Rally to oppose Kincumber wetlands development

The proposed development site adjoins Kincumber Broadwater

Residents and environmental advocates are calling on Woolworths Group and the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) to abandon plans for a major development at Kincumber and will hold a protest rally on Saturday, June 7.

They say the proposed site, at Carrak Rd, is owned by DLALC and encompasses vital wetlands that support diverse ecosystems and hold significant cultural value.

They are calling on DLALC to put conservation first by ruling out any leasing or development of the natural space, saying it would jeopardise local biodiversity, increase traffic congestion, and conflict with Woolworths Group’s environmental commitments and the community’s vision for sustainable land use.

Location of the proposed development

In a recent response to community concerns, Woolworths said DLALC will make final decisions regarding the potential development in accordance with member wishes and the concurrence of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.

Woolworths is in the early stages of investigating the possibility of development in consultation with Darkinjung, and no decision has been made at this time.

The company said if a development is proposed, it would follow normal processes of engagement, notification, public exhibition, and assessment, as required for any rezoning and associated development application.

But residents say the development should not be considered at all.

Environmental advocate Rhonda Williams said the wetlands were home to numerous species classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, including the Bush Stone-Curlew, Osprey, Powerful Owl, Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey-headed Flying-fox, Eastern Curlew, Varied Sittella, Little Lorikeet, and Barking Owl.

“The area also contains Endangered Ecological Communities (EEC) such as Swamp Sclerophyll Forest, Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest, and Coastal Saltmarsh,” she said.

The proposed development site adjoins Kincumber Broadwater

“Additionally, it supports Mangroves Protected Marine Vegetation and is home to the critically endangered plant, Scrub Turpentine.”

Sue Chidgey, co-founder of the Save Kincumber Wetlands group, said it was ”unthinkable” to lease or develop such a vital area.

“The Kincumber wetlands are not just home to critically endangered species, but they also provide irreplaceable habitat that supports the entire ecosystem,” she said.

“To lose the habitats of the Powerful Owl, Osprey, and Eastern Curlew would be devastating.

“These species are already at risk, and any disruption to their environment could be catastrophic.

“The area is so alive with wildlife; if that goes a deadly silence will fall on the surrounding area.”

Community organiser Colette Baron said destroying the wetlands would not only displace threatened species but also compromise vital water filtration and flood mitigation functions that benefited the whole community.

In its Sustainability Plan 2025, Woolworths Group emphasises the importance of environmental responsibility and pledges to “practise responsible stewardship of natural resources”.

Community members say that even considering development undermines these principles and threatens the integrity of a valuable natural and cultural asset that must be preserved for future generations.

They say as custodian of the land, DLALC should protect the wetlands in alignment with both Indigenous values and environmental stewardship.

Save Kincumber Wetlands will hold a rally at 4pm on Saturday, June 7, at Kibble Park, Gosford.

See the Save Kincumber Wetlands facebook page for more information.

1 Comment on "Rally to oppose Kincumber wetlands development"

  1. Bob Fordham | June 7, 2025 at 7:32 am | Reply

    Not to mention the increased traffic snarl in an already congested area, which could represent safety issues for the elderly and the young. Go somewhere else Woolworths!!!

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