Newcastle Weekly recently covered community opposition to the proposed rezoning of Link Road Forest for a large housing development.
The article outlined concerns raised by Hunter environmentalists about the future of the 592-hectare forest area, which sits across the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie local government areas. It reported that the NSW Government is supporting renewed rezoning steps for land connected to the Eden Estates proposal, despite unresolved environmental concerns.
The coverage noted that preliminary ecological assessments have identified threatened species on the site, including the endangered large-eared pied bat, as well as threatened plant species. Koalas were not recorded on the site in those assessments, but were found nearby.
For campaigners, the issue remains clear: Link Road Forest is not vacant land waiting for development. It is important native forest and habitat on Newcastle’s western fringe, with recognised environmental value and a role in supporting wildlife movement through the area.
The Newcastle Weekly report also referred to City of Newcastle’s consideration of planning changes that would reclassify part of the site from a Housing Release Area to Environmental and Open Space, based on its High Environmental Value. A larger section north of Link Road has also been identified by conservation advocates as having significant environmental value, but remains constrained by its current planning designation.
Link Road Forest Campaign spokesperson Ian McKenzie told Newcastle Weekly that biodiversity, climate change, Indigenous culture and flooding concerns all support the case for protection.
The campaign continues to oppose the Eden Estates development because of the likely impact on native forest, threatened species habitat and wildlife corridors. More than 2,200 residents have already signed a petition calling for the forest to be saved.
Readers can view the original Newcastle Weekly coverage here:
https://newcastleweekly.com.au/hunter-environmentalists-take-stand-against-rezoning/
