Wildlife protected as business park begins

Work is underway for the Armidale Regional Airport Business Park, with close liaison between Council and specialised ecologists to manage vegetation and biodiversity in and around the site.

A five-year vegetation management program is underway to offset selective tree clearing being undertaken as part of the site preparation.

“The 24-lot business park will bring a massive economic and employment boost for the Armidale region,” Armidale Regional Council Mayor Simon Murray said.

“It’s important this development goes hand in hand with protecting the diversity we treasure.”

 “The site was assessed by ecologists as highly degraded, from years of grazing and invasion by perennial weeds. However, we are taking a number of measures to ensure the outcome for native flora and fauna is as positive as possible.”

A biodiversity management strategy for the site has been approved by the Office of Environment & Heritage for the area. It includes strategic fencing, weed control, feral animal control and assisted regeneration, to ensure native wildlife habitat would be enhanced in the long-term.

“The tree clearing has also been timed to minimise the effect on wildlife. Ecologists advised us that removing the trees in winter would have the least impact,” he said.

An ecologist was present was on site to monitor the trees for any native animals before and during their removal.

All cleared vegetation will be mulched and used for landscaping at the business park.

“The 7.7-hectare business park will be an incredible asset to generate jobs and business activity and boost our population,” Cr Murray said.

The NSW Government announced earlier this year its Growing Local Economies Fund would provide $6 million for the $6.5 million project to install roads, water mains, telecommunications, National Broadband Network and other infrastructure at the site.

Infrastructure work is expected to be completed in November 2020 and selling agent First National is already in negotiations with a number of businesses looking to establish operations at the business park. Visit Invest Armidale for more information

Published on 21 Aug 2019