RESIDENTS of Avoca will have their day in court tomorrow as they attempt to stop the state government sinking an old war ship 1400 metres off the central coast beach.

“We have been working around the clock, there’s been a huge crescendo of activity,” said Ben Smith from the No Ship Action Group.

The HMAS Adelaide was due to be sunk on March 23 to create an artificial reef but was postponed at the 11th hour by the Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal because of fears about the effects on tides and water pollution.

Tribunal president Justice Garry Downes criticised the Keneally government for its haste in settling a date for the sinking and organising festivities - including a beach party - without waiting for proper permits or allowing enough time for appeals.


RACHEL OLDING
July 4, 2010

Read full article in the Sun Herald