The Federal Department of the Environment’s decision to give the Point Grey Marina the go ahead is a disastrous one, Mandurah MLA David Templeman says.
The development, which includes dredging a 2.5-kilometre long, three-metre deep and 50m wide channel and a marina with a carpark and boat ramps, has left the Mandurah politician outraged.
“It’s an appalling decision,” he said.
“The community has campaigned long and hard which has gone unheard.
“It is not in the best interest of the health and wellbeing of the estuary and our concerns have been totally disregarded.
“I have cited a number of reports including one done last year by Murdoch University and the CSIRO, which highlights the impact of urban developments on the estuary’s health, but it seems good scientific evidence has been disregarded.”
Those in opposition believe the dredging will release mono-sulfidic black ooze which they’re concerned would destroy the waterway and the area’s crab population, having an effect on both commercial and recreational crabbing.
With the estuary part of the Peel-Yalgorup System Ramsar Site, the most important area for waterbirds in the south west of Western Australia, Mr Temple-man said Point Grey could have a “detrimental effect” on the birdlife.
He said there was no evidence showing the development would have no effect on the estuary and when he raised the issue the response was “it will be too late once we start digging”.
“It seems the Federal Liberal Government and the Federal Liberal Minister, who probably do not know this area, have made an appalling decision on something which will have a disastrous outcome,” he said.
“The [local] Liberal members have been absolutely silent on the issue and have not represented the health of the estuary.
“I will keep fighting, but it feels like I’m a lone voice because we never hear from the other elected members.”
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