A re-elected Turnbull Government will invest $2.2 million for a new Local Environment Plan in the Robertson electorate on the NSW Central Coast.
The Plan has been announced by Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks at Macmasters Beach today.
The ground-breaking new Plan includes:
• $1.25 million investment to Central Coast Council towards the upgrade of the iconic Five Lands Walk track and building the Willow Road boardwalk in Springfield;
• Three new Green Army projects to perform environmental works;
• $250,000 to ensure Clean4Shore can continue cleaning up our waterways for the next three years; and
• A major boost to surf life saving clubs at Avoca Beach, Killcare, North Avoca, Macmasters Beach, Ocean Beach, Terrigal and Umina with a share of $100,000 in funding through the Solar Communities Programme.
The first Green Army project will:
• Identify, survey and monitor the Green and Golden Bell Frog populations at Avoca Lagoon and Davistown;
• Improve access points to wetlands to minimise impacts on local populations; and
• Undertake environmental restoration works by removing invasive species and replacing with native species to improve habitat.
The second new Green Army Project will:
• Assess and map areas of degradation in saltmarsh communities surrounding Brisbane Water;
• Conduct vegetation surveys, improve walking trails, restore signage and fencing, and control mangrove creep; and
• Restore priority mangrove and saltmarsh areas, which will also improve water quality.
The third Green Army project will:
• Assess and map the condition of listed plant communities containing Melaleuca biconvexa and undertake surveys in the local areas of Erina, Green Point, Point Clare and Davistown;
• Conduct vegetation surveys, improve walking trails, restore signage and fencing, and control mangrove creep; and
• Restore priority ecological sites through removal of invasive weeds and replacing with native species.
The investments are part of the Coalition’s policy to support our local communities and environments by investing in the protection of threatened species, parks, nature reserves, coastal and river areas and supporting renewables.
Mrs Wicks said the Plan was one of the most comprehensive local environment strategies that had ever been proposed for the Central Coast, by investing in direct clean-up work, sustainable projects, jobs, tourism and infrastructure.
“The Central Coast is one of the most beautiful places to live and work, but one of the biggest reasons why so many families love our region is its environment,” Mrs Wicks said.
“Projects like the Five Lands Walk have become major events in our calendar, by connecting people to people and people to place. New funding will kick start Stage One of the Walk’s upgrade, including a landmark steel bridge and vital path improvements.”
“Our funding for Clean 4 Shore will help Graham ‘Jono’ Johnston and his team continue their extraordinary work removing litter – often illegally dumped – in our pristine foreshores, mangroves and estuaries.”
“Clean 4 Shore and the Green Army teams we’ve announced will also actively involve young people on the Central Coast, both with practical rubbish removal and teaching them about the importance of caring for our environment into the next generation.”
“School students in Springfield will also benefit from a boardwalk being constructed between Willow Road and Balfour Close. This project has been a dream of local residents groups for years, and working with the Central Coast Council, we will make this a reality.”
The Coalition also recognises the important role community and household solar plays in Australia’s transition to a low emissions economy with an increase in renewable energy.
“Australian surf lifesavers play an essential role in protecting Australian lives and supporting their local communities,” Mrs Wicks said
Under the solar communities programme a re-elected Turnbull Coalition Government will provide $100,000 to MacMasters Beach, Avoca Beach, Kilcare, North Avoca, Ocean Beach, Terrigal and Umina Surf Life saving clubs to help them reduce electricity bills and lower emissions.
“Unlike Labor, the Coalition is committed to tackling climate change without hiking up power bills for community groups, families and businesses and putting Australian jobs at risk,” Mrs Wicks said.
The Coalition will also provide $1 million to support upgrades to cleaner outboard engines used by our surf lifesavers across Australia, to help them purchase cleaner engines and reduce their running costs through lower fuel use. Grants will be up to $1,000 per outboard.