Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has welcomed on the floor of Parliament, the NSW Government’s decision to transfer 10 hectares of environmentally valuable bushland to the Garigal National Park.
The government-owned ecologically significant land, adjacent to the former Belrose Waste Management Centre, was surplus to requirements and has been transferred to the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Mr O’Dea told the Parliament the transfer is a great win for the environment and the community.
“I have been lobbying hard for many years to have this surplus land transferred and I know many community members will be delighted with the announcement.
“The land transfer will preserve native plant species and the ecosystems which support fauna.
Mr O’Dea said, “This extension of the Garigal National Park will help ensure the conservation and protection of this biodiverse bushland which is significantly located at the headwaters of the Bare Creek and Middle Harbour catchments.”
Property NSW Executive Director, Portfolio Management Group, Adam Howarth said an investigation by environmental consultants, Eco Logical Australia, had confirmed the site held significant ecological value.
Mr Howarth said, “The transfer is a fantastic example of Government agencies working together to ensure underutilised land can be returned to the community. The deal ensures the site is conserved for future generations.”
Mr O’Dea said, “The transfer means three local schools are now much closer to the extended Garigal National Park, improving the amenity of the area and student access to important native bushland.
Property NSW purchased the Belrose bushland site in 1994 to buffer landfilling operations at the Belrose Waste management Centre. Landfilling ceased in November 2014
