The semirural community of Gelorup is 12km South of Bunbury. In amongst the bush blocks is the Gelorup Corridor, an environmental sanctuary where many species of native flora and fauna thrive (including several endangered species). One of those species is the critically endangered
Western Ringtail Possum, which is one step away from extinction.
The Southern Alignment of the Bunbury Outer Ring Road (BORR) will bulldoze straight through 71 hectares of native vegetation, and we are
trying to save it.
We are not against building a bypass which is necessary to cater for the growing tourist and residential traffic and the increase in trucks on our roads. But we are strongly opposed to the Government’s insistence that the BORR is to be built in a narrow, environmentally sensitive and
unsuitable corridor that follows a plan which is over 40 years old.
Times have changed since the ‘70s. We have become aware of the importance of preserving the habitat for the protection of the critically
endangered flora and fauna such as the Western Ringtail Possums, 3 species of threatened Black Cockatoos, sensitive Banksia Woodlands,
sites of Indigenous significance and registered ancient giants which are all present in our backyards and along the corridor. And, it is important
to note that people were permitted, by the local council of the time, to build in an area which is now being reclaimed for the building
of the BORR.
This may seem just like a local issue, but the problem is a much larger one. It is known internationally that Australia has one of the highest losses of species worldwide. This was a fact even before the recent catastrophic bushfires, which have now resulted in the
additional destruction of our precious environment. The construction of this road is not an act of nature. It is a deliberate decision, made by our
government to destroy a unique nature corridor that cannot be replaced. Surely it is the responsibility of our government to identify this
as a serious issue.
For the future of our children and our children’s children, our leaders need to put in place a long term sustainable solution for our rare and endangered species. Saving the Gelorup Corridor would be a commendable step in the right direction.
As a community group we strongly oppose the building of this freeway in its current alignment through the Gelorup Corridor for both social and environmental reasons.
Together we aim to build community awareness, communicate with decision makers and
support those most affected.