The NSW Government is pushing the arrival of cruise ships in Jervis Bay. 

The Government prioritises the economic values of marine parks, rather than the primary purpose of conserving our ocean’s biodiversity.

• The Plan often ignores the primary purpose of marine parks and proposes objectives and actions that are not underpinned by the legislated primary purpose of protecting marine ecosystems. Most importantly – whether it be the cost to the environment and marine ecosystem, the local community through loss of amenity (e.g. congestion, overcrowded beaches, increased rates to pay for maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure) and to local Councils and other organisation.

• The Plan proposes to reduce ‘regulatory burden’ to a general code of conduct, and streamlining of regulatory oversight and approvals. They are suggesting that a large range of activities will be automatically approved without any environmental impact assessment (now or then), or oversight. This may open the door for a large range of activities to take place e.g. cruise ships, film sets that restrict the access of the broader community to beaches and other areas of the park.

• The Plan’s proposal to develop a Memorandum of Understanding between the State and Commonwealth Governments is part of that process.It is all about allowing easier access for cruise ships to use the naval waters of Jervis Bay.

• The Plan completely misses the impact of increased population and in increased tourism on water quality, marine debris, and marine creatures.

• The Plan partners with 120 stakeholders who exploit ocean resources, but fewer than 15 partnerships with conservation groups, marine educators, academic institutions, or marine science professional bodies.

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Click here for our detailed summary and our detailed comments

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