Hi Carl,
It is a bit alarming, but I don't think Swan (or Wader) Pond will be "buried"
as such. Certainly they will be severely impacted (and parts of Swan Pond might
be buried!). The future of these ponds, including the famous "Wagtail Way" is
of major concern to Hunter birders (amongst others).
Info (from both sides) on "T4" can be seen at Port Waratah Coal Service's
website and the Climate Action Newcastle's website. If you dare, you can read
the (voluminous) Environmental Assessment on the Dept of Planning and
Infrastructure's website (though it may be offline now, as the time for public
submissions has past).
Hundreds of submissions were made and I think this is keeping a lot of people
very busy as we speak (type!).
The Hunter Bird Observer's Club put together a detailed submission on T4, which
along with some individual members' submissions can be seen at
http://www.hboc.org.au/index.cfm?menukey=35 ;
The proposal will see the effective loss of 'Deep Pond' as a functioning
wetland. This wetland is on the eastern side of the existing railway track and
is extremely important as it is the only large freshwater wetland in the Hunter
Estuary. I don't have to explain to birders how important a large (26ha)
freshwater wetland is within a mosaic of Ramsar-listed tidal mudflats,
saltmarsh, roost-sites etc. But it is very important, not just for the
shorebirds that prefer to use freshwater wetlands, but also as an important
piece of habitat for significant numbers of waterfowl; in particular Chestnut
Teal. It is also a major drought refuge and there are several records
of Pink-eared Ducks (200+), Freckled Ducks, Blue-billed Ducks, Native Hens etc
etc, as examples.
The other issue is the potential impacts on Swan and Wader Ponds as you point
out Carl. Incidentally, 'Kooragang Nature Reserve' is now 'Hunter Wetlands
National Park' and Swan and Wader Ponds fall inside it. As far as I am aware,
there was a section of the National Park that "should not have been gazetted"
to make way for infrastructure development such as T4. I think it got through
as an 'administrative error'. So now, parts of the NP will be excised to
provide this infrastructure corridor, which is to a distance of about 200m
'swampwards' of the railway tracks.
The whole story is extremely complex and I'm not going to discuss politics. It
is complicated by a history of planning errors, unfulfilled promised offsets
for internationally significant wetlands already lost and now promises of other
offsets for these future losses.
I suggest if anyone is interested, reading HBOC's submission at the link above
would be a good start.
Cheers
Mick
________________________________
From: Carl Clifford <>
To: Birding-Aus Aus <>
Sent: Tuesday, 3 July 2012 7:02 PM
Subject: Coal loader extensions on Ash Is, Newcastle; and end to Wagtail Way
birding
Dear All,
This sounds a bit alarming
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/coal-terminal-may-destroy-bird-habitat/2609238.aspx ;
Swan Pond and Wader Pond straddle Wagtail Way. It is true that the Kooragang
Nature Reserve probably will not be adversely affected by the coal loader, but
Wagtail Way and the adjoining ponds are, unfortunately, not included. Railway
works for the new coal loader would probably mean Swan and possibly Wader ponds
are likely to be buried.
What can be done to stop the new loader. Newcastle will be at capacity as a
coal port by the time the new loader No. 4) comes on line. The increased demand
for loader capacity from the new mines planned for the Bylong and Liverpool
Plains-Gunnedah areas come on-stream, Newcastle's coal capacity will again be
inadequate, and so, more loaders will be required. And where will the new
loaders be placed? Well it won't be along Newie's harbour front. I have often
wondered why the arch of the arch of the Stockton Bridge was so high. With a
mean clearance at high water of 30m, you can fit more than a tinny under it.
If any Newcastle birders have any further information on these plans, perhaps
they can share.
Carl Clifford
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