Once the playground for children and a haven for walkers, more houses are springing up below the ridge.

Despite residents’ pleas to save the area off Cathcart St, councillors at their recent meeting unanimously approved a 20-lot residential subdivision.

The development, behind 56 Cathcart St, includes construction of an internal road, and stretches through bushland to Slocombe St.

While the developers don’t propose to clear fell the block, residents are not assuaged by the level of tree retention.

The DA attracted 17 public submissions, the majority objecting.

“The native bushland in this area is a significant feature,” a seven-signature submission stated.

“There is a local community group, supported by Council, that works in the area (West Goulburn reserve) to maintain the quality and aesthetics of the bushland in the area.

“Allowing 1200 square metre blocks will result in the destruction of most of the vegetation on the block in question (141 trees). When purchasing in this area we were required to ensure that a significant amount of vegetation was retained.”

But a previous approval for a 15-lot subdivision on the site swayed councillors.

Cr Robin Saville said he acknowledged the community opposition.

“But that approval has a big effect on my decision,” he said in supporting planners’ recommended approval.

Cr Margaret O’Neill said she too was aware of concerns about flora and fauna.

“(But) Cathcart St used to be known as the number one place in Goulburn to live,” she said.

“This will give that (status) back to it.”

However she successfully argued that the owner of 46 Cathcart St be given legal and physical access over a drainage reserve.

Three parties already owning land in the area have combined resources to develop the land. They’re proposing lots ranging from 1150 to 1424sqm.

Surrounding blocks ranged from less than 1500sqm to 4000sqm, planners said. But under the 2009 LEP blocks as small as 700sqm were allowed.

Residents objected to the DA on the basis of lot size, traffic impacts, given the single access onto Slocombe St, internal road design and pedestrian access, flora and fauna, future development and overall amenity.

During an open forum address, Cathcart St resident Mez Egg described the area as one of the largest, most significant and intact stands of woodland in Goulburn. Given its shallow soils, it was different to the bush area further up on Ridge St.

“It is a very large development and there are other parts slated for development in the future,” she said.

“So overall, it will have a big impact on the area and Goulburn … trees don’t grow quickly.”

The developer must submit a tree retention and maintenance plan under the consent conditions.

The approval also requires them to plant one Eucalyptus street tree for each lot and two for corner blocks.

In her written submission, Ms Egg feared habitat such as birds, “the odd echidna,” possums, wallabies, kangaroos and more would lose their home.

“There is very little wildlife habitat in Goulburn,” she wrote.

“Once this hill (Cathcart through to Ridge) has been largely built out, where are the corridors? “Memorial hill in Eastgrove is a long way away. It is known that animals need to make use of wildlife corridors for safe passage and coexistence with humans. Why is there no substantial provision being made in recognition of this?”

But the developers’ consultant Greg Todd said the focus was on tree retention, not removal and the clearing was less than in the previous approval. In addition, he said a study had shown there was unlikely to be a negative effect on flora and fauna.

The decision comes two months after a contractor’s illegal clearing of bushland off Chiswick St, below Rocky Hill. Council administration decided not to take legal action.

The council undertook a study of the area below Ridge St, considering developable zones, more than five years ago. The report was responding to councillor and community concerns about housing development near the western ridgeline.