CONCERNS the Tough Mudder event will harm environmentally sensitive land and Paddy's River have been raised.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bundanoon resident Christine Fenwick has concerns the Tough Mudder event will damage native vegetation and ecologically sensitive area near Paddy's River.
"When it comes to native vegetation, you ignore all development applications and go to the Native Vegetation Act for approval," Ms Fenwick said.
"Given the environmental sensitivity of the land a Statement of Environment Effects (SEE) is not sufficient and a complete flora and fauna assessment is required."
Driven by her passion to save the Paddy's River, Ms Fenwick said two thirds of the Tough Mudder course is on land which forms part of the protected Regional Wildlife Habitat Corridor.
The course map also includes Lot 185, which is included in the list of threatened ecological communities under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
"It adjoins land enclosing part of Mundego Swamp, one of four swamps known as Paddy's River Swamps, which are nationally protected as an endangered ecological community," Ms Fenwick said.
Under council's Wingecarribee Local Environment Plan (WLEP) before granting development consent, council had to consider the adverse impact of the event on the native ecological community, the habitat of any threatened species, population of ecological community.
A council spokesman said the Native Vegetation Act would only be considered if the application involved the clearing of native vegetation.
"As the course, including the base camp and car parking is situated in cleared areas, it wasn't necessary to engage the Native Vegetation Act on this occasion," the spokesman said.
In its SEE, Tough Mudder said, "it will not compromise future development of the land, or have detrimental economic, social, amenity or environmental effects on the land".
The document also said all land would be, as far as practicable, returned to its previous state.
A council spokesman said minimal disturbance of the area was proposed.
"Legislation has been appropriately considered during the assessment," the spokesman said.
"There is proposed to be minimal disturbance of the area including no removal of vegetation, making use of cleared areas, keeping away from watercourses and Paddy's River."
The Tough Mudder course is a 20km military-style track and competitors will have to crawl, run, jump and leap through the steep cliffs, rolling hills and thick bush.
