Newcastle Herald Date: 06/06/2002

 

Threatened frog endangers Tomalpin estate

5 DEVELOPERS of the Hunter's largest industrial estate, Tomalpin, have withdrawn their first development application until an environmental plan is adopted for the site.

The discovery of a threatened frog species at the site officially known as the Hunter Employment Zone also prompted the developers to reassess their application.

Green-Thighed frogs are found on the northern coast of NSW and south-eastern Queensland and are listed as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act. Cessnock City Council last night agreed to put the environmental management strategies plan on public exhibition.

Council director of strategic and community services Bernie Mortomore said the development application was submitted prematurely. The application was for road and rail access to the Tomalpin site. `There are a couple of issues that needed to be resolved before we could deal with the DA (development application),' Mr Mortomore said. `We couldn't exhibit the DA until we had exhibited the environmental management plan.' Mr Mortomore said the Green-Thighed frogs were also an issue. National Parks and Wildlife Service is working with Tomalpin developers to extensively map the site and identify other threatened species. The plan will be on public exhibition for 28 days in about two weeks.