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| Surfers to Paddle Out to Save Manly's Little Penguins! |
| Wednesday, 03 December 2008 | ||||||
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“Manly’s Little Penguin population is precious, however it is under threat by development plans at North Head,” said Manly MP Mike Baird. “The aim of the Paddle Out on Sunday is to send the message the Manly community will fight to save our Little Penguins! “Over the past year the community has united in its opposition to plans to redevelop the police college at North Head – mainly due to the risk posed to the Little Penguins, which are the only breeding colony on the NSW mainland. “The development plans have been revised following widespread community objections, however I have asked the Australian Federal Police for a public briefing to ensure there are no remaining concerns.” Mr Baird is helping to organise the Paddle Out with a volunteer committee of concerned residents and the support of the Manly Environment Centre, the Surfrider Foundation, TreeHugger Wax and Realsurf.com. Narrabeen surfer, Ozzie Wright, is one of 50 surfers who have registered to take part in the Paddle Out, which will be held at 10:30am at South Steyne on Sunday. Ozzie said he is one of many surfers who value the Little Penguins as a precious part of the Manly environment. “I just think it’s magical that these creatures are living here in Manly. Surely us humans have wiped out enough natural ecosystems already,” Ozzie said. Anyone interested in taking part in the Paddle Out can visit www.mikebaird.com.au to register. “If you can’t paddle out but still want to show your support, please come down to South Steyne on Sunday morning and take part in the action. There will be kids building sand penguins and lots of activities as part of Ocean Care Day,” Mr Baird said. MEDIA: Lisa Harrington - 0406 726 880 Add to: Write Comment
dropping a bomb in the debate dear friends, this post may not be popular or politically correct, but let's look at this in terms of resource allocation. there are approximately 40 breeding pairs for little penguins bird brained enough to nest next tothe manly fairy (oh is THAT why the jetcats will be axed?) and near the proposed development but there are hundreds of thousands of fairy penguins from perth to the north of nsw. notably, they don't seem to mind people, think tourist penguin watching. surely there is a compromise position and a better allocation of resources to bigger environmental threats. What price are we paying for volunteers to do penguin watch? Why do we even HAVE litter in our waterways, why do we HAVE fishing when its waste causes so many avian causalities? If these little penguins were indicator species the resources we put to this one colony in an otherwise health species may be proportional. But isn’t this about emotions and ‘cute’, what is visible and what is political? Plankton need protection too. Paddle for the Penquines.............. I think it is fantastic the surfers of manly are teaming together to paddle out for the little penquine colony, will be there with bells on. Read the last comment on this matter titled dropping a bomb in the debate , and sure there are other matters needing attention and other species to be saved but ; OUR PENQUINES ARE OURS : and need our help. So as they are VERY CUTE lets keep them safe. penguins and the harbour It is not apparent how Mike is positioned in relation to the redevelopment of the AIPM and its implications for the penguin colony. His media statement reads “The development plans have been revised following widespread community objections, however I have asked the Australian Federal Police for a public briefing to ensure there are no remaining concerns.” - does this mean that Mike has capitulated on his stance and is now approving the redevelopment? re comments Hi Manly Resident I just saw your comment and assure you that we have done anything but accede to the development proposal for the AIPM site on North Head. The Paddle Out has been put together to demonstrate the communities out and out opposition to the plans. The revised plans (if they can be believed) are significantly reduced from those proposed originally at least showing that people power is working. However, we will not support any plans until the community is satisfied that what is finally proposed does NOT in any way endanger the little penguins nor increase the foot print of the current dwellings. Cheers Mike |
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