VALUING OUR ESTUARIES
On April 5 a deputation, on behalf of the Tuross/Coila Lakes Estuary Management Committee, asked the Council's EPAS Committee to acknowledge the importance of actively managing and maintaining the health of the Tuross Estuary and Coila Lake to the shire's economy. It was pointed out that the use of water from the Tuross River, for both irrigation and the proposed dam, has significant implications for environmental flow into the Tuross Estuary.
"Coastwatchers heartily supports the view expressed that Council should regard our lakes and estuaries as extremely valuable assets, and give them the same attention that would be due to other valuable infrastructure", said Jenny Edwards, Secretary of Coastwatchers Association.
The deputation referred to an article in the Australian Geographic (April/June 2005) titled Estuary Economics in which Dr. Rob Fearon, CEO of the Cooperative Research Centre for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management, explains that estuaries are the "kidneys and nurseries" of the Australian coast.
The Research Centre has developed a formula to calculate what each estuary contributes to the economy, based on the coast of artificially replicating them. Tuross River and Lake are listed as being worth $53 million p.a.; Coila Lake $25 million p.a.; Moruya River $125 million p.a.; and Batemans Bay and Clyde River $104 million p.a.
Mrs Edwards said "This adds to a staggering $307 million per annum. The data is particularly relevant now that most of the shire's Estuary Management Plans are coming on stream."
"Implementation of these Plans is the key ", she continued. "The Tuross/Coila committee quite justifiably asked Council to support in principle the commitment of adequate funding, from whatever sources available, to facilitate implementation of its Estuary Management Plan according to the recommended timeframe."
"Coastwatchers urges Council to seek the necessary funding, not only for Tuross Estuary and Coila Lake, but for all Eurobodalla estuaries to look after these valuable assets", she concluded.
Jenny Edwards, Secretary
The Coastwatchers Association