By Nicole Stevens, Fremantle-Cockburn Gazette
THE Federal Government has made a preliminary decision on whether to allow Jandakot Airport Holdings to clear 167ha of native bushland to make room for a commercial development and fourth runway.
The Department of Environment last Tuesday provided its decision on the Airport draft Master Plan to JAH, giving them 10 business days to comment.
The decision is due to be finalised by February, when it will be made public.
Leading conservation group World Wildlife Fund and Friends of Ken Hurst Park called for a permanent ban on land clearing at the site. Friends of Ken Hurst Park convenor Eddy Wajon said the site needed permanent protection so JAH could not revisit the proposal to clear land every five years in a new master plan.
Protesting outside the airport, Dr Wajon said the site was home to the largest population of critically endangered grand spider orchids in the world, as well as Carnaby’s black cockatoo and glossy-leaved hammer orchid.
“There have been a lot of people supporting,” he said. “I am really buoyed by the supportive comments we’ve had.”
WWF Southwest Australia policy officer Katherine Howard said the site had significant value as one of the last remaining large and healthy areas of bushland in Perth.
“The bulk of the land to be cleared in this proposal is for non-aviation commercial development such as shops and showrooms,” she said.
“Essentially this means a few large businesses will profit at the cost of our rapidly disappearing natural heritage.
“It is deeply concerning that residents may be forced to defend this vital natural heritage area from commercial development every five years.”
The Draft Master Plan 2009 proposes clearing 167ha of Banksia woodland for a fourth runway, commercial development, roads and infrastructure.
JAH managing director John Fraser declined to comment.