The Land and Environment Court Hearing on September 8 challenged the proposed Rocla extension and Calga application.
I plan to explain simply what our ancient, uplifted, fractured porous aquifer is and how it exists or otherwise. I present a rough, simplified model of the mountain showing some of its unique and sensitive features. We have an eroded uplift surrounded completely by National Park. The water to sustain everything is stored in the main in an aquifer, in this porous, uplifted landscape. Already, because of ill-informed decisions to progress sand and water extraction, the water table has dropped some three metres. Naturally, the aquifer releases the water by means of spring fed creeks and upland swamps. It is very slowly replenished by the water cycle. When a sand mine cuts a hole in the aquifer and takes the sand or rock away, the ancient water drains out of the cut or scar for forever and drops the water table. No reversal. No big wet can plug the holes cut and exposed to drain. By showing how our landscape works, I hope to show the decision makers how and why the Rocla plan is another big nail in the coffin of this mountain environment forever. There is no sense talking about saving swamps or national parks, micro climates, the need for water trading or construction material, deeper aquifers and so on. All worthy causes, however, it’s crunch time and the whole complex issue must be studied. Australia is the driest nation on earth. The mountain’s aquifer/ landscape has been trashed too much now. Stop the extraction now! Look to sustainable sources and employ more Aussies to transport sand from safe sources and create more tourism ventures so we can learn to understand and save our special, irreplaceable natural treasures. There are better ways to create revenue and employment. Use common sense to preserve our natural and indigenous treasures forever! It’s our right!
Letter, 1 Oct 2014
Margaret Pontifex,
Mangrove Mountain