Bushfire Legislation Could Allow Landowners to Clear Port Stephens Koala Habitat

BY ISABEL EVERETT 

New bushfire risk legislation which would allow land owners to clear up to 25 meters around their property boundaries is being criticized as a threat to the Port Stephens koala population.

Independent South Coast, MLC Justin Field says the Bushfires Legislation Amendment Bill 2020, being debated in the lower house on Wednesday would put even further pressure on koala habitat.

Analysis by the World Widlife Fund (WWF) predicts the bill would allow 1,587 hectares of forest to be cleared in Port Stephens, of which 1,278 hectares, or over 80% is koala habitat.

Justin Field says the land clearing measure was not a measure recommended by the NSW Bushfire Inquiry.

"I'm very concerned that it fails to address bushfire risk meaningfully, which is what was recommended by the inquiry, and it has huge potentially unintentional consequences on biodiversity." 

 

"We've already seen koala populations impacted by the fragmentation of habitat. This is exactly what this Bill allows to continue." 

The State Government says the Bill would "simplify rules" and allow "rural landowners to clear on their property without onerous approvals", with a code developed to prevent clearing in endangered and threatened species habitat as well as clearing for non-bushfire risk mitigation purposes.

The koala is not yet classified as an endangered or threatened species, but are considered "vulnerable" in NSW. 

Mr Field says he's concerned NSW Police Minister, David Elliot is trying to rush the legislation through. 

“When required by the Parliament to produce the advice from RFS that the Minister claims underpins this proposal, Minister Elliott failed to provide a single document (see ‘nil’ document return)."

“If this advice does not exist the Minister has misled the public about the basis for the policy and the Parliament deserves an explanation." 

 “This policy will divert critical resources away from the implementation of the 76 comprehensive recommendations of the NSW Bushfire Inquiry, potentially putting lives and homes at risk as NSW heads into another fire season."

Image: LJ Hooker

WWF Analysis
TABLE 1. Areas of forest and koala habitat placed at risk by the proposed 25m firebreak rule in four NSW LGAs

Lake Macquarie Woman Charged With Defrauding Bushfire Support Fund

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

A Lake Macquarie woman will face court next month after being charged with defrauding a bushfire support scheme. 

Police attended a home in Killingworth about 8.30am on Wednesday where they arrested a 28-year-old woman.

Police allege she fraudulently obtained a $10,000 grant through a bushfire small business support scheme.

She was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with one count of dishonestly obtain financial benefit by deception, and granted conditional bail to appear at Toronto Local Court on December 1. 

Strike Force Roche was established by several police districts within the Northern Region to investigate alleged fraudulent claims for bushfire disaster relief and small business grants through government agencies.

To date, Lake Macquarie detectives have charged five people under Strike Force Roche, including a 37-year-old man from Belmont South, who allegedly defrauded a support program of  $110,000 to buy milling machinery. 

Scientists Call on Port Stephens Community to Spot Koalas and Help Save the Species

BY ISABEL EVERETT 

Port Stephens community members are working with scientists to collect information to help save koalas in the region.

The citizen science initiative, led by the University of Newcastle aims to capture a complete picture of the Port Stephens koala population to inform a koala monitoring program that will help protect the species.

For the past 12 months the research team has been surveying for koalas on public land in the Port Stephens area. Researchers are now asking the community to help complete the picture.

The research project invites interested community members to help by reporting sightings or sounds of koalas, discoveries of sick or deceased koalas, koala threats and pests in the area.

The survey launch follows recent approval to expand the Brandy Hill quarry, a decision which the researchers believe bring into sharp focus the importance of conservation plans for Australia’s unique wildlife.

The project is led by conservation scientist Dr Ryan Witt, PhD candidate Lachlan Howell and honours student Shelby Ryan from the University’s School of Environmental and Life Sciences, with funding from FAUNA Research Alliance and the Federal Communities Environment Program.

“In Port Stephens and other coastal regions in NSW, koala populations are declining rapidly due to multiple threats, mostly caused by humans, such as habitat destruction, bushfires, vehicle strikes, dog attacks and disease,” Dr Witt said.

 

“Declining population size and habitat isolation leads to inbreeding, which results in koala populations that are less fertile, more susceptible to disease and less equipped to cope with the threats of climate change." 

 

“There are so many unknowns about koala population levels but if we can piece together an accurate picture of the population, we’ll be able to understand the risks they face and put plans in place to stop their decline.”

“We know the Port Stephens community are passionate about their koalas and saving the population so by working in partnership with the community we are tapping into that passion and their knowledge. 

"We’ll be combining conservation science with citizen science to identify and map areas important to koalas, which will allow us to inform future research and management actions for koalas in Port Stephens,” Dr Witt said.

The Community Survey is available here and is open until April 2021.

Those who complete the survey also go in the running to win  a $500 gift card or a selection of prizes valued up to $100.

Image Credit: Euronews

45 Extra Bus Trips Being Added to Newcastle's Transport Network

BY RILEY TAYLOR

Newcastle Transport customers will see more bus services next month, with 45 additional trips being added to the network. 

Keolis Downer Hunter, General Manager, Mark Dunlop says the changes aim to improve reliability. 

“The network continues to perform well, but there are always tweaks we can make to improve the efficiency of the network for our customers." 

There will also be come changes made to routes and timetables to provide better connection to heavy rail. 

“We have taken on board customer and community feedback and, for example, will be introducing a better connection between Newcastle East and Marketown.

Changes will come into effect on Sunday 13 December. Key changes will include:

• An additional 45 trips per week to improve frequency on some services and provide greater travel options for customers.
• Extending the route 23 to Newcastle East to provide a direct connection for Newcastle East residents to Marketown (the route 21 will now terminate at Customs House).
• Adjustment of bus timetables to better reflect traffic congestion and travel times.

“We are currently making the final adjustments to timetables and will consult with our drivers, before timetables are released at the end of the month.

“We assure customers they will have plenty of time to check their trip prior to these improvements being implemented in December.” 

Image: Downer Group