Archive for the ““Environmentally Speaking”” Category
Bob Wlashe reports:
Support for World Heritage Listing of Royal National Park (RNP) continues to widen – confronting leaders of the campaign with great expectations of a not-too-distant decision, first by the Australian Government, second by the United Nations agency UNESCO.
Special visit to Sydney. Dr Geoff Mosley, leading authority on national parks, made a special trip from Melbourne to Sydney on September 5 to discuss ways to expedite the campaign. He is commissioned to write the main Report, and he presented three pages of “Selection Criteria” to an early morning meeting, after which he was driven to familiarise himself with key areas of the Park and its adjacent “Reserves” (Holsworthy Military Reserve, Garawarra State Conservation Area, Heathcote National Park).
Let’s improve on “stand alone” qualities. Dr Mosley says he believes RNP can achieve Listing based on its own magnificent “stand alone” features, but he suggests we should go beyond its abundant flora/fauna qualities by specifying also “cultural landscapes”, e.g. that RNP is one of the oldest in the world, is truly representative, and is wholly contained within a city – all these being properties that “combine the world of nature and man” including recreation, military uses, mining, science, education, and nature conservation.
What is the hoped-for time frame? With hard work being put in on his draft Report, Dr Mosley is aiming at presentation in December. It will pass though many critical hands, and will then assume final form by March 2012.
A role model for other areas of the Sydney Basin. We believe our final Report, by revealing new wonders, will stimulate the extension of the past work on features of Greater Blue Mountains National Park (part of the Sydney Basin) – and this could prompt other areas of the Basin to make claims for Heritage Listing. (The Basin extends from Batemans Bay in the south, to Newcastle in the north, and to Lithgow and Mudgee in the west.)
A “Lobby Book” will follow. Completion of the Report will be the signal to put together a very attractive “Lobby Book” containing supportive statements from authoritative persons, together with brilliant photos of key features of RNP. Armed with this, we will make approaches to MPs, Councillors and the media – that is, we will “go public” in a major way.
For more information:
www.firstnationalpark.org.au
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The following post is by the organisation mentioned below and ancourages us all to support a Bottle and Can Refund Scheme. Whatch the video below”
As environment ministers prepare to release another study into a bottle and can refund scheme and the beverage industry led by Coca Cola engages in greenwash with their ‘more bins’ project, environment groups today released a video exposing Coke’s sins, to mark the start of a ’hot summer of campaigning’.
“When ministers release the so-called ‘packaging regulatory impact statement’ in a couple of weeks, the battle for Australia to have a bottle and can refund or container deposit scheme (CDS) will really heat up. Coke is leading the opposition and promoting a $20mpa scheme to have more bins, despite every study showing this would do little to reduce litter or substantially increase recycling. It’s an inducement to ministers to fail on litter and recycling,” said Jeff Angel, National Convenor of the Alliance of 18 environment groups.
“The short video on Youtube exposes the record of Coke and its allies and calls on people not to believe the greenwash anymore”, said Ian Kiernan AO, Chairman of Clean Up Australia. “With Coke mounting a renewed lobbying campaign and threatening legal action against the Northern Territory government for its CDS – we can’t stand by and let their bully boy tactics stall or stop much needed action. “
“With the recent release of an international study by PricewaterhouseCoopers showing the massive benefits from a CDS – recycling rates above 80%; better quality recyclate to make new bottles; and excellent coexistence with kerbside recycling – we are more convinced than ever that a CDS is the way to go”, said Mr Angel.
“And so is the public (as every opinion poll has shown in the last 5 years). Our campaign over summer will be aimed at exposing the environmental irresponsibility of Coke and its allies and mobilising people to put pressure on ministers and MPs. Everyone is sick of the procrastination and endless time-wasting studies,” Mr Kiernan said.
Further information: Jeff Angel 0418273773 OR 02 9211 5022; Ian Kiernan 0418232288
• Australian Conservation Foundation • Arid Lands Environment Centre • Clean Up Australia
• Conservation Council of South Australia • Conservation Council of Western Australia
• Environment Centre of the Northern Territory • Environment Tasmania • Environment Victoria
• Friends of the Earth • Greenpeace Australia Pacific • Local Government & Shires Association of NSW
• NSW Nature Conservation Council • Queensland Conservation Council
• Tasmanian Conservation Trust • Total Environment Centre • Two Hands
Video Link: http://youtu.be/EqNWfbOMqd0
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The following figures were given on a daily basis for beaches within the Botany Bay and Georges River for the week commencing Sunday 20/11/2011. The pollution is said to be caused by stormwater overflow from various land sources. A high percentage is from sewerage outflows.
Beach Safe Polluted
Congwong (La Perouse) 2 5
Frenchman’s Bay(La Perouse) 2 5
Yarra Bay (La Perouse) 2 5
Foreshore (Botany) 1 6
Kyeemagh 3 4
Brighton le Sands 3 4
Ramsgate 1 3 4
Ramsgate 2 3 4
Dolls Point 1 3 4
Dolls Point 2 3 4
Carss Park 2 5
Oatley Bay 2 5
Como 2 5
Oatley Park 3 4
Silver Beach 3 4
Statistics from “Beachwatch” website, NSW Department of Environment and Heritage
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In a follow up article, Kate Carr presents the case for Sydney Water
Despair for Cooks River laden with filfth
17 Nov, 2011 07:00 AM
AS SUMMER approaches, how about a nice dip in the Cooks River?
It is an idea that fills most people with horror, but the Cooks River Valley Association is calling for the river to be cleaned up to such an extent that swimming would be possible.
‘‘There are viable swimming spots on other Sydney waterways, like the Lane Cove River and the Georges River. Why would people living near the Cooks River be content with a waterway that is too contaminated to swim anywhere, any time?’’ association spokeswoman Gayle Adams said.
Considering raw sewage contamination is one of the major problems affecting the river, swimming appears to be a long way off.
In fact Sydney Water’s waste water manager Rodney Kerr admitted the quality of the water in the river was no better now than 20 years ago.
‘‘I wouldn’t have thought so,’’ Mr Kerr said, when asked if the water had improved.
And it isn’t likely to start getting better until 2016 if Sydney Water sticks to its current timetable.
Mr Kerr said the dry weather overflow reduction program that targeted sewer blockages and the dry weather leakage program, which looked for cracks and faults in sewers, were due to be rolled out in the Cooks River catchment in 2016.
Following a damning report by University of NSW academic Stuart Khan, which found extensive contamination of the river via the sewerage system, Sydney Water took the Leader on a tour of the Cooks River last week to test for contamination.
Mr Kerr was adamant that while there were traces of sewage contamination, they were at extremely low levels.
‘‘This is not raw sewage,’’ Mr Kerr said after sampling officers tested Cup and Saucer Creek, a tributary of the Cooks. ‘‘It is a very low level of contamination.’’
But Mr Kerr’s claims directly contradict Dr Khan’s study, which looked for traces of caffeine and common pharmaceuticals in the river to gauge the extent of sewage leakages.
Dr Khan said the level of these products in the river was similar to those found in undiluted raw sewage.
‘‘The range was on par with the concentrations found in raw sewage,’’ Dr Khan said.
He said the highest concentrations were found in Cup and Saucer Creek.
Sydney Water and Dr Khan agree the source of much of this contamination is houses. Mr Kerr said illegal private connections linking stormwater run-off to the sewerage system contributed to sewers becoming overloaded when it rained.
Dr Khan said many of these connections existed in old houses built on the Earlwood side of the river before the public sewerage system was properly established.
Dr Khan said reconnecting houses properly to the system would be a massive undertaking.
But for nearby residents like Ms Adams, waiting is not good enough.
‘‘Are there any other waterways in Sydney which have languished so long with such poor levels of water quality?’’ she said. ‘‘The Cooks River has waited long enough.’’
HOW OTHER RIVERS ARE FARING
Georges River
Georges River Environmental Alliance secretary Sharyn Cullis on the problems facing the river: The middle reaches of the river are in poor health, with tributaries such as Salt Pan Creek and Cabramatta Creek polluting the river. Lower reaches of the river benefit from the flushing of the tides and are usually swimmable.
Hacking River
Otford Protection Society’s Natasha Watson on the major problems faced by the river: Sewage spills, including a major one in May this year. Pollution from the Metropolitan Coal mine in Helensburgh. Proposals to add more houses in the river catchment area at Helensburgh.
Ms Watson said there was very little swimming in the upper catchment of the river any more because of concerns about pollution.
The full article: www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/environment/despair-for-cooks-river-laden-with-filth/2360585.aspx
Editor: BBaCA is working with Cooks River Valley Association through Gayle Adams on this matter.
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The following article is reprinted from the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, forthe information of members living beyond the paper’scirculation area. Thanks to Kate Carr for her excellent article.
Filth flowing freely in Cooks River
BY KATE CARR
27 Oct, 2011 04:00 AM
A REPORT on the Cooks River which found high levels of raw sewage and traces of pharmaceuticals in its waters came as no shock to those who live nearby.
The report, by researchers at the University of NSW, found waste water was constantly flowing into the river through broken and leaking sewers.
Peter Stevens from Wolli Creek Preservation Society said the tragedy was that it was well known the river was being polluted by the sewerage system.
‘‘The issues are known,’’ Mr Stevens said. ‘‘But it has just been a matter of the state government not getting to fixing it.’’
Mr Stevens said community groups had done their best to improve the river’s health but had been let down by the government.
‘‘The community has put in heaps and heaps of time improving the surrounds of the river and testing the water but there are some things the community can’t do, like fixing the sewerage system,’’ he said.
The Leader asked NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker whether the government planned to fix the sewerage system but did not receive a response before going to press.
A spokeswoman for Ms Parker pointed to a now defunct program rolled out by the previous Labor government, the Cooks River Sustainability Initiative, and $2 million granted in 2008 by the federal government under former PM Kevin Rudd, as examples of state government efforts to improve the river, but did not outline new funding or plans.
‘‘The NSW government recognises the important role of the Cooks River Alliance — a group that involves eight local councils — to continue the environmental management and preservation of the Cooks River,’’ the spokeswoman said.
South West Enviro Centre vice-president Gary Blaschke has lived near the river for 50 years and manages a wetland system upstream at Chullora.
He said $6 million in funding was needed to clean up the river.
‘‘Up until now there has just been tokenistic stuff done,’’ Mr Blaschke said.
‘‘[The river] has been used and abused by every government that’s been around and it’s been neglected by every government.’’
He said the river needed a series of offline wetlands to filter and purify water.
Full article: www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/environment/filth-flowing-freely-in-cooks-river/2337215.aspx
Editor: BBaCA is making contact with the University of New South Wales to clarify the report and seek further action from government.
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Charles Gream of Fairfield writes for BBaCA
I live on a creek and see the effects of containers in and around it as well as the many other creeks in my local government area. Of course, anyone, anywhere is likely to see containers polluting our environment, such is their prevalence.
I believe introducing a container deposit scheme will go a long way to reducing the incidence of containers in our environment and the damage they cause.
That is why I jumped at the chance to be a volunteer for the Total Environment Centre on Thursday, which was part of this year’s Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo at Darling Harbour. The Centre is one of many concerned groups that are pressing governments to act on this and other environmental problems.
It was a great day that included the presence of Lisa from the Centre, Silke from Two Hands Project and other volunteers. People attending the expo showed much interest in the subjects and the display.
If you care for our environment, please complete the on-line letter to the NSW Minister for Environment, Robyn Parker at:
http://www.tec.org.au/packaging
There are many other sites of relevance. These are a few:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Total-Environment-Centre/187360609812?ref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/twohandsproject?sk=wall
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cash-for-Containers-Campaign/119661504744578
http://www.facebook.com/CleanUpAust
Editor: Anyone around before the 1960s will remeber the habit of children collecting empty bottles and returning them to the “Bottle-o”. There was little container problems in those days and ongoing South Australian experience supports the practice. Thanks Charles for your time and article.
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The following article was published in the Spring 2011 edition of “Track and Signal” and published by kind permission of Mr Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure.
The idea that Australia may join other nations with our own high speed rail network has excited rail enthusiasts across the nation and potential investors around the world. The convenience of stepping onto a train in central Sydney and hopping off just three hours later in Melbourne is an attractive proposition. High speed rail could indeed be a game changer in the way Australians choose to travel.
While there is still a great deal of work to be done, early research shows that a high speed rail could connect almost 65 percent of Australians and attract up to 54 million passengers a year. It would also provide the foundation for a low carbon, high productivity economy. In August, I released Stage One of a $20 million implementation study which examines how many people would use it, where it would go and travel times.
Crucially, the report also looked at cost. Preliminary findings show that the cost of the network, if operational by 2036, would be between $61 billion and $108 billion in today’s figures, depending on the route. A ticket from Melbourne to Sydney would cost between $100 and $200, while the potentially busy commuter route from Newcastle to Sydney could cost users between $60 for the occasional business traveller, down to $16.50 for daily users if a subsidy were to be made available.
Work on Stage Two of the study is currently underway and it will pin down a preferred alignment and station options. It will also look more closely at commercial viability, potential funding sources and advise on how to plan, construct and operate such a rail system. What is clear is that high-speed rail would have enormous environmental benefits with CO2 emissions per high speed rail customer standing at about one-third of those emitted if they were travelling by car.
There are also enormous economic benefits in connecting Australians by high-speed rail. It would open up regional centres to economic development beyond our major cities and ease road congestion. However, it is critical that we hasten with caution. Such a monumental endeavour must be thoroughly assessed to be sure it would be viable with our vast distances and relatively modest population. One thing we do know is that if it is to work, it must be integrated into the existing rail and other transport networks.
With the national eye turned to high-speed rail it is important to remember that major work is currently underway on our existing network. Right now, one third of our inter-state rail network is being rebuilt with some 45 major freight and passenger rail projects completed, underway or about to begin. This week I announced that the multi-million dollar project to eliminate sharp bends on the interstate rail network between Newcastle and the Queensland border had reached another milestone with the realignment of the track now completed at two more sights. By straightening the line between Mindaribba and Paterson and between Nambucca Heads and Raleigh, trains will now be able to operate at higher speeds, shaving almost an hour off transit times. Work along the Brisbane – Melbourne line will eventuate in a total saving of a remarkable 11 hours, reducing the trip from 37 to 26 hours. It includes extended crossing loops, new signalling systems and the removal of severe curves.
The work is already paying dividends. Earlier this year, Australia’s largest supermarket chain Woolworths announced that it was planning to switch to rail to carry the 2,000 tonnes of goods it moves north each week to Sydney and Brisbane. Making rail attractive to companies such as Woolworths makes great sense, with every 1500 metre train having the carrying capacity of 100 semi-trailer trucks. Woolworths alone has 160 B-double trucks on the Melbourne to Brisbane route. Carrying those loads by rail leaves our roads safer and less congested for private motorists and reduces our carbon footprint.
We are also investing heavily in urban passenger rail, a responsibility that usually rests with the states. In fact we have at least one major urban rail project in place in every mainland state, a $7.3 billion investment. Federal Labor has invested more in urban rail than all previous federal governments collectively since Federation.
At Council Of Australian Governments (COAG) in August, an agreement was secured with major implications for the rail sector. The Prime Minister, Premier and Chief Ministers signed off on a plan to replace a myriad of confusing and often contradictory state transport rules in favour of a single national rail regulator. To be based in Adelaide, this new regulator will be in place by 1 January 2013 with one set of rules for rail workers and operators around the nation.
This historic achievement eliminates seven regulators, 46 separate pieces of legislation including seven safety acts, nine OH&S acts and seven dangerous good acts. For example, no longer will a rail operator be required to get separate safety accreditation from each state and meet different requirements for accreditation. The new law will also get rid of the differing rules for managing fatigue, replacing them with a national fatigue management framework. The deal, which will also see single regulators for the heavy vehicle and maritime sectors, will boost national income by $30 billion over the next two decades.
Rail travel has been part of the Australian landscape since the 1850s when the country was a collection of sparsely connected colonies. The 20th century saw the rise of road and air travel. In this 21st century, the Gillard Labor Government recognises that rail is the transport technology of the future. It has backed this with unprecedented investment so that Australians can reap the benefits and enjoy the greater productivity and environmental benefits that rail brings.
BBaCA Comment: With many pressures on Botany Bay and Catchment from ever expanding airport and port facilities, the Commonwealth Government support for electified High Speed Rail is good news. Converting 54 million passenger trips per year to city to city rail journey’s will reduce needs for Kingsford Smith domestic road traffic. It is pleasing that Premier Barry O’Farrell in NSW sees High Speed Rail as a better option to a second Sydney region airport.
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Botany Bay and Catchment Alliance congratulates Premier Barry O’Farrell, and Environment Minister, Robyn Parker, on adoption of the O’Reilly Report in full following the Orica Kooragang Island Emmissions incident. Proposed legislative change, with an independant Environmental Watchdog, public notification strengthened and major fines imposed will improve the everyday lives of communities, who by necessity must live adjacent to hazardous operations. Marked changes have been observed in communications at Botany Industrial Park.
Below is the announcement on the New South Wales Government website:
Tough new pollution laws: O’Reilly report accepted in full
5 October 2011
The NSW Government today announced tough new pollution laws, including requiring immediate notification of pollution incidents and a doubling of fines to $2 million for failing to do so. It will also urgently establish an environmental monitoring network for the Lower Hunter area.
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and Minister for the Environment Robyn Parker said the NSW Government would accept all the recommendations of the O’Reilly report into the incident at the Orica plant at Kooragang Island on 8 August 2011.
“The people of Stockton were let down and went through unnecessary worry and frustration as a result of this incident which is most regrettable,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“The incident highlighted weaknesses in the State’s environmental protection laws and my Government is taking urgent action to correct those faults.
“These new laws will be among the toughest in the nation and are designed to ensure companies can no longer flout the State’s pollution laws and put the public at risk.”
Legislation to be introduced into Parliament next week will implement recommendations of the O’Reilly report including:
- Requiring pollution incidents to be immediately reported, not notified ‘as soon as practicable’;
- Establishing the Environmental Protection Authority as an independent, statutory authority headed by a Chief Environmental Regulator to better regulate polluting industries; and,
- Improving procedures to require improved public notification, community engagement and emergency planning and response exercises around pollution incidents.
In addition, the legislation will also:
- Double to $2 million the maximum penalty for failing to report an incident immediately;
- Require notification of pollution incidents to the EPA, NSW Health, NSW Fire and Rescue, WorkCover, NSW Police and the local council;
- Urgently establish an industry-funded network of environmental monitors for communities adjacent to the heavy industrial precinct of the Lower Hunter;
- Expand community ‘right to know’ by requiring industry make its monitoring results available to the public and expanding the information on the EPA’s public register;
- Create a community advisory committee for the people of Newcastle, particularly the suburbs of Stockton and Mayfield; and,
- Clarify the EPA’s powers to conduct mandatory environmental audits.
Mr O’Farrell said the Lower Hunter community, especially around Stockton and Mayfield, can be assured of up to date information about air quality with the urgent establishment of an environmental monitoring network.
The EPA will consult with the local community and industry on the development of the monitoring network.
“This strong package of changes will give the EPA back its bite,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“The new Chief Environmental Regulator will ensure companies which deal with toxic materials do so with public safety as their priority.
“Companies with environmental licences will be required to have pollution incident management response plans in place which include community notification and communication protocols.
“The creation of these emergency management plans will ensure protocols are in place for public notifications and warnings as directed by the relevant authorities, including the EPA, NSW Health, NSW Fire and Rescue and the NSW Police.
“Inter-agency communication is highlighted as an issue in the O’Reilly report and it is important the agreements already in place between these agencies are clarified to ensure the roles, responsibilities and contact arrangements for responding to pollution incidents are clear to everyone involved,” he said.
Ms Parker said as part of the NSW Government‟s comprehensive response she directed the EPA to establish a new community advisory and consultative committee in the Lower Hunter to help co-ordinate information between residents and local industry.
“One of their first tasks will be to participate in the design and establishment of a new industry funded environmental monitoring network for the areas in and around Kooragang,” Ms Parker said.
“While it’s important to remember that according to the Chief Health Officer the recent incidents involving Orica have not resulted in any health impacts to locals, they have highlighted the need for better community information – and the new laws will deliver it,” Ms Parker said.
Read the O’Reilly Report by clicking below:
http://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/Orica-review.pdf
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“Public Safety is the role of Government”, NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, has stated. He has walked the streets of Stockton, discussing issues with local residents. Unfortunately he hasn’t motored a few kilometres south of his Parliament House Office to speak with residents of Hillsdale, Matraville, Botany, Banksmeadow and Pagewood, who have similar or greater concerns following 150 years of urban pollution.
The Kooragang Island and Botany Orica accidents in recent weeks have brought into clear focus glaring omissions. The Premier and Minister for Heritage and Environment, Robyn Parker, are drafting legislative changes to bring public confidence back after it was shattered by emmissions from chemical plants in suburban Newcastle and Sydney.
What lessons have been learned?
1. Notification to the community was lacking!
While company executives knew of emissions, they were slow responding with meaningful information to people whose lives were effected.
2. State Legislation allowed lengthy delays in emergency information distribution.
NSW legislation allows reporting mechanisms with too much latitude for good public communication.
3. There seems limited Emergency Evacuation Procedures in place for Public Safety.
The steps for Emergency Evacuation and notification seem to be a secret held in public service, emergency service backrooms and Local Government Offices, which the general public are not privy to. “They might not be able to handle such information” seems the nanny state reply. Lazy government is no longer acceptable in the 21st Century. Modern technology can notify emergency situations, but what should the general public do before evacuation is in processed?
In Southern Sydney, Lucas Heights Nuclear Reactor has clear instructions to local residents. Distributed in clear brochures and prominently on their website.
For Botany there is limited distribution frig magnets but no easily accessible information.
4. Real Planning requires buffer zones.
In the 1980s Orica Botany removed it’s old Chlorine Plant and established a state of the arts facility. During that time a State Government study was implemented requiring buffer zones and emergency plans for hazardous transport on-site and offsite. These buffers were clearly mapped and no buildings were allowed.
Over the past sixteen years, Planning Department density requirements hasseen this land subdivided and housing built. Were the subdivision titles caviated with safety warnings by the Planning Department or local Council? You would have thought this would be the moral thing to do, but no. People have bought new housing without public health warnings.
Emergency Plans for various Botany Industrial Park sites are in the hands of the companies producing the items in question. Mercury Vapor Monitoring equipment was established on the Botany Orica site after full consultation with the local community liaison committee as best practice. There were no such devises at Kooragang Island and limited community consultation before during and after the balloon wentup over omission releases. Once again Emergency Evacuation Plans are held in secret by public servants. “The people might become frightened if they knew we had one”. During a recent emergency in Botany, houses were evacuated and Botany Town Hall was set up for emergency overnight accommodation, but no-one knows the plan exists.
5. State Government Timely Advice and Information.
The state machine has slowed, with the Office of Heritage and Environment and Ministry of Health taking longer to respond to emergencies than necessary.
Following the Botany Mercury Vapor Emission, new haste was observed. Orica, NSW Health and Office of Heritage and Environment, emailed notifications to Botany Orica CLC members and people who registered with the company and a later letterbox drop on a limited basis was undertaken. This was a good first step in updating local community – But a lot more is required.
6. Public Health Tests
Those who have lived in Botany and surrounds for years have quiet concerns about potential illnesses generated by 150 years on pollution in this industrial suburb and Port Botany complex. There is no centralised health information available to the General Community.
7. Up Front Information Important
During the period of public concern, various statements have been made by politicians, news media and community representatives. It is important only verified information is published to the public. In recent news releases statements have been made that mercury was flowing into Penryn Estuary and Botany Bay. At a recent community meeting an explaination was requested and it was found this information was very old and mercury was not flowing into the Bay.
There is room for improvement and we must get our act right.
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In pleasing news this week from the State Government, the NSW Budget has included funding for Dharawal National Park.
$107,000 has been allocated this year for works to open Dharawal National Park, with a total of $686,000 funding proposed in forward estimates.
Minister for Environment and Heritage, Robyn Parker, has signalled, the 6,200 hectares National Park will be gazetted “to the centre of the earth”.
Spokesperson for the Minister stated to Sydney Morning Herald report Ben Cubby, ”While negotiations are continuing, it is the government’s intention that Dharawal National Park will not be reserved with a depth restriction. In this way, this special area will be protected to the ‘centre of the earth’ in perpetuity.’
Gazetting “to the centre of the earth” will exclude threats from longwall mining under leases from Illawarra Coal Bulli Seam Operations Project.
The Minister and State Government are congraulated on progress in this matter.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/mining-at-dharawal-site-to-be-banned-20110906-1jvzc.html Sydney Morning Herald 07/09/2011
Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser 06/09/2011
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