ENVIRONMENTAL scientist Maxine Rowley, is concerned about the impacts of horticultural activities on the local environment.

She said these impacts include nutrient levels “amongst the highest reported for catchments on the East Coast of Australia, and similar to loads in rivers throughout China, Europe and India”.

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Ms Rowley says the significant loads of pollution entering waterways demonstrate that current management and methods of intensive horticulture make it an unsustainable agricultural pursuit.

She says the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has been active in undertaking monitoring and compliance activities in the region but unless samples are being collected and tested, the ongoing pollution is unseen.

“The impact of intensive horticulture on Coffs Harbour waterways, while proven to be significant and deleterious, goes largely undetected and uncontrolled,” she said.

“A much more decisive, effective, and economic solution is to require the submission of Development Applications (DAs) for intensive horticulture developments.”

She said this allows for “best management” practices, such as setbacks from waterways and neighbouring properties, to be implemented prior to the operation of the facility.

This would minimise the potential pollution of waterways in perpetuity, and reduce the need for ongoing, expensive monitoring and compliance activities.

As a result of community concerns, Nambucca Valley Council has voted to require development applications for new horticultural developments, which the NSW Minister for Planning Paul Scully, has approved.

Ms Rowley approached leaders of candidate teams for the upcoming City of Coffs Harbour Election, and asked:

“Do you support a DA being required for new intensive horticulture?”

“Have you accepted (directly or indirectly) donations from intensive horticulture interests? (eg., farmers, the pesticide industry, resellers, plastic providers, distributors)”.

She said Tony Judge, Jonathan Cassell and John O’Brien support the concept of DAs for intensive horticulture while other candidates either were non-committal or did not respond.

No candidate said they had received donations from intensive horticulture interests.

Ms Rowley said that while her survey elicited some useful information for voters about the views of some candidates on the issue of particular interest to her, it also raised questions about the transparency of political affiliations and what constitutes a political donation.

By Andrew VIVIAN