A "lighthouse development" shining the light on threatened species

Northern beaches communities fear that a new development in Ingleside will destroy important native bushland.

The State Government has recently concluded its public exhibition of a controversial proposal to build 3,400 new homes at the cost of around 70 percent of native habitat.

Supplied: NSW Planning

Rob Stokes, former NSW Planning Minister who announced the development in December last year, said, “Ingleside is Pittwater’s last large-scale greenfield development area - so it’s vital that any development respects its enormous biodiversity values.”

However, local residents question the sustainability of the proposal. Jacqui Marlow, a spokesperson for the Wildlife Roadkill Prevention Association, said that there had been inadequate assessments of native animal populations. “If they were really serious…they would have surveyed the animals first and developed around them.”

According to a spokesperson from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, extensive ecological assessments have been carried out and a Biodiversity Certification will be sought during the final rezoning process.

Environmentalists have recognised this area as one of Sydney’s most important habitats. According to Jayden Walsh, Co-Director of Gumnut Naturalist, there are over 30 threatened fauna species within the Ingleside area. These include the Eastern Pygmy Possum, the Powerful Owl and the Little Eagle, with the Eagle’s first recorded nest in Sydney found next to the proposed development site. Mr Walsh predicts the 10,000 new residents will increase noise pollution and foot traffic near the nest site. “We cannot develop Ingleside. It’s not possible for them to survive” Mr Walsh stated.

Locals also fear that increased traffic will lead to greater roadkill of native wildlife. Ku-ring-gai Chase and Garigal National Parks surround the Ingleside region, divided by Mona Vale Road. Ms Marlow fears that the wildlife corridors the State Government has proposed are insufficient. “They’re planning on some but have missed the main linking corridors between key conservation areas.”

Local residents have made over 360 public submissions, the vast majority of which have been critical of the development. Leah and Tim Mooney, Ingleside residents for over 40 years, point out that nearby urban development has forced the retreat of native animals into the Ingleside bushland, including the vulnerable lyrebird. “This is like a sanctuary for all animals,” Mrs Mooney said.

Mike Hall, the former Greens Candidate for the seat of Mackellar, sees the battle over development in Ingleside as a symptom of the tension between population growth and environment, “Ingleside is a microcosm of the challenges we face on a national scale.”