Trees go as RAAF Base work proceeds
COMMUNITY feelings are mixed over the recent felling of numerous trees in the former RAAF Base in Dubbo.
Plans approved by Dubbo Regional Council for the site owned by Andorra Developments were published in Dubbo Photo News in June last year, indicating which trees were approved to be cut down.
Andorra Developments director Mark Stanford confirmed the construction phase of the former RAAF Base has begun, after nine years of ownership and various development applications including extensive impact assessments and conservation management plans.
“Tree clearing is the first stage, targeting the low value White Cyprus Pine Woodland and conserving 10.8Ha of open space including Fuzzy Box Woodland for on-site conservation and offset works,” Mr Stanford told
The developer’s planned conservation works include planting
Above:
Trees have been removed at the old RAAF Base to make way for a long-planned development.
Right:
Saturday, June 27: RAAF Base trees making way for a new. over 1000 trees and shrubs “creating the valuable missing understory”. The plan will also see the creation of a RAAF Base heritage walk with interpretation works for the site including the Aboriginal history, the Biodiversity and Dubbo’s contribution to World War 2, and maintaining habitat for threatened species including Grey Crowned Babblers, Grey Headed Flying Fox, Pine Donkey Orchids and the Fuzzy Box Woodland.
“The tree clearing was conducted by specialist arborists and included an ecologist for checking potential habitat trees for any animals prior to clearing, and if present (they are) relocated to retained habitat areas,” Mr Stanford said.
Cleared Kurrajong trees were donated to Taronga Western Plains Zoo to feed the elephants along with two Cocos palms and a number of large trunks for use in exhibits.
“Timber was also donated to the South Dubbo Men’s Shed and I look forward to seeing what wonderful creations they can make from recycled wood,” Mr Stanford said.
Social media conversations revealed a mix of sentiment from the horrified to pragmatic that the development is going ahead.
“It’s a development site, not a national park” and “It needs a clean-up, not like they’re ripping protected species out. It will tidy our town up at least” are two examples of comments made online.
Some of the Grassy Inland Grey Box Woodland are officially listed as an Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) and also listed on Dubbo Regional Council’s Significant Tree Register and Tree Preservation Order 2018.
Council’s Infrastructure, Community and Recreation Committee report in June 2019 recommended the ‘Group of Trees’ retained within the site remain listed on the Significant Tree Register, however this does not guarantee their protection.