The Newcastle Herald - 7th September 2002 - THE WEEK LETTERS

We have long roamed here

Recently I was walking my dog in bush near Kurri Kurri and I noticed some land clearing had taken place.

Believing it was probably unauthorised, I formally notified Cessnock City Council.

Council has since confirmed the clearing was unauthorised but that it cannot find the perpetrator.

The 5.7km-long line cleared and surveyed appears to coincide with an industrial estate's access road centreline. I have been informed a developer in the area denies any knowledge of the clearing.

When this issue was raised at the last council meeting, Cr Elizabeth Martin, instead of being concerned about the extent of clearing, suggested I was tresspassing.

Why is Cr Martin apparently more concerned about the interests of the developer than those of local residents?

We are from working class families who have passively enjoyed the local bushland all our lives. Cr Martin should explain her motives.

Barry Calderwood, Pelaw Main.