Kiama Council has released a report on the likely environmental impacts of stage one of the Minnamurra Boardwalk and Cycleway.
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The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) also identifies mitigation measures to ensure these impacts are prevented or minimised.
Stage one of the boardwalk, the northern section that is planned to follow alongside Riverside Drive, will be a shared path linking the existing pathway near the Minnamurra River Bridge to the proposed viewing platform midway along the route.
Unlike stage two, the first stage will not include over-water access and covers an area of 6.3 hectares.
The shared path will primarily consist of on ground concrete path, however in one section it will involve the development of a raised boardwalk.
The boardwalk will be established around the base of one of three large Moreton Bay Fig trees in the vicinity.
A seating area is proposed adjacent to the tree, while at the southern extent of the stage, a viewing platform has been proposed.
According to the report, “the proposed works has potential to trigger several key threatening processes”.
The alteration to the natural flow regimes of the river was considered “likely to result from the proposed works”. Unlike other impacts identified in the report, no mitigation measures were provided to limit the impact.
While the report addressed traffic issues during construction, the report did not look at the long-term impact of increased traffic in the area – a strong concern held by residents.
Friends of Minnamurra River (FOMR) released a statement on Tuesday, condemning Kiama Council and its consultant, Cardno, for not undertaking an Environmental Impact Statement.
Cardno will produce two Reviews of Environmental Factors for stages one and two.
The review for stage two is expected to be released in early 2019.
FOMR, which is lobbying to have the proposed 600m in-river section of the boardwalk redesigned as a pathway along the riverbank, like the rest of the boardwalk, said “Council’s Reviews of Environmental Factors will not allow the same level of public environmental scrutiny of the boardwalk proposal as would occur under an Environmental Impact Statement”.
“Many in the community are only now beginning to understand that 600 metres of the boardwalk is intended to be in the river and have not had a reasonable opportunity to consider that aspect and comment on it,” a FOMR spokesperson said.
“An EIS would provide a greater opportunity for that to happen.”
At last count, an FOMR petition to have the design of the boardwalk reexamined, had attracted 850 signatures.
Council has invited feedback from the public. The REF is available online at www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/your-council/consultations-exhibitions
Written submissions can be made until 4pm, January 14, 2019, by emailing council@kiama.nsw.gov.au.
The submissions will be included in a final report to council.
