Target: Penny Sharpe, Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Heritage, New South Wales, Australia
Goal: Reroute the Hunter Transmission Line away from Littlejohn’s tree frog habitat, add binding safeguards, and fund long-term recovery so this species does not slide toward extinction.
Littlejohn’s tree frog survives in only three known NSW strongholds. Fewer than 1,000 remain. Researchers just achieved a world-first captive breeding of about 90 tadpoles, yet scientists warn this breakthrough cannot offset habitat loss if a 60-metre-wide transmission corridor cuts through the Watagan Ranges and a switching station lands inside a breeding site. A single route choice could allegedly sever a fragile population and erase years of restoration work.
Project documents outline a 110 km overhead line linking Bayswater with a new switching station near Eraring. Planners can deliver renewable energy while avoiding critical biodiversity pinch points. Experts fear that clearing, noise, lighting, and access tracks during construction then operation would amplify chytrid disease risk, fragment shelter, and worsen inbreeding pressure already noted in this species. With two other populations in the Blue Mountains and Woronora Plateau also under stress, losing or weakening the Watagans node would raise extinction odds.
Progress on clean energy should not come at the expense of a species found nowhere else on Earth. A practical fix exists. Move towers and worksites out of mapped breeding habitat. Lock in seasonal no-go windows. Fund biosecurity, pond creation, and genetic rescue tied to University of Newcastle protocols. This petition calls for an immediate route modification, enforceable conditions across planning approvals, and dedicated recovery funding until field data show stable or rising numbers.
PETITION LETTER:
Minister Sharpe,
Scientists and community members are alarmed that the proposed Hunter Transmission Line corridor and switching station could run through Littlejohn’s tree frog habitat in the Watagans. With fewer than 1,000 individuals left and only three known NSW populations, any damage to a breeding site could push this species toward collapse. Researchers have just bred roughly 90 tadpoles in captivity for the first time, but they caution that gains in the lab will not matter if core habitat on country declines.
We respectfully urge you to direct EnergyCo and planners to reroute works away from mapped breeding areas and implement enforceable safeguards: seasonal construction blackouts around calling and breeding, night-lighting limits, strict chytrid biosecurity, and habitat offsets designed and audited with independent scientists. Please require a funded recovery package for the species that includes pond creation, long-term monitoring, and genetic-diversity support aligned with the University of Newcastle program.
Renewables can proceed while protecting a globally unique frog that even carries a signature scent. A transparent reroute decision with clear conditions will show NSW can build critical transmission and still keep irreplaceable wildlife from the brink.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Tnarg 12345
