Congo residents and local community groups will come together to protest against the impending destruction of large old Bangalay trees along a gravel road at Congo Sand Quarry. These trees are part of the endangered Sand Bangalay Forest that occurs in this area. They provide important habitat for the nationally threatened Greater Glider population that live in the trees, as well as other native animals that use the hollows as homes.
Eurobodalla Council informed residents that the trees will be removed over 5 days starting this Monday 29 November. The owner of the quarry has previously been denied permission to remove the endangered trees and residents are concerned that council is now undertaking the works in an effort to bypass the laws that protect them.
Council has told the residents that the trees are a safety risk and need to be removed despite the fact that the speed limit on the road is 40kph and there is no record of an accident on this short stretch of road which has been used by local residents and visitors for over 30 years.
Council ignored the community’s pleas to reconsider these works and informed Congo residents via a letter drop late last Friday afternoon that tree felling will commence early on Monday morning.
Note the trees marked above and NOTE that Section 88 of the Road Act 1993 (NSW) provides that: ‘A roads authority may, despite any other Act or law to the contrary, remove or lop any tree or other vegetation that is on or overhanging a public road if, in its opinion, it is necessary to do so for the purpose of carrying out road work or removing a traffic hazard.’
Council intend to remove trees that are NOT on or overhanging a public road.
Any Contractor undertaking the work might well find themselves in court with Council for removing trees on private land without proper authority.
Source: http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ra199373/s88.html
