RAINFOREST CUT DOWN AT DAVID BERRY HOSPITAL RAISES MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE SITE

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has today made urgent representations to the Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy, Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage, and the Chief Executive Officer of Shoalhaven City Council, after being made aware of land clearing of the Berry rainforest at David Berry Hospital (DBH).

The Berry rainforest is officially recognised as Illawarra Lowland Subtropical Rainforest, an Ecological Endangered Community, as outlined by not-for-profit Great Eastern Ranges.  It is recognised by the National Parks Association of NSW as an integral biodiversity stepping stone of native habitat in the Berry Corridor and is State Heritage Listed on Schedule 5 Environmental Heritage of the "Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan 2014.

“Not only was I not made aware of this land clearing, in my capacity as the State Member, the community, including Berry Landcare, The Berry community consultative body (The Forum), the Berry Historical Society, and the hospital itself, were not notified, and it appears that no consultation has taken place,” Mr Ward said.

“What an insult to the hardworking community, including Berry Landcare who have worked to improve this sensitive and endangered area.

“This is more evidence that the NSW Minns Labor Government is preparing to sell the site to its developer mates.

“This government is treating our local community with contempt. It’s time they answered one very simple question. Will the NSW Labor Government be selling off David Berry Hospital,” Mr Ward concluded.