Protecting the Planet Together
Inquiry into the planning system & the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities
On Thursday 30/5/24 the Committee 7 inquiry cross party parliament group came to visit South West Rocks as a part of their east coast tour looking at the impacts of development and climate change and planning. They visted three sites Rise, Seabreeze and Ridgeview.
It was an opportunity for us to highlight the decemation of our coastal wetlands and the importance of planning for the protection of our wildlife through stategic planning and impact assessments. The committee has been seeing first hand the destruction of vital eco systems from Manyana up to Brunswick Heads. It was an ideal opportunity for us to highlight the impacts of the zombie developments here in town and their impacts on our coastal environment. It created a space for idealistic approaches to developments and we got to highlight that our coast could potentially provide a good buffer to climate change and its impacts if there is strategic approaches to biodiversity and habitat corridors.
The Rise site in particular was really productive and showed an overview of the impacts of development on our wetands and their inadequacy of protection of the wetlands, drainage and the impacts for the future DA's yet to be decided on.
We were joined by Aunty Cheryl and Nancy from Figtree Decsendants and they shared the powerful story of the Brolga and it's importance to Country and especially in the vacinity of The Seabreeze Estate. It highlighted the importance of First Nations involvment in the protection of Country and it's wildlife and fauna. Marrungbu Aunty and Nancy.
KSC Koala Tree Give Away
Habitat is key - Quality habitat is vital to koala conservation. The best thing we can do for koalas is provide them with large areas of consolidated, high-quality habitat away from threats. Koalas feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves. The two or three tree species they prefer vary throughout their range.
To support the creation and maintenance of koala habitat, Council will be holding a Koala Feed Tree Giveaway with free koala feed trees available to collect on 28 May 2024 from the Macleay Landcare office, located on Wharf Street, East Kempsey, between 12pm - 4:30pm.
Orders for trees can be placed here between 6 May and 24 May: ksc.pub/koala-tree2024
Report your local koala sightings - If you see a koala, let us know via the I Spy Koala app.
The Macleay Coast Destination Plan Submission
Start 2023 with an impact!
Lets welcome 2023 in with an impact ..... The submissions document for NPWS! Make a New Year's resolution to get your submission in for the Destinations master plan for Arakoon and Hat Head National Parks. If you've put your email down at the Little Bay meetings you will receive our compiled tick box document to make submissions easier. You can use it as a guide to write your own submission. Or tick the boxes in the document that you want in your submission and send it back to VoSWR for compiling. Please fill out on a PC or tablet so it is clear where to fill it in. Also make sure you hit submit down the very bottom of the page. The biggest thing we have learned that everyone needs to be aware of when you fill out your submission. Is that Destinations NSW is the instigator of this plan and can override National Parks protections. Destinations plans prioritises tourism, with the potential to erode environmental protections in our last wild places. We have been monitoring developments in other National Parks by 'high-yielding' tourist operations as is mentioned in this draft plan which are very concerning. For that reason, and because NPWS could not give us assurances that this wouldn't happen, we are strongly recommending to object to cabins and removal of access to any area's, as this seems to be a forerunner for development and privatisation in other National Parks.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebhi1qY46XFhdERbIe13go4fTUZ4Eov2v6Guy-Ac9lfKw9yQ/viewform
We will be holding information and help sessions throughout the next month down at Brighton Park to aide you with your submission. If you wish to assist please reach out or if you need any assistance. We have until the 3rd Febuary to get these in. Let's start our year right. - Thanks the VoSWRC team
Community Town Hall 26 November 2022
Councillors and Public Meet
A few things that will lead to a sustainable South West Rocks.
By the Community for the Community !
A successful event
More than 50 people attended our community "Town Hall" meeting on Saturday 26 November 2022.
The highlight was the presentation delivered by the" Save Our Scotts Head" group. The story of their success in persuading a major developer to withdraw a Development Application was both inspirational and enlightening. The presentation can be viewed below.
We were also delighted that Councillors Bain, Riddington and Wyatt plus Mayor Hauville could attend. They cleared up some ambiguities, provided some information and generally engaged in the conversation. Their positive contribution to the event was appreciated.
We hope to see even more people at our next event which will be in the first quarter of 2023.
If you have any topics you would like us to look at for possible inclusion please contact us.
Read it here first
Regenerate Australia Movie/Discussion Panel Night
Saturday 23rd July 2022
6:30 - 8:30pm