Environment group supports open space at Hereford Street

As talks with Council and the Minister for Lands grow closer, it is important to keep in mind just how precious the 675.3 square metres of open space in Hereford Street is (the triangle of trees at the top right hand corner of the building in this Google Earth image).

The environment group FRROGS (Friends Residents / Ratepayers of Orphan School Creek Gully) wrote to the then CEO Of Council (Mr. Peter Seamer, Att. Councillor Robyn Kemmis) in February in support of the save the trees in Forest Lodge campaign. Their letter presents powerful arguments for the preservation of this open space.

re: Trees on Crown Land at rear of 77 Hereford St

We are writing to indicate our interest in a grove of trees contained on crown land found at the rear of 77 Hereford St, Forest Lodge, which we believe will be threatened when the land is sold, as planned to occur in April 2006.

These trees, a mix of mature Tallowoods, Brush Box and Spotted Gum, while excluded from Council’s recent register of significant trees, are extremely significant at a local level, particularly in regard to their biodiversity values. The 11-12 trees are approximately 30 years old, 12 – 15 mts height with considerable canopy and as such provide many of the functions recognized by Council in its Urban Tree Management Policy and advocacy for an urban forest approach. This policy advocates the “. . . preservation and protection of trees on private land and development sites.” (5 May 2005 City of Sydney adopts Urban Urban Tree Blueprint. Media release.)

Mayor Clover Moore is also quoted in this release as stating “this is an important first step in introducing a sustainable urban forest approach to the management of street trees such as that of some cities overseas which recognize the value of street trees beyond the ornamental”.

FRROGs commends this approach to urban tree management but maintains that dwindling stocks of native trees in the Glebe area place more pressure on existing native birds and other fauna. The few native trees left play an important role in holding the fragile balance of local native bird species. Until the Orphan School Creek Gully project has reached its potential as habitat and resource value for local native bird species, all other local native trees become more significant.

FRROGs is aware that the land containing the trees in question, zoned residential, is currently owned by Department of Lands who wish to sell the site. The Owners Corporation of No. 77 who has had permissive occupancy of the land is seeking support to protect the land and the trees from development.The trees are spread over the Crown Land site in such positions that the demolition of the trees would be unavoidable in order to build on the site.

The situation in Forest Lodge in regard to trees – on public and private land - is dire. There is planned demolition of the nearby Wood St site and adjacent Orphan School Creek Gully, which is densely covered with exotic trees and weeds. There has been major in-fill development in the suburb in the last 10 years with cumulative loss of other mature trees and shrub layer. Thus the trees at 77 Hereford St have assumed a greater role. (Please see attached photos).

The Owners Corporation at 77 Hereford St have indicated their willingness to turn over the Crown Lands as open space and intention to plant the understorey of the grove of trees with a middle canopy, necessary for small native birds, if the trees can be saved through Council’s action.

As stated at the Urban Forest Forum, hosted by Mayor Clover Moore in 2005, Sydney’s canopy of trees is approximately 10% when a 30% tree canopy is needed for environmental sustainability. Similarly to preserve the existing fragile population of Glebe’s Superb Fairy Wrens, at risk of extinction in the urban environment, every opportunity to maximize appropriate green space must be taken.

FRROGS has initiated a revegetation strategy for the nearby Orphan School Creek Gully to maintain and increase small native birds. However this is being undermined by ongoing bureaucratic delay affecting planting schedules. Thus our concern for any existing habitat areas in the local area.

We hope that Council will find a solution to the vexing problem of protecting existing biodiversity and tree canopy on residential land. Where tree and shrub stock do not meet the current criteria for placement on the significant tree register, Council’s instruments and guidelines may not be sufficient to protect pockets of bio diverse value. Council’s power to exercise its discretion to purchase the land may be the only other available option.

We ask Council to seriously consider all the available options to ensure the conservation of the trees at the rear of 77 Hereford Street.

Yours sincerely,

Judy Christie
Roberta Johnston

cc. Councillor Robyn Kemmis
cc. Owners Corporation No: 77 Hereford St Forest Lodge