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THE long term future of pontoons, which form a marina in the Shoalhaven River, is up in the air after Department of Primary Industries ordered the structures be removed.
Thirteen, 11.5m long and 2.5m wide pontoons, were placed in the river as part of the recent Shoalhaven River Festival.
On Tuesday they were removed and placed in storage at Greys Beach until their permanent future can be decided.
Shoalhaven City Council purchased the pontoons used during the festival’s marine expo, with the plan of them remaining permanently in the river at the completion of the event and becoming a community asset.
A DPI spokesperson said council’s use of the pontoons was a temporary installation for the River Festival event only and it had not gained approvals to situate the pontoons at the site on a permanent basis.
“No environmental assessment or approvals to situate the pontoons at this site on a permanent basis have been obtained from the DPI,” the spokesperson said.
“Council installed a number of pontoons as part of the festival on October 23-24 but that was a temporary installation only.”
The spokesperson said DPI was helping council with the assessment and approval process to find a more permanent solution.
It is understood there are issues regarding possible damage to seagrass, which is a key fish habitat and nursery, due to shading from the pontoons being in the river on a permanent basis.
The Register was told the pontoons were situated on Crown Land and over seagrass, which was an important nursery ground for juvenile fish, playing a vital role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems and conserving fish stocks.
Seagrass beds in the Shoalhaven are vital to support local recreational and commercial fishing industries. Harm to seagrass is an activity that is regulated under the Fisheries Management Act, and requires approval from DPI Fisheries.
Director Corporate and Community Craig Milburn confirmed council have received correspondence from NSW Fisheries and DPI regarding the pontoons’ future.
“They have raised questions regarding the pontoons’ short term and long term positions,” Mr Milburn said.
“We received the necessary approval for the river festival. The detailed designs for the pontoons to be actively used by the community on the river are being carried out.
“But until we get that final approval we need to store them off the river because of the seagrass.
“Consultants are planning a long term solution for us but at this stage we [council] is working with both RMS and Fisheries regarding the longer term installation of the pontoons in the river.
“Detailed designs for additional pylons and the long term positioning is underway.”