Have your say on Mt Gilead biodiversity certification

Have your say on Mt Gilead biodiversity certification

Campbelltown residents can now have their say on the Biodiversity Certification Application for Mount Gilead Stage Two.

Council endorsed the biodiversity certification to go on public exhibition in December after key amendments to the Biodiversity Assessment Report and Biodiversity Certification Strategy were made.

For several years, Council has worked to ensure that wildlife habitat corridors and safe fauna crossing points would be included in the planning process to protect Campbelltown’s koala population and supports the NSW Chief Scientist’s recommendation of an average wildlife corridor width of 390m to 425m.

In addition to conserving koala corridors within Mount Gilead Stage Two, Lendlease has made an offer to construct a koala/fauna underpass near the Beulah Biobank Site. The delivery of this work would be incorporated into a future State Voluntary Planning Agreement.

Council considers these protection measures to be vital in ensuring the safety of Campbelltown’s koala population and people travelling along Appin Road.

Staff will continue to work with the NSW Chief Scientist, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and the proponent, Lendlease, to ensure important protections measures are implemented.

Following the public exhibition period, Council will consider submissions and prepare a response based on any further amendments needed to the Biodiversity Certification Application before it is sent to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for determination.

Submissions can be lodged by close of business on Wednesday 17 February.