What a disgrace

[Jack Tait]

My wife and myself went to Moruya wall for a fish.
It turned out nearly as an outback adventure, the degraded state of this most popular fishing site is an absolute disgrace.
Especially with the MPA and The Eurobodalla Shire Council trying so hard to sell the Nature Coast.
But now the question who's responsible the MPA or the ESC.
I am amazed that it has not been closed to the public.
And also would not be surprised if It were closed during the main tourist season.
Will take some shots so everyone can see what I mean.

[Dave Pratt]

This afternoon I went with Jack to take some photo's of the Moruya Breakwall. I couldn't beleive what I saw.
To say it is in need of urgent attention would be an under-statement.

[Jack Tait]

After being on Community Radio 107-5 this morning, I called in on Council.
Where I found Cr Brown and Cr Carney having a chat out front of Council Chambers.
I informed them of the state of Moruya Wall, neither were aware of what I was talking about.
Cr Carney informed me that council would be traveling to Broulee by bus looking at Council issues, and that both he and Cr Brown would make sure that all Councillors would Inspect the Break wall TODAY.
We will now wait for Councils reaction and announce what measures they intend to take.

[Jack Tait]

I have just returned from ESC Council meeting, where it has been made quiet clear that the Rock Wall at Moruya is in fact a State Government project.
The ESC has referred the matter to it's work committee, which then will report it to the State Government.
So now we will ask the Iemma Government what it intends to do on this serious matter, are they going to fix it, or let it run into total disrepair and close it down.
Denying the people of access to MORE FISHING AREA??

[Jack Tait]

We have had another WIN.
Last night we composed a letter to ESC and sent it to Cr Peter Cairney in regards to the Rock Wall's at Moruya and Hanging Rock.
This afternoon Cr Cairney rang me to tell me what happened.
He told me that Council visited the Moruya Wall and like us were disgusted at in the condition it is in.
He then told me that Council had passed a motion to back CRA in it's fight with the NSW state Government on this issue.
He also told me that the ESC had contacted Macquarie st and alerted them of the problem that lies ahead for them on this issue.
We also sent e-mails to several Government Ministers and the Premier.
They obviously opened their e-mails today as our web site has been very busy today.
For the ESC to back us is a big WIN.

[Rodney Stokman]

 I was wondering what was going to happen with both Moruya and Batemans Bay rock walls. As with the introduction of the marine park and the taking of fishing spots through sanctuary zones. I was wondering if the government was going to let these structures diminish, after the marine park authorities had gracefully left us these spots to fish. Or was this a CON! to get more than their 20% sanctuary zones. What sounds better [1] 20% sanctuary zones minus a couple of break walls where at least 50% of the tourist fish or [2]less then 20% has been taken. It was the later the authorities were selling.

[Jack Tait]

Totally agree Big Fella, do you think they will say we can have 2% back at the Toll Gates or Montague Is.
I greatly doubt it, they were more than likely having a bit of a chuckle to themselves saying we have got them again.
HOW WRONG THEY ARE AGAIN.
CRA also would like to thank Cr Peter Cairney for his approach on this issue.

[Rodney Stokman]

      While we are checking at all the breakwalls, has anyone looked up river from Moruya breakwall and checked out the QUARRY WHARF!. The Quarry Wharf is in a bit of a disgraceful state at the moment. 
      For something I would have seen as a bit of a historical land mark, as the Granite for the SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE had come from there, I would have thought we would of at least kept this in some sort of respectable state. 
      Not to mention the thousands of tourist that fish there every year. Or is this another secret lockout plan against the fisher man!.               

[Rodney Stokman]

                                    I have already mentioned the breakwalls and the quarry wharf.   
      1.  Now what about the condemned jetty on the Clyde River which was once a very popular fishing jetty. This public jetty was the most productive to fish from, out of all the jetties in town.
      2.  What about the walk way at Cullendulla. This was a purpose built structure with fisherman in mind, the walkway was built along the shoreline of the creek with fishing platforms hanging out over the water. What a waste of more of our hard earned dollars as they have sanctioned off Cullendulla creek. Know your not allowed to fish of these purpose built fishing platforms anymore
      3.  I would also like to know what is going on with the South Durras Boat Ramp. I have heard the funding has been handed out. Who to and what are they going to do about it?. I would hate to loose this ramp as it is a safety factor for people fishing around Durras. Because most of the fishing locations in Batemans Bay have been closed to fisherman, this is forcing more boats to fish around Durras, if your in a small boat it is to far to travel from town for safety reasons.
           I would like to know if the Marine Park is going to take on any of the responsibilities, as they have come into town and taken control of area. They took 20% of the Marine Park [which in fact is 80% of the fishing spots], and seem to have a lot more ways to stop you fishing areas they have not locked up, something needs to be done.    

[Jack Tait]

When dealing with Government departments you usually get what is known as (The standard reply) but this time it has been different, and you will see why.
CRA sent correspondence to the Premier on the rock wall.
We received a response from the acting Premier John Watkins MP saying he had referred it to the appropriate Ministers, good you might say NO, and the reason is that he sent it to the WRONG ONE'S.
Mr Watkins sent it to Minister Ian Macdonald and Minister Verity Firth.
Minister Macdonald sent us an e-mail saying it was not his portfolio and he had passed it to Paul Lynch MP.
Minister Firth responded telling us that it was not her job and she had passed it to Tony Kelly MLC.
At this stage we have received nothing from either Paul Lynch or Tony Kelly.
We could end up with a sitting of Parlament down here to work out just who is responsible for the rock wall.
Or we could have it fixed in no time if all of these Ministers don't catch up with each other (Don't hold your breath).
It really makes one wonder how anything in the state gets done.

[Loafin]

Hi all,
I was also at Moruya recently and informed by one of the tackle store owners that an article about the break wall had appeared in the local paper just prior to Christmas. Patently there was some suggestion that a gate would be installed but I have been able to confirm that information. I visited the break wall to see the damage for myself and also took a number of photos.

That day I made contact with the appropriate Officer from Council who informed me that the maintenance responsibilities fell under the Dept of Lands and that a reply was expected with a week or two - I intend to follow up on this advice next week.

I have also been advised that there have been a number of incidents on the wall with fishers being washer off the rocks. Unfortunately as a result of the popular estuary rock wall formed by the road on the northern side of the River has been classified as a Sanctuary Zone - this potentially could mean inexperienced fishers including children will fish the main break wall when really they should not be there due to inexperience.

As a result of this closure I have made an approach to the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and ANSA for the installation of an "Angle Ring" and hopefully a camera similar to that installed at Narooma which allows monitoring of the bar from your home prior to departure - a great initiative for boaters!

Earlydays for these requests but both would seem to be urgently needed - let’s hopethere will be sufficient funding for both initiatives as other locations are also being considered along the NSW Coast.

Cheers
Loafin 

[Rodney Stokman]

    Loafin don't know why the councilor told you that they were waiting for a reply as we got the reply weeks ago on Moruya Break Wall and have been corresponding with government ever since, or should I say trying. Letters have been sent to us and we have replied but nothing seems to be happening,  Typical bureaucracy they keep passing the buck, [not my responsibility I'll give it to the Hon.? _ _ _ _ ?,  who then hands it to  Hon?_ _ _ _ ?  and so on]     The council member you spoke to you should have been honest and told you they had handed it over to Coastal Rights to fix.   [as it not in their durestriction and the states responsibility]
  Mind you there are a couple of decent councilors still trying to help    

[Rodney Stokman]

RE- BAY POST ARTICLE

                               It is nice for a change to have the newspaper actually turn up and print a story, as we have been struggling with the paper for a couple of years now. Finally one of or complaints have made there paper.
                               Thanks goes out to our member for Bega Andrew Constance and council member Peter Cairny for taking there time out to help with the issue, which Clr. Cairny has been pushing all along with us.
                               There is only one small problem that needs to be mentioned. Yes our major concern is the loss of life, and council are worried if they are forced to close down the wall due to safety, the backlash towards them will be great [well it won't be there fault but the State Government] but who will we blame.
                               The other concern I have, part from loosing a great fishing destination, is that No Breakwall means No River. When the breakwall collapses the entrance of the river will silt over [just like Tuross] the breakwall is what keeps the entrance open and allows access to the sea. Is anyone actually going to think about the river and not them selves.

  So just remember that there is more a stake then PERSONAL INJUREY, LOSS OF A FISHING SPOT & a GREAT SURF LOCATION
                                       We could also LOOSE A PRESTINE RIVER SYSTEM   

[Jack Tait]

Rodney, what you have said here is the TRUTH NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
We know Andrew will be chasing the Government, asking WHY it has been allowed to get like this.
And also chasing them to announce funding for the repairs.
Councilor Cairney we also know will not let the matter drift away, and hopefully Council WILL get in and HELP HIM.
POSSIBLY THE MAIN ISSUE here is the ongoing HEALTH of the Moruya River??
Would the State Government like to see it DIE ?? POSSIBLY.
Where ARE ALL the CONSERVATIONIST???
CRA are the ONLY ONES DOING ANYTHING.
But then we realise that this is part of THEIR AGENDA.
Lock EVERYONE OUT and you can't see the DAMAGE.
Another interesting point WHERE ARE THE MPA, and what are they doing NOTHING.
While some want to play pass the buck, we say the buck STOPS WITH THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
And we will make sure the PUBLIC KNOWS THAT.

[Jack Tait]

Congratulations CRA.
We were really pleased to receive an e-mail  on behalf of Minister Tony Kelly saying that the work required on The Rock Walls at Moruya, Batemans Bay and Narooma are going to be adressed.
The Moruya work will start at the end of the April school holidays and The Bay and Narooma before the end of this financial year.
We would like to thank those who worked with CRA on this matter.