ONLY 8 DAYS TO GO - GAZETTE SILVERWATER NATURE RESERVE!
NSW Government promotional material boasts the creation of the Silverwater Nature Reserve as part of the successful rehabilitation program for the Olympics site at Homebush Bay. Yet the paperwork to bring the nature reserve into existence has not been completed, and time is running out before the Olympics.
The National Parks Association of NSW has uncovered the incomplete status of the nature reserve following inquiries to NPWS. "Nothing appears to be preventing the formal creation of the nature reserve except approval at an Executive Council meeting next Wednesday and publication of a notice in the Government Gazette", said Andrew Cox, NPA Executive Officer.
"Until this occurs, the unique woodlands remain at risk of development after the Games," said Mr Cox
Peter Caldwell, NPA Sydney Branch President said, "This is the only native vegetation remnant of its type on inner western Sydney and requires the careful management that nature reserve status ensures."
"We are worried the Olympic Coordinating Authority just want to keep their development options open. Already it has been whittled down from the original 135 hectare NPA proposal prepared in 1988."
The Olympic environmental watchdog, Green Games Watch 2000, supports NPA’s demand for the immediate gazettal of Silverwater Nature Reserve before the Games begin.
The Olympic Environmental Guidelines committed the NSW Government to save the natural areas of Homebush Bay. If Silverwater Nature Reserve is not gazetted pre-Games, it will be another broken green promise. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has the power to fix this problem within the next week - and this should be done", said Bob Simington, Coordinator of Green Games Watch 2000
Silverwater Nature Reserve was promised to be established "in time for the Sydney 2000 Olympics" by the Carr Government in 1995. On 20 August 1997 its creation was announced by the then Minister for the Environment. Again on 15 February 1998 its creation was re-announced as a "landmark for conservation" and that "this oasis…will be preserved." The Minister said, "By gazetting the Silverwater Nature Reserve, the State Government has ensured it remains that way into the next Millennium."
Contact: Andrew Cox, NPA Executive Officer 9299 0000 or 0401 239 680
Peter Caldwell, NPA Sydney Branch President 9439 4915
Bob Simington, Green Games Watch 2000 9299 2474
See attached for:
Key facts of Proposed Silverwater Nature Reserve
Extract from Olympic Coordinating Authority Brochure: The OCA Big Clean Up: A community guide
KEY FACTS - Proposed Silverwater Nature Reserve
Extract from Olympic Coordinating Authority Brochure: The OCA Big Clean Up: A community guide:
Silverwater Nature Reserve
The forest and wetlands of this reserve are a natural heritage area. With the burning pit removed, bush regeneration is underway in the forest and tidal flushing of the wetlands has commenced. The return of the tides will significantly improve habitat and ensure that Australia continues to honour its commitments under international biodiversity treaties. Both the forest and wetlands are gazetted as a nature reserve under the National Parks and Wildlife Act. [underline added]
Some Photographs taken during one of the announcement ceremonies last year: click here.