Noosa Council has provided a submission to the federal government relating to the application by quarry operator Cordwell Resources Pty Ltd to clear over eight hectares of vegetation at its Kin Kin extraction site.
Mayor Clare Stewart said Council had no assessment role regarding the vegetation clearing application, which was handled under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
“While the application for clearing is within the existing quarry footprint, Council has serious concerns regarding impacts to threatened flora and fauna species, including koalas, greater gliders and scrub turpentine,” Mayor Stewart said.
Mayor Stewart said Council took the view that the clearing is considered a controlled action due to the significant impact on endangered and critically endangered species.
“This has been clearly articulated in our submission so it can be considered by the federal government in its assessment of the Cordwells application,” she said.
“We’re aware members of our community have also made submissions on this matter.”
Council has also commenced action against the operator over unapproved building works at the quarry. Investigations and compliance actions are continuing by Council to ensure the operator meets the requirements of the current approvals.
“Like our hinterland residents, we’re anxious for an outcome of our current court action against the operator over the alleged breaches of the Quarry Management Plan. Council will continue to stand with our hinterland community, with respect to residents’ ongoing concerns in relation to the quarry operations,” Mayor Stewart said.
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien shares Noosa Council’s concerns about the vegetation clearing proposal.
“Koalas are an iconic Australian native species, and the decline of their population is of great concern,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I am writing to the Minister responsible for the Environmental Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act, Tanya Plibersek, to convey the community’s strong concerns about the proposal and the urgent need to protect the natural habitat of endangered species.
“I’m encouraging everyone to join me and Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart in writing to Minister Plibersek to request that the Minister carefully examine the vegetation clearing proposal and protect the local habitat of these precious flora and fauna species from destruction.”
Minister Plibersek can be contacted by emailing Minister.Plibersek@dcceew.gov.au
Mr O’Brien said, “the Minister must listen to the community and make the best decision in the interests of protecting and conserving Noosa’s endangered koala population and other threatened flora and fauna species.”
