Fern Bay
,
New South Wales
Message
This object to this project is mainly based on the flawed use of the data and opinions expressed in the Hydro geological Impact report which attempt to reduce the impact of dredging to 15 meter below sea level as almost nothing.
On page 28:
"The Stockton Sandbeds Aquifer is a shallow unconfined aquifer which overlies the eastern extremity of the deeper Tomago Sandbeds Aquifer. The sand extraction proposed for the project area is intended to be contained within the Stockton Sandbeds Aquifer." and "Regional groundwater flow in the sand units is primarily horizontal with some downward flow due to the relatively high recharge rate. Groundwater is inferred to flow towards the coast to the southeast and to Fullerton Cove to the southwest of the site."
The actual facts are the WaterNSW has authority of the 32 water licenses registered to access the Stocton Sandbeds Aquifer. This aquifer is very important to Fern Bay and Stockton , including the Newcastle Golf Club but this report dismisses the impact as if no one will be impacted with dredging to 15 meters below sea level.
Further this Hydrogeology report on Page 30
"8.5.6 Potentiometric surface
Groundwater levels across the project site are presented in Figures 4 and 5 which compares groundwater levels following periods of low and high rainfall, respectively.
The hydraulic gradient on the coastal side of the aquifer is estimated to range from approximately 0.2% during dry periods up to 0.36% in wet conditions (Umwelt,1995 after Mackie Martin and Associates, 1992 and Coffey, 1993). Hydraulic gradient for the Fullerton Cove side of the aquifer varies from approximately 0.1% during dry periods to approximately 0.2% during wet conditions (Umwelt, 1995).
Umwelt (1995) identified a secondary drainage pathway from the north eastern corner of the site to the south western corner which has a hydraulic gradient ranging from approximately0.02 to 0.03%, equating to approximately one tenth of the hydraulic gradient compared to that of the coast in wet and dry conditions. Therefore, predominant groundwater movements at the site is toward either the coastline or Fullerton Cove."
I object to the report as it appears to claim the aquifer doesn't flow to Fern Bay and Stockton so there is no impact.
I object to the reference reports are all 1992 to1995 i.e. 25 years out of date with climate changes and the drought we have just experienced.
Climate Change must be a major factor and its impact on aquifers required this to be addressed.
For all the data and what could appear to provide logical arguments but the conclusions are actually opinions not supported by the data.
The "deeper Tomago Sandbeds Aquifer" may not be impacted by this dredging to 15 meter below sea level but "project area is intended to be contained within the Stockton Sandbeds Aquifer" does not protect the aquifer on the contrariety it will destroy it.
Andrew Herczeg author of the CSIRO on Groundwater explains how aquifers function and why we need to consider water used for food over extracting sand.
I object to sand extracting below the level water table so that the stages 2 to stages 6 must not be allowed.
The noise and trucks adding to traffic on Nelson Bay Road are also a major concern.