The Friends of Gippsland Lakes (FoGL) have made a detailed submission to the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act regarding the proposed Shearwater–Paynesville residential development (EPBC 2023/09592).
FoGL’s submission argues that the project poses an unacceptable risk to the ecological character of the Point Fullarton Ramsar Reserve and the local population of Latham’s Snipe, a migratory shorebird protected under international treaties. The group contends that the developer’s documentation significantly underestimates habitat extent, fails to account for disturbance and predation pressures, and relies on incomplete or uncertain stormwater management plans that could degrade adjoining wetlands.
The analysis highlights major deficiencies in hydrological design, climate resilience, and offset governance, noting that the proposed offsets do not meet the EPBC Act’s principles of equivalence, additionality, or enforceability. FoGL warns that the precautionary principle—a cornerstone of national environmental law—has not been applied, and that proceeding with the project as proposed would set a damaging precedent for developments adjacent to Ramsar-listed wetlands.
The submission recommends that the Minister refuse approval or, at minimum, require a comprehensive redesign and reassessment to ensure long-term environmental integrity. It calls for independent hydrological review, stronger stormwater standards, and enforceable conservation measures to protect wetland habitats into the future.
By challenging the adequacy of this assessment, Friends of Gippsland Lakes continue their work to ensure that federal environmental decisions uphold the integrity of the Ramsar Convention and Victoria’s coastal wetland ecosystems.