I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed kelp farm development in Eden. As a local resident, this project represents not only an exciting new industry, but a genuine opportunity to secure a stronger future for our community, and our families. One of the greatest challenges facing towns like Eden is the lack of sustainable long term employment. Too often, our young people finish school and are forced to leave in search of work elsewhere. This has a ripple effect on families, community connection, and long term viability of the town itself. The kelp farm offers something different and meaningful and local employment across a range of ages and skill levels. It creates opportunities not just for the young people starting out, but also for those of us who want to build a stable life here without having to leave or rely on fly in fly out work far from our families. On a personal level this project would mean the ability to live and work in town I love, with my children in a stable environment while contributing to an emerging and fascinating industry. The chance to learn new skills and be part of something innovative and forward thinking is incredibly important to me and many others in our community. Beyond employment, the environment benefits of kelp farming are significant. Kelp is a natural , sustainable resource that can contribute to reducing reliance on harmful chemical fertilisers and improving ocean health. Supporting industries like this aligns with a future focused approach to caring for our environment while still creating economic opportunity. It is encouraging to see development that works with nature rather than against it. The introduction of a kelp farming industry in Eden has the potential to revitalise our town bringing jobs, skills, and hope for a future, while also contributing positively to environmental sustainability. It represents the kind of balanced, forward thinking development that regional communities desperately need. I strongly urge support for this proposal, not only for what it will bring economically, but for it means socially and environmentally for our community. Thank you for considering my submission. Kind regards Andre Robert

Eden1, Golden Kelp Aquatic Farm, Disaster Bay Eden NSW
I am writing to express my support for the proposed Kelp Farm at Disaster Bay, Eden NSW 2551. As a long-term local of the Bega Valley Shire and past resident of Eden, I believe this development offers significant environmental health support along with social and economic benefits for the Eden community.
Employment Opportunities
The proposal directly addresses the need for local job creation, providing up to 30 full-time and part-time positions. This is a valuable opportunity for local residents to work closer to home, reducing commute times and strengthening the local workforce. Those newly created jobs, if hiring outside of Eden Community will bring new families to the area, so more money spent locally on shopping, food, outings plus more pupils in local schools and maybe the partner of the employed will open a new business in the area.
Economic Vitality
This Kelp Farm will fill a vacant space and contribute to revitalizing Disaster Bay, the ocean in that area and the beach area. By utilizing local suppliers and contractors, the new Kelp Farm will create a "multiplier effect," ensuring that revenue stays within our community and supports other nearby businesses.
Community Benefit
Beyond employment, this project offers an industry not thought of for this region. Kelp has many health benefits other than used in the food industry ie. human food, nutraceutical extracts, agricultural biostimulants and sustainable biomaterials. It will help with the climate effects on our water and beaches. It aligns with our town’s goal to attract new residents and visitors and foster a diverse, thriving marketplace.
Conclusion
I believe this project is a positive development for Disaster Bay and Eden and represents a proactive, sustainable approach to economic growth. I urge you to approve this proposal.

This will have environmental impacts on a pristine part of Australia's coastline. A more appropriate place would be somewhere near Eden in Twofold bay where there is already commercial fishing/harvesting.

I object to the project to farm kelp in Disaster Bay. I've visited this area many times. It's a pristine environment that should be kept in this state. The biodiversity of this area is substantial, and is only now starting to be understood. For example, several species of invertebrates have recently been discovered in the area. Biodiversity is the cornerstone of human civilisation - a fact which we rarely acknowledge, but which is nonetheless true. Furthermore, the environment is tranquil and beautiful.

Farming kelp in the area would cause substantial damage to the environment, jeopardising both the beauty and the biodiversity of this environment. This would, in effect, be robbing from future generations. Enough has been taken from future generations already. Please stop. I ernestly request that this project does not proceed.

I am a former resident of the tiny village of Wonboyn. We chose to live there partly because of its unique, untouched natural beauty. The fact such a huge project is being propped for this tiny pristine area is beyond belief. It will change the face of Wonboyn wilderness living forever. Destroy it fact. Greatly increased traffic (land and sea no doubt), infrastructure, personnel, accommodation, widening of roads, destruction of natural protected flora and fauna will overwhelm Disaster Bay and its surroundings. All because of one person’s ambitions. This is not a project that will help the community or Disaster Bay. This is one person’s project to achieve their own financial goals, at a huge and irreversible cost to the local area and community. For these reasons, I strongly object to this project going forward.

My company exports and processors Sea Urchins in Pambula. This new Seaweed farm has major potential for both domestic and export markets. We currently export Live Abalone, Lobster and processed Sea Urchin from the region. This product would have serious economic value to the region and would bring in export dollars as well as regional employment. This is a win win for the region and the environment.

It’s to large and will destroy the beautiful beach that the locals have at Wonboyn. Its visual and coastal impact, its environmental impact. There is no guarantee there will be no impact on the local Oyster farms in the area such as deceases

I strongly object to the proposed seaweed/ kelp aquaculture project at Disaster Bay.

Whilst aquaculture is of course an acceptable activity and could be supported in general, this is simply the wrong location for such a commercial-industrial use. The site of Disaster Bay is pristine and unique along the NSW-Victorian coast. The proposed location is directly adjacent to the highly significant Nadgee Wilderness, and directly visible from Boewa National Park. The iconic and untouched Disaster Bay is natural location of the highest value, including Greenglades and Baycliff which hold Indigenous significance. At present there is no permanent man-made infrastructure outside of the Wonboyn lake area, and introduction of the proposed Seaweed aquaculture structures will irrepairably damage and degrade the visual, cultural and natural significance of this location.

To propose such an industrial-scale facility in a remote and practically untouched location like this seems perverse and out of step with government policy objectives to protect and ensure the health of the few remaining truly wild places in New South Wales. There are countless other locations that could be found for such a facility, with much easier access to transport and distribution networks. Having to service and maintain this facility also poses a threat to the immediate area of Greenglades and Wonboyn, including the intermittent mouth opening of Wonboyn Lake. Increased boat and vehicle traffic for maintenance and regular inspection of the kelp farm will inevitably change the character of these places which are currently secluded and remote. Alternative access from Eden via sea around Green Cape is unfeasible in all-weather conditions and will increase boat traffic and fuel use.

A location closer to the port of Eden/ Twofold Bay or close to similar existing maritime infrastructure should be sought. Addressing one type of environmental issue (by farming Kelp) should not come at the expense of degrading another. This is a reasonable proposal but in absolutely the wrong location! The proposal is driven by commercial interests and risks setting a very dangerous precedent.

Please see attached.

Eden Kingfish Pty Ltd is a commercial fishing business in the NSW trap and line industry and has historically operated in the area proposed for the kelp farm.

We have no issues with the establishment of the farm or its effect on the environment but we are concerned that there will be an exclusion zone around the Kelp farm that may exclude our business from operating in areas in Disaster Bay that we have worked for over 15 years.

We do not object to the Kelp farm being established but we do not wish to lose any available fishing areas.

This area is also popular with recreation fisherman and I’m sure we can all work together to share this pristine and productive area.

This area is a key part of our fishing grounds for many species including Kingfish, Tuna, Snapper, Morwong and many species of Wrasse and to be excluded from this area would increase pressure on other areas and adversely effect our business.

Peta Geraghty
Director
Eden Kingfish Pty. Ltd.