EPBC Cape Jaffa Gannets
Submitted by SARFAC Thursday, 31st July 2003

From: SARFAC [sarfac@chariot.net.au]
To: Recipient list suppressed
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2003 12:42 PM
Subject: EPBC Cape Jaffa Gannets

EPBC Cape Jaffa Gannets
The demolition of the Cape Jaffa Light Platform and Gannet Colony is up for public comment under the EPBC Act.

The demolition of the Cape Jaffa light platform and Gannet colony is up for public comment under the EPBC Act.

The significance of the structure centres on the nesting habitat for birds listed as protected marine species. Australasian Gannet likely to be disturbed by the referred action is approximately 1.7 % of the Australian Population and 0.5% of the World Population according to the proponentˇ¦s statistics.

The structure is located within a rock lobster sanctuary extending a radius of 1km from the structure.

Referral Notices

i. Invitations for Public Comment on Referrals

(The Minister has invited comments from members of the public on whether the proposals outlined below are "controlled actions". That is, whether the proposed actions are likely to have a significant impact on a matter protected under Part 3 of the Act.)

SA:Ref no. 2003/1131 Australian Maritime Safety Authority/Tourism, recreation and conservation management/Margaret Brock Reef/SA/Removal of AMSA Structure Comments due by 12 Aug 2003.

DESCRIPTION: Removal of a derelict structure owned by the Commonwealth and managed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). The structure is a jetty and platform circa 1872 and was part of a now disused aid to navigation.

The structure is condemned due to extensive deterioration of the cast iron framework. Margaret Brock Reef structure is located approximately 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 km) in State waters off the coastline west from the jetty at Cape Jaffa, located south of the town of Kingston in South Australia.

The structure is founded on a limestone reef that is exposed at low tide. Nearby the structure is located a maritime beacon supported on a driven pile. Coordinates are as follows: 36˘X 57.1ˇ¦ South, 139˘X 35.7ˇ¦ East (WGS 84). The structure is located within a rock lobster sanctuary extending a radius of 1km from the structure. The Department of Primary Industries SA manages this reserve.

The significance of the structure centres on the nesting habitat for birds listed as protected marine species. Black Faced Cormorants observed to be nesting on the structure were located on the remnants of the working platform (collapsed) beneath the main platform (approximately jetty level).

Reports from local fisherman indicate that the Australasian Gannet has been observed to breed on this structure for the last 6 years, however may have commenced prior to this.

Since this time, the colony has increased to approximately 170 breeding pairs. The population of Australasian Gannet likely to be disturbed by the referred action is approximately 1.7 % of the Australian Population and 0.5% of the World Population according to the proponentˇ¦s statistics.

Potential Controlling Provisions

(a) ss 18 & 18A
(threatened species or threatened ecological communities) Soft-plumaged Petrel, Buller's Albatross, Shy Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross, Campbell Albatross, Salvin's Albatross, Great White Shark, Brydeˇ¦s Whale, Blue Whale, Southern Right Whale, Humpback Whale, Amsterdam Albatross, Tristan Albatross, Southern Royal Albatross, Wandering Albatross, Gibson's Albatross, Northern Royal Albatross, Blue Petrel, Southern Giant-Petrel, Northern Giant-Petrel.

(b) ss 20 & 20A
(migratory species) Australasian Gannet, Black Faced Cormorant, Silver Gull, Amsterdam Albatross, Tristan Albatross, Southern Royal Albatross, Wandering Albatross, Gibson's Albatross, Northern Royal Albatross, Southern Giant-Petrel, Northern Giant-Petrel, Buller's Albatross, Shy Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross, Campbell Albatross, Black-browed Albatross, Salvin's Albatross, Great White Shark, Brydeˇ¦s Whale, Blue Whale, Pygmy Right Whale, Southern Right Whale, Humpback Whale, Killer Whale. © s28 (action by Commonwealth) being undertaken by The Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Previous media on issue

Wed, 05 Feb 2003
Shadow to fall on maritime history
By Gretel Sneath
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,5936596%255E2682,00.html

A 131-YEAR-old platform that once supported the Cape Jaffa lighthouse is set to be dismantled despite being an important navigational mark for fishermen and a breeding colony for hundreds of birds.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has called for tenders for removal of the South-East icon, saying it is a safety hazard and a significant insurance liability for the Federal Government. It is a decision that has angered many residents of Cape Jaffa.

"Why pull it down?" asked Cape Jaffa caravan park owner Pat Barton. "It's part of local history, and hasn't been a danger to anyone for more than 130 years," added amateur fisherman Terry Small. "You'd think commonsense would prevail, and the cost of removal would be a lot higher than restoration, so why not leave it there?"

For 104 years, the cast-iron screw pile platform located 4.5 nautical miles off the coastline was home to the Cape Jaffa lighthouse. When the lighthouse was replaced by a solar beacon on the mainland, the platform remained, serving as a navigational aid for fishermen looking to avoid the treacherous Margaret Brock reef. It also became a breeding ground for an Australasian gannet colony.

The AMSA argues the structure has been condemned by engineers and would be inaccessible for maintenance crews. Public relations manager David Gray said every effort would be made to preserve the significance of the site. "Any salvageable historic material, including decorative wrought iron brackets and an access ladder, will be donated to a museum in Kingston," he said. "In addition, any unfledged birds will be taken into care by the Adelaide Zoo."

The view of the distant platform is an intrinsic part of the local coastline and is a popular attraction for charter boat tours. Retired rock lobster fishermen Graham Gribble said it was a sentimental location. He recalls spending nights at the lighthouse as a young boy, when he visited the son of one of the head keepers.

There is confidence that a compromise could be reached. However, despite numerous letters sent to government departments and hundreds more public votes of support, residents say no consultation has taken place.

Tue, 28 Jan 2003 13:40 ACDT
Claims demolition plan threatens birds
http://www.abc.net.au/news/australia/sa/gambier/regmtg-28jan2003-2.htm

It is claimed seabird chicks will have to be killed during demolition of a lighthouse base off Cape Jaffa on the south-east South Australian coast.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority recently called tenders for removal of the iron and timber structure on Margaret Brock Reef. It is concerned that timbers could come loose and pose a shipping hazard. Kingston Council chairman Evan Flint says it is a shame to see the loss of a structure that is about 130 years old.

He also says the platform is used by nesting gannets. "You'd nearly suggest they're there all year round, so I don't know who'd be in charge of wringing the necks so they can pull it down," he said. "I mean there's nowhere for them to sit - it's either that or the sea. It'll make interesting film footage wouldn't it? "You can't relocate them because their mothers wouldn't find them so, yes, I mean there's an interesting decision been made."

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority says as a matter of course such work is timed to coincide with the non-breeding season. It says birds will not be killed, and the Adelaide Zoo will take any gannets that are too young to fly come demolition time.

Wed, 29 Jan 2003 11:13 ACDT

http://www.abc.net.au/news/australia/sa/gambier/regmtg-29jan2003-2.htm

Bird experts consulted over lighthouse colony The Australian Maritime Safety Authority says it has consulted two ornithologists about the gannet colony that nests on a former south-east South Australian lighthouse platform earmarked for demolition in the coming months.

There has been concern young birds on Margaret Brock Reef off Cape Jaffa might be killed. But David Gray from the authority says young birds still in nests will be relocated. Mr Gray says the demolition will need to be completed by the end of May because of weather and sea conditions during winter. He says a crane and other salvageable material will be offered to the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse Museum.