This is a notice to make the community aware of a proposed development lodged for 120 Mona Vale Road, Warriewood and 8 Forest Road, Warriewood. Currently 8 Forest Rd has a development in progress for 80 dwellings (see 'Lone Wallaby'). 120 Mona Vale Rd proposes to contain 63 residential lots, and to link the land to 8 Forest Rd with a very substantial bridge over Narrabeen Creek, in order for all residents of both properties to then exit Jubilee Avenue. The developers have previously been denied access to Mona Vale Road, and are therefore attempting to gain access over the creek, with a potential 280+ vehicles to be added over both sites and to be funnelled through the suburban streets of Warriewood.
120 Mona Vale Rd is currently zoned R2 and C4. In New South Wales, Australia, "R2" refers to the Low Density Residential zone, primarily for single-family detached homes, while "C4" refers to the Environmental Living zone, intended for areas with special environmental values that allow for low-impact residential development, including dwelling houses and secondary dwellings, while prioritising environmental preservation.
In March 2025, the Biodiversity Conservation Act (BC Act) reforms mandated that developers "avoid, minimise, and offset" biodiversity impacts, requiring genuine avoidance and minimisation efforts to be demonstrated before offsets are considered. The reforms, which took full effect from March 7, 2025, legislated this hierarchy within the Act and introduced new assessment standards and public registers to improve transparency and ensure developers implement real measures to protect biodiversity values. This process has not been demonstrated. The majority of native vegetation in the subject lot will be cleared for the development, and an unreasonable amount of vegetation fragmentation will occur for the access track.
Clearing of hectares of native vegetation all of which is known habitat for over 20 threatened species is completely unreasonable, unsustainable and is a complete disregard for the principle of ‘Avoid’.
The section of the proponents BDAR (section 7) does not detail the Principal of ‘Avoid’ but instead relies on the principles of ‘Offset’; and ‘Minimise’. This is a failure of the development to meet the offset hierarchy. The preparation of a Vegetation Management Plan to protect vegetation along riparian corridors is not an adequate demonstration of avoid, when 6.18 hectares of native vegetation habitat for threatened species, including at least three (3) Serious and Irreversible Impact (SAII) entities will be cleared and lost forever.
There is extreme concern for the damage this will do to Narrabeen Creek and surrounds, not to mention the high increase in traffic through 8 Forest Rd and out Jubilee Avenue. The bridge will necessitate destruction of prime habitat and riparian land, with many piers to be sunk into the creek and surrounds. In total more than 11 hectares of vegetation will be cleared, 6.18 hectares being native vegetation.
Where potential breeding habitat for Large-eared Pied Bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri) and Eastern Cave Bat (Vespadelus troughtoni) breeding occurs (e.g. sandstone cliff faces and crevices/caves) appropriately timed targeted surveys using harp traps and/or mist nets must be undertaken between Mid November through December to January to confirm whether the species are breeding. If they are breeding they are an SAII entity that must not be harmed. The breeding habitat and a buffer around it must be protected. This is clearly detailed in the bat survey guidelines which must be properly implemented, not ignored: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/publications/species-creditthreatened-bats-and-their-habitats
A Large-eared Pied Bat was detected. Therefore it must be assumed as breeding until the appropriate level of survey is undertaken or an Expert Report produced.
Further, of the 9 species of microbats noted to be using the area as habitat, 3 species are threatened, and will be heavily impacted. There are further species that will be impacted due to the close locality of the Warriewood Escarpment.
A significant, large specimen of this Critically Endangered SAII species, Scrub Turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens) is on the edge of Boundary Road within the far north-eastern corner of the Subject Land. This specimen was found by a respected Botanist. The BDAR fails to mention this record nor generate a Species polygon around it. The habitat that this plant occurs is contiguous with the Subject Property. Where there is one plant there is likely to be more, particularly in the lower elevation portions of the site.
There is also a population of Angus Onion orchids, a threatened species, on the property (more than 100 plants have been surveyed) and the 4.87 hectares containing these plants will be cleared, destroying the entire population.
To make a submission prior to the cut off of October 1 2025, go to DA2025/1087 to locate documents for further viewing, and lodge your comments through the ‘make a submission’ link, or quoting the DA number and sending an email to council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Such damage and blatant disregard for the local environment is concerning and should not be allowed to be carried out.
Exhibition Period:03/09/2025 to 01/10/2025
Concerned Resident
Boundary Road towards the creek and 8 Forest Road. Photo supplied
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Exhibition Notice
DA2025/1087
Address: 8 Forest Road and 120 Mona Vale Road WARRIEWOOD
Lot 3, Lot 4 & Lot 5 DP 124602 and Lot 1 DP 5055
Description: Subdivision of three lots into 63 residential lots, one (1) community title lot and one (1) residue lot including the construction of a bridge, associated infrastructure, services and access works
Consent Authority: Sydney North Planning Panel
Applicant: Opera Properties Pty Ltd
Exhibition Start Date: 3 September 2025
Exhibition End Date: 1 October 2025
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The proposal is ‘Integrated Development’ and approval is required from NSW Rural Fire Service under s100B of the Rural Fires Act 1997. The proposal is also ‘Nominated Integrated Development’ and approval is required from the Department of Planning and Environment - Water under s91 (Controlled Activity Approval) of the Water Management Act 2000.
Submissions can be made to Council during the exhibition period. Any submission must specify the grounds for objection.
Lone Wallaby at Warriewood
A resident has sent in these distressing photos of a wallaby at 8 ''Forest'' Road Warriewood this week, stating:
''Lone wallaby sitting where his home used to be amongst all the building material. God help us when these 100's of units a full.
As if the traffic and roads aren't bad enough.
So sad.
It looks like there will be more to come too.''
