The Far South Coast of NSW is under threat from the development of “”ribbon suburbs” between existing hamlets, according to a book launched in Canberra yesterday.
The book, Bush and Beach, by Richard Nott, says the area’s mostly rural identity with its natural coastline, isolated beaches and large reserved or public land is under threat from a lack of a clear government planning strategy.
“”Local and state authorities have served the interests of the developers,” it says
Urban, residential and tourist development were pressuring the last freehold land separating the communities, it said. Piecemeal development was characterised by confusion, uncertainty and environmental destruction.
“”Governments and their authorities lack co-ordination and control,” the book says.
The book is a heritage and conservation guide to the coast, from Durras to the Victorian border. It book gives details of land use, heritage highlights, conservation highlights and threats, and a guide to the political, bureaucratic and legal aspects of the planning and development processes.
The book gives people interested in the coast information on how to object to development that threatens environment or heritage values. It contains a series of land-use maps for the whole area.