Manly Quarantine Station

NPA Submission regarding
the Conservation Management Plan

Aboriginal
Heritage

History
Immigration

Buildings
in 1999

Carvings
on site

Residents
in the past

Natural
Environment

Conservation
Plan

Considerations related to the

Conservation Management Plan

for the Quarantine Station

Private Submission from Judith Bennett
Primary School Teacher

1. International Concerns

The Quarantine Station is a National Park. The IUCN international classification of National Park is "Protected area managed mainly for ecosystem conservation and recreation."

Natural area of land/and or sea designated to

a)protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations

b) exclude exploitation or occupation inimical to the purposes of designation of the area and

c) provide a foundation for spiritual, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities, all of which must be environmentally and culturally compatible.

New South Wales needs to be able to face the international community with this Conservation Management Plan and prove we know how to manage a National Park.

2. Threatened flora and fauna

There are several listed endangered species in this part of the National Park. There are state laws under the Threatened Species Act designed to protect them and there are international agencies who could call New South Wales to task if we cannot prove we know how to protect these flora and fauna.

3. Commercial requirements

The Mawlands Proposal clearly demonstrates that to be commercially viable, any financially break-even or profit plan requires greatly increased numbers of visitors coming through the QS every day and there have been no appropriate studies made of how much increase this fragile site can sustain without harmful impact either on the threatened species or on the heritage buildings.

4. Aquatic Reserve

The NPWS is aware that water access to the Quarantine Station is through an Aquatic Reserve which they have acted to protect in the past. But Mawlands are planning to bring 60% of visitors in by powered boats through this Aquatic Reserve thus endangering sea grasses and the listed endangered species of fairy penguins. The Conservation Management Plan needs to specify in detail how the Aquatic Reserve is to be managed.

Covering Letter :

It is important for children everywhere to see that in New South Wales, we have a functioning democracy where issues are considered according to due and honest process.

I feel that it is also important that the children of New South Wales learn what a National Park really is and that their own State is prepared to make financially costly decisions to rigorously protect their natural and cultural heritage. Favourable marketing of this "costly decision" may eventually do far more for Australia’s image and tourism potential than the dollars saved by leasing this site to a hotel.

The Quarantine Station represents a most important part of our immigration history and needs to be a truly honest portrayal of that history for the education of people of all ages.

Thank you,

Yours sincerely,

Judith Bennett

Computer co-ordinator
of Elanora Heights Primary School
February 1989 - December 1999