Hunter Community Environment Centre raises threatened species concerns in Eden Estate's Link Road housing proposal

The Hunter Community Environment Centre has expressed objection to a rezoning proposal endorsed by Lake Macquarie Council to request a gateway determination from the state government to ready part of the land for development.

The land, which straddles both Newcastle and Lake Macquarie local government areas, is owned by Eden Estates, and could home up to 4000 new houses. The matter is yet to be formally discussed by Newcastle councillors.

But the developer says it is very conscious of the ecology and will aim for "a balanced development that retains a lot of bushland".

Hunter Community Environment Centre coordinator Jo Lynch said a virtual meeting was recently held with about 50 concerned people about the rezoning.

"We're concerned about the connectivity values," Ms Lynch said. "The site connects the coast to the Watagan Range.

"The nature corridors are important. We've got a campaign going about squirrel gliders and there is research that they need a certain width of connected corridors in order to travel freely.

"We also think there's quite a few hollow trees there."

Hunter Bird Observers Club's Mick Roderick said a number of threatened bird species had been found at the site, including several large forest owls which are top end predators, as well as the vulnerable Glossy Black Cockatoo.

Mr Roderick said the dry bushland was also highly important as it is near the coast, meaning it is less susceptible to drought than inland bush and a lot of dry spotted gum forest had already been cleared across the south-east of the country.

Ms Lynch said the group wanted to reach "a good compromise" between the need for housing and biodiversity issues.

Eden Estates managing director Terry Goldacre said they were meeting HCEC this week to discuss the matter and an offset site at Ellalong, and were working with environmental consultant Anderson Environmental to produce a plan for the site.

"We will be going to great length to protect and preserve all the important ecological values," he said.

"We see a balanced development that retains a lot of bushland. Connectivity is something we really value."

Mr Goldacre said adequate space for squirrel gliders and hollow trees were also being "taken into account".

A Lake Macquarie Council spokesperson said biodiversity issues would be addressed in the rezoning and development assessment process and stakeholder and community consultation would be undertaken.

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