CCSA RENEWS CALL FOR STRONGER LAWS TO PROTECT HILLS FACE ZONE
Environment Resources and Development Court (ERD) conditions recently set to the Andrew Garrett vineyard proposal at Brown Hill include major concessions to community concerns, but the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) believes an appeal to the Supreme Court should still proceed.
"A vineyard in such a key scenic locality, dominated by parks and reserves, remains inappropriate", says CCSA Vice-President Jasemin Rose.
Ms Rose claimed the Court had failed to adequately address many concerns, including those relating to water, a threatened type of native grassy-woodland, and risks posed to several threatened bird species. These concerns were raised in court through expert evidence from both sides.
The CCSA and City of Mitcham sought 42 conditions following an ERD Court decision to allow the trellised vineyard of nearly 30ha and an estimated 81,000 vines.
Amongst conditions set by a full bench of the ERD Court were:
" 5m native vegetation buffers along un-made road reserves used by walkers on both sides of the property
" fenced buffers around all existing trees in the vineyard
" 10m native vegetation buffers along the watercourse
" screening of new buildings
" strict conditions regarding spraying chemicals to prevent drift to nearby residental areas
" no spraying of chemicals within 300m of housing or walking trails when the wind is blowing in that direction
" native grasses to be planted between vines rather than exotics
" regular monitoring of catchment water use
" a ban on noise emitting devices or shooting of native birds, and
" a ban on mechanical harvesting.
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Ms Rose believes the large number of conditions agreed to indicates how unsuitable a vineyard is in a Hills Face Zone locality, and is angry that some arguments were ignored.
Although the area has high bushfire risk and it is well known that permapine wood
(copper chromium arsenate treated) is toxic when burnt, the Court refused to accept
argument that over 16,500 posts to be used should be required to be of a safer material
said Ms Rose.
Marcus Beresford, of the Brownhill Creek Association, also claims that "The residents of Springfield, Mitcham, Leawood Gardens and West Crafers now face the prospect of toxic fumes in the event of the inevitable grass or bush fire.
Ms Rose concluded "This case provides further evidence of the urgent need for much stronger legislative protection of the Hills Face Zone. The CCSA urges Government to immediately meet its election promise to better protect the Hills Face Zone through strong, unambiguous legislation .
For further information contact:
Jasemin Rose CCSA ph. 8380 5321 or 8264 5269 or mob. 0438 254314
Marcus Beresford Brownhill Creek Association Inc. ph. 8272 9978
