8th August 2003
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DESPERATE PLEA TO STOP BULLDOZERS
RESIDENTS BLOCKADE STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Residents from Kurri Kurri are today blockading the State Government Offices in Wharf Road Newcastle from 12-30pm.
Residents are making a desperate plea to the Developers of the Tomalpin Industrial Estate to not bulldoze the Tomalpin Industrial Estate until they have carried out a full and comprehensive survey of the latest Threatened Species found on the industrial site.
James Ryan, for Friends of Tumblebee, said 'This rare plant, Rutidosis heterogama, is the 28th threatened species to be found in this industrial area. This species was identified by a qualified botanist for the Friends of Tumblebee. A spokesperson for the Developer has been reported (NMH 7/8/03) as saying they have been unable to locate the species onsite. 'It is imperative that no bulldozing take place until a proper assessment of this threatened species is conducted.'
Mr Ryan said. 'We need to be given assurances by the developer that work will not start until a survey is completed. Our Botanist is available to show the developer exactly where this plant has been located.'
Mr Ryan went on to say Friends of Tumblebee were also calling for a Public Inquiry into the rezoning of the Tomalpin Industrial Estate. With 28 threatened species, the Tomalpin Industrial Estate could be seen as being second only to the Barrington Tops National Park ( 36 threatened species) in its environmental importance to the Hunter Valley. 'We now have this ludicrous situation where one of the most environmentally important places in the Hunter Valley has been zoned industrial by the State government and bulldozers are about to start work. Do people think the Barrington Tops should be bulldozed? Then why bulldoze Tomalpin?'
Spokesperson, James Ryan, said the blockade was peaceful but that residents did not intend to leave until they had met with senior State Government Officials regarding a Public Inquiry into the Tomalpin Industrial Estate and the Developer of the Estate had given a commitment to conduct a full survey of the 28th threatened species found on the site.
8th August 2003