Save Link Road Forest

Link Road Forest Overview

Link Road Forest is a 592-hectare area of mainly regrowth native forest located on former mining land. It spans two local government areas:

  • Newcastle (423 ha) zoned as C4 Environmental Living

  • Lake Macquarie (169 ha) zoned as RU6 Transition and C2 Environmental Conservation

The land is privately owned by Eden Estates, which submitted Planning Proposals to both councils in 2021. While Lake Macquarie City Council (LMCC) granted Gateway approval, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) terminated the proposal in early 2024 due to insufficient information. The City of Newcastle (CN) has not progressed the proposal, citing unresolved concerns.

Eden Estates now seeks a joint proposal involving both councils. LMCC supports this approach, but CN reportedly does not.

Preliminary ecological assessments identified 11 threatened fauna species, including the endangered large-eared pied bat, and 5 threatened plant species, including the critically endangered Rhodamnia rubescens (scrub turpentine). While no koalas were recorded on-site, they have been found nearby.

Most Newcastle councillors (11 of 13) have pledged to oppose further native forest clearing for residential development, citing biodiversity and climate concerns.

INewcastle Council is currently considering an amendment to the Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) to reclassify 147 ha of Link Road Forest from Housing Release Area to Environmental and Open Space, based on its High Environmental Value (HEV).

A larger section of the forest (approx. 280 ha north of Link Road) may have even higher biodiversity value but is currently part of the National Pinch Point Regionally Significant Growth Area under the Hunter Regional Plan 2046. This area cannot be reclassified unless it is first removed from that designation. Newcastle Council has resolved to request a formal investigation into this area’s environmental significance.

Council is expected to approve the proposed LSPS amendment within the next few months. 22/5/2025.

SIGN THE PETITON

We need your support now more than ever! We must prevent this forest from being rezoned for residential development. We must advocate for smart urban planning that doesn't steal remaining native forests but instead respects them as essential parts of our environment.

Candidates for the Newcastle Council election were asked to commit to a pledge opposing further clearing of native forest for residential development due to its unacceptable impact on biodiversity and climate change.  Eleven of the thirteen councillors elected, including the Lord Mayor, committed to the pledge. They are:

Independents - Ross Kerridge group – Lord Mayor Dr Ross Kerridge, Councillors Peter Gittens and Mark Brooker; 

Labor – Councillors Declan Clause, Paige Johnson, Peta Winney-Baartz, Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk and Deahnna Richardson; and

The Greens – Councillors Charlotte McCabe, Joe Pringle and Sinead Francis-Coan.  

You can read the pledge the eleven councillors have committed to here.

The two Liberal councillors did not respond to the pre-election request to commit to the pledge.

Link Road Forest is under immediate threat of being rezoned for residential development. Link Road Forest consists of 592 hectares overall encompassing GLENDALE to WALLSEND extending to MINMI with 72% in the City of Newcastle and 28% with the City of Lake Macquarie.

If the rezoning application is successful it will displace threatened species and impact connectivity from the Watagan Range for species along the coast, as this area is the last significant piece of bushland linking east Lake Macquarie and Newcastle's reserves providing a wildlife corridor now and for future climate change survival. 

FIND HOW YOU CAN ACT TO SAVE LINK ROAD FOREST BELOW!

WHY SAVE LINK ROAD FOREST?

MANY ABORIGINAL SITES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE AREA

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Eden Estates Development Footprint.jpeg
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Wildlife Corridors & Connectivity

  • This site provides connectivity from the Watagan Range for species along the coast.

  • Last significant piece of bushland linking east Lake Macquarie and Newcastle’s reserves. 

  • Squirrel gliders inhabiting the Blackbutt Nature Reserve and the development site are currently connected through wildlife corridors running through Cardiff Heights. 

Squirrel Gliders

(Iconic Species of Lake Macquarie/Newcastle Area) 

  • It is estimated that the population extending across northern Central Coast and southern Lake Macquarie LGAs was the biggest in Australia (Smith 2000, cited in Economos R. & McDonald A. 2008). 

  • Lake Macquarie City Council ecologists estimate that across Newcastle (Glenrock State Conservation Area, Tingira Heights Nature Reserves, Jesmond bushland, Blackbutt Reserve) the area of likely habitat is 1,767 ha, with a potential maximum population of possibly 300 - 600 Squirrel Gliders. 

  • The Lake Macquarie Squirrel Glider Planning and Management Guidelines 2015 within the LGA, “any further loss of habitat or connectivity in the north-east population is expected to be significant ” and cites the significance of development impacts relate to loss of major habitat connectivity, and reduction in habitat fragments to sizes of less than 400 ha. 
Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Yango Creek Road 05-02-2020 (Mick Roderick).jpg
Square-tailed kite (source: HBOC BIL)
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(source: HBOC BIL)
Little Eagle (source: HBOC BIL)
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167927076.WXntMMRM.Squirrel_Glider_4182.jpg
(Source: Jo Lynch)
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Glossy Black Cockatoo (source: HBOC BIL)
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Fauna & Flora Impacts

Threatened species surveyed onsite in preliminary Biodiversity Impact Statement
(Anderson Environment and Planning)

Southern Myotis

Grey-headed Flying-fox

Powerful Owl

Slaty Red Gum

Squirrel Glider

Masked Owl

Netted Bottle Brush

Square-tailed Kite

Little Eagle

Glossy Black-Cockatoo

Little Bent-winged Bat

Large Bent-winged Bat

Small-flower Grevillea

Scrub Turpentine

Black-eyed Susan

Resources on the Rezoning

Newcastle City Council

NCC requested additional information after viewing the preliminary site assessment documents.

Nine Newcastle City Councillors signed a pledge prior to their election in December 2021 agreeing in principle against further land clearing.

Lake Macquarie City Council

  • View the Preliminary Site Assessment documents tabled at the Lake Macquarie City Council Ordinary Meeting of 24 May 2021  Select: Business papers, Document numbers: 21SP041.
    E.g. Site Contamination, Traffic, Bushfire, Environment + more.

  • Read response from LMCC Councillor
    Barney Langford to Marion Giles

  • Read response from LMCC Cr Adam Shultz and Senior Strategic Planner to Marilyn Hind

News & Media

ACT NOW TO SAVE LINK ROAD FOREST

ACT NOW TO SAVE LINK ROAD FOREST

Add your contact details to receive notice of opportunities to take action, learn more & connect with the SLRF campaign:

Distribute flyers

Distribute it to friends and family by printing or emailing to raise awareness.

Contact coordinator@hcec.org.au to request printed copies

Associated Groups

  • Communities for Sustainable Development

  • Hunter Community Environment Centre