Friday 25 May 2018
Patagonia Australia held a "Never Town" conservation activism event at Yamba in May 2018
On Friday 18
May 2018 Patagonia Australia held a “Never
Town” film showing and information night on environmental and conservation
issues affecting the Clarence Coast.
The evening
started with live music and a slide show against the sides of the water tower
on Pilot Hill overlooking the Clarence River mouth and ocean at Yamba.
The good-sized crowd that gathered reflected the make-up of the Lower Clarence - retirees,
young adults, families with children, along with local business owners and surfing enthusiasts. At least one Clarence Valley councillor was there.
Welcome to
country was given by “Fox” Laurie accompanied by DJ Eamens on the didgeridoo.
Judith
Melville spoke on some of the issues surrounding the state government’s
proposal to designate Port of Yamba-Clarence River an official cruise ship
destination and possibly build an international cruise ship terminal.
Dianne Chapman
from the Yaegl Traditional Owners
Aboriginal Corporation spoke of the Yaegl community’s connection to
country and commitment to protect Clarence Valley land and waters.
After the film ended a Valley
Watch Inc. petition was sent round the audience with this wording:
“We, the undersigned,
respectfully call on the Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, Minister Melinda
Pavey (Roads, Maritime and Freight) and Minister Andrew Constance (Transport
and Infrastructure) to reject any proposals to allow cruise ships to enter the
Port of Yamba or Clarence River estuary.
The Clarence River
estuary is an integral part of a valuable Clarence Valley tourism sector which
contributes over $300 million to the Clarence Valley’s annual income and
employs more than 2000 people. To put that at risk for the dubious benefit to
be derived from a brief morning visit is unacceptable, given the threats that a
4,000 tonne, 90 metre long cruise ship pose to the estuary, the fishing
industry and Yamba/Iluka’s reputation as a clean, green holiday destination,
and to the Dirrangun Reef, which is protected under the Native Title Act
(1993).”
Anyone
wishing to sign this petition can call in at the Valley Watch booth at Yamba River Markets held on the fourth
Sunday of every month at Ford Park next to the ferry jetty.
The next three market
days are Sunday 27 May, 24 June and 22 July 2018.
Labels:
Clarence Coast,
Clarence River,
Iluka,
people power,
Yamba
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