade of native trees and watch birds while picnicking, wandering easily through the native woodland or exploring the historic church and cemetery. A commercial real estate office with a large advertising sign along the gable seems an absurd addition in such a place, yet it may happen.

I believe that a more suitable site for a real estate office should be chosen, and the whole site (lots 40, 41, cemetery, paper roads and crown land) should be managed as an environmental and historic reserve.

If you wish to object to the proposal, please mark your letter "DA 025/09" and write to the General Manager, Lithgow City Council, PO Box 19, Lithgow 2790.

The email address is: 

Please also send copies to the Lithgow Councillors at the following addresses:











Thanks,

Carol

Carol Probets
Capertee Valley/Blue Mountains NSW

Feel free to pass this information on to others who might be interested.


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