Mossy Point Community outraged at what the proposed Rural Lands Strategy will do to their treasured bushland and estuary.
On Saturday 28 July, over 60 residents attended a community meeting to discuss the Eurobodalla's proposed Rural Lands Strategy which includes the subdivision of land bounded by George Bass Drive and Connell's Place, Mossy Point. Linda Chapman and Anthony Mayne spoke about the proposed changes which include a subdivision with 19 x 1000m blocks and removal of the current environmental protections which have protected this high conservation value bushland and estuary.
The majority of the residents, until they received a flyer in the letterbox last Wednesday, were totally unaware that this proposal was part of the Rural Lands Strategy. They did not know that the Rural Lands Strategy will in fact be the Council's updated Local Environment Plan and that this plan, which covers private land in the Eurobodalla (not national parks and reserves) will impact adversely on high conservation bushland, wetlands, estuaries and rivers up and down the Eurobodalla coast. There was an absolute lack of any knowledge residents had of this potential impact to them literally next door.
In attendance were members of the Broulee-Mossy Point Community Association, the Estuary Estate Group and the Nature Coast Alliance.
Comments made by attendees included:
This bushland is a vital buffer between Mossy Point and Tomakin.
The forest is a critical part of storm water management. It absorbs the storm events and protects the estuary and the spit at Tomakin. Removal of the forest will put the spit under threat.
Previous disturbance of the bush had resulted in increased flooding of blocks in Connell's place and these subdivisions would make it much worse.
The bushland is an endangered ecological communities and critical habitat for endangered species particularly the gliders.
To fit 19 lots there would have to be virtual clear felling and loss of more habitat for gliders etc. So much for the proposed Environmental living zone! The Office of Environment and Heritage could not see how 19 lots would fit.
It is time to contact the ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) as this proposal will benefit a very small number of people at the expense of the majority of the people.
Our Council is not listening to its community, is out of touch and there is a very low level of trust in the Council. They have been hi-jacked by a few people with significant vested interests.
Meeting participants signed over 40 letters to the Council's General Manager, Catherine Dale opposing the current proposed Rural Lands Strategy. A similar number of letters to the NSW Minister for Planning were signed asking that the NSW Government does not approve the current draft proposed Rural Lands Strategy and request that the Council genuinely engage with the Eurobodalla community to develop a plan that ensures the unique natural assets of the area are maintained and developments concentrated in the town centres.
