Auskelp has released its Submissions Response Report for the proposed Eden-1 kelp farm. It contains substantial new material, but the project itself remains essentially unchanged and important uncertainties remain.
Auskelp records 212 objections, 23 submissions in support and 6 comments. The concerns included whales, biodiversity, marine debris, fishing, coastal character, water quality and the adequacy of the environmental assessment.
The company has added technical material, management plans and monitoring commitments. However, it also states that the project remains “without material changes”.
Uncertainty: Auskelp acknowledges that offshore cultivation of this kelp species is an emerging industry in Australia and that some environmental and operational uncertainty remains.
Adaptive management: expansion is proposed to depend on monitoring after development begins. Some environmental thresholds are to be refined as the evidence base develops.
Whales: the report continues to classify entanglement as “Possible”, while rating the overall risk as low.
Layout: the final arrangement of cultivation infrastructure has not been fixed and would be determined progressively through operational experience and monitoring.
There may be good reasons to develop a kelp industry. But that does not mean every location is suitable.
Should a largely pristine marine environment be the place where the remaining uncertainties are tested through commercial development?
Because the project received more than 50 unique objections, the final decision will be made by the Independent Planning Commission after the NSW Department of Planning completes its assessment.
View NSW Planning Portal