Johnno, guess you know about this already, but thought I'd post it anyway
"*Launch of the Save the Northern Beaches initiative*
With the very recent concept approval of 200 residential lots at Hearnes
Lake and suggestions of imminent concept approval of numerous houses in the
South Moonee Forest and at North Emerald Beach community concern over the
future of the Northern Beaches of Coffs Harbour is growing. The “Save the
Northern Beaches Alliance” will be launching its website and campaign
tomorrow (Tuesday 8 March) at 11am at the Diggers Beach carpark. The website
(
www.savecoffscoast.com) has been developed by Mr Anthony Grupe of Abacus
Web Designs to create a forum for community collaboration to Save the
Northern Beaches greenbelts.
The “Save the Northern Beaches Alliance” has formed with the intention of
protecting important greenbelts at Hearnes Lake, North Emerald Beach and
South Moonee Forest from unsustainable urban sprawl. “The Northern Beaches
is defined by small coastal hamlets nestled within coastal greenbelts. These
greenbelts are the kidneys of our magnificent Solitary Islands Marine Park.
Residents and visitors benefit from these greenbelts; they protect quality
of life and make the Northern Beaches one of the most beautiful and diverse
places in the world” said Councillor Mark Graham, one of the co-founders of
the Alliance.
“With proposals for unbroken urban sprawl along the Northern Beaches
currently before the State Government for approval there is an urgent need
to save these important greenbelts for the benefit of current residents,
future generations and our all-important tourism industry” said Rod
McKelvey, co-founder of the Alliance.
‘We are calling on NSW Planning Minister Tony Kelly to prohibit development
at the South Moonee Forest and North Emerald Beach and to work with Coffs
Harbour City Council and the community to purchase these important coastal
icons under the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme. We are also calling on the
Roads and Traffic Authority to commit compensatory habitat funds to
purchasing these natural assets” said Ashley Love, co-founder of the
Alliance. “Coffs Harbour City Council must act in the public interest and
commit to appealing in the Land and Environment Court the concept approval
of 200 houses at Hearnes Lake. This land must be protected from residential
development in order to maintain the important wetlands and fisheries
nursery habitats in this greenbelt, as well as protecting current and future
residents from flooding impacts” said Mr Love.
A major community protest rally is to be staged at Emerald Beach at 11am on
Saturday 12 March at the Emerald Beach Carpark, Fiddaman Road."