[Greens-Media] Rose Bay Marina expansion risks super weed outbreak

[Alison Orme]

Media Release - Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 11 July 2007

Rose Bay Marina expansion risks super weed outbreak 

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon is calling on the Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi to ditch a proposed super sized marina development at Rose Bay because it risks spreading the invasive, genetically modified 'caulerpa taxifolia' seaweed.

"This super weed, bred by German scientists, will spread throughout Sydney Harbour after being munched by the propellers of super-yachts," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Listed as 'noxious' under the Fisheries Management Act, the weed is cut into fragments by propellers and will drift into other harbour areas to create fresh outbreaks. 

"Caulerpa taxifolia's capacity to stay alive, even out of water, and ability to grow quickly enables it to alter marine habitats and threaten biodiversity.

"This is just another example of the potentially devastating impact of releasing genetically modified organisms into sensitive natural environments. 

"Minister Tripodi should ignore the donations made by the developer Addenbrooke to the ALP, stand up to this developer and withdraw landowners' consent for the Rose Bay marina development," Ms Rhiannon said.

Greens Councillor on Woollahra Council, Cr David Shoebridge, said NSW Maritime should have thoroughly considered the prospect of this development spreading 'caulerpa taxifolia' throughout the harbour, before landowners' consent was granted.

"It is outrageous that Woollahra Council has to expend all this effort and expense to consider what is really a systemic issue impacting on the entire Sydney Harbour ecosystem," Clr Shoebridge said. 

"Sydney needs a co-ordinated response to harbour development, but instead the Iemma government has dropped the ball and allowed developers to pick off local councils one by one in order to get the go ahead for marina expansions.

"The NSW Maritime Authority has opened the door to massive commercial marinas around Sydney Harbour by gutting the Land Owners' Consent Manual under direct pressure from developers," Clr Shoebridge said.

For more information:  
Lee Rhiannon - 0427 861 568
Clr David Shoebridge - 0408 113 952


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au