By Bernie Brian
WOLLONGONG — It seems inner city tenants will not be the only thing facing relocation if Sydney gets the Olympics in the year 2000. The Defence Department is still keen to relocate the Newington armaments depot from Sydney to Jervis Bay, south of here. The plan has been public knowledge for some years, and only the outrage of community and environmental groups has delayed the move so far.
However, it was reported in the April edition of the newsletter of the Jervis Bay Protection Committee, the Jervis Bay Beacon, that the Olympic bid has increased the likelihood of a "fast track" removal of Newington to the bay.
Jervis Bay, apart from its natural beauty, is also recognised internationally for its ecological significance. Given this, the Beacon found it difficult to understand Greenpeace's support for the Olympic bid.
Residents of the area and the local Aboriginal community are becoming more suspicious of Defence Department activities. Recently it was revealed that the department may soon acquire the land and buildings associated with the Point Perpendicular Lighthouse. The National Parks and Wildlife Service had been interested in using the area as part of the plan to extend the Jervis Bay National Park.
It has also become public knowledge that the Defence Department has plans to allow nuclear-powered warships to moor within the waters of the Jervis Bay National Park. This was revealed in a letter, leaked to the Sydney Morning Herald recently. The letter, from defence minister Robert Ray, asked the NSW government to draw up plans for emergency procedures in the event of a nuclear accident.
The Shoalhaven branch of the Australian Conservation Foundation has written to the federal government asking it to reveal its plans for the bay. The ACF was particularly concerned that local health authorities would not be able to cope with a nuclear accident.
The Beacon scoffs at Defence Department assurances that the public will be in no danger, considering the fact that there have been 212 major accidents involving nuclear-powered ships since 1945.
Other local environment and peace groups are beginning to discuss ways of coordinating a campaign to stop this latest threat to the bay and its people. The University of Wollongong Environment Club has initiated a petition campaign, and the issue is likely to figure prominently at the World Environment Day march and rally in Wollongong on June 5.
For more information on these campaigns, ring the Jervis Bay Protection Committee on (044) 416 751 or the Environmental Youth Alliance on (042) 288 920 or (042) 297 932.