Coastal Community Outraged as Government Approves Destruction of Bushland Spared From 2020 Bushfires

The Manyana community is heartbroken after Federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek’s approval to clear a pocket of forest spared from the Black Summer Bushfires, to make way for 153 houses.

After four years of fighting and delays, there are now strict conditions under federal law that developer Ozy Homes must comply with to develop the site, but according to Jorj Lowrey, founder of the Manyana Matters Environmental Association, it’s ‘not worth the paper it’s written on’.

A decision has been made, and the Manyana community is not happy

A Decision Four Years in the Making

In the summer of 2019/2020, the Black Summer Bushfires destroyed 80% of the town’s surrounding bushland. Homes were destroyed and lives were lost.

The surviving bushland is home to 510 native species including the threatened Swift parrot and Greater glider, and is seen as a healing space for those who lived through the devastating fires. Recent surveys have also identified areas of littoral rainforest.

Manyana’s remaining forest is precious

The Manyana Matters Environmental Association was established shortly after the fire had cut off the coastal community and destroyed 95% of the neighbouring Conjola National Park, as the 16-year-old development application by Ozy Homes to build houses in the area was set to commence clearing.

For the last four years, the community group has fought for the bushland to become a conservation reserve dedicated to the humans and animals lost in the fires. Their fight resulted in an environmental survey to determine the prevalence of the Greater glider and put a halt to development – until now.

Last week, after multiple deferments and analysis of ecological surveys, Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek approved Ozy Homes to clear the forest for development, subject to 36 strict conditions under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

A spokesperson for Ms Plibersek told the ABC the decision was made in accordance with national environment law. The statement said that only impacts to threatened species could be considered by the department, while planning and development applications including ‘zombie DAs’, such as the 16-year-old application by Ozy Homes, are the responsibility of state governments.

There is precious wildlife that needs protecting in Manyana’s bushland

New Conditions to Abide By

The conditions put on the Ozy Homes development are made to protect particular areas of the bushland. For example, the developer is not to clear more than 1.25 hectares of Grey-headed flying fox habitat. It also has to plant 388 food trees for the species as an offset and stage three of the development is cancelled due to the identification of littoral rainforest.

However, according to Jorj Lowrey, these conditions don’t go far enough. She says there’s a risk of damage to the area as the developers will have to put in asset protection zones. ‘That will allow them to impinge on the forest’, she says.

The greater glider is a threatened species that lives in the area

Manyana Community Holds Onto Hope

While the local Manyana community is heartbroken, Lowrey says they have a history of achieving amazing things and won’t give up. ‘I think there’s definitely hope, we tend to manifest and look for opportunities. It just seems to be the way this community is’, she says.

Manyana Matters Environmental Association is currently assessing the documentation to fully understand the scope of the conditions and come up with its next course of action. NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, has also been asked to consider how he can provide additional support to the community.

The community group is hosting nighttime vigils each evening this week at the forest site, offering an opportunity for the community to connect with the forest and each other. You’ll find details on the Manyana Matters Facebook Page.

Vigils are being held nightly for the rest of the week

Lowrey also encourages everyone to follow the group’s Instagram and Facebook pages and register as a member of the association.

‘Numbers have power’, she says. ‘It’s amazing how the politicians have sat up and taken notice. For a little tiny grassroots organisation, we’ve achieved quite a lot in five years.’

Lowrey also encourages supporters to email both the Environment Minister, Tany Plibersek, and NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, to voice their concerns over the decision.

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek: tanya.plibersek.mp@aph.gov.au

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully: office@scully.minister.nsw.gov.au

Feature image by Alex Lees. All other images courtesy of Manyana Matters