A development application for a 26-lot residential subdivision on Back Creek Road in Young has come under the spotlight in Hilltops Council’s July business paper, specifically through item 12.11.
The proposal includes plans for a new internal road, demolition of existing structures, and the potential removal of trees on the site at 86 Back Creek Road.
While the development aims to address regional housing needs, it has prompted discussions about balancing growth with environmental protection, particularly the retention of mature trees that provide critical habitat for native wildlife.
The application (DA2025/0202) seeks to subdivide the land into 26 residential lots, and supporting documents submitted to the NSW Planning Portal include a biodiversity development assessment report, a preliminary contamination assessment, engineering drawings and a statement of environmental effects.
These outline the scope of works and acknowledge that some vegetation clearing will be required to facilitate the subdivision layout, road construction and future home sites.
Young is often known as the “Cherry Capital of Australia,” and with its strong agricultural base and growing population, demand for housing continues to rise.
Proponents of the subdivision argue that it will deliver much-needed new homes, improve local infrastructure through the construction of a new road and contribute to economic activity in the area. However, the potential loss of trees has raised eyebrows among residents and environmental advocates who value the semi-rural character of Back Creek Road.
Mature trees on the site include eucalypts and other native species common to the region’s woodlands and open forests.
In general trees play vital roles beyond aesthetics: they provide shade, help manage stormwater, sequester carbon, and support a rich ecosystem of insects, birds and other animals. Removing them without careful planning could fragment local habitat and reduce biodiversity in an area already experiencing pressure from agricultural and urban expansion.
A standout aspect of the proposal is the opportunity to modify the design. During the development assessment process, councils and applicants routinely consider amendments to minimise environmental impacts. Adjustments such as re-aligning lot boundaries, altering the road layout, or clustering dwellings could allow many significant trees to be retained.
Preserving key specimens – especially those offering hollows for nesting or abundant flowering resources – would deliver clear benefits.
Nearby residents would enjoy continued visual amenity, shade and a stronger connection to the natural landscape.
For flora and fauna, retained trees would maintain food sources, shelter, and movement corridors, supporting the long-term health of local ecosystems.
Threatened Birds at Risk from Tree Clearing
Tree removal in woodland areas like those around Young can have particularly severe consequences for several threatened bird species that depend on eucalypt woodlands for foraging, nesting, and breeding.
The Hilltops region and broader inland NSW support important habitat for a number of vulnerable and critically endangered birds. Here are some of the key species that could be impacted by habitat loss in this area:
• Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia): Critically Endangered. This striking bird relies heavily on flowering eucalypts and mistletoe in woodlands and forests. It has suffered dramatic population declines due to habitat clearing and degradation. Mature trees providing nectar resources are essential for its survival.
• Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor): Critically Endangered. A nomadic species that breeds in Tasmania and migrates to mainland woodlands in winter. It feeds on nectar from flowering eucalypts and lerp insects. Loss of mature trees reduces critical winter foraging habitat across south-eastern Australia, including inland NSW areas.
• Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii): Vulnerable. Found in woodlands and riverine forests of inland NSW, including parts of the Riverina and Southern Tablelands. It nests in tree hollows and forages on the ground and in trees for seeds and nectar. Hollow-bearing trees are vital for breeding success.
• Painted Honeyeater (Grantiella picta): Vulnerable. A nomadic honeyeater that specialises in mistletoe and flowering trees in woodlands. Habitat fragmentation from clearing affects its ability to find sufficient food resources.
• Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata): Vulnerable. This finch inhabits open woodlands and grasslands with scattered trees. It relies on native grasses and shrubs for food and cover; tree clearing can reduce suitable habitat patches.
• Speckled Warbler (Pyrrholaemus sagittatus): Vulnerable. Prefers open eucalypt woodlands with a grassy understorey. It forages on the ground and in low vegetation and is sensitive to habitat disturbance and clearing.
• Grey-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis): Vulnerable (listed as Endangered in some states). Lives in social groups in woodlands and requires large areas of connected habitat with mature trees for nesting and foraging on insects.
These species highlight why retaining mature trees is not just about aesthetics but about conserving biodiversity.
Many are listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and NSW biodiversity legislation, requiring careful assessment of impacts.
A biodiversity development assessment report accompanying the DA would evaluate these risks and propose mitigation measures, such as offsets or targeted plantings. However, retention on-site is generally preferred over offsets because it preserves existing habitat immediately.
Community and Environmental Perspectives
Nearby residents have voiced concerns about the cumulative effects of development on the character of Back Creek Road and surrounding areas.
Trees contribute to the peaceful, leafy feel that attracts people to regional living. Their removal could also affect local microclimates, increasing heat in summer and reducing natural cooling.
Hilltops Council’s planning framework, including its urban tree management policies and environmental strategies, encourages the protection of significant vegetation where possible. Any approval for the subdivision would likely include conditions requiring arborist assessments, protection of retained trees during construction, and compensatory planting. The council has demonstrated commitment to environmental outcomes through recent policy updates and community engagement on planning matters. Residents await the impact of such measures.
Public consultation is a key part of the process. Submissions from the community can highlight specific trees of value, observed wildlife, or suggestions for design changes. Engaging early with planners and the applicant increases the chance of amendments that preserve trees.
Path Forward: A Win-Win Opportunity
The best outcome would see the subdivision proceed with meaningful tree retention.
By adjusting the layout – perhaps through clustered housing, narrower road reserves, or creative lot configurations – developers can create attractive, environmentally sensitive estates. Such an approach aligns with modern planning principles that prioritise liveability, sustainability, and biodiversity.
Retained trees would support not only the threatened birds but also a wider array of common species, pollinators, and small mammals. They would enhance property values for future homeowners and maintain the scenic quality of the entrance to Young from that direction.
This proposal is emblematic of challenges facing many regional NSW towns: how to grow sustainably without eroding the environmental values that underpin quality of life and ecological resilience. With careful planning and a willingness to adapt designs, the Back Creek Road subdivision could set a positive example—showing that development and conservation are not mutually exclusive.
Residents interested in the proposal are encouraged to review documents on the NSW Planning Portal (search DA2025/0202 or PAN-589072), attend the relevant council meeting, or make a submission. Outcomes from this process will influence not only this site but future development decisions across the Hilltops region.
In the end, keeping mature trees where possible represents a genuine win: for the birds and wildlife that call these woodlands home, for the residents who cherish their local environment, and for the long-term sustainability of Young as it continues to grow.
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