Fauna and flora
NorthConnex is being built within a heavily urbanised area but there are some areas of native vegetation within the project alignment. We are committed to minimising removal of vegetation where possible. Through design changes, we have been able to save more than one hectare of threatened vegetation which was previously approved for removal in the EIS, including more than 470 square metres of endangered Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest and 742
Epacris Pururaescens.
To compensate for the removal of some native trees, a biodiversity offset package is being developed, which involves the purchase of
biobanking credits through NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.
Hollow bearing trees provide habitat for native fauna including possums, lorikeets, microbats, cockatoos and owls. NorthConnex engaged
Hornsby Men’s Shed to build 72 nest boxes to offset the removal of trees along the alignment. 29 nest boxes have been installed in the reserve next to Haines Avenue at Carlingford and Blue Gum Creek. Another 43 nest boxes have been installed throughout Wahroonga and Normanhurst. A survey in October 2016 showed a 60 per cent increase in occupation of the nest boxes compared to survey data of the original tree hollows.