Sydney Harbour to become marine park
SYDNEY Harbour and coastal waters from Bondi to Coogee are among 25 sites between Newcastle and Wollongong to be safeguarded in a new marine park proposal announced by the NSW Government today.
Southern Courier
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SYDNEY Harbour and coastal waters from Bondi to Coogee are among 25 sites between Newcastle and Wollongong to be safeguarded in a new marine park proposal announced by the NSW Government today.
The State Government is now seeking community views on the plans for a new marine park, which would include sanctuary zones, conservation zones and special purpose zones to enhance biodiversity and control fishing along Australia’s iconic stretch of coastline.
To date, less than 1 per cent of Sydney waters are protected.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, with fellow MPs Gabrielle Upton, Niall Blair and Bruce Notley-Smith heralded the historic news at Clovelly Beach, home to the famous blue groper.
“NSW’s beautiful marine environment is iconic and the envy of the world. We want to keep it that way so that future generations can continue to enjoy it,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The NSW Government is committed to preserving and protecting our natural environment.”
Mr Notley-Smith, who has championed the cause of a marine park in the Coogee electorate, said he was “thrilled to bits” with the news.
“We’ve put out to community consultation the most significant protection of the marine environment in NSW in history,” he said.
“In Coogee the proposed conservation zone and sanctuary zone will cover 2000 square hectares.
“It goes from south Bondi, to the northern end of Coogee Beach out to sea a three nautical mile limit.
“The Premier knows how passionate I am about this, it’s huge.”
The Australian Marine Conservation Society and Nature Conservation Council NSW had been united to petition for the marine park.
Campaigner Sharnie Connell had said a marine park would “make people more aware” of the need to care for the ocean.
“When we establish a marine park it sends a very clear message our coastal waters are valuable and we need to protect our marine environment,” Ms Connell said.
Under the proposal, the marine park will have three types of zones:
Sanctuary Zones would enhance biodiversity and allow a range of activities such as snorkelling, diving and boating;
Conservation Zones would provide a high level of environmental benefit and allow abalone and lobster fishing; and
Special Purpose Zones would seek to address a specific threat or allow a certain activity such as recreational fishing on an artificial reef.
The NSW Government also unveiled $45.7 million to help address some of the biggest threats to our marine environment, including pollution and litter.
The marine park strategy encompasses 1,750km of coastline, 826 beaches and 185 estuaries in NSW.
Anyone can have their say during the six-week consultation period on the proposed marine park at: www.marine.nsw.gov.au