Tallwood mannum Marina given SA Government go-ahead
Article from: The Advertiser
KIM WHEATLEY, CHIEF REPORTER
October 30, 2008 08:25am
A $165 MILLION residential canal estate planned for the banks of the River Murray has been approved by the State Government.
AdelaideNow has been told the controversial development is being presented to Governor Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce for approval this morning.
Fifteen months ago, The Advertiser reported numerous concerns relating to the 570-allotment project – 160 of them waterfront – with a 150-berth marina for houseboats on 170ha at Mannum.
At the time, State Government departments were worried about the effect on water and salinity levels for the private development.
The development also includes a commercial and tourism precinct, 40ha of wetlands and open space and a major upgrade to the town's existing wastewater treatment plant.
The local council and the Trade and Economic Development Department supported the project, citing economic and population benefits - with estimates it would bring 900 new residents.
Agencies, including the Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation Department, and the Environment Protection Authority, however, were worried about:
FINDING the 520 million litres of water needed to fill the marina.
EFFECTS on salinity levels from rises in ground water.
EVAPORATION and pollution levels.
A SMALL section of the project to be located on the decommissioned wastewater treatment plant.
IMPACTS on native flora and fauna, including five species of ducks and frogs.
The submissions were lodged in response to an Environmental Impact Statement by developer Tallwood.
Tallwood director David Potter told The Advertiser at the time that the project had been eight years in the planning and all issues except the initial fill were being sorted out with government agencies.
"The fill is a once-off event, and that water is not lost to the river, it becomes an extension to the river," he said.
"Over the long term, there is a positive water balance to the river."
Mr Potter said the developers had a 170 million-litre water licence available which, with run-off and recapturing a subsidiary creek, would offset evaporation losses.
He also said modelling showed salinity levels would be virtually unchanged, 200,000 trees would be planted to extend habitats, and all houses would be built above the 1956 floodwater levels.
"We think this is a win-win . . . the environmental benefits are good and there's a lot of support for this in the local community," Mr Potter said.
"We understand that there is some work to be done in regard to ensuring that the project is sustainable and manageable, and we are definitely committed to that."
