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All the photos of carnage show just some of the destruction from the one development site in Bundanoon, NSW. This woodland was listed under the threatened species act prior to the LUA and prior to its approval by three government departments, state and local. A high number of trees were hollow, and hollow bearing. Many would have been 100 plus years, some said to be 200. The most mature and biggest were removed, leaving a few isolated trees which were then 'protected' by undercutting and smashing them to pieces during construction, on lots too small for these approx 30-35m [some higher] trees. Many of the 'protected' trees have since died.
A high wind, high rainfall area, the remaining remnants of what was a decent and rare approx 5 - 6 [or more] acre stand of quality riparian woodland trees are left to be buffeted by elements they once were protected from by being in deeper woodland. Many of the remnant trees have already fallen and being cut up and removed - taken away for firewood, despite this been EEC where fallen trees are to remain in situ to form habitat.
Wombats, wallabies, myriad nests in hollows of fauna such as kookaburras, gliders, and aquatic life in the dam - all crushed, no relocation, no care for - just carnage. Hundreds upon hundreds of mature endangered woodland trees - GONE! Huge carbon sink - GONE! Habitat corridor -GONE! Wind break - GONE! Riparian buffer - GONE! Preservation a pathetic joke! And this is just the beginning - more of the same has and is ongoing - protective legislation means nothing - our natural heritage means nothing. Australia has the fame of winning the extinction game, and this is why!
Greatest pathos is that this development could have retained a good riparian reserve and still provided housing lots, with a beautiful natural backdrop. This is the result of the old colonial approach to planning that treats everything indigenous Australian as rubbish to be trashed. No appreciation! no RESPECT! No understanding of the importance of our native ecology in protecting our waterways, moderating climate, home for our iconic wildlife, and ultimately our human well-being. This is the reason we have climate change - massive denudation and loss of carbon sink, and all the future loss of carbon absorption by thousands of mature CO2 gobbling trees.