Environmentalists have raised alarm about ISPT’s development plan. It covers the felling of 500 trees on one development site as part of Sydney’s North Ryde, which lies in Sydney’s north-west. This site is situated immediately adjacent to Lane Cove National Park. It’s just one piece of a larger effort that includes siting a data center that would strengthen the region’s digital backbone. The proposal has sparked a fierce divide between local conservationists. They contend that the mature trees proposed for removal are indispensable to the local ecosystem.
ISPT made news in 2020 when they became the first property company to be carbon neutral. Finally, technology advocates claim that more development is needed to boost technological capabilities. Local conservationists, especially the Friends of Lane Cove National Park, are campaigning for a rethink on the project. Along the way, they underscore the ecological value of the most majestic trees and the possible consequences should they be cut.
The Development Proposal
The North Ryde site had been previously cleared back in 2009 for an alternate development which never went ahead. The new plan still calls for the removal of nearly 300 mature trees. Many of these trees are naturally hollow, creating an essential habitat for birds and other wildlife like the endangered yellow-billed cuckoo. It’s safe to say that as president of Friends of Lane Cove National Park, Tony Butteris really does love these trees and wants to protect them.
“They’re important because they are right next to the park and it’s a habitat corridor.” – Tony Butteris
To mitigate these effects on the local ecosystem, ISPT will plant 750 new native Australian trees. Environmentalists say that this new push doesn’t go far enough to protect the city’s more mature trees from removal. Butteris emphasized that these bigger trees take more than 100 years to grow. The environmental impacts of removing them would damage local ecological systems in the process.
Conservationists’ Concerns
Friends of Lane Cove National Park have previously expressed their doubts about ISPT’s public assurances that the tree planting program. Butteris noted that simply replacing mature trees with young saplings fails to capture the ecological value that established trees provide.
“‘Pull them down and plant another sapling over the way’ doesn’t really do the trick.” – Tony Butteris
He did encourage ISPT to reconsider the way it was going about it. He recommended other options that would allow for denser development and save many more trees.
“What we’re saying is let’s look at it again. You can still get the development there without taking so many trees out.” – Tony Butteris
Conservationists are concerned about more than just a few landmark trees. Their worries divulge farther-reaching effects for the ecological variety in Lane Cove National Park.
Developer’s Response
Acknowledging the backlash, an ISPT spokesperson said they understood the challenges of supporting ongoing development while recognizing the importance of environmental stewardship. They emphasized the company’s determination to limit disruption to the surrounding community while pushing forward on deployment of essential digital infrastructure.
“While we are always reluctant to remove existing flora … we will be implementing an offset tree re-planting program.” – ISPT spokesperson
The spokesperson stressed that the proposed data centre consists of a significant technology investment. They are ecologically-minded and therefore dedicated to maintaining ecological integrity. ISPT has shown a willingness to work with local conservation organizations to hear their concerns and work through the issues to find reasonable compromises.
