Call for rezoning rethink to protect endangered parrots in Sydney's inner west

Sydney's inner west residents are opposing a plan to rezone residential land near bird habitat to accommodate high-density housing, fearing it will affect endangered swift parrots. The proposal includes land around the future Burwood North Metro Station, which could house around 18,000 people. Inner-west Sydney residents and NSW opposition MPs are calling for the rezone to be canceled.

The Swift parrot, classified as endangered in NSW and critically endangered by the Commonwealth, has been spotted at the Queen Elizabeth Park. A report commissioned by the state's Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure found the park contains 5 hectares of endangered Sydney turpentine ironbark forest. Malcolm Foldvary, a Concord resident, stated that construction noise would drive the birds away, and the added weight and noise of scaffolding could harm birdlife and their signaling.

The federal government's national recovery plan for the swift parrot suggested minimizing noise and light pollution impacts. Foldvary argued that the park should not be disturbed, and housing should be increased closer to the under-construction Metro station at Parramatta Road. The proposal includes building 5-10% affordable housing and structures between 8-42 storeys tall.

Shadow Environment Minister Jacqui Munro recommended finding the housing closer to the Metro station instead of the park. The party claimed that protecting one block would not stop the area's overall housing density increase, as 30,000 new homes are planned in Drummoyne's LGA alone. NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully acknowledged the concerns about bird habitat but stated they were being carefully evaluated alongside community and stakeholder feedback.

The Burwood North Metro Station is part of the Sydney Metro West project, which is expected to be completed by 2032.