FOKE Submission

9 December 2024

On Monday, 9 December 2024 FOKE gave evidence to the Strategic Planning Panel of the Sydney North Planning Panel chaired by Mr Peter Debnam:

Evidence:
FOKE was formed in 1994 to protect the natural, built, and cultural heritage of Ku-ring-gai.  As a member of the Nature Conservation Councill of NSW and Better Planning Network FOKE is also committed to protecting NSW’s environment.

FOKE is also active in a GeoRegion project which highlights Ku-ring-gai and Northern Beaches rich geological heritage and its rich cultural Aboriginal heritage.  FOKE is working for this landscape to be UNESCO GeoRegion listed.

The Ku-ring-gai local government area neighbours the Northern Beaches local government area.  Ku-ring-gai’s bushland connects to the bushland of the Northern Beaches, as does the Northern Beaches bushland connect to Ku-ring-gai. The wildlife corridors connect Ku-ring-gai and the Northern Beaches.

FOKE wish to express its strong opposition to the rezoning proposal for Patyegarang, Morgan Road, Belrose (PP-2022-3802), formerly known as Lizard Rock.

This rezoning proposal, if approved, will devastate 71 hectares of high-conservation-value bushland to build 450 residential dwellings. If approved, the environmental impacts would be catastrophic.

Negative Impact on Biodiversity
NSW is in the midst of an extinction crisis, with over 1,000 species on the threatened list. Clearing this bushland would destroy essential habitats and drive species such as the powerful owl, red-crowned toadlet, and glossy black cockatoo to extinction. The proposed 19.8 hectares of environmental conservation zoning is insufficient to safeguard the site’s biodiversity.

Risks to the Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment
The development would increase stormwater runoff, heightening flood risks to Wakehurst Parkway and Oxford Falls Roads while polluting the Narrabeen Lagoon. This would harm endangered species like the spotted-tail quoll and aquatic life dependent on this critical ecosystem.

Climate and Carbon Impacts
We are reaching climate tipping points and urban bushland is more important than ever in providing carbon sinks and regulates Sydney’s climate by reducing urban heat and capturing greenhouse gases. Rezoning this land would exacerbate air pollution, urban heat, and carbon emissions, undermining NSW’s climate goals and Australia’s commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement.

Extreme Bushfire Risks
The site is classified as an extreme bushfire risk zone with limited evacuation routes.

Approving this proposal would endangers lives, compromises emergency services, and blocks critical wildlife escape routes during fires.

If NSW is committed to the 2020 Bushfire Royal Commission into Natural Disasters recommendations, then this development should be rejected.

Strategic Planning Failures
The site lacks infrastructure, such as schools, transport, and health services, to support the proposed development. Allowing 450 dwellings here will likely lead to future applications for increased density, that would have further degradation of the natural environment.

Setting a Dangerous Precedent
If approved, this proposal sets a dangerous precedent as it will open up more rezonings of Northern Beaches Aboriginal Land, including the nearby 135-hectare Ralston Avenue site adjoining Garigal National Park that would impact on North St Ives, East Killara and East Lindfield.

Community Opposition
The community has spoken loud and clear. A petition signed by 12,000 residents was presented to the NSW Legislative Assembly on 29 June 2023, calling for the repeal of laws enabling such developments. While we respect the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 and support economic self-determination, developments must be ecologically sustainable and in the public interest.

Conclusion
Sydney is privileged to have bushland treasures that includes the Patyegarang site.

Destroying this site would be a short-sighted and irreversible mistake.

FOKE strongly urges the Strategic Planning Panel of the Sydney North Planning Panel to reject the rezoning proposal for Patyegarang, Morgan Road, Belrose.

It is important to preserve the ecological and cultural significance of this site for future generations.