Craig Kelly (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Georges River was first explored by Bass and Flinders in 1795, and since the early 1800s European settlers have migrated to areas along the river.

Today, the catchment area of the river it is home to over one million people, placing impacts on the catchment's natural environment. This makes the protection of the few remaining natural habitats even more critical. One such area is the beautiful green space known as Cooper's Paddock. Although just one kilometre from the bustling Liverpool CBD, it is an isolated haven on the river and the habitat for no less than nine threatened species, including the powerful owl.

The peaceful woodlands of Cooper's Paddock provide quality breeding and feeding habitat for an extraordinary variety of birds, raptors and several nationally significant migratory species. Cooper's Paddock also contains endangered eucalypt forest protected by law and crucial to the wildlife corridors of Western Sydney.

Yet this irreplaceable site is being threatened by inappropriate industrial development. Along with local residents Brian and Cherie Saxby and Pers and Robin Christian, I call on Liverpool council to consider seriously any rezoning application for Cooper's Paddock so this green open space and its natural biodiversity will be preserved for present and future generations.