The NSW government’s proposed Sydney Marine Park includes 25 sites between Newcastle and Wollongong is a significant advance for marine conservation across the Hawkesbury bioregion, including in particular the Sutherland Shire. As a coastal MP and former Environment Minister, I know how important it is to protect and nurture our marine environment and to implement measures that aim to protect and increase our marine biodiversity.
The Towra Point Aquatic Reserve will grow by 349ha, to incorporate additional adjacent Posidonia australis seagrass and shorebird habitat as a special purpose zone. The reserve protects the largest and most diverse wetland complex in the Sydney region. It’s adjacent to the Towra Point Nature Reserve, a wetland of international importance and declared Ramsar site. It’s also an important nursery area for fish and invertebrates, a habitat for migratory seabirds, and rich in marine biodiversity.
Cabbage Tree Creek, a small tidal creek on the southern side of Port Hacking, will be a new 23ha sanctuary zone. The area contains extensive estuarine habitats, including saltmarsh, seagrass and mangroves. It’s a significant area for the local Aboriginal community, as is Towra Point.
An 85ha conservation zone in Royal National Park will go from Martin Head south to the northern end of Garie Beach, including Wattamolla Beach and Wattamolla Lagoon, and 100m seaward.
Some old favourites will be included with no changes to management rules, such as Boat Harbour and Shiprock.
All proposed sites have been carefully analysed by the NSW Marine Estate Management Authority following extensive community consultation. You can provide feedback at: https://www.marine.nsw.gov.au/key-initiatives/hawkesbury-shelf-marine-assessment. Submissions close 27 September.
An information stall will be visiting Cronulla Mall on 15 September from 8 am to 12 noon.
I loved visiting the Sydney Royal Easter Show again, this time with colleagues Natalie Ward (Deputy Liberal Leader), Justin Clancy MP (Albury), Wendy Tuckerman MP (Goulburn) and Robert Dwyer - State MP for Port Macquarie (Port Macquarie).
The Show is a great showcase for our primary producers - and the opportunity for countless connections between city and country. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
It’s so important that people living with an eating disorder, who don’t require hospitalisation, have access to specialist support services in a residential setting.
And that they have the best chance of living a full, rich and healthy life.
Such a facility, the first of its kind in NSW, now exists in Charlestown.
Named “Baiyangbaiyaang”, the $13.5 million centre will provide extended residential inpatient admissions for people with eating disorders aged 16+ from across the state, increasing the options for those living in rural and remote areas.
Planned and commissioned by the former Liberals and Nationals Government in 2022, with funding through the Commonwealth, the facility will provide wrap around services to people with severe eating disorders.
The 12-bed centre will provide whole-of-family therapy, which is vital to the ongoing treatment and recovery of those experiencing an eating disorder. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
What a fantastic initiative.
One year ago today, six innocent victims lost their lives in the Bondi Junction tragedy.
Six innocent victims who left behind partners, parents, children and other members of their families.
Six families united in grief.
Many, many lives changed forever.
We also reiterate our gratitude today for the first responders like Inspector Amy Scott whose bravery and quick thinking saved many lives.
Today is a day of reflection.
Today is a day of standing with community and the family members.
Today is also a day to reiterate our the determination to stop these sorts of tragedies happening and to end senseless violence in our community. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Yesterday James Griffin MP and I joined sustainable aviation fuel industry leaders for a “NSW Parliament Meets Industry“ renewable fuels policy forum.
James and I heard about the opportunities to kickstart a renewable fuel future for NSW.
Thank you to all participants, led by Jet Zero, and including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Sydney Airport, Airbus, The Boeing Company, Bioenergy Australia, Manildra Group, BP, J.P. Morgan, Transport and Tourism Forum, Refuelling Solutions and Deloitte Australia. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
I’m pleased to announce two exciting appointments that will strengthen the NSW Shadow Cabinet team.
@felicitywilsonmp, MP for North Shore, is the new Shadow Minister for Women and Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
Felicity has served her community passionately since 2017 and is a strong advocate for opportunity, equity and inclusion.
As a mum raising her kids on the North Shore, and with a professional background in public policy, she gets what matters to local families — and how to deliver.
@tinaayyad4holsworthy, MP for Holsworthy, is the new Shadow Assistant Minister for South Western Sydney, Shadow Assistant Minister for Health and Shadow Assistant Minister for Youth.
Tina is a fearless voice for South Western Sydney.
Tina has raised her family in the area, served as a Deputy Mayor and fought to get real action on local issues.
These changes add to our strong team focused on delivering for people in every corner of NSW. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Very excited to serve as part of your strong team and deliver for people across NSW.
Well done!!
Congratulations! Felicity Wilson MP and Tina Ayyad - Member for Holsworthy 👏🏻👏🏻💙💙
Great move!
🥳🎈
Replace the Royals? King Charles III, his heir apparent Prince William and their Governors and Governor-General in the no treaties with prior occupants criminal enterprise they call “Australia”, have a choice between trying their luck at defending charges of genocide under the Rome Statute at the International Criminal Court (ICC), from compelling evidence assembled by UN Rapporteurs and “Closing the Gap” monitoring since the Court was established in 2002, or replacing the Royals and their agents under UN Resolution 1514 on decolonisation with prior occupant Elders presiding over Women’s, Men’s and Youth chambers in parliaments. Which would you choose?
View more comments
Anderson Cook, Year 3 at Cronulla South Public School, has written and published his first book, which I recognised in Parliament recently.
Andy loves reading books. When he told his family he wanted to write a book one day, his dad Aaron asked him “why wait?”.
Andy came up with the idea for the book called “The Monkey Who Didn’t Like Bananas” in the summer school holidays. In between holiday fun, Anderson put his head down for about an hour a day. After about two weeks he’d completed the story of Jack the monkey, who was raised on the island of bananas.
Having finished the story, Andy turned to generative AI to come up with the perfect images to go with his words and with help from his parents and publishing software he completed with what is an impressive looking children’s book.
Andy hopes to sell copies of his book at the school’s fete to raise money for charity. He already has some ideas for a sequel! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
So clever!! Well done.
Great work Andy
That's awesome, Andy!!!!!!
Please Save Glebe Island Mark . This is So Important for Sydney . You need to get it out you would stop Chris Minns putting high rise apartments on it . It’s crucial to National Security. It’s a working Harbour. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺