Current Projects
Photographic Competition.
The
entries in the KWT photo competition were on display at the Maitland
Bay Centre over the 2010 October long weekend. The exhibition brought
many extra visitors to the centre. The digital photos were displayed
using the new television and DVD player that was part of the recent
improvements to the centre. 
The competition brief was that each photo must contain at least part of at least one Angophora costata or Sydney red gum as a major part of the composition.
The winners were, in the Digital category, Andre Martin for Bouddi NP sunset.
Print category, the winner was Ian Bull for Sydney red gums meet red centre dust storm with a highly commended award to Robyn Warburton for Costata Constrictor
The judges were Piers Jones, with a local reputation as an artist and sculptor and Andre Fleuren with an international reputation as a cinematographer.
The decisions for both
categories were unanimous. The winning entries will be framed and be on
permanent display at the Maitland Bay Centre. Each of the winners will
receive a framed copy.
LEP Submission.
The
draft Local Environment Plan put up for exhibition has stirred up a
storm of protest across the Coast. All regional governments must
prepare a draft LEP in which they must conform to a new set of
simplified zonings. The aim is to make the planning instruments
consistent across the whole state.
Gosford Council has taken the
opportunity to significantly reduce the level of environmental
protection given to the Coastal Open Space Scheme (COSS) lands. This
scheme was initiated by Council in 1984 with the expressed intention of
preserving precious coastal environments and wildlife corridors. It is
a unique program and one of the Council’s most farsighted achievements.
In
the draft LEP the Council has elected to propose an RE1 (Recreation 1)
zoning for the COSS lands. This represents a significant reduction in
the level of protection afforded these lands as it allows for the
development of all kinds of recreational facilities such as caravan
parks and swimming pools. The zoning that is closest to the intentions
of the COSS program is an E2 (Environmental Conservation) which is what
we are asking Council to use in the final LEP.
The COSS lands in the Bouddi Peninsula are marked as follows on the map (click on map for a larger version):
1.
Putty Beach Reserve. Currently zoned 6(a) Open Space recreation.
Although weed infested in many places a long term management plan has
been prepared.
2. Several blocks below the
ridgeline. These are currently zoned 7(a) Conservation and are
continuous with other blocks to be zoned E2 in the LEP
3.
A block off Fraser Rd (50) and several blocks on the ridge behind the
extension on Hardy’s Bay Pde. Currently zoned 7(a) and are continuous
with other blocks to be zoned E2 in the LEP
4. A
block that goes back up to the ridge from the end of Como Pde.
Currently zoned 6(a) but continuous with land to be zoned E1 and E2.
5. The area currently used as a Council dump off Maitland Bay Dr. Currently zoned 6(a).
The
first four parcels of land are worthy of the best protection Council
can give them which would be an E2 zoning. The fifth block can stay RE1.
There are two other parcels that are not COSS but should be given improved protection from future development.
1.
The foreshore reserve that runs along the Killcare waterfront between
Noble Rd. and the Hardy’s Bay RSL is zoned RE1 in the draft. This
zoning should be extended to include the reserve areas along the
waterfront adjoining all of Araluen Dr, around the point to the boat
ramp at Pretty Beach. The proposed zoning for this area is R2
(residential) and should be RE2.
2. The blocks in
Blythe St that contain swamp mahogany forest and the grave of Thomas
Menton (d. 1837). This is currently zoned 6(a) and should be zoned E2
not RE2.
The deadline for submissions was extended to May 8th. The Trust’s submission is on the website as a PDF file.
Empire Bay Electrical Substation.
Energy
Australia seems intent on putting a substation in the triangle of land
opposite Impact Plants and next to the Liberty service station. It has
applied for the removal of recently granted protection for this site.
In
the Land and Environment Court judgement on the petrol station in 2003,
this block was identified as containing the most significant native
vegetation on the whole development site. It forms an important
corridor for both water flow and wildlife between the ridge and the
wetlands on the other side of Empire Bay Drive. A covenant and
restriction of use was imposed to protect the remaining native
vegetation and the efficiency and quality of the water flow through the
block.
The Trust’s objection can also be seen via our website as a PDF file.
Empire Bay Liberty Restaurant Development.
In
the area adjacent to the Liberty Service station a proposal has been
submitted for three restaurants. The current plan would further erode
the 30m setback recommended by the L&E Court and involve removal of
much of the regrowth of swamp mahoganies along Wards Hill Rd. The Trust
has objected on those grounds and that objection can also be seen on the website as a PDF file.
Hardys Bay Development Land and Environment Court Success - Character wins!
The
written judgement of the Land and Environment Court on the appeal
against Councils refusal of the Araluen Drive proposal has been made
available. It can be seen on the Court’s website for Bespoke properties vs GCC or on our site as a PDF file.
The
appeal was rejected on the sole ground that the proposed development
was unsuitable for the character of the area. The visual impact of the
bulk and loss of trees was found not to be in keeping with the
provisions of Development Control Plan (DCP) 159 which contains
Council’s character statement for the Killcare / Hardy’s Bay area.
The
judgement was very clear about the importance of DCP’s in the planning
process and quoted two planning instruments to back this up.
1.
Clause 10(4) of the Gosford Planning Scheme Ordinance — that consent
must not be granted for development unless the consent authority has
taken into consideration the character of the development site and the
surrounding area.
2. Section 8(d) of SEPP 71
requires the consent authority to consider: The suitability of a
development given its type, location and design and its relationship
with the surrounding area.
Interestingly the Court supported the
developer’s arguments on all the other main points. These were the
floor-space ratio, the height, the building plane, the status of the
spotted gum forest, heritage and bushfire risk.
This was a
victory that strengthens our hand in our determination to protect the
special character of the area. Well done everyone who supported that
campaign.
Redevelopment of Maitland Bay Centre.
Following the successful bid for a grant to upgrade the Maitland Bay Centre, a DRAFT Interpretation Plan has been developed. 
The
initial work covered by the grant funding will involve reconstruction
of the window display area, a work station and counter area, and a
large photographic wall mural of a Sydney Red gum (smooth barked
apple, angophora costata).
As well as some electrical work and
internal painting will be completed. Both NPWS staff and external
contractors will be employed for this work. What is actually
accomplished will depend on how much things cost.
NPWS have
purchased a flat-screen TV and DVD player to be installed in the new
wall of the window display to continually display visual images and
information about Bouddi NP and the area. It is envisaged to get input
into developing a DVD from volunteers with expertise in this area eg.
photography, web design, computer prowess etc.
THAT MEANS YOU. So please come forward with your help.
Activity Book.
We
have a new book for sale at the Maitland Bay Centre. Birds and Animals
of Bouddi National Park is an activity and colouring in book for
children.
50/50 by 2020
We support the objective of meeting a target of a reduction in our energy use by 50% and generation of 50% clean energy by the year 2020 in order to tackle climate change. Read our August 2009 newsletter for more details. Have you filled out the survey on your energy use.
Are you concerned about the amount of bottled water that you purchase? Whatever your answer, maybe you shoud read the attached Powerpoint presentation from the USA. A sobering story.
DA35452/2008 - No 58-62 Araluen Drive Hardys Bay
Our objections and concern for this proposed "over-development" include:
- * Contradiction of Gosford DCP 159 guidelines for "character".
- * The scale and character of the development is unsympathetic to the area
- * The removal of habitat for birds and mammals
- * Removal of in excess of 100 mature Spotted gum and Iron Bark trees
- * Congestion of the intersection during and after construction
- * High visibility structure dominating the landscape
- * Future pressure on infrastructure and roads
- * Parking issues
Hardys Bay Foreshore Walk.
In 2005, a public meeting was held under the "Yum Yum" tree to discuss the need for a Hardys Bay Foreshore Walk. Many ideas were floated and a committee formed. Early this year a detailed plan was formulated and forwarded to Gosford City Council for comment and funding. A master plan was put on display and TWO community meetings were held. A written response from the KWT committee may be read here.
Mudflat Creek
Flooding in the Mudflat Creek has been under study for some time by Gosford City Council. Ann Bowe for the KWT has been a member of the committee that is investigating the Floodplain Risk Management Study. A Community Information Sheet was circulated in July 2006. No final decision has been made.
Turo Creek Floodplain Study
A similar study has recently concluded in the Turo Creek floodplain. . No final decision has been made.
Lobster Beach Walking Track
"The Missing Link" section joining the Lobster Beach Walking Track at Wagstaffe to the National Park at Box Head.is awaiting the final stages. The local residents concerned have given their consent, the Minister has yet to finish the process.
Weeds strategy
Many patches of the natural vegetation in the area are weed infested. This has been a longtime concern of the KWT. Due to the efforts of a hard working band of volunteers, "The Bouddi Bitou Bashes", many large blocks of bitou bush in the National Park have been eradicated or reduced. Other groups work on Beach Drive and at Wagstaffe.
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