As the push for rezoning intensifies and developers set their sights on Hawkesbury’s remaining flood-free farmland and bushland, crucial wildlife corridors are facing an imminent threat. These natural highways, essential for the survival of countless species, are at risk of being sacrificed in the name of progress. Currently, less than 10% of Western Sydney’s native vegetation remains, scattered in fragmented patches of varying size and condition.

Environmental advocate Richie Benson spoke with the Hawkesbury Post, issuing a stark warning: if immediate action isn’t taken, these natural corridors, and the rich biodiversity they support, could be lost forever. 

Benson’s immediate concern is focused on a critical wildlife corridor at 295 Sackville Road, Wilberforce. This land, home to the Woodlands Park Pony Club for 40 years, has been approved for sale by Hawkesbury Council to pet food company Hypro Investments Pty Ltd. This decision comes just two months after the Council deemed the land unsuitable for a new Bushfire Control Headquarters due to its high biodiversity value.

Hypro Investments has already requested the land be rezoned for industrial use. The land forms part of several endangered ecological communities, including the Cooks River/Castlereagh Ironbark Forest, Shale Plains Woodland, Shale Sandstone Transitional Forest, and River Flat Eucalypt Forest - all of which are at risk of extinction.

“When I visited the site, I found four threatened species within just 20 minutes. Another 56 plant species were also identified. This area’s biodiversity is too valuable to lose,” Benson revealed.

The land at 295 Sackville Road is more than just a patch of bush; it is a vital component of the broader Cumberland Plain Woodland. This woodland is a grassy woodland community found predominantly in Western Sydney. Additionally, bushland to the southeast of the site has been designated as “priority conservation land” in the Cumberland Plain Recovery Plan. The Woodlands Park Pony Club site is crucial for ensuring connectivity to the nearby creek, which is essential for the long-term recovery of threatened biodiversity.

Benson emphasised the importance of these corridors for maintaining genetic diversity. “Without connectivity between larger patches of bushland, wildlife populations become isolated, leading to a decline in their health and viability over time,” he warned. Species such as echidnas, macropods, koalas, and gliders, which require large territories, rely on these corridors to migrate, disperse, pollinate plants, and avoid displacement. Without these corridors, local extinctions of plants and animals are a real possibility.

The fragmentation of Hawkesbury’s habitats is an escalating crisis. Much of the land has already been cleared, leaving the remaining pockets of bushland, some slowly regenerating, struggling to support the diverse wildlife that once flourished there. Benson stressed the urgent need to restore and expand these vital corridors, particularly along creek lines, to facilitate the movement of both animals and plants.“It’s important to note that under the Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017, isolated bushland pockets can lose their biodiversity protection if an impact is seen as serious and irreversible,” Benson said. This occurs through development or rezoning of such land.

Benson pointed out that across Western Sydney, developers are buying up peri-urban and rural communities, turning soil without identifying and establishing sufficient wildlife corridors. “These corridors are often minimal, as seen in developments like the planned Jacaranda Ponds estate at Glossodia, Redbank Creek at North Richmond, and many other developments to the east of Hawkesbury. These riparian corridors are not wide enough to maintain healthy ecological processes,” he explained.

These corridors are not merely about saving individual species; they’re about preserving entire ecosystems. “Creek lines often serve as natural highways for wildlife, and preserving them with wide vegetation buffers is essential for the movement of species across the landscape,” Benson explained. “Water is life, and there’s often fantastic vegetation already growing along creeks, making these locations ideal starting points for corridors.”

Reflecting on the broader implications of land development in the region, Benson acknowledged the tension between development and conservation. However, he urged a balanced approach that considers the long-term environmental impact. “Development without regard for these natural corridors risks further fragmenting habitats and diminishing the biodiversity that is vital to our environment’s health,” he said.

He drew parallels to past initiatives like the 1948 Cumberland Plan’s “green belt” proposed for Western Sydney, which aimed to establish a network of connected green spaces. Although much of that vision was destroyed by development, it highlights the potential of thoughtful planning. “We have an opportunity now to protect and enhance what’s left of these corridors before they are lost to development,” Benson said.

Preserving Hawkesbury’s wildlife corridors is not just an environmental concern; it’s a matter of responsible land stewardship. As the region continues to grow, the challenge will be to balance development with the need to maintain these critical natural connections. Benson’s message is clear: “If we prioritise these corridors now, we can ensure that future development coexists with the natural environment, safeguarding the biodiversity that makes Hawkesbury so unique.”

“Protecting and regenerating wildlife corridors is crucial for the survival of the region’s ecosystems. By recognising their importance and planning with foresight, the Hawkesbury can continue to support both its human and natural communities. As George Santayana famously said, ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.’”