The community group Save Ralphs Bay Inc. believes the announcement by Sydney-based canal estate proponent, Walker Corporation, that it would this week begin drilling works in Ralphs Bay demonstrates the developer’s continuing, and apparently willful lack of understanding of the area’s fragile environment and the River Derwent’s slow recovery.

In a media release issued today, Walker Corporation states that (Queensland-based) Cardno Pty Ltd will start seabed coring for environmental and geotechnical testing as a component of the developer’s Draft Integrated Impact Statement.  The developer’s release does not reveal the fact that a body of scientific evidence already exists, confirming the Ralphs Bay sediments are contaminated with heavy metals and a high risk area for coastal acid sulphate soils.

Save Ralphs Bay Inc. communications coordinator, Cassy O’Connor said, “To better understand the severe risks associated with disturbing the sediments of Ralphs Bay, we trust Walker Corporation and its consultants have first read the State of the Derwent Report 2004 as well as the State and Commonwealth Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) for the Derwent.  They should also request an extensive briefing by experts working with the Derwent Estuary Program.

“Decades of pollution from the zinc works and paper mill upstream have deposited mercury, arsenic, lead, zinc, cadmium and copper in the Ralphs Bay sediments.  It is State and Commonwealth policy under the WQIP that those sediments remain undisturbed to continue the process of ‘monitored natural recovery’.

“It is environmentally reckless to even contemplate disturbing those heavy metals and exposing the River Derwent to such high risk of harm”, Ms O’Connor said.

SRB Inc. Chair, Bill Edmunds, said while the group accepts the legitimacy of the Resource Planning and Development (RPDC) assessment process and the requirement for detailed impact studies, a concerned community continues to reject the perceived legitimacy of the canal estate proposal.

“Walker Corporation is proceeding with its ridiculous plan to plonk 500 homes on artificial islands in the footprint of the Ralphs Bay Conservation Area despite overwhelming public opposition because it fails every test of sustainability and common sense.

“Using pre-emptive language, Walker Corporation’s State Manager, Lia Morris, said, “Walker Corporation’s $300 million Lauderdale Quay will provide unique waterfront housing in Tasmania …”. That is a matter for the RPDC to decide in the first instance.  SRB Inc. is committed to ensuring Ralphs Bay will not be the site of Tasmania’s first toxic canal estate development.

Canal estates are banned in New South Wales (State Environment Protection Policy 50) because they are responsible for wetland habitat destruction, loss of rare flora and fauna, poor water quality, damage to fisheries, acid sulphate soils, household runoff pollution, mosquito and midge outbreaks and regular chemical spraying, and loss of public access to coastal areas that once were available for all to enjoy.

Media note:  Save Ralphs Bay Inc. members are meeting in Lauderdale tonight to discuss the group’s on-the-ground response to the arrival and presence of Walker’s geotechnical consultants.

For more information:  Cassy O’Connor 0400 628 939