Sensitive bushland specialists
Tree work in Duffys Forest demands genuine ecological knowledge
Duffys Forest is unlike any other suburb on the Northern Beaches. Accessed via Duffys Forest Road, Booralie Road, Golf Links Road and Old Mona Vale Road, it is a very low-density area of bush blocks and rural holdings sitting between Terrey Hills and the Garigal National Park boundary. There is very little cleared land here — the dominant character is intact native bushland, and for most residents that is precisely the point.
The most important ecological consideration in Duffys Forest is the Duffys Forest Ecological Community (DFEC). This is listed as an Endangered Ecological Community under both the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act 1999). This is the highest level of statutory protection available for a plant community in Australia. The DFEC occurs on specific sandstone soils and is identified by its characteristic species assemblage — Scribbly Gum, Heath-leaved Banksia, Sydney Peppermint and Narrow-leaved Apple among others.
Working near or within DFEC vegetation requires an arborist who understands what this classification means in practice. A qualified professional will identify DFEC vegetation before work begins, advise on what approvals are required, and carry out the work in a way that avoids or minimises impact on the community. An unqualified operator who clears DFEC vegetation without the appropriate consents risks significant financial penalties and prosecution under both state and federal law.
We approach every job in Duffys Forest with the ecological sensitivity this area demands. Before any work is proposed we will assess whether DFEC vegetation is present, advise on what consents are required from Northern Beaches Council and potentially the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and plan the work to protect what needs to be protected.
