Ruined inlet to get upgrade
THE State and Federal governments' plan to revegetate more than 200,000 square metres of land at the Kerosene Bay inlet.
The revegetation will replace the 600 metres of mangroves that were destroyed to make way for the Banora Point upgrade.
The area was chosen in a push to improve the natural environment that has been ruined due to dumping, heavy vehicle and foot traffic, and sand-dredging.
Member for the Tweed Geoff Provest said the area needed significant restoration.
“Unfortunately sand dredging has caused silting in the inlet which has resulted in a decline in water quality and the demise of large areas of sea grass, salt marsh and mangroves,” he said.
“A number of factors, including the public illegally accessing the area by car and by foot and leaving rubbish, have negatively impacted on the local environment.”
Mr Provest said the revegetation conditions attached to the Banora Point upgrade was an opportunity to bring back the inlet's natural environment.
Under the planning conditions, the Banora Point project team was required to revegetate twice the amount of land that was lost to the bypass.
Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said the project team was going above and beyond with its revegetation efforts.
“We will actually be replenishing over 200,000 square metres of habitat, more than double the minimum requirement.”
