Plans for marina cause concerns
A plan for a new $1 billion marina at Point Grey could “tip Peel’s delicate wetlands over the edge”, according to a Peel-based wildlife photographer.
David Rennie said he had witnessed the steady decline of wetland health since he began documenting birds and other wildlife across the region three years ago.
Mr Rennie said there were “no words” to describe the stinking black ooze that had gathered at various locations across Peel.
He said water had become acidic in some places, and had photographed the devastating effect on wildlife.
“It dawned on me while photographing an area close to Coodanup that something was very wrong with our wetlands,” Mr Rennie said.
“Now they want to dredge at Point Grey and this is only going to activate the acid in the water in an area which is known to be a breeding ground for fish.
“I have no malice against developer Port Bouvard — they have followed due process — but these wetlands are protected by the Ramsar International Convention on wetlands.”
The Ramsar Convention protects more than 900 nationally important wetlands across the country.
Mandurah MLA David Templeman said he was concerned for the future of migratory birds, which travelled from as far afield as Russia, to mate at wetlands across the Peel region.
Mr Templeman said he was appalled by the Federal Department of Environment’s decision to conditionally approve the Point Grey marina development earlier this month.
Shire of Murray chief executive Dean Unsworth said he believed the Point Grey Marina Project would boost tourism in Murray because it offered another marina facility that would address the issues of increased boating and alleviate the pressure on established rivers and estuaries across the region.
