RIVERSLEA residents have been shocked to discover a patch of nearby forest will be cleared to make way for more than 70 new houses.
The community previously rallied to stop these trees from being knocked down, however this time they fear nothing can be done.
Trudy Hayman said she bought her home on Lavender Lane five years ago because she thought the bush area her property faced was a protected reserve.
She only learnt the truth from the letter that was sent to residents last week, informing them hundreds of trees would be felled along Margaret River's Darch Brook as part of a housing development plan by Walsec Pty Ltd.
"We're absolutely gutted they're going to knock these trees down," she said.
"Especially given the amount of land that's cleared in Margaret River. This is the last cut of trees in Riverslea.
"It's home to native birds, people walk their dogs and ride their bikes through there.
"We moved from the city and moved down here and we've loved living where we do. We just assumed it was there to stay."
All the people complaining – I would have liked to see their blocks before they built.
- Lex Piper, owner of property developer Walsec Pty Ltd
Community member Jim Matan said many residents were taken aback by the letter notifying of the new development plans.
"Walsec sent letters to many residents advising them this heavily wooded block will be cleared to develop 79 new residential blocks," Mr Matan said.
"The undated letter states work will commence from January 19 and continue until June."
The land was approved for development by the Western Australian Planning Commission in 2002.
Some of Ms Hayman's neighbours, who have lived there more than five years, were aware of this, as the matter came up in 2007 when the Darch Brook site was owned by property developer Lester Group.
According to Margaret River Regional Environment Centre co-ordinator David Rastrick, about 200 local residents rallied against Lester Group's development plans at the time and the site was eventually sold to Walsec in Perth.
Mr Rastrick believed the timely global financial crisis had contributed to Lester’s decision to sell.
“Community members investigated the possibility of the national trust purchasing the land, yet Lester Group sold it to the new developer before we could complete negotiations,” he said.
“There the situation has rested, ‘til now.”
Walsec owner Lex Piper said he was given all the approvals and he has no plans to derail his development.
“I own the land and I’ve had it for six years,” Mr Piper said.
“All the people complaining – I would have liked to see their blocks before they built.”
Mr Piper said he was in fact advised to completely clear the land as the Department of Fire and Emergency Services believed the bushland was a threat to Riverslea’s existing homes.
“Even if we wanted to keep some trees, we’re not allowed to,” he said.
“It’s a fire hazard.
“It makes a difference with small blocks – even if you leave a tree, it could hang over the block next door.”
Asked if he was concerned about removing natural habitats, Mr Piper said he was granted the environmental clearance.
He said the information he had indicated that the bird life in the area, including threatened black cockatoos, would be able to find new homes.
“There’s plenty of bush around,” he said.
Concerned residents plan to meet at 6pm on Wednesday, January 21 to discuss possible actions to save the forest. The meeting will take place at the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Halcyon Crescent.
Mr Matan called for community members to attend in hope of having their voices heard.
“It’s worth coming along and seeing the beauty of the area before the developers wreak more destruction,” Mr Matan said.
