Jervis Bay: A very special place.

Abstract

Perhaps the wonder of it all is that, 13 years after the 1973 special issue of Operculum, which was devoted entirely to Jervis Bay (virtually the Jervis Bay “bible” for most of that period), the Bay’s renowned attractions largely remain. Certainly the principal growth centres have expanded, and plans for naval developments are in the offing, but those beautifully clear waters and whiter than white sands so far retain those qualities. However, to what degree can development be permitted to continue before its impact becomes intolerable? Must we bow to the inevitability of human excesses and condone another Botany Bay in the south? So what has happened since 1973? The Operculus special issue “Jervis Bay - the Future?” was a response to a very major plan for heavy industrial development which threatened to virtually obliterate the Bay’s northern shores and north-western hinterland. This plan was approved by the NSW (Askin) Government, and would have gone ahead had not work market forces been against the commencement of the Armco steelworks, the core of the development.