WHEN birds that don’t exist can block a development, the real story becomes clear. This isn’t a story about a government that loves and protects nature, it’s more about a government that resents humans who strive to create real benefits for other people and their local community.
The long term battle that developer Stefan Borzecki has had, seeking permission to expand the Yaringa Boat Harbour ( the home of Clow Marine ) on the Mornington Peninsula, puts this position in clear perspective.
Read on…
Rare parrot puts marina development
in jeopardy
Source: Radio 774 ABC Melbourne. Updated February 09, 2012 15:54:56
Developers are concerned the rare orange-bellied parrot is putting a Victorian marina development in jeopardy.
The Federal Opposition is demanding the Environment Minister step in to ensure one of the world’s rarest birds does not scuttle a major project in Victoria.
The Environment Department is assessing whether a $50 million marina development in Western Port can go ahead, amid concerns for the critically-endangered orange-bellied parrot.
But the Opposition’s Environment spokesman, Greg Hunt, says the bird has not been seen in the area since the 1980s.
“There is no parrot, there hasn’t been a parrot for five years, for 10 years, for 15, for 20, or even for a quarter of a century,” he said.
“When projects which will deliver 200 jobs are stopped for reasons not of a dead parrot but an imaginary parrot there are problems in the system and the minister needs to step in”.
The proposal must be assessed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act before it can proceed.
But the developer of the proposed Yaringa boat harbour, Stefan Borzecki says the process is taking too long.
“They are saying that we have to prove that the development will not impact on the orange-bellied parrot and of course it’s very hard to find a consultant to prove that and we are just waiting for instructions from Canberra to tell us how we can prove that the orange-bellied parrot is or is not here,” he said.
Federal Environment minister, Tony Burke, says it is important for environmental law to be followed.
“What we’ve seen today is somebody who thinks he can be above the whole process,” he said.
“Simply because you run some sort of yacht club and you’re friends with the local shadow minister for the environment, simply because you’ve got friends within the Liberal party doesn’t mean you are above the law.”
First posted February 09, 2012 11:34:13
“Have your say on the proposed Yaringa Marina Development. Contact your local minister today, to ensure the future of our recreational and boating industry needs are met.”