Minister launches clean-up barge

Minister for the Central Coast Mr John Della Bosca met with the Hardys Bay Residents Group on Sunday, June 3, to officially launch a barge purchased with a grant provided by the NSW Environment Trust.

The State Government recently provided a $15,000 grant to the residents group to assist in cleaning-up the surrendered oyster leases along the foreshore of Hardys Bay Parade in Killcare.

"It's great to see the community working together on a project to improve the local environment," Mr Della Bosca said.

"This project will significantly improve the foreshore and I know the residents are very eager to get started on the clean-up.

"The operations will also involve the removal of abandoned roof tiles and concrete slabs previously used for oyster spat farming.

"This will help protect seagrass beds and provide habitat for small marine life."

Residents' group communications officer Mr Allan Wilson said all material would be removed by hand at low tide into the barge and floated ashore at high tide.

This would then be used as backfill for Stage Two road works along Hardys Bay Parade.

"The grant provided to the Hardys Bay Residents Group is part of a state-wide $6 million package funding 89 grants which would help improve the NSW environment at a grass-roots level," Mr Della Bosca said.

"These grants have been awarded to local environment groups, councils and educational institutions for programs focused on restoration and rehabilitation, environmental education and research and are part of the Iemma Government's landmark $439 million City and Country Environment Restoration Program.

Group president Mr Adrian Wilson said much of the credit for the "successful outcome" had been attributed to Hardys Bay Residents Group members Terry and Kay Feltham.

Mr Wilson said the pair initiated the Stage One activity, constantly pursued the early negotiations in obtaining the official removal permits for the early clean-up and worked tirelessly, in liaison with other members of the community and residents group colleagues, during the arduous stages of the groundwork.

Press release, 6 Jun 2007 Allan Wilson, Hardys Bay Residents Group