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:

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.

You can listen to the recording below.

If you missed them you can listen below.

The first includes the views of NSW Deputy Premier & Minister for the Environment, Carmel Tebbut; Chairman of Twofold Bay Fishing Co-op, Fritz Drenkhan; University of Canberra, Professor Robert Kearney; and Marine Programs Officer of the National Parks Association, Nicky Hammond.

 and the second a few days later is with Batemans Marine Park manager Dr Brendan Kellaher

Join in the comments in the forum 

Jack Tait Upon receiving wind of this historic waste of time with the National Parks Association lobbying to lock up the NSW Coast Ocean poses some huge questions.

The credibility of the NSW Rees Government is one that jumps right out in front of you. A certain guarantee is the corridors leading to the states power brokers have been constantly used preparing this, as the Government has not got the guts to do it themselves. And don’t be fooled their allies, the National Parks & Wild Service or the Marine Park Authority would have been in there urging them on, as they don’t care who does their dirty work as long as the finger does not get pointed back towards them.

If it turns out to be the continuation of their other waste of time ( Paul Winns the torn blue fringe) then it will be dismissed for the rubbish it was. Remember that Paul Winn has defected to another TITANIC with absolutely no credibility whatsoever when it comes to Marine parks or SCIENCE.

Now lets have a look at the NPA ( National Parks Association) WHO ARE THEY? - really nobody. They advertise themselves as new born little lambs with halos around their heads when in fact they are the grim reapers of the people & our society.

Their main aim is to stop the people from enjoying the things we do on our public owned land. They have openly stated that one of their goals is to STOP ALL FORMS OF FISHING.

They receive grants from OUR GOVERNMENTS (Yes yours and My TAX DOLLARS) - appeal to the public for donations, so they can continue their behind closed door deals, and NEVER, NEVER, make their books available for we the public to scrutinise… WHY?

They hold their tiny pathetic clandestine “Klu Klux Klan” style meetings hidden from ALL not part of their circle of trust, and well away from those suckers they fleece in the way of donations to this money train providing cushy jobs with whacking big pay-packets and perks as they pretend to be saviours in green.

As expected there will be all the media hype we have come to expect from the usual suspects under government control - but will they stand up to public scrutiny NO WAY - will they answer questions from the public, without first being vetted, NO WAY

That is the way this NPA work, get the suckers dollars, then never put themselves in a position of public scrutiny.

Now the SCIENCE, as always they will have selected quotes from scientists and most likely they will MISQUOTE some of the best, and then their will be quotes from papers that have been outdated YEARS ago but that does not matter to the NPA.

Then, like clockwork, will be a story on Climate Change no doubt quoting “the consensus of world scientists”, which when you look at the list and names are made up of Greenkeepers and so on.

Next no doubt there will be the usual hype of “THE SANCTUARY ZONES”, where they believe that by making an area of water a NO FISHING AREA it gives it magical powers, when in fact all it does is STOP PEOPLE FROM FISHING.

Let us not forget the old faithful of the NPA, they protect the GNS (Grey Nurse Shark, Blue Devil Fish, Weedy Sea Dragon) - they may even run the story about the increase of Red Morwong and others.

What they will not tell you is that UNLESS THE PROBLEM IS TREATED AT THE SOURSE it will have NO EFFECT WHAT SO EVER. Even the Batemans Bay Marine Park Manager, Dr Brendan Kelaher stated ” I want to give people a SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE on CONSERVATION of the MARINE ENVIRONMENT. What we know is that BIODIVERSITY WILL NOT INCREASE in SANCTUATY ZONES“.

The façade that the NPA are saviours of our oceans, should and must be put in the eyes of the public so that the people can judge the NPA for exactly what they are simply mouth pieces for the Government and the GREENS riding a cashed up gravy train on your dollars.

Jack Tait (President)
NSW Coastal Rights Association

Government plans to close Gaden trout hatchery (near Jindabyne) announced in the recent mini budget, have angered many. Yesterday (Sunday the 16th) hundreds gathered at short notice to protest this mad desision.

Jack Tait from Coastal Rights Association was there here is a short message form him and some photos and audio form the meeting.

Firstly I would like to congratulate Steve Samuels on what was a great summary of Gaden. Not only Gaden but ALL hatchertys that rely on it must be allowed to continue their vital work. To the people who turned up to send a real message to the State Labor Government well done.

It's amazing how quickly a Government will jump to protect one of their own, when in coalition held seats we just get trampled. The result of this issue will be one watched with great interest. It should be a wake up call for ALL fisherpersons in NSW to get united and have one voice in the state of NSW to become one voice to tackle future issues.  
Gaden goes WHAN goes

Jack Tait…

Read more and have your say at the forum

The voices you will hear in the following conversation are heard more than once. If you need to go over the tape you will pick them out when they reappear.  

•   P Creagh, Narooma Ports Committee
•   V Firth, Minister
•   A Person, adviser to Minister Firth
•   J Moore, Narooma Ports Committee
•   J Tait, Coastal Rights Association
•   T Shepard, Parks NSW
•   D Pratt, Coastal Rights Association

Following up on the issue of the condition of rock walls in the area. The letter below was received yesterday. We thank the department for it's response and look forward to these much needed works commencing soon. Will keep you posted.

Dave… 

Mr Jack Tait President Coastal Rights Association Pamandjack1@yahoo.com.au

Level 4, 437 Hunter Street, NEWCASTLE NSW 2300 PO BOX 2185 DANGAR 2309 tel (02) 4920 5059; fax (02) 4925 3489; mob 0407 066 416; email Stephen.driscoll@lands.nsw.gov.au www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Date 22nd April 2008

N08/204

Dear Mr Tait I refer to your email to Hon Verity Firth MP concerning rock walls at Moruya and Batemans Bay. This matter has been forwarded to Minister Tony Kelly MLC for consideration as the Department of Lands has responsibility for management of most trained river entrances in this State. Minister Kelly has asked me to respond to you on his behalf regarding this matter as I oversee the maintenance program for breakwaters in NSW. The department’s River Entrance and Minor Ports Program maintain ocean breakwaters at 25 locations along the NSW coast. Exposure to ocean storms varies significantly from site to site however it can be expected that there will be periodic over topping of these walls, together with damage to the armour and crest. Warning signs have been erected along these walls advising the public of the risk from large waves and the variation in crest surface. A Total Asset Management System has been developed for the department’s maritime infrastructure. As part of this system, inspections are carried out annually. Condition surveys of breakwaters at Moruya, Batemans Bay and Narooma have been carried out by coastal engineers in February 2008. These surveys have been used to assist in determining a repair strategy. As a result of severe storms in late 2007 repairs to the crest of the Moruya North Breakwater have been identified. A contract has been let for this work, with the contractor to take charge of the site after the April 2008 school holidays. Minor repairs will also be undertaken at Batemans Bay and Narooma before the end of this financial year. Should you require further information, please call Mr Stephen Driscoll, State Manager Minor Ports, on (02) 4920 5059. Yours faithfully

Stephen Driscoll State Manager Minor Ports Unit Crown Lands Division

]]> http://www.coastalrights.org/2008/04/23/breakwall-update/feed/ http://www.coastalrights.org/2008/04/20/good-morning-ministers/ http://www.coastalrights.org/2008/04/20/good-morning-ministers/#comments Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:31:27 +0000 admin http://www.coastalrights.org/2008/04/20/good-morning-ministers/ Just in case you haven't checked your email.

In November 2007 Coastal Rights Association proved beyond reasonable doubt that the NSW State Government had not acted in accordance with the Marine Parks Act 1997 when creating regulations for Batemans Marine Park and had mislead the people of New South Wales and also the Governor.

Rather than admit this fact, Minister for the Environment Verity Firth and Minister for Primary Industries Ian MacDonald are currently seeking to amend the Marine Parks Act and cover up their lie.

Coastal Rights Association, will throw down a challenge to the Ministers and the Marine Parks Authority. Members of Coastal Rights Association will return to fishing the South Coast as it was before the Marine Park and will fish in what the Ministers say is a sanctuary zone.

Ministers if we are breaking the law, send a Marine Parks officer to fine us for fishing in a sanctuary zone. If not admit no zones exist in Batemans Marine Park and return to the table to restart the consultation process.

For further information contact.

Jack Tait 0437 128003
Dave Pratt 02 4472 8021
Rodney Stokman 02 4472 4393.

Dave and Jack

Regarding the comment and photos on the Coastal Rights Association website 'CRA Apology' dated 3 April 2008 (see attached link).

Pls note that DPI Fisheries and MPA already know about these illegal works located on an unnamed  tributary of the Clyde River (downstream of Currowan Creek junction) which took place in February 2008. Several DPI Fisheries staff including myself have inspected the site and DPI is currently preparing a prosecution of the owner for breaches of the Fisheries Management Act (and possibly Marine Parks Act as well). Eurobodalla Shire Council and DECC/EPA are also taking legal action and will be issuing a Clean Up Notice to the owner under the Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO) Act requiring remediation works to be done.

Can you pls amend your webpage to note the above for the information of your members and local recreational fishers.

So, no you can't just do what you want in a waterway or marine park without consequences!

Thanks

Trevor

Dr. Trevor Daly
Fisheries Conservation Manager (South Coast)
NSW Department of Primary Industries

Thanks Trevor for your quick response to that story we are pleased that you view this matter as seriously as we and indeed the general public do.

I decided to run it and publish the photos as the talk we were hearing suggested that nothing was going to be done about the matter.

We are pleased that you were able clear it up for us.  

Dave…