“If the myna birds can’t find a hollow,that means there aren’t hollows for natives they can compete for,” she said. “They are like a symptom of what’s going on:they’re a canary in a coal mine.”
University of New England Emeritus Professor Gisela Kaplan,an animal behaviour expert,said the situation in North Sydney was being seen in other cities where limited green space was being cleared,leaving animals homeless.
“Birdlife,small marsupials,lizards:pretty much any urban fauna you can think of has been disrupted by this project.”
Zoe Baker,North Sydney mayor
Transport for NSW said in a statement it was “committed to protecting local flora and fauna” during the project.
“Qualified ecologists complete site inspections to identify habitat trees prior to any tree removal as part of this upgrade,” it said. “Before any tree clearing takes place,a pre-clearing process is followed to ensure no fauna species are present that may have moved into the area since undertaking the previous surveys.”
In a speech to state parliament last week,Liberal MP and member for Willoughby Tim James said it was “clear that a considerable portion of the Willoughby community disagrees with parts of the projects in their present form”.
Loading
James said he would ensure Transport for NSW upheld its commitment to replace felled trees at a ratio of 2:1 with a net increase to the tree canopy,meaning mature trees could not be replaced with seedlings. He has started an online petition calling for a green space canopy over the Warringah Freeway,reconnecting ANZAC Park and Cammeray Park.
North Sydney Mayor Zoe Baker said the detail of where trees would be replaced and their size and species needed to be provided urgently,expressing concern this would be left up to the contractor on the project.
She said the council’s environmental staff was “constantly lobbying[Transport for NSW] about the devastating loss of habitat” caused by the project,following concern from the public.
“Birdlife,small marsupials,lizards:pretty much any urban fauna you can think of has been disrupted by this project,” she said.
“It’s become more intense the more trees have gone. There have been lots of dead possums and small marsupials in the streets around Cammeray Park. But it’s moving where the trees are being removed.”
Get to the heart of what’s happening with climate change and the environment. Our fortnightly Environment newsletter brings you the news,the issues and the solutions. Sign uphere.