Today’s announcement of the preferred route for the Iluka to Wells Crossing section of the Pacific Highway sets a new low in the RTA’s continuing record of environmental vandalism, said Greens Upper House MP Ian Cohen.
“This upgrade adds to the already disastrous reputation of the RTA as the leading destroyer of habitat in NSW,” said Mr Cohen.
“Clearing a linear strip of more than 45km of native vegetation through the northern sections of the Pillar Valley, the Coldstream River floodplain and the western section of Pine Brush is in itself appalling, but it is just the tip of the iceberg.
“This will also result in massive and irrevocable habitat fragmentation. Large areas of old growth forest will be lost, as will endangered ecological communities along the floodplain, major regional wildlife corridors, the habitat of in excess of 70 threatened species and the western prime habitats of the Coastal Emu.
“The large amount of fill required to build the road to the specified height will cause further environmental damage. The RTA should lower the height of the highway.
“There will also be a significant social cost. People in the affected area who built homes and set up farms that were nowhere near a highway will be particularly devastated by this decision.
“These problems could have been avoided if the RTA had stuck to their own guidelines that specify that upgrades should be constructed along or near the existing highway corridor wherever possible. Minister Roozendal should demand the RTA go back to the drawing board and come up with an alternative that is more acceptable to local communities and the environment,” Mr Cohen said.
Further Information: Michael Hidden 92302603 or 0431 320085
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