CONCERNS about a proposed abalone farm at Pindimar were introduced to the Port Stephens Council chambers last Tuesday.
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Pindimar Bundabah Community Association members Verity Grinnell and Peter Economos presented the group’s concerns about the farm during public access before the council’s ordinary meeting on June 24.
A month ago, Mrs Grinnell and association member Lesley Lane raised concerns about water temperatures and conservation stemming from the proposal at a Great Lakes Council meeting.
Mrs Grinnell said the group was addressing councils and community groups, urging them to lodge submissions on the plan.
‘‘We’re calling on all organisations and councils who would be affected to make a submission,’’ Mrs Grinnell said.
The Port Stephens Council lodged a submission written by senior development planner Carlos Ferguson in May, which outlined concerns about environmental impacts, water quality and marine degradation.
‘‘Assessment of the proposal should include careful and comprehensive assessment of these environmental impacts,’’ he wrote.
Similar concerns were outlined by the Great Lakes Council’s senior strategic land use planner, Alexandra Macvean, in its submission to NSW Planning and Environment, also lodged in May.
In a five-minute speech to Port Stephens councillors and staff, Mrs Grinnell, who holds a Harvard University degree in biology and is a qualified medical practitioner, presented research and data on water temperatures.
She said the site proposed for the abalone farm is not suitable as the water in the estuary only reached 24 degrees, the desired temperature to cultivate abalone, for four months of the year.
