Harbor Construction in Shellharbour Threatens Marine Ecosystem
4/2/98
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RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: Harbor Construction in Shellharbour Threatens Marine Ecosystem
Source: Kirsten Beckendorf"
Status: Distribute freely with proper credit to source
Date: 4/2/98
Background
The marine area surrounding Shellharbour has been listed as Natural Heritage on
the Australian Register of National Estate. This area is of great beauty and
there is every indication that it could be a completely unique marine
ecosystem.
The construction of such a large open water harbour in this area is likely to
have huge impacts on the local marine environment. But many of the potential
impacts that could result from the development were not assessed in the
Environmental Impact Statement. For example, there was no discussion of the
risks of introducing foreign species into this currently pristine marine
environment.
Prior to the approval of the development the Australian Flora and Fauna
Research Centre presented a submission to the NSW Government about the value of
Shellhabours marine area, the inadequecy of the EIS and the potential impacts
of the development. We urged the Government to adopt the precautionary
principle of ecologically sustainable development and consider an
environmentally friendly alternative to the Shell Cove Marina. We recieved a
reply which stated that the Minister for Land and Water Conservation would
respond to our sumbission shortly. However, we have recieved no further
response. The Minister approved the final stage of the development on the 26th
April, 1998. In doing so, we believe the Government has broken its' committment
to the International Convention on Biological Diversity.
Statement by the Australian Flora and Fauna Research Centre on the approval of
the Shell Cove Boatharbour/Marina.
The members of the Australian Flora and Fauna Research Centre are deeply
concerned about the recent approval of the Shell Cove Boatharbour/Marina. We
believe that the development will have a significant impact on an important
research and educational site and in addition, could seriously jeopardise
marine biological diversity. To proceed with the development at this stage
would violate the precautionary principle of ecologically sustainable
development.
Recently, the Australian Flora and Fauna Research Centre (AFFRC) provided a
submission to the NSW Government that outlined the value of Shellharbour's
marine area. These data indicate that Shellharbour is an important breeding
site for molluscs, supports populations of genetically distinct invertebrates
and may represent the most southern distribution for many tropical marine
species. In fact, Shellharbour may be a completely unique marine ecosystem. But
Shellharbour is also incredibly valuable to humans. It is one of the few
sheltered intertidal reefs in the region where it is safe to conduct research
and introduce students to marine biology.
The construction of a 350-berth boatharbour/marina is unprecedented in
Australia, so the magnitude of environmental degradation that could result from
this development is unknown. We strongly urge the NSW and Australian
Governments to honour their commitments to ecologically sustainable development
and the conservation of biological diversity, by protecting the marine area
surrounding Shellharbour until we can be sure that the development will not
result in the loss or destruction of such an important natural resource.
Kirsten Benkendorff
On behalf of the Australian Flora and Fauna Research Centre
The Australian Flora and Fauna Research Centre is a research group from the
University of Wollongong's, Department of Biological Sciences. Our aims are to
conduct world-class research concerning the biology of Australia's native
biota, to train students to be highly competent researchers in this area and to
interact with other scientists and policy personnel regarding the conservation
of Australian biota.
The submission from the AFFRC and further information about Shellharbour is
available on the internet;
Http://www.uow.edu.au/science/research/affrc/shellcove/shellhome.html
Media contact:
Kirsten Benkendorff Ph: (02) 42214503 or (02) 4268 0135
Fax: (02) 42 214135