OODGEROO MP Amanda Stoker has used State Parliament to accuse some opponents of the Ormiston College expansion project of crossing the line, alleging threats, harassment, trespassing and behaviour that put both people and koalas at risk.
Speaking during a parliamentary address on Thursday, Mrs Stoker said while debate over the school’s approved master plan was legitimate, the conduct of some activists had become unacceptable.
“I respect that there will be differing opinions on balancing progress and conservation,” she told Parliament.
“However, the recent behaviour from some activists has crossed a line.”
The comments come after months of community debate surrounding the school’s expansion plans, which include new classrooms, an early learning centre, sporting facilities and other campus improvements.
Mrs Stoker alleged students, parents and school leadership had been subjected to verbal abuse, online harassment and threats during the dispute.
“Students and parents have faced verbal abuse and online harassment, even with threats of violence made against school leadership,” she said.
The Oodgeroo MP also claimed trespassing incidents had created safety concerns for workers involved in monitoring koalas on the site.
“There’s been trespassing carry-on that made the on-site ecologist and koala spotter fear for the welfare of the very koalas these people say they want to protect,” she told Parliament.
Mrs Stoker said she had tabled evidence supporting those claims.
“The hypocrisy is alarming,” she said.
“People so fixated on their priorities that they would cause harm to children in the pursuit of it. So fixated, they’d harm the very wildlife they claim to defend.”
While much of her speech focused on activist conduct, Mrs Stoker also defended the environmental approvals attached to the project, rejecting claims the development would come at the expense of koala habitat.
She said the approval included 39 overarching environmental conditions and 42 additional provisions specifically aimed at protecting koalas.
According to Mrs Stoker, only 20 per cent of the site will be cleared, while 80 per cent will remain vegetated.
She said 54 koala fodder trees would be removed under the approved plans but at least 526 replacement trees would be planted, supported by a mitigation strategy to ensure food sources remained available while the new trees matured.
“This is not unchecked clearing, it’s a careful process on ecological advice, with strict compliance monitoring,” she said.
Mrs Stoker also pointed to comments from Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt that the project would not have a significant environmental impact.
The school’s expansion was approved by the State Government last month, with conditions requiring no net loss of koala habitat.
“The clearing work is now complete, and construction will soon begin,” Mrs Stoker said.
“Every inspector that has come to check compliance has given the school the tick.
“We can protect koalas while supporting our children. We can maintain strong environmental conditions and still allow schools to invest in the future.”
She concluded by backing expert advice that the project would ultimately improve habitat outcomes.
“I’ll conclude with the words of the experts: there’s no net loss of koala habitat.
“In fact, by the time the master plan’s complete, that habitat will be better than ever.”
