Highfields, QLD – The Protect Trees Toowoomba campaign, supported by the Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC), is calling on residents across the region to join a peaceful community protest on Tuesday, September 9th at 1:00 PM at the corner of Barracks and Kuhls Road, Highfields.
The protest comes in response to the clearing of more than 200 trees many of which were old growth for a housing development by Clive Berghofer, wiping out critical koala and wildlife habitat. Despite the developer proposing a bushland park to retain some ecological value, Toowoomba Regional Council rejected the proposal, leaving no protections in place.
“A proposal was put to the developer to only develop the already cleared ex-farmland and leave the mature trees as a bushland reserve under a covenant with the state government. The developer rejected this idea and chose to bulldoze all the mature trees and habitat” said Ahri Tallon.
“Highfields is losing irreplaceable habitat, yet we still don’t have any meaningful tree protection policies for the Toowoomba Region,” said Ahri Tallon, Coordinator of DDEC. “Residents are rightly outraged. We need urgent reforms that allow the community to ensure development decisions safeguard wildlife and habitat corridors.”
The protest will feature environmental advocate Scott McPhie and local residents speaking about the ecological and cultural importance of mature trees in the Highfields landscape.
This action highlights community demand for:
A Tree Protection Policy for the Toowoomba Region
Development controls that safeguard habitat corridors and wildlife
Community members are encouraged to bring signs, and stand together for a greener, more liveable future.
Submitted By:
Ahri Tallon
Coordinator, Darling Downs Environment Council
info@ddec.org.au or on 0455 619 454
