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Collapse Issue 463 - 11 Feb 2019Issue 463 - 11 Feb 2019
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Nature strip parking fines withdrawn after protest
On-demand bus service will extend into The Bays
Woy Woy wharf to receive $4M upgrade
Surf club members praised for rescue of injured man
A 60th and a 70th anniversary held on Valentines Day
Empire Bay post office closes after lease expires
West St development to be considered by Council
Car and trailer in water after 'launching mishap'
Farnell Rd decision likely before the end of March
Corkwood tree may stay on proposed nursing home site
Woy Woy celebrations attracts 12,000, says council
Wagstaffe flag-raising
New boat for Marine Rescue
Chamber describes tunnel as economic game-changer
Applicant to take Killcare fence dispute to court
Comment period extended for caravan park proposal
Marquart asks for flood maps to be added to plan
Community Garden consulted about new policy
Tree group meets with council staff about urban strategy
CWA branch meets with urban tree group
Workshop about draft climate change policy
No money for St Huberts Island dredging, council told
Act now to prevents oil and gas rigs, says activist
Balloon twisting for children
Peninsula group pampers homeless people
Police seek help after home invasion
Young man wanted over store theft
Memorial garden for dolphin receives a refresh
Volunteers recognised at special ceremony
Peninsula events in Seniors' Festival program
Peninsula events for women's festival
Vintage cars on show at Ettalong
Tesch greets man on treaty mission walk
Free counselling offered for problem gambling
Charity holds fundraiser in Ettalong
Wicks drops in on home park
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
Another example of short-sighted non-compliance
Accolades go to those who worked for wharf upgrade
Conservation claims require comment
Thanks for TV guide
Collapse   HEALTH HEALTH
Aged care facility says it supports Royal Commission
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Stroke volunteer asks locals to tell of 'stroke champions'
Money raised for family with ill son
Peninsula Village development to start in March
Money donated to woman diagnosed with cancer
Collapse  ARTS ARTS
Noel Coward play opens Little Theatre year
Umina artist wins exhibition
Double header special at folk club
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
New playground equipment ordered
Music bus visits Umina
Dinosaur toys wanted
Straight into schoolwork on first day back
Healthy Harold visits Ettalong
Kindergarten students start school
Five new teachers at Umina
Collapse  SPORT  SPORT
Ettalong confirmed for national bowls championships
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Junior lifesaver of the year
Ocean Beach finishes seventh in junior championships
Jemma was part of successful NSW team
Swans recruit new AFL players
Female soccer players wanted

Conservation claims require comment

Thank you for reporting the Joint Regional Planning Panel hearing of the development application for a three-storey nursing home on rare endangered bushland.

Your article reported developer Mr Doug Thompson claiming he was a conservationist, a comment ignored by the panel members on the night, but not ignored by the public and one that requires comment in opposition.

Objector Ms Charmaine Beckett's presentation about the ecologically endangered UCSW on site seemed irrelevant to Mr Thompson - which can be verified by the meeting's recordings.

If Mr Thompson was a conservationist as claimed, I would expect that he would have taken action weeks, perhaps months, before the Panel hearing to ensure conservation was a strength of the proposed development.

Instead Mr Thompson waited until negotiations began between the Panel, the development team and Council staff to alert him to the fact that there were serious conservation issues yet to be addressed.

One issue has been reported, being the use of exotic species.

The other serious issue, not reported, is the removal of the boardwalk in the midst of an endangered ecological community.

That this development was supported in the council assessment in the midst of the UCSW indicates the disregard for ecology and the overwhelming support for development.

The interest of Mr Thompson was not alerted to the approved boardwalk development until the last stages of the development assessment process.

This is definitely not the actions of a sworn conservationist.

If you are not convinced, listen to a recording of the meeting.

Another issue not discussed at the hearing is why the proponent did not downscale the development to ensure protection of the UCSW.

Removal of a tree, questioned by Ms Beckett, raises questions about the ecological management of the site, over the long term.

This is an issue that requires specialist advice, which was not provided to or available to the Panel.

The issue of ecological character was not addressed by Mr Thompson and the large development team - again, a failing that a recognised conservation supporting developer would not make.

A full transcript of the hearing would have Peninsula News readers claiming the report was all fiction.

You had to be there to believe it was all true.

The attendance of Mr Thompson at the hearing was to showcase the development, and was fully exploited by the development team at every opportunity.





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