This article is from our archive (22 June 2021). Some details may have changed since it was published.
The Issue
In 2015 the area know as the “Lower Holt”, which isa heavily forested section of land in Mittagong that borders Range Road to the west, Colo Street to the north and Evans Street to the east, was designated as a “Land for Wildlife” area for rescue and protection of native animals.
Frensham now plans to build accommodation for 72 students in the Lower Holt, This development will require the removal of 4.2 hectares (over 11 acres) of forest, including 249 of the 515 trees, to make way for six accommodation huts, a large common room and two staff accommodation buildings.
As concerned members of the Southern Highlands community we wish to support Wingecarribee Council’s resolution to defer determination of DA20/0747 by Frensham School due to significant community concern over the potentially devastating environmental impacts of the proposal and their requirement for the Applicant to meet with the community groups and refer the DA to the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). To our knowledge neither of these actions have taken place. In fact, the school have refused all community attempts to engage with the community since Council’s resolution.
While we are not against Frensham School constructing an outward bound facility on their lands, we strongly request that the DA in its current form be refused. This request is made on the basis of the serious and permanent environmental impacts that would result and that there are a number of viable alternative locations for the facility on the school properties, one being a cleared area immediately to the east of the current proposed project site which would avoid the destruction of 249 trees and numerous habitats for treasured wildlife.
Background
Since 2016, many orphaned wombats have been rehabilitated in the Lower Holt with the full knowledge and approval of the former Head Mistress, who was also Head of Frensham Schools when this application for the proposed development was submitted to Council. The location of the proposed complex of buildings is directly over the site of 12 or more wombat burrows that are currently home to these wombats that will have nowhere to go if their burrows are destroyed. These wombats are part of Frensham’s educational program where students study the wildlife and their habitat in the forest and they publicly promote the school using the wombats to support their “ecofriendly” status.
Why stop the DA?
1. The forest in the Lower Holt has been largely left untouched since the founder Winifred West acquired the property in the early 1900’s. The ancient wombat burrows still remain and are now home to the resident wombat wisdom. The riparian zone is also intact and supports the myriad wildlife and bird species including but not limited to platypus, echidnas, wallabies, purple swamp hens, sugar gliders, ringtails, basa hawks and boobook owls that live in the Lower Holt. All the wildlife will be dispersed and most likely die because there is nowhere for them to go.
2. The Lower Holt forms part of the important Wildlife Corridor linking Mt Gibraltar to Mt Alexandra and beyond. Once this corridor is broken the wildlife on Mt Gibraltar will become isolated leading to their eventual demise.
3. The Lower Holt maintains a permanent ecosystem and cool vegetation that is vital to the survival of many wildlife species especially during times of drought. Many trees at the top of Mt Gibraltar died during the 2018/2019 drought and for them to survive, the wildlife would have made their way down to the lush vegetation along the Nattai River that runs through the Lower Holt.
4. With the recent overdevelopment in the Southern Highlands any remaining forests, including the Lower Holt, must remain intact and the wildlife therein protected to create a legacy for future generations to discover and enjoy.
The Situation so far
1. 23 December 2019 – Frensham submitted Development Application to the Wingecarribee Shire Council. DA Tracker 20/0747.
2. 22 January 2020 – Neighbour Notifications were sent with details of Frensham’s DA.
3. 9 September 2020 – the DA came before Council with a planning recommendation for approval.
4. 9 September 2020 – After public outcry the Council at an Ordinary Meeting voted to defer the DA and requested Frensham to consult with members of the community.
5. 21 September 2020 – Letter from community members to Frensham requesting a meeting and received NO response.
6. 23 April 2021 – Letter from community members to the new headmistress requesting a meeting to discuss the Lower Holt project.
7. 7 May 2021 – Frensham declined an invitation to discuss the matter with members of the community.
8. 28 May 2021 – Letter from Lawyers for the Council advising that Frensham had taken the matter to the Land and Environment Court to have the Councils decision to defer overturned.
9. 25 June 2021 – Hearing before the Land and Environment Court.
For more information visit https://www.wombatised.org/save-frensham-forest
What can you do IMMEDIATELY – Land and Environment meeting is 25 June.
1. Copy and complete the draft letter below and email to Council IMMEDIATELY.
2. Send a copy of your letter to the lawyers representing the Council:
Peta Hudson
phudson@marsdens.net.au
Copy and paste the draft letter below, add your name and address at the end then EMAIL to the Council at mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au.
Alternatively you could submit your own letter and email to Nancy Sample at the Council, address below. (Note: make sure you include: “I ask that the Council refer this letter and my concerns to the Land and Environment Court hearing on 25 June 2021”).
Ms Lisa Miscamble – General Manager
cc.Ms Nancy Sample – Manager of Development Assessment
Wingecarribee Shire Council
PO Box 141
Moss Vale NSW 2577
EMAIL: mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au
Mr Viv May
Interim Administrator
Wingecarribee Shire Council
PO Box 141
Moss Vale NSW 2577
EMAIL: interim.admin@wsc.nsw.gov.au
SAMPLE LETTER
18 June 2021
Ms Lisa Miscamble – General Manager
cc.Ms Nancy Sample – Manager of Development Assessment
Wingecarribee Shire Council
PO Box 141
Moss Vale NSW 2577
EMAIL: mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au
Dear Ms Miscamble
RE: Frensham Holt Bush Accommodation – Application Number 20/0747
I ask that the Council refer this letter and my concerns to the Land and Environment Court hearing on 25 June 2021.
As concerned members of the Southern Highlands community we wish to support Wingecarribee Council’s resolution to defer determination of DA20/0747 by Frensham School due to significant community concern over the potentially devastating environmental impacts of the proposal and their requirement for the Applicant to meet with the community groups and refer the DA to the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). To our knowledge neither of these actions have taken place. In fact, the school have refused all community attempts to engage with the community since Council’s resolution.
While I am not against Frensham School constructing an outward bound facility on their lands, I strongly request that the DA in its current form be refused. This request is made on the basis of the serious and permanent environmental impacts that would result and that there are a number of viable alternative locations for the facility on the school properties, one being a cleared area immediately to the east of the current proposed project site which would avoid the destruction of 249 trees and numerous habitats for treasured wildlife.
The destruction of 4.2 hectares of forest and the removal of 249 of the 515 trees will drive the birds and animals away from this important Wildlife Corridor that links Mt Gibraltar to Mt Alexandra and beyond. The site of the proposed development is directly over 12 or more wombat burrows that are currently home to 14 known wombats in that area. Other species of wildlife currently inhabiting the area will also be affected, including platypus, sugar gliders, ringtails, echidnas and many birds, water birds and raptors to name a few.
The forests, including the Lower Holt and the wildlife therein, is an opportunity for Frensham to conduct meaningful conservation and environmental courses and create a legacy for future generations to discover and enjoy.
Your urgent attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Yours faithfully
NAME
ADDRESS
ADDRESS
Additional Things you can do.
Phone Nathaniel Smith’s office
1. The Council currently has no elected representatives
2. The Head of Planning and the Council’s Legal Counsel have been removed so conducting a Land Environment defence is impossible for the Council at this time.
3. Share this email with a friend.
Send an email or contact
Mr Nathaniel Smith MP
PO Box 1005
TAHMOOR NSW. 2573
Ph: 02 4683 2622
wollondilly@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Send an email or contact
Frensham Board of Governors
frensham@frensham.nsw.edu.au
Frensham Headmistress
Sarah McGarry
frensham@frensham.nsw.edu.au
For more information visit https://www.wombatised.org/save-frensham-forest