Eurobodalla Shire Council
PO Box 99 19 January 2006
Moruya NSW 2537
Submission on Mystery Bay Primitive Camping Ground & Mystery Bay Foreshore Draft Plan of Management
Coastwatchers strongly supports the continued use of Mystery Bay Primitive Camp Ground as a primitive camp ground. (2.0, page 6)
The draft plan also appropriately recognises the aboriginal significance of the land (7.6, page 24) and sets out sound objectives within the operational plan. (10, pages 42 to 56)
The specific goals, objectives or recommendations of designating camp sites (6.3, goal 2, page 13), installing fire rings (7.12.4, page 36) and establishing pedestrian tracks (10.1, page 43) should help achieve improved protection of the natural environment within the camp ground.
Coastwatchers supports the restriction of camping from the front area however recognises that there may be strong objections to this objective and that a day use area would require more regular and higher levels of maintenance. Parts of the front area may require rehabilitation to address their degraded state and establish more natural aesthetic qualities. (10.4, 3, page46)
The presence of dogs on the beach, in the camp ground and on the foreshore reserve is not compatible with higher levels of native fauna protection particularly in relation to protection of the two threatened species. Steps to improve public awareness and support of native fauna protection, and application and adherence to the current policy of timesharing and effective control of dogs would represent a reasonable compromise. (6.6, page 16 and 7.11.1&2, pages 32 and 33)
As horse manure is known to spread weeds, horses should not be allowed in areas of remnant native vegetation or where revegetation is planned.
The current categorisation of land within the community land appears environmentally appropriate and consistent with the community goals for management of the community land. (7.3, page 19)
Council and its staff should be congratulated for the professional manner in which the consultation process was conducted and for the quality and detail of the plan.
Mark Hanigan Jenny Edwards
Coastwatchers Association Inc Representative Secretary