Land sale at Vincentia

He just can’t understand why the land was put up for sale in the first place and firmly believes it should be saved from any possible development.

Mr Grounds said the land had significant environmental importance and was a vital wildlife corridor.

The 11.16 hectare site is up the road from Vincentia High and across the road from the Bayswood development - on the corner of The Wool and Naval College Roads.

He said the land was owned by the NSW Government.

“Apparently it’s owned  by TAFE and they had a prior plan to develop a college here but that collapsed and they have decided to sell it,” he said.

He said the land’s environmental value only meant it should go into the national parks network.

“It’s absolutely part of a wildlife corridor and Shoalhaven City Council and science recognises this as a significant habitat corridor right through here which is critical not only to Jervis Bay National Park but especially to the Booderee National Park,” he said.

Two Commonwealth threatened species, the leafless tongue orchid and the eastern bristlebird, can be found on the land.

The land comes with environmental restrictions and would need to be rezoned if it was to be developed.

Mr Ground said the rezoning would create nightmares.

“To the best of our understanding there would be no support for that rezoning,” he said.

“The rezone would put the community into the conflict situation they have been in too many times around here.”

Mr Grounds represents several groups when it comes to this issue.

He represents the Heritage Estate Community Network (HEST) and Birdlife Shoalhaven.

Mr Grounds has written to the New South Wales Minister for the Environment, Gabrielle Upton, and Member for the South Coast Shelley Hancock to raise concerns.

However the block is scheduled for an online auction at 12pm on Tuesday May 23.