Report on the state of kurnell
March 5th, 2010This report will discuss the state of Kurnell beach and what actions might be appropriate to remedy the problems. Also, the location, its wildlife and appearance of the beach.
Where is Kurnell beach located?
Only the suburbs of Cronulla and Woolooware border Kurnell beach. The suburb is diverse in appearance. The commercial and tourist centre consists of hotels, shops and unit blocks ranging from one storey to high rise with virtually no landscaping. Moving away from the thriving business district, the area becomes predominantly one of low height unit blocks and, further on, houses with pretty tree-lined gardens, some with stunning views over the sheltered waters of Port Hacking and Gunnamatta Bay. Kurnell peninsula is on the eastern side of the Sutherland Shire. Part of Kurnell contains 324 hectares known as the Captain Cook landing place, a part of the Botany Bay National Park which is under the care of the N.S.W National Parks and Wildlife service. Within this reserve is the old well dug by men of the Endeavour in their initial search for fresh water.
What is found in Kurnell Beach?
Sheer sandstone cliffs dominate the park’s dramatic coastline. The low heath and open woodland that characterises Kurnell’s vegetation is supported by relatively infertile sandy soils. In spring and summer, spectacular displays of wildflowers on the heath attract a variety of nectar and seed eating birds. Kurnell is without a doubt the most significant historic site to modern Australia. Additionally it adjoins Towra Point Nature Reserve, which is an area of great cultural and natural heritage significance. It is a wetland of international importance.
What is there to do in Kurnell Beach?
In Kurnell there are so many things to see and do. Not only are there safe beaches and swimming, but also fishing, boating, diving, barbeques, wind-surfing, bush walking or just a wonderful place to let the kids run and play, fishing, snorkeling, jet-skiing, water skiing, boating, diving, exploring, sun baking, bush walking in the beautiful National Park. Walk or drive through to the most spectacular cliff top views of the ocean, explore the Museum and find out all about Captain Cook and the discovery of modern Australia, B-B-Q’s picnics, lovely shady areas to relax and take it all in, bike riding, roller bladding, horse riding, walking and jogging. As a result the state of Kurnell beach is quickly deteriorating.
What is the state of Kurnell beach?
Over the years, in addition to becoming a growing residential area, the bay and its immediate surrounds have come to a variety of uses that have been harmful to the environment including industrial sites, ports, airports, oil refineries and recreational activities. In particular, one of the main threats is commercial and recreational fishing. The effects fishing has include effects on food webs and fish communities, by-catch of non-target species and impacts on aquatic habitats. Other environmental impacts of fishing and boating in general include littering, damage to seagrass from anchoring and propellers, and bank erosion from boating wakes.
Due to contaminants in fish and other seafood, the amount of pollution in the water and the health risks that have arose some areas of Botany Bay have been banned of fishing.
Also, Kurnell beach is right next to Sydney airport .The percentage of total aircraft movements from Sydney airport which occur over Kurnell has remained fairly static at about 50-53% in the last five years. Apart from the aircraft noise, the level of airborne pollutants that enter the ecosystems of Botany Bay from aircraft is of concern given the sensitive nature of those ecosystems.
Apart from the aircraft noise, the level of airborne pollutants that enter the ecosystems of Botany Bay from aircraft is of concern given the sensitive nature of those ecosystems.
Due to contaminants in fish and other seafood, the amount of pollution in the water and the health risks that have arose some areas of Botany Bay have been banned of fishing. However commercial industries and recreational fishers are just crowding to less spoiled areas of Botany Bay to do more damage.
Also, the oil refinery
What actions might be appropriate to remedy the problems?
The introduction of a general fishing recreational fishing fee. This is a good solution idea for money raised by the fees will be used on conservation programs for the environment as well as improve the quality of recreational fishing through various other programs such as designated fishing areas. This is a means of resolving conflict between commercial and recreational fishers, and removing impacts of commercial fishing on both the fisheries resources and the physical environment.
Another alternative solution is the establishment of several education centres such as The Botany Bay Environmental Education Centre, each year since 1991 the Botany Bay Environmental Education Centre has taken students on tours of the Peninsula to study the Fragile Ecosystem. This is also a good solution because the students are educated on everything about the Botany Bay environment and encouraged to conserve, doing their own little bit and become active citizens. Another solution could be to close Kurnell and the surrounding beaches to commercial fishing to improve the quality of recreational fishing. This involve the buy-out of all commercial estuarine fishing activity in Botany Bay. Or the council could Close Botany Bay to hauling and prawn trawling to improve the quality of recreational fishing.
