The Federal Government has intervened to delay a housing development proposed for one of the only unburnt parcels of land on the New South Wales south coast.
Residents of the coastal village of Manyana have campaigned for months to stop trees on the 20-hectare block from being felled after fires decimated surrounding bushland in December and January.
On Monday, Environment Minister Sussan Ley confirmed she had called for more studies to be conducted into the potential impacts any land clearing could have on threatened and vulnerable species living in the area.
"The department will conduct a detailed assessment of the threatened species — particularly, the grey-headed flying fox," she said.
"This has always been done on a case-by-case basis and the bushfires have created a greater need for more assessment than would otherwise happen.
"That detailed assessment will determine if or how the project might go ahead."
A 'win' for locals
The process was expected to take several months to complete and local campaigners are celebrating the decision as a victory for the community.
"It's fantastic that Susan Ley has decided to wield her powers under her portfolio and make sure the environment is being looked after," Manyana Matters Environmental Association spokesperson, Jorj Lowry, said.
"That's what the group has been fighting for, for the last eight months.
"The community has [held] the developer accountable and government accountable and people-power has made this happen."
NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge also applauded the move.
"This is an incredibly important win for the forest and the local community and provides critical federal protection for this forest," he said.
"Locals worked hard to save this forest from bushfires, and now from bulldozers.
"It's time to permanently protect this critical patch of unburnt forest for the creatures that call it home, and the community that treasure it so highly.".
Developer cooperating
The developer, Ozy Homes, has been contacted for a response.
Ms Ley said the company has been cooperating with her department.
"The proponents will be required to provide information and they've started that process already," she said.
"The department will ask for detailed surveys, ecological studies etcetera, and that allows it to make that careful assessment of what has happened to this quality habitat and the impact of this proposal on it.
"There may be other reasons why other people don't want the project to go ahead but our focus is only on the critical habitat for the grey-headed flying fox and the potential habitat for the greater glider."
