Greens candidate for Hasluck Patrick Hyslop.
Camera IconGreens candidate for Hasluck Patrick Hyslop. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Greens Hasluck candidate urges ministers to preserve Farrall Road eco site

Sally McGlewHills Avon Valley Gazette

The Blackadder-Woodbridge Catchment Group recently commissioned a report by Tauss and Associates which found there was an ecological site adjacent to the bush forever land slated for clearing.

Mr Hyslop said a previous report paid for by the developer found there was little of ecological significance.

The Blackadder-Woodbridge group has written to the Federal Environment Minister about the site and asked State Green MP Lynn MacLaren to contact the State Minister to see if the site can be given proper protection over the biological significance in the area.

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“Given that the developer commissioned a report which gave the opposite conclusion to an independent report commissioned by a community group, then clearly there is a need for more scrutiny,” Mr Hyslop said.

“A request for further assessment at the Farrall Road site was knocked back by the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the eco group was forced to pay for a report themselves. It should not be left up to community groups to pay for ecological assessments,” Mr Hyslop said.

The fact that City of Swan councillors were unhappy with the proposed development but felt they had to vote for it anyway to have some influence on the process also pointed to failures in the system, he said.

“While I recognise the need for more housing, we have to preserve what is left of our precious urban bushland and enhance the amenity of local residents.

“Any development shouldn’t just become a cash grab for property developers,” he said.