Hi everyone
I’ve just found out about a couple of proposed developments around Geelong.
One is at the former Moolap Saltworks, the other is for Avalon Saltworks.
Anyone who has been to these sites will know of their importance and
biological diversity. Moolap is one of the few places in Geelong itself to
see birds like Spotted Crake, Marsh Sandpiper, Great Egret and Baillon’s
Crake. More importantly, it is one of the important feeding grounds for all
three of Red-necked Avocet, Black-winged Stilt and Banded Stilt. There is a
development planned to make this area into a new residential estate. The
developers are using all the old tricks, such as claiming the area is
low-quality, degraded industrial wasteland, and that they will enhance the
ecological and environmental aspects of it by turning it into parkland
amidst the homes and shops. Here's an extract from one of their documents:
"restore the ecological values and conserve biodiversity, both of which are
presently at risk at both sites. In particular it will put the combined
carrying capacity of the sites for listed migratory shorebirds on to a
sustainable basis. This carrying capacity was increased by the advent of
salt works operations and has declined since the cessation of these
operations".
The plan is to redevelop most of the 465 ha site at Moolap, and create 75
ha reserve through "environmental rehabilitation" by "the concurrent
conduct of earthworks, hydraulic engineering works and landscaping works
for the creation of 75 ha of conservation reserve."
This is from the proposal document dated 16 November 2012. Public
submissions close THIS FRIDAY 30 November 2012. You can read more of the
documents here:
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/epbc/epbc_ap.pl?name=current_referral_detail&proposal_id=6630
Let's hope this development is not allowed to go ahead unchecked. Please
submit a brief letter of opposition to the proposal around the issues
raised above to the Federal Environment Minister, or as follows:
Email address for Public Comment
*Email*:
*Fax*: 02 6274 1789 Or post to:
*Referral Business Entry Point, EIA Policy Section (EPBC Act)*
Approvals and Wildlife Division
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
I will try to get some more info to the list asap.
Russell Woodford
Birding-Aus List Owner
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