environment

Many Cove residents are upset because of the sudden change of farming method being employed by two oyster lease owners in the Cove. These leases haven't been used for many years. We were not given any warning by the Aquaculture and Fisheries people of the intended escalation of farming activity. It seems that some water access ways are being removed and it would seem that the intensity of farming and the effective size of farmed areas will be significantly increased.

A letter has been prepared for the Director General of the Department of Primary Industries - see below....

We have received confirmation from the Aquaculture section of the NSW Department of Primary Industries that the two oyster leases just off the residential area will be worked. In recent months several lines of floating cultivation have been installed. A lot more floating cultivation will be installed in the coming months.

Many residents have contacted the Department to find out what is happening. The Department prepared a written response for the Resident's Association meeting which was held last Saturday. A copy of this response is attached.

The Department has offered to meet with the residents in about two...

In the last few years a flock of corellas have settled in Port Stephens. They make daily visits to the Cove, accompanied by a lot of noise. Last week the flock consisted of over 100 birds of "little corellas" plus three long-billed corellas. There was one tame little corella that unexpectedly landed on my husband Bob.

Corellas feed on grasses and seeds and especially like lawns. The long-billed species uses its upper beak as a digging tool and it especially likes onion weed. In large numbers,they are considered a pest by farmers.

The Ironstone Community Action Group (ICAG) Inc. is to hold a public meeting to voice concerns about a new hard rock quarry proposed for Karuah.

VENUE: Karuah Community Hall, 2 Engel Avenue Karuah

DATE: Wednesday, 15 May 2019

TIME: 6.15pm (hall to open 5.00pm for document perusal)

ICAG is concerned about discharge of sediment laden water into Yalimbah Creek, which flows into the Karuah River, and its affect on mangroves and water quality in Port Stephens where there are oyster leases.

There has been new work on both of the oyster leases adjacent to the residential area of the Cove. Floating cultivation has been installed on both leases and more will be installed in the near future.

On oyster lease OL86/138 (the northern lease just off East Slopes Way and part of Cove Boulevarde), the new structures are perpendicular to the shore and attached with sliding collars to posts on the shoreward side and anchored on the seaward side. Work has slowed due to the difficulty of installing the posts into a harder seabed on the northern end of the...