Last month, Commissioner Kevin Cleland submitted the findings of his inquiry to Deputy Premier and Minister for Planning Andrew Refshauge for parliamentary review. Opponents fear that the project will harm the environment and natural beauty of Port Stephens, restrict public use of the waterway, negatively impact the growing tourism industry, and threaten marine wildlife, including dolphins and whales.

A Project with Significant Economic Impact

Australian Radiata Pty Ltd plans to establish the farm on a small plot of land and on five deep-water marine leases. Mr. Cleland highlighted the project’s potential benefits and, while acknowledging the concerns raised, concluded that there are no ecological reasons preventing pearl oyster farming in Port Stephens.

The endemic species Pinctada imbricata will be raised from approved stocks to produce high-quality pearls of medium to small size. More than two million oysters will be seeded each year, creating 80 full-time jobs. The total value of the pearls harvested is estimated at AUD 12 million.

Lingering Concerns

Raquel Carter, a representative of the New South Wales Nature Conservation Council, reiterated that the economic and social risks associated with the project outweigh the expected benefits for the local population.

Nevertheless, Mr. Cleland recommends a precautionary approach: he acknowledges that marine animals could become entangled in aquaculture installations and calls for safety measures to be implemented. The commission also recommends rejecting one of the proposed farming sites.

Finally, the report advises closely monitoring the situation after the project’s launch and reducing or modifying certain operations should unforeseen negative impacts arise.