PLANS for a proposed abalone farm at Pindimar are now on public exhibition.
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The proposal involves farming live abalone in land-based tanks and sheds, using marine water sourced from Port Stephens.
The farm would produce about 60 tonnes of live abalone per year for human consumption.
The proposed farm has been a point of concern in the community, with the Pindimar Bundabah Community Association opposed to the project.
"We're concerned about the feasibility of putting it into such an area as the Pindimar Bay," the chairwoman of the association's offshoot abalone committee, Judy Richardson, said.
The group is worried because the bay does not flush on a daily basis, which could mean discharge pumped from the farm sits stagnant in the water.
Another concern was that the water sucked into the farm from the port could contain tiny fish, baby turtles, sea horses and other aquatic flora and fauna.
"There's also a great risk the abalone will introduce disease into the port," Ms Richardson said.
A spokesman for City Plan Services said they hoped the environmental assessment report would help answer questions and resolve concerns. If approved, the farm would create about 35 construction jobs and 15 full-time-equivalent jobs during its operation.
The environmental assessment report has been prepared and will be publicly exhibited until May 5. The report can be accessed at the Department of Planning and Infrastructure's website at majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/page/on-exhibition.
A copy of the documents will also be available at Great Lakes Council, at Breese Parade, Forster.
The proponent will be holding a drop-in day to provide the community with information.
Project information will be on display and the proponent's representatives will be available to answer questions. It will be held over two sessions at the rural fire service hall in Koree Street, Pindimar, on Thursday, March 27, from 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm.
For further details about the drop-in day, email pindimarfeedback@cityplan.com.au.