I WISH to inform you that many of us residents do not wish to see any further clearing in the area of national park just west of Potato Point village, as proposed by the community association.
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This association which was formed in September 2013 is not representative of the whole/wider community as has been portrayed in their media coverage.
Having attended all bar one of the association’s meetings, I have found their campaign to be alarmist, confusing and misleading. With media headings such as “restoration of historic firebreak at Potato Point”.
What is an historic firebreak? The area was formerly cleared for paddocks for the purpose of grazing cattle.
At the March 22 meeting, one of Australia’s leading fire scientists presented residents with scientific research data conveying that whilst Potato Point is a fire prone area (as are many areas up and down the coast) it has a relatively low fire risk and the existing fire break (which was constructed in December 2013) is adequate. The Casuarinas are a low flammable tree and protect the village by trapping embers, mitigating wind and reducing radiant heat.
More clearing would actually increase the risk to property allowing winds to transport embers. Residents can better protect their properties by clearing fire sensitive vegetation two metres from their home as well as other house protecting measures like covering wood piles etc.
Also at the March 22 meeting, the findings of the Species Impact Study carried out by consultants to the National Parks and Wildlife Service have determined that a large part of the area in question is an endangered Ecological Community (Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest) which has particular environmental value requiring legal processes to be worked through before it can be altered.
The study further showed that the locality is home to 11 threatened fauna species, including six within the study area, the area is clearly worth protecting.
Now having listened to both sides of the firebreak issue I don’t see how we can overlook the findings of the Species Impact Study and also the Scientific Based Data on bushfires, as presented to our community.
Trish Nightingale
Potato Point