Residents of Port Stephens in New South Wales are urging federal environment minister Sussan Ley to save 52 hectares of koala habitat from destruction by a quarry expansion. The Brandy Hill rock quarry, approved by the state's independent planning commission, would more than double its annual production to 1.5 million tonnes for the Sydney construction market.
The project is on a list of developments the NSW government wants fast-tracked due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the clearing of habitat would affect koalas and other endangered species, including the grey-headed flying fox. A decision from Ley on federal environmental approval is due by 8 September.
Chantal Parslow Redman, a member of the Brandy Hill and Seaham Action Group, said the decision has national significance after the bushfire disaster that destroyed koala habitat. She stated, 'The federal environment minister does have an opportunity to use her powers to protect our koala population.'
The NSW threatened species scientific committee identified the Port Stephens koala population as facing high risk of local extinction. The NSW IPC acknowledged the project would have a significant impact on the species but accepted the department's assessment that effects could be managed, though the methodology was deemed outdated.
NSW environment minister Matt Kean has announced a target to double the state's koala population by 2050, calling habitat destruction the 'number one threat to koalas.' The controversy comes as the federal government prepares legislation to devolve environmental approval powers to states.
