THE Department of Planning is currently assessing a proposal by Pisces Aquaculture Holdings to modify an existing development consent that was given by the then Minister for Planning in 2001.
The proposed modification for a 30ha off-shore commercial snapper farm in Providence Bay, Port Stephens involves:
z The addition of new fish species to be farmed
z Establishment of an additional sea cage and associated infrastructure within the lease area for the purposes of trialling pearl oysters
z The addition of food bunkers and a working platform
z On-board processing of harvested fish at the farm site
z Undertaking of some cleaning of cage nets at the farm and
z Purchasing of live fish from commercial fisherman to stock the facility.
A spokesperson for the Department told the NOTA that the proponent has submitted a Statement of Environmental Effects in response to key issues identified by the Department.
"This, along with all issues raised in submissions, will be considered in the assessment of the proposal," she said.
The spokesperson said the Department welcomes submissions from any member of the community, and has assured that any issues raised will be considered in the assessment process.
"In undertaking the assessment, the Department will consult with other relevant agencies including the Department of Environment and Conservation, the Department of Primary Industries (former NSW Fisheries), NSW Maritime and NSW Safe Foods.
"Importantly, for the proposal to proceed, the applicant will require an aquaculture permit from the Department of Primary Industries (former NSW Fisheries)," she explained.
The applicant's Statement of Environmental Effects lists Seriola lalandi (Yellowtail Kingfish) amongst the species proposed to be farmed.
The Statement of Environmental Effects states, "It is expected that at full commercial production the farm will provide 32 full time positions."
The modification application and full Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) can be viewed until Monday, April 10 at:
z Department of Planning Information Centre, 23-33 Bridge Street, Sydney
z Price Waterhouse Cooper Centre, Level 2, 26 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle
z Port Stephens Council, 116 Pacific Highway, Raymond Terrace
z Great Lakes Council, Tea Gardens Office, Myall Road, Tea Gardens
They can also be found on the Department's web site at: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/das.a sp.
Submissions should be forwarded, by close of business on Monday, April 10, 2006 to:
Major Development Assessment
Department of Planning
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001
Attention Ann-Maree Carruthers
Your submission should include:
z Your name and address
z The modification application number (MOD-37-3-2006)
z A statement on whether you support or object to the proposed modification and
z The reasons why you support or object to the proposed modification.
If the modification application is approved, there is no right of appeal under section 98 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 by an objector.
Local environmentalist, Christian Patteson, said he is not totally against fish farming, but believes the proposed farm in question has many potential consequences.
"I realise very well that to sustain the ocean's fish stocks and our appetites, aquaculture is an extremely important industry. However, the first time round, between 2001 and 2004, when a snapper growing farm was operating near Cabbage Tree Island, Hawks Nest beach saw the washing up of navigation markers (some bigger than 4WDs), along with bits of the fish farm cages, almost every time there was a south east gale over the past three years," said Mr Patteson.
"The whole thing is totally at odds with the proposed sanctuary zones for the marine park. To have a snapper farm right next to it just doesn't make sense," he added.
"The fact that the proposed farm is near Cabbage Tree Island, the only nesting place in the world of the Goulds Petrel, could also present a problem.
"Every precautionary principle possible should be taken to prevent this bird from direct or indirect impacts," he said.
A spokesperson for the Department stated that any specific concerns, (like the ones above) that are raised in the submissions will be looked at and considered during the assessment process.
"We encourage people to write submissions so these issues can be considered in further detail," she said.
New Managing Director of Pisces, Dan Hogan, has been reported as saying that the changes would not expand or increase the farm or its fish volume, which had already undergone extensive environmental assessments.
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