Environmental group members had no shortage of matters to discuss at a Rally for Nature at Bundeena on Sunday, July 2.
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High on the list of concerns was the possible annexing of 60 hectares of Royal National Park to accommodate the F6 motorway extension.
A progress report was given on long drawn out moves to establish an eco-tourism resort on land formerly owned by Scouts Australia at Bundeena, and proposed road access through the national park.
The gathering also discussed the Boomerang Bags share scheme, which will soon be introduced in Bundeena, shorebirds protection, volunteer bush regeneration in the Royal and other local activities and issues.
The rally was co-ordinated by by Spring Gully Protection Group, which is part of the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre.
Speakers included state opposition spokeswoman on the environment Penny Sharpe, state Greens MPs Mehreen Faruqi and David Shoebridge, and Labor candidate for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart.
Spring Gully Protection Group has been leading a long-running battle to stop an eco-tourism resort proposed by RVA Australia.
The group claims hundreds of trees will be cleared if the proposal goes ahead on the land, which is now privately owned.
A spokesman for the group, Mark Da Silva, said, in March this year, the Land and Environment Court ordered RVA Australia to demonstrate it had legal road access via the Royal National Park and a legal basis for it to locate part of its Asset Protection Zone on the adjoining paper road by June 30, 2017.
“We understand that the applicant has lodged a motion with the court seeking further time,” he said.
“Regarding the road access through the Royal, NPWS (National Parks and Wildlife Service) is re-exhibiting the proposal from July 5 to August 4 after issues were raised with the material exhibited in June.
“The Minister for the Environment, Gabrielle Upton, or her delegate will need to grant approval for road access through the Royal National Park for the eco-lodge to proceed.”
Mr Da Silva said court proceedings had been going on since June, 2015.