Seen at Glenlee
Resident action group
A development application lodged with Georges River Council in 2021 brought the community together to defend Glenlee's heritage values and habitat for native wildlife.
How it began
On 5 June 2021 a resident action group was formed by a large group of residents outraged at a development application (DA) proposing subdivision of Glenlee into 31 house lots, which would have seen the destruction of the property. A further meeting was held on 12 June at which over 100 people met with councillors Kevin Greene and Colleen Symington to share the following concerns should the DA be granted:
The loss of both Aboriginal cultural heritage and of a site of great importance to the early-settler history of both Lugarno and the state of New South Wales
The destruction of a vital part of the forested foreshore corridor extending from Oatley Park around the Lugarno peninsula to the Georges River National Park, home to a wide range of native wildlife including the swamp wallaby, echidna, powerful owl and eastern osprey
The loss of more than 200 trees, many of them 70-100 years old, including blackbutt, grey gum, two species of angophora, red bloodwood and Sydney peppermint, all vital to support the local wildlife and provide nesting hollows
The loss of natural vegetation that filters the stormwater and so prevents harmful run-off from entering the river. Development of the site could have a severe impact on water quality in the Georges River and coastal environment.
The loss of three safe and peaceful cul-de-sacs, which would have been opened to service the development. This would have resulted in through traffic, increased congestion and competition for parking spots at the end of the peninsula.
Overdevelopment of an already overstretched infrastructure. In the event of a bushfire, with only one main road in and out of Lugarno, the increased population trying to leave through narrow, congested streets would add to the risk of locals being trapped in the suburb.
Wildlife under threat
The remnant forest along the river at Glenlee is home to a wide range of native wildlife.
A development of this scale would remove the trees, hollows and understorey these species depend on.
Seen at Glenlee
The campaign continues
The Resident Action Group became Friends of Glenlee Incorporated and, as an association, continues to work to preserve Glenlee.