Jemena Ltd is required to remediate contaminated sediments in Kendall Bay caused by the former AGL gasworks because of potential health and environmental risks. To do this Jemena propose felling a number of established trees (including Morton Bay figs) to establish a large 'works compound' in historic Cabarita Park. Local Community Groups totally oppose the destruction and use of Cabarita Park for this purpose and have formed an alliance, 'bapca' (Bay and Park Communities Alliance) to fight the proposal. The City of Canada Bay Council also unanimously oppose the proposal. Jemena is now trying to sidestep the local community and has gone directly to the Dept. of Planning and Infrastructure to seek an overruling of the community and Council stance.

We urge you to sign our petition to preserve Cabarita Park.

HERE ARE SOME FACTS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER:

Jemena proposes remediating, with the support of the former EPA, about 2% of the area within 200m of the shores of Breakfast Point in Kendall Bay and along The Parramatta River. The whole area is subject to a Remediation Order prohibiting any disturbance of the contaminated sediments. Unfortunately, both bodies propose leaving the remaining 98% of the former AGL Gaswork’s pollution in the Bay and along The Parramatta River.

Jemena applied for Council approval for the alienation and use of a fenced and restricted area of some 44,000m2 of Cabarita Park for between 12 and 14 months for remediation land based activities. On Tuesday, Dec 11 2012 Council unanimously refused the application.

bapca's preferred option is for the use of barges for both remediation operations and for the removal of contaminated materials. Further we believe that all necessary equipment and facilities should be contained on the proposed coffer dam or upon additional barges so that there are no land based activities nearby.

Because only 2% of Kendall Bay will be remediated ‘bapca’ will insist that a ‘do not disturb’ Remediation Order remains in place so that the taxpayers of NSW are not exposed to the risk of remediating the remaining 98% of the area at some future date. 

John Sidoti MP for Drummoyne has met with bapca representatives and has confirmed his total oppoisition to the proposal in writing.

Jemena have planned community meetings with individual community groups over two evenings in March limiting each community group to two representatives, in a divide and conquer approach.

Jemena's efforts at the consultation process have conveniently overlooked whole areas of Cabarita Point, Breakfast Point and private residences near the Park and along Cabarita Road on the way to the M4 and City of Canada Bay residents in general, did not receive the "Fact" Sheet.

bapca has researched alternatives and believes that viable water based alternatives exist to the use of Cabarita Park. 

If you are a Rivercat Commuter, a walker or a visitor to the Park your passage to the Park Entrance & Wharf by foot, bicycle car or bus will be impeded by the works and heavy haulage trucks and add extra travelling time to your day. 

Jemena have advised in previous community talks that there will be 14 movements of heavy haulage trucks per day i.e. 28 total movements through the Park, down Cabarita Road and through the local streets on their way to the M4 for a period of 12 - 14 months. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has advised that the mangroves will "go 

Noise, odours, effects on flora and fauna and residents have not been addressed by Jemena.