I've been staying at Wonboyn every summer for over 25 years and it is such a quiet, undeveloped area which is why we love it so much. Adding such a big kelp farm with the lighting/infrastructure out the front of Greenglades will detract visually from the incredible view, cover the beach in kelp after storms and other unknown environmental impacts. Once damage is done to this pristine environment it can't be undone! We don't want money put ahead of our natural environment, especially an area that has suffered so much from natural disasters in recent years!

I am writing as a regular visitor to Disaster Bay, Wonboyn and in particular Greenglades beach. I have enjoyed fishing, swimming, hiking and boating in the area for approximately 20 years and value it immensely for it's unique and pristine environment.
I was shocked and appalled when I first heard about this proposal. Although I understand that planning has been going on for many years I was not made aware of any public consultation or dissemination of information until about six months ago.
I object on several grounds:
1. Magnitude
The size of this development is out of all proportion to the area. At 2km long x 1km wide it will be visible from every vantage point that overlooks the bay and completely dominate the views greatly dimishing the natural beauty of the area. This would be a tragedy as there are so few of these pristine areas remaining along this part of the coastline.
2. Commercial vs Environmental Interest
The arguments that the developer makes regarding the contribution to restoring the natural environment of the area by reintroducing kelp are moot and amount to gaslighting. This is a business first and foremost and the kelp grown will be harvested negating any positive impacts on the environment. How can the developer claim that the farm will provide a sealife habitat and be a carbon sink when the kelp will be harvested? This makes no sense. What happens to the sealife when the kelp is harvested? The truth is that it won't be there in the first place. The developer has a history of building and selling businesses and I have no doubt that the goal is the same with this development. I note that recent kelp agribusinesses in Australia have been sold to overseas interests.
3. Interference with Natural Coastline
It is simply impossible that a development of this size, both overwater and underwater, will not have an impact on the beach and associated natural environment. You do not need to be a scientist to realise that wave patterns and currents will surely be disrupted which will have an impact on the neighbouring shoreline and beaches. Strong waves and storms play an unwelcome but important impact on our shorelines and will be blocked by this massive development.
4. Pollution
I understand that the development will contain hundreds of metres of line and hundreds of plastic components such as buoys. There is no doubt that some of this material will end up on the beach as has happened during the pilot phase. Friends of mine who are locals already report that they have picked up plastic waste from the beach during the pilot project. More insideously, microplastics will be released into the enviroment with a detrimental effect on aquatic life. Further the boat traffic required for harvesting and maintaining the kelp will pollute the area with noise , waste and fumes. This will deter and possibly harm, marine creatures such as dolphins and seals which currently frequent the area.
5. Negative Impact on Sealife
Dolphins, penguins and seals frequent this area and will be at high risk of becoming entangled in the hundreds of ropes which will be hanging below the surface. Further the floor of the ocean in this area has been described as an "ocean desert". This is not correct. It is full of fish, crabs, worms etc which will be impacted by the shadowing from such a large structure. I know about the prolific sealife in the area as a regular fisherman on Greenslades beach.
6. Commercial Strategy
I note from the developer's own information that global warming has had an impact on weather and water temperatures and that this has had an impact on Golden Kelp. This is sad, however how does the developer believe that he will overcome these macro trends with his farm? Wouldn't it be better to start a kelp farm in a colder enviroment such as Tasmania? If global weather trends continue how much longer will kelp be able to survive in Disaster Bay? Further impacting the commercial viability, I note that 90% of the world's kelp comes from other parts of Asia and clearly these producers will have much lower costs than Auskelp. Hence I have grave doubts as to the long term viability of this project and would be very interested to see some information on how the developer hopes to compete internationally.

However apart from the likely commercial failure/sale to overseas interests , my main grounds for objection are the enviromental impacts. Aside from the horrific impact on the surrounding area, this may set a precedent for future projects and lead to the degradation of more of our wonderful coastline.

I have attached some recent photos of this beautiful place to remind Planners of the places that will be irreversibly scarred by this development.

Thank you for considering my objection.

I object to the proposal on the following grounds. I have been coming to Wonboyn for over 60 years and own a house in the village. Wonboyn Lake and beaches are surrounded by National Park and Wilderness Reserve - this is a near pristine environment visually and activity wise, a commercial operation will adversely affect this. This aquaculture would be better suited to a location where commercial operation is already occurring such as Twofold Bay. I am concerned that the location will affect whale activities as they are frequently seen in this area. This is a remote location which should remain unspoilt.

I object this project as I grew up in this area and appreciate the diverse nature and landscape.
Aquaculture leases, which grant exclusive rights to use submerged crown land for farming aquatic organisms, can have several negative impacts on the environment, local communities, and existing industries. These impacts range from localized ecological disruption to social conflicts over coastal water usage.Environmental Impacts include habitat Destruction and Modification: The installation of aquaculture infrastructure, such as cages, nets, and racks, can physically alter or destroy seabed habitats, including sensitive seagrass beds.Organic Pollution and Eutrophication: Waste from fish farms, including feces and uneaten food, can accumulate on the seabed, reducing oxygen levels and creating conditions for bacterial growth.Chemical Contamination: The use of antibiotics, pesticides, and other chemicals to treat disease and manage pests can lead to chemical residues that impact water quality and non-target organisms.Disease and Parasite Spread: High-density farming increases the risk of developing pathogens and parasites (e.g., sea lice), which can spread to wild fish populations.Bycatch and Predator Impact: The infrastructure can attract predators, causing injury or death through entanglement, and the collection of wild seed stock can lead to the bycatch of other marine species.Escape of Non-Indigenous Species: Farmed species that escape can compete with native species, leading to hybridization and potential ecosystem disruption.Social and Economic ImpactsUser Conflicts and Navigation Hazards: Aquaculture leases can restrict access to traditional fishing, boating, or diving locations, causing conflict with commercial and recreational users.Visual Pollution and Noise: Infrastructure can reduce visual amenity and disrupt the natural landscape, causing concern among nearby residents and landowners.Dependence on Wild Fisheries: Some aquaculture operations rely on wild-caught fish for feed, which can put additional pressure on small pelagic fisheries.Impact on Local Economy and Tourism: Negative visual impacts or reduced access to waterways can affect tourism and the quality of life for coastal communities.Management and MitigationLease conditions in many areas require that infrastructure be removed if operations are surrendered, and environmental monitoring is often required to ensure water quality and habitat protection.Strategic spatial planning and leasing frameworks are used to minimize conflicts and protect sensitive environmental

At present, looking from the Disaster Bay lookout, one has the impression of a relatively pristine environment, due to the presence of the Nadgee-Howe Wilderness area in the background. This is one of the few areas left on the South Coast where one could get that impression and such views will presumably become less and less available and therefore more and more important for tourism with the passage of time, as other areas become more developed.

A further reason that the project should not go ahead is the precedent that it will set, as once one such project is approved it is increasingly easy to justify others, some of which may be much worse for the environment.

I object to the Seaweed Aquaculture Lease, Disaster Bay- Eden 1 (SSD-41690467). What concerns me is what this opens the doors to. This coastline has stayed relatively untouched compared to other parts of NSW, and that feels worth protecting. If a project like this goes ahead here, it sets a precedent that this kind of development is acceptable in places like Nadgee. It becomes muh harder to say no to future proposals once the first one is approved. Even if this project on its own is considered low impact, it changes how the area is viewed and used going forward.

AusKelp had done the work to ensure valid ESG credentials and kelp farming brings so much benefit to the region, including Ecological, Social and Societal benefits. The NSW Government has already identified the need to develop the seaweed farming industry and AusKelp has done the hard work to establish an industry venture and is a global leader in cultivation of Golden Kelp.

We need to ensure support for the AusKelp enterprise to ensure we can move ahead with developing the seaweed industry to meet growing demand for seaweed products for food, for pharmaceutical products, for fertilizers, and for ocean restoration.

Submission in support of Seaweed Aquaculture Lease – Disaster Bay (Eden 1)

I strongly support the proposed Seaweed Aquaculture Lease Eden 1 in Disaster Bay.

This project represents an important opportunity to establish a new, sustainable marine industry in New South Wales. As a 200-hectare offshore seaweed farm, it would be the first commercial-scale development of its kind in NSW waters, helping position Australia within a rapidly growing global sector.

This project is in line with the 2024 NSW Aquaculture Vision Statement which aims to grow the state's aquaculture farmgate production to $300 million by 2030. This strategy focuses on increasing regional production through sustainable seafood, developing bioproducts, and implementing climate change solutions, supported by a $20 million Industry Development Program.

Seaweed aquaculture offers clear environmental benefits. It requires no freshwater, fertiliser, or land clearing, and has the potential to absorb carbon, support ocean health, and contribute to climate change mitigation. It also aligns with the transition toward regenerative, low-impact food and biomaterial production systems.

The project also has meaningful regional economic benefits. It is expected to create new jobs, support local supply chains, and diversify the Bega Valley economy with an industry that is resilient to drought and other land-based pressures.

Overall, this proposal represents a forward-looking, environmentally responsible investment in Australia’s “blue economy.” I encourage the Department to support the project, subject to appropriate safeguards and ongoing monitoring.

Yours sincerely,
Dr. Ignacio Retamal Lantadilla

The kelp farm will greatly increase the amount of kelp washed up on the shore of Disaster Bay and will affect the local population of the critically endangered Hooded Plover. These birds are very selective of the habitat they forage and breed in. At the moment Disaster Bay is one of the strongholds of this species in NSW.
The huge size of the project will have a negative effect on those creatures that make up the original, close to pristine, marine ecosystem.

I am worried about the amount of excess seaweed washing up on the beach impacting beach fishing.
I am concerned that in extreme weather there may be a cable failure resulting in large amounts of seaweed on the beach.
I don't believe this project has any benefit for Wonboyn or the environment.
I would prefer to watch whales migrating then kelp farming.
So i object to this project, but if its all to do with money i have just wasted my time writing this as the project will go ahead.