Hey you! Yes, I mean you. Leave those birds alone.

This should be interesting. The Keneally Government's flawed joint regional planning panel system (which allows unelected individuals and council staff to vote) is going to consider this development application near wetlands, as reported in The Daily Examiner.
This wetland supported 1,615 egret nests according to a 1988 census and annual numbers are affected by seasonal conditions

CLARENCE Valley ecologist Greg Clancy has found flaws in a development application (DA) to create 35 residential lots on land near the Lawrence wetlands.
Dr Clancy said a number of birds that featured on Federal Government conservation legislation either bred or nested in the wetlands.
"They didn't report cattle egret or eastern great egret. Both of those species are listed under the Federal Government legislation, and there are other species there that are listed," Dr Clancy said.
"It may well be that this development needs to be forwarded to Peter Garrett (Environment Minister). And that needs to be investigated adequately in the report."
Dr Clancy said the report did not adequately consider other aspects of the wetlands.
"The report is deficient in that it mentions there are a small number of breeding birds. It seems to underestimate the value of the site for breeding," Dr Clancy said.
"They (Clarence Valley Council) were there in January. Most of the breeding is over by January. It's spring and early summer that you get the thousands of birds nesting there."
Dr Clancy said the number of lots was going to pose a problem, even with the introduction of sewerage and storm run-off controls. There would be problems with disturbance of the birds during construction and from the amount of traffic and lights coming from the houses.
He disagreed with Clarence Valley Council's assessment that the Companion Animals Act would adequately control domestic animals such as dogs and cats...

Birds Australia this year:
Space at the Egret Rookeries at Lawrence and Murwillumbah is at an absolute premium.

Northern Region Joint Regional Planning Panel members:
On behalf of NSW Government: Garry West (Chair), Pamela Westing and John Griffin, with Bruce Clarke as Alternate.
On behalf of Clarence Valley Council: Stuart McPherson (General Manager), Richie Williamson (Mayor), Rob Donges (Council management staff) Alternate, Jim Simmons (Deputy Mayor) Alternate.