our opinions are invited on proportion of which would have two important matters which will involved clearing the bushland in this Waterfalls determine whether a lot of our important Middle Nepean catchment. precious bushland is to b protected or It is vital to secure this land for its and Wonder destroyed …. natural, Aboriginal and cultural heritage Images of waterfalls with streaming These are the zoning of the very values. It is important that members water are lit up on the new display in the significant St Columba’s site north of support this proposal. Without your foyer of the Conservation Hut. A story Springwood and the proposed new rules support we fear that this precious land accompanies a lovely image of each of to govern bushfire protection measures could become part of the urban sprawl. the 12 waterfalls in the Valley of the over the whole of the mountains for the Waters. A newly named waterfall Bulldozed Bushland for Asset commemorates the conservation work of future. The proposals are part of the Protection Zones Draft Local Environment Plan 2002 Isobel Bowden. This waterfall is in the Bulldozing huge swathes of bushland rainforest glen at the start of Nature display at Council offices and libraries to bare earth around new developments and on Council’s website www.bmcc. Trail, where there is a plaque to honour is sadly a common occurrence. The her. This is just part of a much bigger nsw.gov.au until 10 December 2003. excuse for this is to create an “Asset There are another 15 localities of story about water. Protection Zone” and the reason, that it Summer, the first of the Seasonal conservation significance where the is cheap to use the bulldozer whilst it’s rezoning is still to be decided. Change panels to be installed, suggests a there to dig the footings. cool shady walk into the Valley of the St Columba’s Site, Springwood Bulldozing for bushfire protection is Waters during the summer fire season. The St Columba’s site is an destructive and unnecessary. Neither the A map of the Kedumba region and the important cultural, Aboriginal State Government or RFS recommend World Heritage area is on the restored archaeological and natural heritage site. earthworks to provide bushfire noticeboard. It is located at the head of the important protection. The NSW guideline called The inspiration to tell the story of the Blue Gum Swamp which flows into the ‘Planning for Bushfire Protection’ Valley of the Waters has come from its World Heritage National Park. The recommends that Local Environment natural beauty and human connections. provisions that Blue Mountains City Plans include clauses that specify that It is an intact and healthy ecosystem and Council has proposed in DLEP2002 for site disturbance should be minimised. It the water flows into the Sydney drinking this site, if formally approved, will result also suggests specifying that work water catchment. Of course, the Hut is in one of the greatest victories for the should “be carried out by hand with trees dear to our hearts too. environment and conservation being felled rather than pushed over”. movement in the Blue Mountains. This interpretive display about the (refer to Appendix 1 clause 2.1.4) Valley of the Waters catchment has been Councillors have recommended an DLEP 2002 offers an opportunity to produced by many hours of volunteer extension of the Environmental Protec- stop this practice of bulldozing to bare effort. tion zone to cover all uncleared earth. The draft proposals are good but Our members have walked the valley bushland. This will protect most of the don’t go far enough. A clear statement taking notes, photographs and checking existing bushland which is essential to is needed to specify which methods of walking tracks throughout the year. the conservation of two important sub- hazard reduction are not permissible. Gathering details of the story and catchments: the eastern side of the site This is necessary to allow Council to involvement in its telling has brought drains to Blue Gum Swamp Creek and stop this practice of bulldozing. some of us into a much closer the western side flows into the Grose Other issues relationship with this lovely valley. River. This western side has already Delight came as the colourful fungi of been identified by the NSW Government The protection of watercourses, slopes or sensitive vegetation is involved autumn appeared and the sweet scented as a ‘conservation sub-catchment’ for white Woollsia pungens of winter special protection as part of its policy to in the other 15 locations we are investigating. See our BMCS website followed. Awe silenced us as the silvery improve the health of the Hawkesbury- waters gushed over Sylvia Falls. The Nepean River. for a discussion of the sites of concern or phone Lyndal for a copy. profusion of pink Boronia welcomed The St Columba’s property contains spring. We have shared wonderment of 55 recorded Aboriginal archeological Your submission could make a nature and friendships. difference sites with potential for many more. The Other members have contributed area of uncleared bushland being recom- The Society is compiling a sub- their knowledge of plants and wildlife in mended for EP zoning contains two mission but this only carries the weight the area. A song has been written about archeological Aboriginal open of a submission from one resident. We this beautiful valley and was sung at the campsites. need all our members to write. You are celebration. Others have spent hours in The proposal on display will allow urged to make your own written research, writing and editing sessions, for some increase in development in the submissions. If you need further and computer design. Others entertained existing cleared area. This allows for information to write your letter contact us to make the celebration special. private recreation and associated land uses Lyndal Sullivan 4782 1635 or email [email protected]. National Parks and Wildlife Service and facilities for the community. It will have donated time and expertise through also allow for self supporting accessible There is not much time. The closing th their commitment to working with the housing for the aged and those with a date for comments is 10 December. local community. The new foyer display disability. Further educational facilities Letters should be entitled “DLEP 2002 - has been made possible by the funding of or a conference centre may be possible. Exhibition of Deferred Matters” and $8000 from Sydney Catchment This is by far a preferable option than mailed to the General Manager, Blue Authority. any other being proposed. The Mountains City Council, Locked Bag, Sincere thanks to all involved in this alternative was to allow for 12 hectares Katoomba 2780 or emailed to community project. Meredith Brownhill. of residential development, a significant [email protected] Hut News, No. 197, December 2003 — Page 1. “Hut News”, the newsletter of making process. The only scientific 75% of residential lots covered by Blue Mountains Conservation Society Inc. evidence was presented by Dr Peter DLEP2002 will be zoned either Living- P.O. Box 29, Wentworth Falls, 2782 Smith on behalf of BMCC, this came Conservation or Living-Bushland Phone47571872 Fax47571753 from a report commissioned by BMCS Conservation. Some landowners will Email: [email protected] and others, and was referred to find the new zoning less ‘restrictive’ and Web page: www.bluemountains.org.au throughout the case. This report many will find there are no changes. If President: Kevin Bell indicated that a 60m buffer was required you had wanted to build a granny flat, 4787.6436 (ph/fx), [email protected] for the ongoing passive protection and you can do that now. If your land is a Senior Vice President: Heather Hull conservation of these valuable vegetation normal sized lot which is less than 1400 4739.1493, [email protected] communities and must not include the sq metres you couldn’t subdivide under Second Vice President: Tony Towers APZ. It was pointed out to the court that LEP 4 and you still can’t. Under these 4757.1321(ph/fx) if the 60m buffer included an APZ the two new zones land must be at least 2400 [email protected] area would be used as the ‘backyard’ and sq meters to be subdivided. Owners of Treasurer: Bart Beech cleared in accordance with Rural Fire land which had been zoned Res 2(a2) 4739.9947, [email protected] Service requirements thus reducing the may find the lifting of the blanket Administration Officer: Joy McDonald effective buffer. prohibition on subdivision less 4757 2725, [email protected] A passive method to protect and restrictive. Membership: Elizabeth van Reyswoud conserve significant vegetation was About 23% of residential land will be 4757.2694, 0418206899 (mobile) discussed versus fences to exclude zoned Living-General. This is broadly [email protected] humans and domestic animals and the similar to the old Res 2(a1) with similar Meetings Secretary: Rosemary Lathouris active participation of future residents in minimum lot sizes. Dual occupancies, 4757.2511, [email protected] implementing a Plan of Management. granny flats and some non residential Meetings Convenor: Jim Wallace Dr Smith and BMCC recommended the uses previously not permitted will now 4784.3305, [email protected] passive approach rather than the need for be permissible. Residential zones where Education Officer: Richard Phillipps monitoring and regulation. flats were permitted were called 2 (b 1) 4739.2568, [email protected] The judgment is expected to take (b2), (c1), (c2) or (d). Now multi-unit Plant Nursery Manager: David Coleby about two weeks and will either give dwellings will only be permitted in 4784.1395 (ph/fax) [email protected] legal weight to ‘guideline’ of the 60m Village Housing zones or Accessible Land Use Officer: Lyndal Sullivan buffer width (as already adopted by Housing Areas.