A broad coalition of conservation and community groups has been formed
to prevent the destruction of the Jervis Bay region by ill-advised and economically
dubious developments. The group cites development proposals from Vincentia
and Huskisson to Callala, Lake Wollumboola and St. Georges Basin as grounds
for serious concern.
The coalition is concerned that the push for real estate development is at odds with Jervis Bay's position as Shoalhaven's premier tourist destination, and threatens to undermine the community's desire for high quality social, economic and environmentally sustainable development of the region.
The group's formation is a result of mounting opposition to the massive increase in population that will result from a string of development proposals now before Shoalhaven City Council. Council is on the verge of giving the green light to developments that together would bring about a massive increase in population into an region that has amongst the highest unemployment rates in Australia No provision appears to have been made for jobs, for the provision of community facilities, or for the social impacts that such a large influx of people would bring about.
An examination of the relationship between council and a major JervisBay landowner is one of the tasks to be undertaken by the alliance. The group will also be seeking to have the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning urgently re-evaluate its classification system for wetlands in the Jervis Bay catchment since many areas worthy of protection by State Environment and Planning Policy 14 (SEPP 14) are currently under threat.
John Higgins
email
Phone 02 4441 6751