SOCIAL IMPACT to Jervis Bay.

  • 604 lots of various lot sizes – the largest frontage of 17.5 m, smallest 13m frontage.
  • 2600 extra new residents, an estimated 1040 new people competing with existing unemployed for 200 new jobs.    
  • 200 estimated full time and part time jobs, will actually replace many existing jobs     
  • The unique village identities will be threatened.
  • The Shopping Centre proposed by Stockland will employ only a small fraction of this number, and because many small businesses at Vincentia, Huskisson and Sanctuary Point will be unable to compete, and as a consequence many local people will be put out of work.  The new impact will be an increase in unemployment.
  • Tourism is the lifeblood of the local economy.  Loss of water quality, adverse visual impacts, and increased traffic will all have negative long term impacts on Tourism and the amount of money brought into the local economy.
  • There are no plans for the immediate future of upgrading the Jervis Bay Rd/ Naval College Rd to cater for the amount of traffic that is proposed by the building of a Stockland complex and the amount of housing that is proposed for this area.
  • Risk of more fatalities on Jervis Bay Rd due to increase in traffic volumes and increase in more large trucks traveling on what already is a very dangerous road.
  • 2 sets of traffic lights planned on the Wool Rd between the roundabout and the High School.
  • Increased traffic volumes in holiday periods – with lengthy delays inevitable.
  • Negative impact of quality of living of existing residents – especially in holiday periods.
  • Shoalhaven City Council has prevented any sensible redevelopment of Vincentia or Sanctuary Point shopping precincts.  This action can only benefit Stockland by preventing any competition that would affect the viability of its plans, and giving local people little option but to support the Stockland proposal.
  • Stockland is proposing the largest single development for Jervis Bay in two decades, an area of National importance. The Commonwealth, which has an interest in the nearby Booderee National Park, has not been alerted by the developer to the impact on species listed in its Schedule to the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act.
  • With no corresponding increase in community facilities.  This will result in increased pressure on local hospitals and medical practitioners – at present there are not enough doctors to meet demand. Hospital waiting times are already long, and most local doctors have closed patient lists.  An extra 2,500 people will only add to these problems.
  • Infrastructure stretched as it is – schools overcrowded, lack of public transport, aged care sector has huge waiting lists and will be placed under increased pressure as more retirees settle in the area.               

ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL IMPACT to Jervis Bay.

  • The entire Bay and its catchment, including the Stockland site are listed on the register of the National Estate because of its environmental and cultural significance.  Two Senate Standing Committees have recommended that its primary use should be that of a conservation resource.
  • Removal or modification of 71ha (59%) of native vegetation. Loss of wildlife corridors which represent a significant loss of habitat leaving as to whether it is a conservation resource.
  • Effectiveness of current concept plan and implemented mitigation measures to reduce impacts on threatened species and endangered species is to be questioned?
  • Successfulness of the Weed Management and Vegetation plan - will their aims and objectives be met?
  • How will the banning of cats be monitored? Shoalhaven City Council has indicated it will not ban cats in any area. It will not monitor pest cats.
  • While Tree retention at rear and front of block may suit some travelling animal species. Will this be of benefit to shy species like the yellow bellied glider?
  • Decreased habitat corridors, inadequate buffer zones to wetlands, increased lighting from residential sections and commercial centres will impact on flora and fauna in an adverse way.
  • A large number of Threatened or Endangered Species are located on the site.  Some of these populations consist of less than 1000 individuals worldwide. It is said two Ground Parrots will be effected – how do we know this is not the threshold number for the whole species to be effected?
  • 33 Threatened species and 1 endangered ecological community. Species Impact Statement for the site acknowledge:

 

EASTERN  PYGMY POSSUM

  • loss of habitat connectivity
  • direct mortality

YELLOW BELLIED GLIDER

  • loss of family group
  • direct mortality

EASTERN BRISTLEBIRD

  • reduction of connectivity of habitat
  • loss of habitat
  • likely 3 individuals will be directly impacted

GROUND PARROT

  • potential loss of 2 individuals
  • direct mortality and loss of known habitat of a species with a restricted distribution.

GIANT DRAGON FLY

  • Not identified on the site but sighted prompting further study and research– how many other fauna and flora yet undetected but will be extensively affected?
  • Construction has the likelihood to effect current water table and water regimes therefore impacting on larval stage of species which range up to 30yrs

 

Other Issues

  • The extensive Wetlands systems at Moona Creek are at risk from urban run off, pollution and siltation.  These are the lifeblood of the marine ecosystem in the Bay. Scientists estimate that 80% of all ocean-going creatures start life in mangrove areas such as Moona Creek and sea grass areas such as in Jervis Bay.
  • Destruction of the environmental values of the Stockland site will lead to calls for adjacent areas such as the Heritage estate to be rezoned.  This would be an environmental catastrophe for Jervis Bay and St Georges Basin, which could see an unbroken strip of development from the shores of Jervis Bay to the shores of St Georges Basin. This area should not be looked at in isolation. New cumulative impacts for all potential developments such as Heritage Estates and other corners at the roundabout is over development for this area.

Please send submission with

  1. Your name and address
  2. The name and address of the proposal and project number

Proposal title: Vincentia Coastal Village – Residential and Commercial Development            (06_0058 & 06_0060)
The Wool Rd & Naval College Rd VINCENTIA

Lots 801 & 802 in DP 1022286 & Lots 72-75 in DP 874040

  1. A statement that you object to the proposal; and the reason why you object to the proposal

Economic / Employment points

Much of Stockland justification for the proposed development is based on the inadequacy of the existing commercial retail areas in the Bay and Basin area, however these retail areas have been restricted in their development by Shoalhaven City Council policies. These centres should be allowed to develop to meet local needs.

The claims for employment growth in both construction (308 new jobs with 748 additional jobs through multiplier impacts) and the operational phase (680 new jobs with 861 additional jobs through multiplier impacts) are misleading. The construction jobs will be largely taken by people moving into the area, very many of whom will leave again after construction is completed. In the operational phase jobs will certainly be dominated by casual, part-time and seasonal positions. Someone working one shift a week (even as little as one hour a week) would comprise one of these jobs.

Communities such as the Bay and Basin area are often characterised by low paying, casual, part-time and seasonal work which make it hard for people to survive. New industrial relations legislation is likely to compound this issue. The district centre makes no attempt at employment beyond that based on retailing and these figures present a false and misleading image.

Tourism is a major industry in the Bay and Basin area and, unsurprisingly given the focus on retailing, the Economic Impact Assessment Summary does not consider jobs directly created by tourism or those created by multiplier impacts. However these figures are higher for tourism than for either construction or retailing with a multiplier of two being commonly accepted.

Your submission must reach the Department NO later than 27th April, 2006
Addressed to:

Director, Strategic Assessments
Department of Planning
GPO Box 39, SYDNEY NSW 2001

And write to: NSW Minister of Planning,
the Hon Frank Sartor,
Level 34, Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000
or email office@sartor.minister.nsw.gov.au