Kiama Teacher Shares His Expertise On Rare Wetland

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday March 23, 2006

By WILLIAM VERITY

FOR generations, Coomonderry Swamp at Seven Mile Beach has been inaccessible to most people.

All that will change on Sunday.

The world expert on the 670ha of freshwater wetland - Kiama High School science teacher Dr Nick de Jong - will guide a three-hour walk through his beloved landscape.

He has spent 10 years studying the area - first through a University of Wollongong degree and then through a doctoral thesis - and is delighted that it is beginning to receive recognition.

"The important point is that freshwater wetland is relatively rare on the coast of NSW," he said.

"As well as being a significant site for vegetation, it's more significant for birds, and particularly for water birds."

He is reluctant to be drawn into comment on the proposed Cleary Bros golf resort nearby, but said safeguards had to be rigorous.

"From a tourist perspective, the wetland, beach, forest and marine reserve are what draws people to the area," he said.

"It would seem nonsensical not to value that."