[Greens-Media] Marina Threatens Wetlands at Careel Bay

[Dominika Rajewski]

Media Release								11 August 2005	
Marina Threatens Wetlands at Careel Bay

One of most significant wetlands in the Sydney region is under threat from a marina development proposal. The wetlands and seagrasses of Careel Bay form a rare and intact coastal ecosystem of high conservation value, said Greens MLC Ian Cohen today.

"Careel Bay has a combination of natural features rare in the Sydney region which provide habitat for important marine life such as Sea Horses, Pipe Fish, and birds including the threatened Bushstone curlew, Eastern curlew and Wimbrel. Seagrass beds, which provide nurseries for many marine species important for commercial and recreational fishing, would be destroyed if the proposal for a 37 berth marina goes ahead" said Mr Cohen. 

"Seagrass beds, which play a vital role in the food cycle of coastal ecosystems, have declined dramatically in NSW largely due to impacts that affect water quality."

The intertidal mudflats provide habitat to migratory wading birds that are listed under international agreements, which oblige the government to protect and conserve both the birds and their habitats.  Migratory birds feed on invertebrates on intertidal mudflats like those at Careel Bay to put on enough fat reserves to enable them to fly non-stop to the Northern Hemisphere to breed.

Greens MLC and planning spokesperson, Sylvia Hale, warned that new planning powers that allow DIPNR to designate the Careel Bay site as 'state significant' and under the control of DIPNR rather than local council control is a violation of democracy. 
 
"The expansion of the marina is a local development which the Council should have control over. This is precisely the abuse of planning powers that the Government's new legislation is designed to facilitate. The fact is that the local community and local environment will bear the impact," Ms. Hale said. 

"In regards to Careel Bay, the Minister can set approval conditions and circumvent the Coastal Protection Act, Heritage Act and Native Vegetation Act, among others. The proposed development does not comply with the Pittwater Local Environment Plan, and is opposed by local groups and the Council, which is probably why the developer has gone straight to DIPNR for approval," Ms Hale said. 

The submission period regarding this DA closes this Friday.

Further Information: Ian Cohen, 0409 989 466


Dominika Rajewski
Policy & Legislation Adviser
Ian Cohen, MLC
NSW Parliament
e. dominika.rajewski at parliament.nsw.gov.au
ph. (02) 9230 2204
fax (02) 9230 2267