NSW GOVERNMENT URGED TO CALL IN GIANT ARTIFICIAL POLLUTION LAKE AT BALLINA

Sunday, 11 November 2001 10:00

 "We have asked Planning Minister Andrew Refshauge to call in this development as it is totally inappropriate for the location" said TEC campaigner Fran Kelly.

"Not only is a 3 ha artificial pollution lake wrong for this North Creek location, it is just the beginning of an extensive development of nearly 800 housing lots, a commercial and recreation area and tavern. The whole proposal should have been lodged together to give residents a clear indication of what is really going to happen to their area" said Ms Kelly
"In our view this proposal amounts to a virtual destruction of natural supposedly protected wetland systems by replacing them with what looks like a canal estate."

"Ballina Nature Reserve, the adjoining creeks, and wetlands could be unrecognizable in a few years time if this goes ahead. Instead of the extent of flora and fauna currently relying on the area there are likely to be mosquitoes, weeds and ferals," said Ms Kelly.

"With current pressure on a sewerage system that is almost bursting, Ballina Council's short sighted proposal to just keep on pumping wastewater into the ocean, and other recent controversial development proposals we would have thought Council might have by now started looking at long term sustainable planning for its Shire"

"Instead residents and the natural environment are being landed with these ad hoc over the top grand schemes a la Gold Coast . This artificial giant lake and surrounds is one example," said Ms Kelly