Sunday, January 29, 2012

Pioneer Dairy Swamp

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The Tuggerah Lakes Reserve is more commonly known as the Pioneer Dairy Swamp. It is predominantly cleared land that for a long time has been used for dairying. The Reserve has been the subject of much debate and negotiations amongst the past owners and their attempts to sell the site for development, community groups who have fought to save the site from development, and numerous Government departments who have been involved throughout the process, which lasted over several years.
The Electricity Commission acquired the property in 1986 as part of its plans to build a power station at Mardi. In 1989, the old manager’s house was leased to people who ran cattle on the site. The Mardi power station never eventuated, and the EC attempted to auction the site in1996, but the property was withdrawn 30 minutes before it was due to go to auction purportedly due to expressed environmental concerns regarding the sale. The property was again placed on the market in June 1999, however public protest resulted in a new committee being formed that lobbied the State Government for its preservation. The property’s sale was once again temporarily withdrawn pending a Supreme Court decision on an Aboriginal claim. Although this claim was rejected, pressure from the community and conservation groups stalled the sale for almost 12 months as they continued to lobby the State Government.
In 2000, the Reserve was finally gazetted as Crown land for environmental protection and public recreation, and is presently under the care of the Tuggerah Lakes Reserve Trust. It will be open to the public from the middle of 2012.

4 comments:

  1. G'day Marj,
    Nice story. Another little win for the environment. I frequently fluctuate from despair to elation and back again when I read some of the things we do to our world.
    Some great Grebe shots in your previous post. That little one its parents bill seems to be thinking, "Uh oh, I'm in trouble again."
    Regards,
    Gouldiae.

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  2. Hi Marj,

    You have some amazing photos. They inspire me to get out there and start birding. I'm into birdscaping and native gardening in a big way. I created a Facebook page called Australian Native Plant Enthusiasts. I would be honoured if you check it out and post on the wall. I will undoubtedly come back to this blog on a regular basis!

    Cheers,
    Serge

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  3. Stunning shots. Just wonder what lens do you use for such amazing images. Must be very long lens.

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  4. WOW!!
    1, 2 and 5 are stunning pictures but they all are interesting!
    I have not seen yet this species of kingfisher!
    Congratulations, cheers Marj!

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