Sydney Marine Park

What has happened to the planned Sydney Marine Park?

Posted by NPA NSWon March 1, 2021March 8, 2021in Autumn 2021Leave a comment

Some insights and history from a marine activist and a marine scientist

Gary Schoer, Secretary, Southern Sydney Branch NPA

Dr Ross Jeffree, National and International Project Officer, Southern Sydney Branch NPA

Sharnie O’Connell, Marine Campaigner, NPA

Southern Sydney Branch first became aware of the possible threats to Sydney’s underwater marine ecosystems when plans were announced for sand mining offshore from Royal National Park in 1990. Faced with looming shortages of building sand from the Kurnell sandhills, Boral proposed that available technology would allow these largely sandy habitats to be exploited, thus filling potential gaps in supply.

On the Campaign Trail – Spring 2019

Posted by NPA NSWon August 29, 2019September 6, 2019in Spring 2019Leave a comment

Dr Oisín Sweeney, Senior Ecologist, National Parks Association of NSW

It’s been a busy period for conservation activities for NPA – not that many periods are quiet of course!

On the campaign trail – Summer 2018

Posted by NPA NSWon November 16, 2018November 21, 2018in Campaigns and Conservation, Park Protection, Summer 2018, Sydney Marine ParkLeave a comment

^{Alix Goodwin, CEO National Parks Association of NSW}

On 16 August, the NSW Government released its draft plan to protect the Hawkesbury Shelf marine bioregion through the creation of a new marine park. The marine park, based on the Sydney Harbour National Park model, was to be made up of a network of 25 sites to be managed under three zones: sanctuary zones, new conservation zones and special purpose zones.

The big blue: Coalition Party infighting is failing our marine environment

Posted by NPA NSWon May 29, 2017May 29, 2017in Winter 20171 Comment

^{Kevin Evans, CEO, NPA}

This article first appeared on the Independent Australia website on 6 April 2017.

Sydney’s blue backyard is central to our way of life, reputation and economy, yet less than 1% of the harbour city’s coastal waters are protected. The NSW government has dragged the anchor on meaningful marine protection in NSW for 6 years, ignoring evidence and stalling their own reform process initiated three Premiers ago in 2010. Key stakeholders fatigued by years of consultation, with no substantive progress to show for it, fear there is little true commitment from this government to strengthen marine protection.

The big blue: Coalition Party infighting is failing our marine environment

Posted by NPA NSWon March 28, 2017May 2, 2017in Campaigns and Conservation, Media ReleasesLeave a comment

Sydney’s blue backyard is central to our way of life, reputation and economy, yet less than 1% of the harbour cities coastal waters are protected. The NSW government has dragged the anchor on meaningful marine protection in NSW for 6 years, ignoring evidence and stalling their own reform process initiated three Premiers ago in 2010. Key stakeholders fatigued by years of consultation with no substantive progress to show for it, fear there is little true commitment from this government to strengthen marine protection.

Sydney Marine Park one step closer for marine life and coastal communities

Posted by on February 29, 2016March 3, 2017in Media Releases1 Comment

The Government has released the Hawkesbury Shelf Marine Bioregion Assessment report which looks at ways to enhance the health of the marine environment between Newcastle and Shellharbour, including Sydney Harbour and beaches.

The report identifies a number of threats to our marine environment, including climate change, shipping, over-fishing, coastal development and pollution. It recommends a number of initiatives to address these threats.