House debates

Thursday, 26 October 2017

Statements by Members

Robertson Electorate: Environment

1:44 pm

Photo of Lucy WicksLucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I rise to speak about our local environment in my electorate on the Central Coast, in particular about reports about a potential sale of wetlands in Davistown. There are calls from local residents for the New South Wales government or the Central Coast Council to intervene and purchase the land in question, which I understand is privately owned in some capacity, to help limit its future development. While this does appear to be a matter for the state and local governments and the landowner, there are fears expressed by the local Davistown residents about the protection of our local environment on the Central Coast. So today I wrote to the Minister for the Environment and Energy to ask for clarification on whether the particular area in question may be subject to Commonwealth environmental protection.

Next week, on my return to the Central Coast, I also plan to host a round table. I'll be inviting local community advocates and residents, representatives from the Central Coast Council and the New South Wales government to discuss this issue. At the last election, unlike members opposite, we took a clear, local and fully funded environmental plan for Robertson to the community and we will not walk away from it. This plan was a $2.2 million election commitment and included a $250,000 boost to help Clean 4 Shore keep our waterways clean, help upgrade the 5 Lands Walk track, build the Springfield walkway, support surf lifesaving clubs through the Solar Communities program and deliver Green Army teams. One of those teams has been working to identify, survey and monitor the green and golden bell frog at Avoca Lagoon and Davistown. I intend to stand alongside my community at this time. (Time expired)