It's not every day your councillors get to sit back during a meeting and listen to a recording of bird calls, but it happened on Tuesday night as council considered the application for a 143-lot Torrens Title subdivision at Thornton North.
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Alan Todd had applied for public access and, representing himself, provided a recording of the endangered Grey Crowned Babbler as he fought to have greater wildlife corridors included in the development.
"I have fought for the connection of wildlife corridors ever since the start of 2003 without gaining any concessions at all, not a one," he told council via the recording.
"Soon the Maitland council area will be devoid of any bushland connectivity at all," he said, before going on to say only nine Grey Crowned Babblers were left in the area planned for development.
His tape of the Grey Crowned Babbler - first the keeping in touch call, then the warning call, and finally the all's well call - was recorded near the development site, but it wasn't enough to sway council.
They voted unanimously to proceed with the development.
Before voting Cr Philip Penfold sought advice from Matthew Prendergast, Group Manager Planning and Environment, that the application met environmental requirements regarding green corridors.
Mr Prendergast admitted while the application included permission to clear vegetation, there was a green corridor running north-south and another running east-west that would provide connectivity for wildlife.
Councillor Ben Whiting pointed out that the development was part of council's long-held master plan for the area.
It was a view supported by Cr Mitchell Griffin, with both pointing out the development would not proceed until the upgrade of the Government Road and Raymond Terrace Road intersection was complete, which included the installation of traffic lights.
