Trust responds vigourously to mangrove removal

The Killcare Wagstaffe Trust has "responded vigourously" to the recent granting of a permit to remove mangroves from the Hardys Bay foreshore.

The Hardys Bay Residents Group reported in its recent newsletter that it had removed "designated mangroves" with Council and Fisheries approval near Killcare marina in a clean-up in February.

The Trust stated in its newsletter that it was "not fundamentally opposed to appropriate mangrove removal".

However, the committee said that permits should only be granted after serious consultation with all the stakeholders including the community, Fisheries, Waterways and Council and only for the purposes of ecological health and not for enhancement of views for residents.

The Coastal Zone Management Plan for Brisbane Water Estuary was prepared for Gosford Council by consultants and released last year.

The plan specifically recognised the importance of preserving estuarine habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses and saltmarsh, according to the Trust's newsletter.

"These are associated with high rates of diversity and abundance of fish, birds and invertebrate fauna and identified as protected habitats by the Fisheries Management Act 1994," stated the newsletter.

"It did, however, recommend that mangrove growth should be controlled where they are affecting key drainage channels.

"This should be undertaken (where permissible) under the relevant permit or licence.

"For instance, it was proposed to deepen and widen the outlets of Mudflat and RSL Creeks in Hardys Bay so that both creeks restore tidal flushing.

"The efficacy of this option in improving flushing should be assessed prior to undertaking the works."

One of the key recommendations in the Plan was to rehabilitate the eroding eastern foreshores of Hardys Bay with vegetation.

The eastern shore of Hardys Bay near Hardys Bay Pde is currently affected by shoreline erosion and local residents said they had observed trees falling into the water.

This action seeks to stabilise the foreshore via the establishment of vegetation.

It was also recommended in the plan, among other things, that measures to address the eroding seawall located near Araluen Dr on the southern side of Hardys Bay be investigated and implemented,

The Trust will discuss a possible long-term plan for the estuary at its annual meeting on Sunday, May 5.

Newsletter, 24 Apr 2013

David Legge, Killcare Wagstaffe Trust