Blue Gums here to stay

The Blue Gum High Forest Ecological Community has finally been listed as 'critically endangered' under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

After an almost twenty year battle, on Friday August 19, much to her amazement, Chair of the Blue Gum High Forest Group Nancy Pallin got a call on her mobile, "I don't use it much!" she says.

On the other end of the line was Federal Member for Bradfield Brendan Nelson, passing on the news that the Blue Gum High Forest Ecological Community had been listed as 'critically endangered' under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

The Blue Gum High Forest was listed as an endangered ecological community under New South Wales legislation in 1997. Mayor of Ku-ring-gai Adrienne Ryan says, "The new listing builds on this by adding Federal protection... The council and local conservation groups have put a lot of time and effort into lobbying for this key listing."

Situated just metres from Mona Vale Road and 15 kilometres from the centre of Sydney, the Blue Gum High Forest is one of the most visually striking and best preserved original plant communities of Sydney.

Recently a group of 60 environmental law experts visited the forest as part of a Biodiversity Law Conference organised by Macquarie University. Upon seeing the site Professor David Favre from Michigan State University said, "I've been to many urban areas around the world and having something that is basically nature preserved sitting in the middle of such a developed area is truly unique."

The battle is not over yet though. Pallin says she will not "be able to heave a big sigh of relief" until the remaining one hectare of the forest privately owned and zoned residential is brought into public ownership.

Ku-ring-gai Council owns 4.6 hectares of Blue Gum High Forest, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 10.6 hectares and Sydney Water 1.5 hectares.

This one hectare of private land was not purchased by Ku-ring-gai Council in 1934 when it purchased Browns Forest. Despite consistent lobbying since that time and recommendations from the National Trust and the National Parks and Wildlife Service that council purchase the land, no action was taken.

In 2000, the current owners purchased the property and submitted a Development Application for a 4-lot subdivision of 101-102 Rosedale Road. This DA was rejected by council and the Land and Environment Court rejected an appeal on the grounds of impact on the endangered Blue Gum High Forest ecological community. In 2004 a DA was submitted for a house on 100 Rosedale which was 17 metres from the Nature Reserve. Again council rejected this DA.

The environmental layperson may wonder what the big deal about one hectare of land is. Professor Ben Boer from the University of Sydney explains, "If there's going to be encroaching development, then it's death by 1,000 cuts. You take a little bit, you take a little bit more and eventually you lose the ecosystem."

Pallin says, "Clearly this site is unsuitable for development. Attempts to sell it on the international market, have been unsuccessful."

As a result of the forest's new status as 'critically endangered' under Federal legislation Ryan says, "Any activity likely to have a significant impact on the forests may need to be assessed and approved by the Federal Government," making it seemingly unlikely any future development will be permitted to take place.

Council is seeking Federal and State funding to buy the remaining one-hectare and has resolved to commit funds from the sale of their depot in Carlotta Avenue, Gordon. Information regarding the value of the land is not publicly available.

The NSW Nature Conservation Council is also collecting tax-deductible donations on behalf of the Blue Gum High Forest Group to be put towards purchasing the land for public ownership.

The Blue Gum High Forest Group - a coalition of ten community organisations - has submitted a nomination for listing the St Ives Blue Gum High Forest, including the private land, on the NSW Heritage Inventory. Pallin says she thinks the Federal listing will "trigger the same in NSW."

The next Blue Gum High Forest community walk is on 25 September from 2pm to 4pm. For more information call 9489 5794.