Organisers behind Save Link Road Forest have slammed developer Eden Estates from pulling out of planned talks with the community.

Members of the firm, driving the massive 574-hectare rezoning project spanning Wallsend and Glendale in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie LGAs, were scheduled to speak with campaigners on Tuesday 7 July.

However, it’s claimed the meeting was cancelled at the last-minute by company representatives.

The controversial multi-stage development includes residential lots, green spaces and key worker housing to serve the region’s growing population.

NSW Government officials state technical studies are currently underway to better understand the site’s constraints and opportunities, as well as areas suited to long-term environmental protection and conservation.  

But, Ian McKenzie said the developer’s refusal to meet in person and discuss the proposal with affected residents demonstrated a lack of transparency.

“There are serious issues with this development: a 20-year construction period, a significant increase of traffic on Link Road, an absence of important community infrastructure for a development of this size and, of course, the destruction of the last substantial unprotected forest in the Newcastle region,” the Link Road Forest Campaign group convenor explained.

“With all this on the line, the least Eden Estates could do is meet face-to-face with the concerned community.”

Mr McKenzie said there was still an opportunity for the NSW Government to choose a different future for the site.

“Newcastle has a proud history of protecting special places like Blackbutt Reserve and Glenrock State Conservation Area for generations moving forward,” he added.

“Link Road Forest deserves to join that legacy.

“Rather than destroying one of the region’s most important biodiversity hotspots, we are calling on the NSW Government to protect this remarkable forest as public conservation land so that our children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy it for decades to come.”

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