The original 2005 Development Application for Careel Bay Marina – Reference DA-144-6-2005-i

The D.A. lodged by Austral Monsoon Industries with the NSW Department of Planning in 2005 was for:

• 37 berth marina (accommodating 34 power boats  up to 18 metres and three yachts up to 12 metres)
• concrete hardstand
• 75 tonne travel lift/shiplift
• replacement of existing buildings with two new buildings, with one being two storeys, to host:
• offices
• shop
• chandlery
• boat brokerage
• workshops for maintenance services.

There was support for an upgrading of the existing boat shed to ensure pollutants do not enter the environment.

There was opposition to DA-144-6-2005-i. The D.A. posed a serious threat to the well being and ecological sustainability of Careel Bay.

The significant concerns of the CBPPA and many other community groups and individuals were acknowledged by the NSW Department of Planning, the consent authority.

CBPPA full text of concerns (pdf - 71 KB)
A more detailed explanation of CBPPA concerns about the original D.A.

On 14 February 2006, the Minister for Planning, the Hon. Frank Sartor MP, refused consent for all aspects of the proposal.

Reasons for the Minister's refusal of the original 2005 Development Application for Careel Bay Marina – Reference DA-144-6-2005-i included:

• lack of provisions for the management of contaminated sediments
• potential impacts on the aquatic ecology and water quality of Careel Bay
• spread of the noxious weed caulerpa taxifolia
• noise impacts associated with construction and third parties utilising the proposed marina
• traffic and parking impacts
• visual impacts
• restriction of public access to waterways zoned for recreational use
• proposed development is not in the public interest.

The Minister's 2006 Determination and the Assessment Report can be viewed on the Department of Planning's web site.

Development proposal for Careel Bay Marina - Reference DA-144-6-2005-i (amended 4 May 2007)

The amended D.A remains a substantial development and includes:

• 24 berth floating marina (able to accommodate large power boats) that will occupy a sizeable area of water
• a large concrete hardstand (work area) able to accommodate at least four large vessels at one time
• 45 tonne travel -lift or ship lift
• new buildings including a two storey structure that will contain a caretaker's flat, offices, shops, chandlery, boat brokerage and several workshops.

The development involves the construction of concrete sub-structures on piles over most of the current lease area.

The development of buildings, work areas,car parking, industrialised marina uses/activities and commercial and retail uses will take place on top of concrete constructions.

Reasons for opposition

There is community objection to the amended marina proposal because of:

• the size and scale of the development
• the commercialisation of Careel Bay (a public waterway)
• the industrialisation of the existing site
• the increased intensity of uses proposed by Austral Monsoon.

It is considered that the amended development application is inconsistent with the principles of:

• Ecologically Sustainable Development
• NSW Coastal Policy
• SEPP 71 Coastal Protection
• local council environmental planning requirements.

It is believed that there are no net public benefits when the proposal is considered as a whole.

The proposal is likely to be in conflict with the access, operations and safety requirements of the Careel Bay Public Wharf.

• The proposed marina will pose unacceptable cumulative environmental risks and impacts on the adjoining sea grasses and wetlands, adjoining residential areas and the public use of the waterway.
• The sensitive marine ecology of the Careel Bay Wetlands will be threatened by the location, size and activities of the proposed marina and its berths, constructed well within the statutory 50 metre environmental buffer protection zone and immediately adjoining the environmentally protected sea grasses and wetlands.
• The character of the bay would be dramatically altered through the replacement of a small boatshed, catering mainly for small boats, with a major commercial operation catering for much larger vessels and dominating the visual and physical landscape.
•   The spreading of the noxious seaweed, caulerpa taxifolia, and the introduction of other marine pests would be facilitated by increased numbers of big power boats with their large propellers and ability to travel long distances.
• the alienation of a currently public waterway for commercial use would displace existing users, the broader public, for the private benefit of a few.
• swing moorings, used mainly by smaller boat owners, will be removed and substituted by private marina berths for larger vessels
• The views from the public wharf, the most frequented public access and viewing position of the bay, would be for the most part blocked visually by a "wall" of large powerboats. Many boats of this size have three levels.
• The visual impact of a high "wall" of large power boats would block views of the bay and damage the visual landscape.Dusk to dawn lighting on the floating pontoons and marina would intrude on the natural and quiet night environment, affecting residents, wildlife and the natural ecology of the bay.
• There would be increased traffic and noise from the proposed marina’s activities and 24/7 access to the marina berths.
• There is insufficient parking and access at the narrow, no-through end of George Street for what would be an inevitable increase in traffic size and intensity and large boat transport (semi-trailers).
• The silt movement, sedimentation and water quality over the seagrasses would be adversely affected by the marina, its piles, fixed berths and particularly the propeller wash from large power boats.
• The marina development and increase in intensity of use would adversely impact upon the environment/habitat of the migratory birds currently protected by international treaties and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, and protected species such as fairy penguin and sea horse species.
• The marina development would be in conflict with the safe and efficient use and operation of the public wharf and any planned future renewal of the public wharf.
• The increased size and number of large boats proposed, use of a 45 tonne ship travel lift and proposed work spaces for at least four large vessels on the proposed hard stand would constitute an intensification of use compared with current slipway usage. The Environmental Impact Statement indicates that five to seven vessels would be accommodated on the proposed hard stand.

It is considered that there has been insufficient consideration of alternatives such as upgrading the existing slipways within the existing development and usage envelope to bring them into line with environmental and occupational health and safety regulations (OHS) without the need to construct a large hard stand with a ship travel lift. The Minister for Planning approved an upgrade of this type for Clontarf Marina.

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View of a marina

Picture galleries:

- Careel Bay

- Marinas and big boats

References