Sep
2009
How to get what you want but make it look like you didn’t.
September 9th, 2009 at 10:23 pm by admin in General NewsOn the third of April 2008 we posted the article "CRA Apology" in that article we stated that it seems we can do just about anything we like in a marine park, without even the need for a permit or development application. For more detail and to view the photo's that prompted the article be sure to click the link above.
The very next day we were contacted by Dr Trevor Daly from NSW Department of Primary Industries informing us of what action was to be taken and asking us to inform the public that legal action would be taken and in his words, So, no you can't just do what you want in a waterway or marine park without consequences! We promptly obliged and wrote this and included Dr Daly's email.
Now fast forward to August 2009. After not hearing any more about the matter for almost a year and a half CRA members decided to visit the site again and were surprised to see work continuing and that the construction of a landing is now well under way.
Here are some of the recent photos.
Dr Daly (DPI) has been contacted for an update. Below is the email corespondence:
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Jack Tait wrote: Regards, —————————————————————————————————— — On Fri, 4/9/09, Trevor Daly wrote: DECC and MPA ended up doing the running on this so I'll check with them and get back to you soon. Thanks Trevor Dr Trevor Daly ————————————————————————————————— — On Tue, 8/9/09, Trevor Daly wrote: Hi again Jack I've spoken to our Fisheries officers and confirmed that we have also completed legal action on this matter. In addition to the action by Marine Parks Authority, DPI Fisheries also issued the property owner with a total of $2,000 in fines and several cautions for offences under the Fisheries Management Act related to dredging and reclamation, blocking fish passage and harm to marine vegetation (seagrass) without approval. If you need more info pls contact me. Thanks Trevor ————————————————————————————————– —– Forwarded by Trevor Daly/DII/NSW on 08/09/2009 01:02 PM —– Trevor Daly/DII/NSW 08/09/2009 12:08 PM Hi Jack I've now spoken to DECC staff dealing with this matter. The Marine Parks Authority (DECC) issued the property owner with a Clean Up Notice (under the POEO Act) in 2008 to undertake extensive creek rehabiliation works (put in sediment controls to stop pollution of the creek from bare soil, planting of grass cover, put snags back in creek which were removed and replace a couple of illegal road crossings with a fish friendly crossing). We were involved in drafting this notice and the design of new crossing to make sure it addressed all the fisheries issues. The cost of doing this work would have been thousands of $$$. Apparently all the works have now been done and agency staff (including me) will be doing a follow up inspection soon to make sure the site has been fully rehabilitated. Hopefully this will be a lesson to any other local property owners who might be thinking about clearing along creeks or rivers adjacent to their land. If you or any of the Coastal Rights Association members hear about construction works in or next to waterways on the south coast pls contact me or your local Fisheries office and we will check it out. Give me a call if you need any further information. Thanks Trevor |
Here at CRA we call it as we see it and in this case it appears that if you pay a $2000 fine, you can clear 20 to 30 Hectares if not more and ALSO build yourself a brand NEW LANDING in the process. Note the NEW DECKING TIMBER and the newly placed pylons in the RIVER.
Seems a small price to pay for getting through a project that would most likely never be approved through the proper channels.
But whatever you do DON'T go into a Sanctuary zone to catch a feed of fish that will cost you a HELL of a lot more.
With developments like this going ahead, how do Marine Parks protect the environment??
I will leave the decision up to you.
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