Resident Janet Levy fears that the boat ramp proposed for ‘Boggy Bay’ could lead to environmental and social problems.
Camera IconResident Janet Levy fears that the boat ramp proposed for ‘Boggy Bay’ could lead to environmental and social problems. Credit: Supplied/Jon Hewson

Bund bound for destruction

Jill Burgess, Mandurah Coastal TimesMandurah Coastal Times

The bund was built in the 1990s to stop a saltwater invasion upstream of South Yunderup Road and many residents and others take advantage of the winding pathway around the lake to walk, jog and bike.

Big numbers of school students also take part in a range of activities there.

Murray Shire Council is carrying out a study to develop a boat ramp and launching area on the lake, surrounding beach and walkway between the estuary and the bund.

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Resident Janet Levy said many components of the proposal were causing concern, including the loss of wildlife, the disposal of acid soils, a proposed corridor leading from Forrest Highway to the boat ramp and ‘secret’ meetings.

‘The lake and adjacent estuary are home to many wildlife species, including migratory birds that will desert the area if construction goes ahead,” she said.

Mrs Levy said residents were also concerned about a plan to place dredge soil into the bund.

‘The dumping of acid soils is a continuation of past environmental mistakes in South Yunderup and should not be allowed,” she said.

‘The proposed boating facility would make use of a section of the estuary known locally as Boggy Bay as the primary construction site.

‘Its difficult to grasp how such an unstable site could possibly be suitable for the proposed road, a car and trailer park, a holding jetty and other items.

‘The cost alone would be enormous and a much-valued amenity lost forever.’

Along with the boating facility is a proposal for a road from Forrest Highway through Austin Lakes and Austin Cove Estates along the bund with the boat ramp at its end.

Mrs Levy believes the road would open up the area to opportunistic crime involving homes left vacant or rented out.

She said interested community members had been invited to attend one-on-one 15-minute meetings with Murray Shire Council, which would give voice to only 24 residents.

‘There are already eight boat ramps in the Murray shire and the obvious site for another one is Batavia Quays (formerly known as Warma Way).’

‘Batavia Quays is an established boating facility with toilet block, car and trailer parking and long considered for expansion,” she said.

‘To extend Batavia Quays would be far less costly and save the destruction of a unique jewel in the Shire of Murray’s crown.’