Lake Listing Dispute

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday January 9, 2008

THE National Parks and Wildlife Service is moving forward with plans to have Lake Wollumboola, on the South Coast, listed as a wetland of international significance.

Southern region director for the service, Alistair Henchman, said the lake, near Culburra Beach, had "extremely high natural values" and qualified for listing under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty on wetlands ratified in the city of Ramsar, Iran in 1971.

Shoalhaven City Council has opposed the proposed listing, but last month decided to survey Culburra Beach residents on the issue.

Councillor Gareth Ward fears the move would "lock up" the lake and prevent development in Culburra Beach.