Work on the Armidale Regional Airport Business Park is underway in close liaison with specialised ecologists to manage vegetation and biodiversity in and around the site.
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A five-year vegetation management program is underway to offset selective tree clearing being undertaken as part of the site preparation.
Armidale Regional Council Mayor Simon Murray thought while the 24-lot business park would bring a massive economic and employment boost for the Armidale region, it was also important to protect the our diversity.
"The site was assessed by ecologists as highly degraded, from years of grazing and invasion by perennial weeds,' Cr Murray said.
"We are taking a number of measures to ensure the outcome for native flora and fauna is as positive as possible.
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"The tree clearing was timed to minimise the effect on wildlife. Ecologists advised us that removing the trees in winter would have the least impact."
An ecologist was present was on site to monitor the trees for any native animals before and during their removal, and all cleared vegetation will be mulched and used for landscaping at the business park.
He said a biodiversity management strategy for the site was approved by the Office of Environment & Heritage for the area that included strategic fencing, weed control, feral animal control and assisted regeneration, to ensure native wildlife habitat would be enhanced in the long-term.
"The 7.7-hectare business park will be an incredible asset to generate jobs and business activity and boost our population," Cr Murray said.
The NSW Government announced earlier this year its Growing Local Economies Fund would provide $6 million for the $6.5 million project to install roads, water mains, telecommunications, National Broadband Network and other infrastructure at the site.
Infrastructure work is expected to be completed in November 2020, and selling agent First National is already in negotiations with a number of businesses looking to establish operations at the park.
Visit www.investarmidale.com.au for more information