Botany Bay ferry wharves and Transport for NSW cover-ups

Botany Bay ferry wharves and Transport for NSW cover-ups © RFA of NSW

Recreational fishers in Botany Bay are reporting seeing mullet with white lesions covering their bodies. This needs further investigation as contamination fears grow each day that the fish in the Bay are already so polluted that more testing needs to be done.

One cause of these lesions could be pollution. The planned ferry wharves could open up new contamination points in the Bay. With so many shortcuts and cover ups in the Kamay Ferry Wharves approval processes and claims by the NSW Government of "Cabinet in Confidence" secrecy clauses, the RFA is wondering who is actually looking after the fish in Botany Bay.

Transport for NSW has downplayed the risk to the public from the installation of ferry wharves at La Perouse and Kurnell, arguing that sediment plumes would quickly disperse without causing harm. However, the NSW EPA was critical of the plans, finding the "nature and extent of contamination" set to be disturbed by construction "have not been fully assessed". "Furthermore, the reports do not identify mitigation and management measures to safeguard the environment and people during construction and operation," the EPA wrote in its submission.

These mullet are special, forming part of a Cultural Fishing Permit Process that allows the local indigenous fishers to catch them and feed their community. With these mullet clearly showing signs of lesions the RFA will be asking for further investigations to determine if the mullet in the Bay are safe to eat by both the recreational, commercial and cultural fishers.

The lack of adequate testing on the sediments is a huge concern to recreational anglers. Together with the loss of vital seagrass beds and loss of access, the mullet may not be the only losers in the continued over-development of the Bay.

The NSW Government needs to remember that NSW fishers want to look after the fish and ensure they have adequate habitat, breeding grounds and can be sustainably and safely caught and eaten by the community. Transport for NSW has failed in this space once again and should hang their heads in shame.

Will we have a user-pay system to access Botany Bay?

Ferry wharves could be the straw that broke the camel's back and could see fees introduced to use the Botany Bay National Park.

Lke Kurnell with its $8 a day fee, will we see fees introduced to use the north side of Botany Bay?

The possibility has been raised in the past and has appeared in Plans of Management: "Arrangements for park use fees, including vehicle access, are reviewed and may then be implemented. This may include options for key current and emerging visitor locations at or near La Perouse, the Kurnell section entrance and Potter Point"

So, definitely on the cards.

Go to La Perouse on any summer weekend and see just how important this area is for leisure for the families of western Sydney, who have already battled traffic, tolls, rising fuel prices and now the spectre of park usage fees.

These are safe swimming, fishing and areas for families to get their "blue" fix of the outdoors. Ferry wharves will contribute to overcrowding; timed and paid parking and park access fees will see the area commercialised beyond recognition.

The exploitation and commercialisation of the area must stop and it should not become the playground of those who can afford the cost of visiting. It should remain free to use for all and remain accessible to all.