The unexpected closure of the Marine Drive slipway in Tea Gardens last week could spell disaster for the community's waterways.
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"The reason given for the order is to prevent the potential of contaminate entering our waterway," Myall River Action Group president, Gordon Grainger said.
The order, which carried fines of up to $220,000, was issued by MidCoast Council under instruction from NSW Crown Lands, Taree.
"One could say this is a good thing.
"However, we must look at the facts."
The closest slipway to the Tea Gardens site was in Port Stephens or Forster. During the past two year the platform had undertaken seven emergency operations.
"The Slipway Association took measures more than two years ago to arrest any contaminates entering the waterway.
"Those measures have been successful and the association has confirmation from consultants that soil contaminates are at minimal levels."
