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Wildlife habitat for koalas at Grantville threatened to be destroyed by concrete giant Barro Group

Native wildlife habitat threatened by wide-spread vegetation clearing.

By news@gippsland - 7th December 2022 - Back to News

Recent photographic trapping in bushland on the Grantville farm of Anne and Phil Westwood in Grantville has demonstrated that native wildlife is threatened by vegetation clearing on land owned by concrete giant, Barro Group.

Land clearing reduces the resilience of threatened species populations to survive future perturbations such as climate change

Identified species for protection

Previous research showed the area is habitat for at least 17 species of mammals and marsupials as well as 140 birds including powerful owls and wedge tailed eagles, platypus and blackfish live in the Bass River.

Widespread destruction of vegetation, clearing the way for sand extraction is likely to annihilate many native species by ripping apart the wildlife corridor identified for protection in the Regional Sand Extraction Strategy Lang Lang to Grantville.

Among the animals shown in the latest research are:

• Koalas
• Black Wallabies
• Common Wombats
• Short-beaked Echidnas
• Eastern Grey Kangaroos
• Mountain Brushtail Possums

This research was undertaken by the Southern Brown Bandicoot Regional Recovery Group.

Planning permit breach

Earlier work was carried out by consultants for the Regional Sand Extraction Strategy in the 1990's and by Friends of Bass Valley Bush Landcare Group in Baseline Studies of Bass River conducted for the Natural Heritage Trust.

The Westwoods have asked Bass Coast Shire why action has not been taken against Barro Group for clear breaches of its planning permit and have called for Councillors to be dismissed and commissioners appointed.

Photo from Free Ranger website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com