Possums set foreshore back

Work on the Busselton foreshore development has been delayed by up to three months following a bid to save endangered possum habitat.

The City of Busselton has stopped work at Barnard Park while it awaits a decision from the WA Environment Minister on whether it will be allowed to clear 30 native trees between Brown Street and Ford Road.

A clearing permit was sought by the City but three objections were lodged that cited the trees as a valuable Western Ringtail Possum habitat. City of Busselton chief executive Mike Archer said a significant tree planting program had been undertaken on the western end of the Busselton foreshore.

“The Busselton Foreshore master plan identifies areas of mature vegetation that will be retained as well as areas where new native vegetation will be established, ” Mr Archer said in a statement released on Wednesday.

“This is a key feature of the plan both from an environmental and aesthetic perspective.”

The City has planted 94 peppermint trees along the northern boundary of Barnard Park and more native vegetation will be planted on the eastern side of the foreshore.

Further revegetation is planned for the southern boundary along Marine Terrace from Queen Street to Georgette Street and will connect to the conservation and recreation reserve west of Ford Road.

Alison Cassanet, convenor of the Busselton and Dunsborough Centre which appealed against the clearing, told the Times it would take at least 15 years before new trees become viable possum habitat.

Mrs Cassanet said up to 80 possums had been surveyed in the development area and it was not known how this population would be managed during clearing.

“The clearing permit requires that a Western Ringtail Possum management plan is prepared prior to commencement of works so, until this is finalised, no clearing can occur anyway, ” she said.

“This plan is only required to be approved by the (City of Busselton) CEO and will not be available for public comment. This is a concern as valuable Western Ringtail Possum expertise exists in a number of community organisations but will not be referenced.”

The Appeal Convenor’s Office will consider the City’s response to the appeals and will prepare a report for the Environment Minister, with a final decision expected in eight to 12 weeks.

Mrs Cassanet said the centre had also appealed to the Federal Environment Department under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

She said any project which threatened a vulnerable species required Federal assessment and the City must also address this before clearing could continue.

The City of Busselton did not respond to further questions from the Times.