I can’t comment on the specifics of the Cairns airport, but it is interesting
that a planned development would take out a significant amount of mangrove area
given:
1. Projected sea level rises
2. The protective role of mangroves during storm surges
3. The role of mangroves in mitigating coastal erosion
4. The role of mangroves in protecting marine water quality (an issue in the
GBR region)
5. The role of mangroves in enhancing fishery productivity.
On 4 Jun 2016, at 3:17 pm, Burnice Starkey <> wrote:
> In a recent newsletter from the Cairns Bird group I was extremely alarmed to
> read an article by Brian Venables titled: Institutionalised Environmental
> Vandalism.
>
> He wrote a report about a recent meeting with Cairns Airport with regard to
> the environmental impacts for a proposed expansion.
>
> Those present were listed as:
> Peter Hitchcock (Environment and Heritage Consultant)
> Brian Venables (Bird Life Australia)
> Darren Crayn (Australian Tropical Herbarium, JCU)
> Bess Murphy (Cairns and Far North Environment Centre)
> Kevin Brown (Cairns Airport Pty. Ltd)
> Ian Maltmann (Cairns Airport Pty. Ltd)
> Helen Laird (Cairns Airport Pty. Ltd)
>
>
> Birders both Australian and international should be aware that these
> intentions would impact on the salt marsh, mangroves and boardwalk locally
> named Jack Barnes Boardwalk.
>
> In view of the plight of the Eastern Curlew's ever declining numbers and the
> importance of Wader roosts I am shocked to read that:
> "the Airport was only vaguely
> aware of its importance as a roost for waders (some of which are on
> the brink of extinction) they were completely unaware of its importance and
> place in the ecosystem. They were also unaware of the species diversity and
> age of the surrounding forests..."
>
> Whether these mangroves were de-listed from the National Register by some
> past government or not, our present State and Federal Environment Ministers
> should intervene.
>
> Sadly Brian Venables surmised that although alternative suggestions were
> discussed: "Surveys were proposed and a further meeting, but it would seem
> that the loss of our beautiful mangrove forest is a fait accompli and
> although the Cairns Airport Pty. Ltd. (a multinational company) has said they
> will not proceed immediately they have the option to do so at any time.
>
> Legislations can be re-written.
> How can we let Cairns Airport Pty Ltd blunder ahead?
>
>
>
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