DEAR News Of The Area,
ECONETWORK Port Stephens welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the Draft Salamander Bay Shopping (Town) Centre Plan.
EcoNetwork is a not-for-profit, politically unaligned, 100 percent volunteer-run conservation organisation with a membership base of over 30 community groups and businesses.
Our purpose is to support our members to advocate on environmental issues that impact Port Stephens communities. EcoNetwork has been undertaking advocacy, action and education since 1993.
The proposed development will have a negative impact on the Mambo Wanda wetlands.
As evidenced in the PSC Communications Engagement Report, the local community recognises that these wetlands have an intrinsic value as ecological and educational hubs.
EcoNetwork considers the Mambo Wetlands as one of the most valuable public assets in the area.
We will continue to advocate to keep them healthy and as large as possible for current and future generations.
The proposed development falls within the state wetlands hazards plan buffer zone.
Mambo Wanda Wetlands are subject to State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPP)1.
Developers will need to prove that the proposal is viable and will not impact on the ecology and hydrology.
EcoNetwork is not confident that this proposal satisfies the Resilience & Hazards section of SEPP 2021, which applies to buffer zones.
Another reason EcoNetwork is opposed to this development is because it involves clearing of the Swamp Schlerophyll Forest.
Mambo Wetlands contains at least three endangered ecological communities.
As per signage, erected through grant money from the Commonwealth Government, the third listed is Swamp Schlerophyll Forest.
The draft plan indicates that this will be cleared.
We find this unacceptable.
EcoNetwork also believes that it is inappropriate to place multistorey residential buildings adjacent to such sensitive ecological wetland, especially with no effective buffer zone for flood and fire.
The construction alone could instigate more local flooding.
With the current rain and more predicted, the ground water storage capacity will become fully saturated.
This will result in surface flood water cutting off areas and access.
Mambo Wetlands provides a natural relief area.
We urge the Council to reconsider this proposed development.
We would like to see independent environmental studies undertaken and their findings made available to the public. EcoNetwork believes that Mambo Wanda Wetlands is our best defence against storms, floods and rising sea levels.
It provides a natural filtration system and provides essential feeding grounds and habitat.
We cannot afford to have further incursions into this unique habitat.
Alison ROGERS, PhD.
On behalf of the EcoNetwork Committee.
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