21/3/2002 from the NMH

TOMALPIN DECISION SHOCKING

The ALP is set to lose support in Cessnock with the shocking decision to approve the Tomalpin Industrial Estate.

Whilst some try to portray this as an environmentally responsible decision by implying already existing National Park has somehow been saved - conservationists and local residents are left shaking their heads at the destruction of the largest block of bushland remaining on the floor of the Hunter Valley.

Friends of Tumblebee Spokesperson James Ryan said he was disappointed the Minister had approved the Estate without any demonstrated plan to service the site with either water or roads. "The Tomalpin Estate is in danger of becoming a big white elephant just like the Bushell Ridge Estate 10 years ago in Wyong where approx. 400 hectares of "employment generating land" currrently sits vacant because of poor planning.

The Tomalpin site is home to 14 thrreatened species of fauna and 4 theatened species of flora. "Some of these are the nationally listed Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater. It may be very hard for developers to use this area. The school children of Hobart who are trying to save the Swift Parrot from extinction may have trouble understanding why this proposal, which will impact on possibly the most significant winter habitat site on mainland Australia for the parrot, has been approved" Mr Ryan said. "There will be many locals who feel the Labour Party has let them down again by accepting a second-rate proposal.. The people of Kurri do not want to become the heavy manufacturing centre of the Hunter Valley. Personally I am very disappointed the Minister has not chosen to investigate the four alternative sites in the Lower Hunter Valley that the Friends of Tumblebee identified as being possibly suitable for large scale industry".

While huge claims are being made for the amount of investment and jobs that will be created by the Tomalpin Industrial Estate there is no evidence to demonstrate this can be achieved. "The Friends of Tumblebee want to create jobs AND keep the environment, hence we have always lobbied for a smaller estate on already degraded sites" said spokesperson James Ryan "we will now refer a number of concerns we have to our legal advisor to see if we have grounds to appeal this shocking decision".