The Brown Bloodwood / Sandstone Mahogany association, recently declared an Endangered Ecological Community, is found only on the cliff tops surrounding Shannon Creek, which winds its way between the three small portions of the Chambigne Nature Reserve. There are now three plant species, all identified within the past five years, that can be found only near Shannon Creek, a Grevillea, a Bertya and the latest, a Boronia, and more could still be out there.

One of greatest environmental disasters to be contemplated in recent times is the planned Shannon Creek Dam. It will block the creek between the sandstone escarpments, a huge 300 metre thick earthen wall, eventually flooding about 250 hectares of valley floor.

The point at which the dam wall will join the western escarpment was part of Chambigne Nature Reserve. A small portion of what was then vacant crown land (the reserve not created until the following year), was handed over to North coast Water for their dam building project.

That approximately two hectare construction site now has been declared an Endangered Ecological Community, however because the project has already been approved, that endangered status means nothing. Also on that two hectares can be found specimens of the new Bertya and Boronia, both are expected to be declared endangered in the near future and will join the already declared endangered Melichrus hirsutus and Ancistrachne maidenii, and the vulnerable Angophora robur.

Two separate flora studies were undertaken at the site in the early years of the project in preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. An EIS is what we, the public, see as the study, required by law, to protect the environment from inappropriate development; but how many of those five threatened plant species were reported growing at that location? NONE!

Fauna studies were little better. Initial EIS reports, for example, claimed Koalas were not present either within the inundation area or along the access road. Despite consultants later reporting the presence of Koalas along the access road the proponents still attempted to claim a management plan was not required because there was no 'core Koala habitat'. According to SEPP 44 the presence of Koalas automatically defines that habitat as 'core' habitat. Thanks to support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, we have managed to force North Coast Water to prepare the Plan. Unfortunately the Koalas of Shannon Creek will not be a part of that plan because that project has already gained approval. That also applies to the Bettongs and Brush-tailed Phascogales both of which were not seen at the creek but are now known to live there. Our EIS system has failed them

There is little doubt the entire system needs a serious overhaul if our very special flora and fauna are to survive in the long term.

-John