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Mr MALCOLM KERR (Cronulla) [11.46 a.m.]: I am pleased to follow the honourable member for Georges River, who referred to community spirit because community spirit has been very evident in relation to a proposal for sand extraction at Kurnell by Rocla Limited. Both the Federal parliamentary representative for Kurnell and I have collected a number of signatures for a petition. I lay those documents on the table of the House for the information of honourable members. I will canvass a number of issues that relate to the sand extraction proposal. I prepared a submission on the environmental impact statement [EIA] in which I addressed the historical and cultural values, community consultation, planning, the potential impact upon Towra Point Nature Reserve, transport and Captain Cook Drive, Aboriginal heritage, zoning, ground water, coastal stability and natural heritage.
I draw to the attention of the House that the additional heavy vehicle movement on Captain Cook Drive that will be created by the project is of major concern. The EIS has relied on a 2001 traffic study and maintains that a single one-day traffic count in August 2004 confirms that traffic volumes are either of the same order or slightly higher than the August 2004 traffic volumes. The study concluded that on an average weekday a total of 13,237 vehicles use Captain Cook Drive east of Elouera Road. However, the Roads and Traffic Authority published data shows that the annual average daily traffic along Captain Cook Drive west of Gannons Road was 36,052 vehicles per day, a massive difference of 22,815 vehicles. Even though these counts were undertaken in two different locations, it is inconceivable that 22,815 vehicles vanished in a two-kilometre stretch of road with no major intersections. That volume of traffic may be only slightly lower than the volume of traffic referred to in petitions that are currently being presented to the House.
In my submission I covered additional matters, including national and natural heritage. This is not only an issue for my electorate, the shire or the State, but a matter of national and international concern, as is the environmental issue of the condition of the Bate Bay beaches and the sand replenishment at those beaches. Sutherland Shire Council has convened a committee under the chairmanship of Councillor Spencer. I would like to know when the committee last met, when it is likely to meet again and how often it meets. The council has hired consultants to report on the state of the beaches. We are all waiting anxiously for the consultants' report to ensure the sand replenishment of those beaches. I know that all members who enjoy a day at the beach want the State Government to meet its responsibility and introduce initiatives for the replenishment of those beaches.