Kamay Ferry Wharves development approved despite environmental concerns

Kamay Ferry Wharves development approved despite environmental concerns

By SWAGATALAKSHMI ROYCHOWDURY

The controversial development of the Kamay Ferry Wharves has recently been approved to go ahead, despite strong opposition from the community over environmental concerns. State planning minster Anthony Roberts signed off on the project on July 21, just a short time before Randwick Council unanimously passed a motion calling for the environmental impacts of the project to be recognised and reviewed.

The Kamay Ferry Wharf project involves the construction of ferry wharves as a reinstatement of the old 25 metre wharves in the South Sydney location. The proposed size of the wharves are a 180m wharf at La Perouse, and a 200m wharf at Kurnell, which will connect the two suburbs across Yarra Bay through ferry services.

Kamay Ferry Wharf Route
The ferry will provide a connection between La Perouse and Kurnell. Photo: Transport for NSW.

Randwick Councillor Philipa Veitch tabled the most recent motion, affirming that council recognise community concerns, and write to Minster for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek to review the decision.

The motion highlights several species of aquatic plants and marine life that will be negatively impacted by the new wharves, including endangered seagrasses, corals, seahorses, and fish.

Additional concerns about the project include contamination, especially in Botany Bay which has been a site of “major industrial contamination over the past 100 years”.

Cr Veitch said the area where development will go ahead is “a beautiful, significant and important waterway”.

“The construction of this Ferry Wharf is going to completely mobilise and stir up all kind of contaminated sediment” she said.

“It will have huge impacts on the sea grasses and the sub the marine life that depend on those sea grasses”.

“Majority of the community is really strongly opposed” Cr Veitch said.

Decision lies with Plibersek

As the planning for the Kamay Ferry Wharves has been classified a ‘controlled action’ under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, approval from the Minister for the Environment and Water is needed as well as the Planning Minister, before construction can begin.

Community group Save the Bay Coalition is fighting against the development of the Kamay Ferry Wharves through appealing for members to write to Plibersek expressing their opposition to the development.

A ‘Save the Bay’ newsletter speaks about the negative impacts the projects will have on ecological communities and endangered marine species, and urges readers to take action.

Kamay Ferry Wharves
Impression of the wharf. Photo: Transport for NSW.

“Please keep sharing everyone. It is bewildering that they think it is okay to destroy the habitat of threatened marine species and potentially contaminate Frenchman’s beach so that a few operators can make a profit,” said one commenter on a social media post.

“SAVE THE BAY COALITION are now stepping up their campaign and need support opposing the Kamay Ferry Wharf project. Threatened species will be impacted and the proposal is now being assessed by the Federal minister for the environment,” Cr Veitch said in a Facebook post.

“Last night, the council resolved to write to the minister but we need everyone in the community to get behind this.”

CityHub reached out to Transport for NSW for comment.

“A draft Marine Biodiversity Offset Strategy has been prepared in consultation with the Federal Department of Climate Change Energy Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Department of Primary Industry – Fisheries, the Gamay Rangers, and UNSW Sydney.  UNSW Sydney has experience in the rehabilitation of endangered seagrass such as Posidonia australis in NSW,” a spokesperson said.

“The rehabilitation and improvement of seagrass in Botany Bay through transplantation and creating new areas of growth to provide improved habitat and environment for existing Posidonia australis seagrass meadow. The creation of independent artificial structures such as seahorse hotels.”

“The final Marine Biodiversity Offset Strategy will be developed in consultation with relevant government agencies.  This will ensure the project fulfills its obligations under the relevant approvals.”

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