A forum dubbed Last Chance for Western Sydney will be held in Campbelltown tomorrow night, Thursday, November 16.
Concerned residents and community group will join a discussion on the NSW Department of Planning’s Western Sydney Strategic Sustainability Plan.
But they will also gain access to critical information about the impact of planned development in Campbelltown and other Western Sydney areas.
“This event is the first time that the department will speak publically about its plan for Western Sydney bushland,” says Jeff Angel, the executive director of the Total Environment Centre.
“It will help us identify which Western Sydney bushland will be developed or protected in the next 20 to 30 years.”
The NSW Department of Planning will spend the next eight months developing the plan for seven Western Sydney local government areas: Campbelltown, Camden, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly.
Speakers will include Justine De Torres, the director of biodiversity and sustainability in the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.
Nari Sahukar, a senior solicitor with the Environment Defender’s Office of NSW, is also scheduled to speak tomorrow night, as is Mr Angel.
“Given the huge projected growth in housing and population in Western Sydney, the department’s plan may be our last chance to ensure the survival of Western Sydney’s natural heritage, including koalas and many other wildlife species,” Mr Angel said.
“We know that Western Sydney’s unique natural heritage is the reason many people have chosen to live there.
“They care about it deeply, as evidenced by the huge response we’ve had to this forum.
“It’s going to be a very interesting evening,” Mr Angel said.
SNAPSHOT
WHAT Last Chance for Western Sydney Bushland community forum
WHO Total Environment Centre
WHEN 6.30pm Thursday, November 16
WHERE Wests Leagues Club, Leumeah
ENQUIRIES Jeff Angel 0418 273 773; Ms Corinne Fisher 0421 831 889.
