LETTER TO THE EDITOR | We've been given no say during tree foray

The mayor's rant against the Heritage Council (D-Day for 500 trees at Orange's $25 million sports precinct, CWD May 19, 2021) is typical of his closed-minded attitude to this development.

There has been just one community 30 minute question and answer session, with no discussion allowed. A question or different view about the Bloomfield development is not allowed.

The Heritage Council asked for a virtual meeting of relevant stakeholders, and didn't get it. Council organised a meeting with Heritage without inviting the nearby Orange Health Service or concerned residents.

The mayor should consult Council's 2021 Climate Change Management Plan. It says local average maximum temperatures are predicted to rise by up to 1.5C by 2030, and by 3C by 2070. Scientists predict a rise over 2C will be devastating.

Heatwaves and droughts are projected to occur more often, to be more intense and last longer. Days over 35C will increase by up to 20 by 2030.

Council's Plan says 'the role of trees and forests in combating climate change is recognized as one of the most practical and affordable methods to combat climate change'. Council's 2020 Local Strategic Planning Statement, Priority 13, is Protect, conserve and enhance Orange's urban tree canopy, landform, waterways and bushland. This applies to the existing Bloomfield tree canopy and outlines the way to reduce the Orange urban heat island effect.

It defies reason that Council is pushing ahead, refusing community consultation, without reference to its own policy and planning documents.

Council's haste is obvious. The NSW Government has released a new Draft Design and Place State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP). It plans to have draft legislation available by late 2021 before being legislated in 2022.

The draft SEPP reflects new NSW Government policies and guidelines developed since the 2019 state election when the Premier announced her priorities, including greener public places, and Greening our City.

It includes a number of 'mandatory matters' which 'will be required to be considered as part of the development assessment process'. Some, including Green infrastructure and Tree canopy, specifically relate to the Bloomfield parkland.

It will, for example, be mandatory to retain and enhance existing significant and moderate tree canopy, and to ensure existing tree canopy is not reduced. The Bloomfield tree canopy that has been developing for more than 50 years is considered 'significant'.

The SEPP states that tree canopy is important for reducing the urban heat island effect. The trees to be removed will help cool the Orange urban area and provide welcome, even lifesaving refuge, in the heatwaves that the CSIRO predicts are coming.

Residents ask Council to have genuine and open consultation with the community. They would like Council to use its own policy and plans to inform Council decision making, in line with recent and known forthcoming NSW State Government policy and directions.

Council's plan to remove over 500 trees in the Bloomfield parkland is going in the opposite direction to NSW Government planning priorities.

We need every one of these trees to help reduce the local impacts of climate change.

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