Fight to protect reserve
FURIOUS residents on the northern Gold Coast want the Council to explain why it granted one of Australia’s richest men permission to clear a wildlife corridor to use as a private road.
Residents at Pimpama have accused billionaire property developer Bob Ell of “environmental vandalism” over land clearing behind properties in Canowindra Estate. They want Council to explain why public land designed to protect wildlife in the area has been granted to a private developer to clear to use as a 1.4km-long road.
Residents say the road reserve, which borders a 56ha farm owned by Eagle Street Finance Pty Ltd, a company linked to Mr Ell, is home to koalas and native birds.
“He has a road on his side of the fence – why does he need to use this land,” a residents’ spokesman said.
“We’ve been told his property has been red-flagged for an endangered species that would stop any future development. We believe he’s clearing it so he can get it rezoned and subdivide it.”
Eagle Street Finance Pty Ltd paid $4 million for the farm – comprised of five lots zoned for cattle fattening and exclusive use as single dwelling or farming – in December 2012.
The other side of the farm is separated from a new subdivision by what locals call “a wildlife proof fence”.
Work to clear native trees and wildlife on the Councilcontrolled road reserve and the farm originally began in 2013 and continued in 2014.
At the time, area councillor Donna Gates called the clearing “one of the worst cases of environmental vandalism I’ve seen” and vowed to make sure the trees were replanted. However residents say Council failed to act.
When clearing on the road reserve resumed last week, residents alerted Council and officers from the Department of Environment and Science.
The residents say they will do “whatever it takes” to ensure no more trees are removed while the approval process and potential impact of clearing are investigated.
“We have a group of highly dedicated residents who will chain themselves to trees if need be. We are watching it night and day,” the residents’ spokesman said.
“It seems all levels of government don’t want to stop this – they would rather deal with the aftermath.
“The people of the Gold Coast are sick of koala habitat being destroyed. This community was counting on Donna Gates to keep her promise that she would regenerate that corridor.”
The Bulletin has contacted Council, Cr Gates and Mr Ell for comment.