Hon. Nathan Rees,
Premier of NSW
Governor Macquarie Tower,
1 Farrer Place,
SYDNEY. NSW. 2000.
Dear Sir
REF: Reply EA 1352068-CMU. 24.10.08
I thank you for your reply to my letter dated 16th October 2008, concerning access to intertidal areas on Beaches around the Wooyung Nature Reserve. However, I seriously doubt if the Dept. for Climate Change and the Environment (not withstanding the fact that the Hon. C. Tebbutt is the Minister) will have the courtesy of offering a reply.
In a paper presented by the Emeritus Professor of Fisheries, Bob Kearney, dated 30/10/08 he stated ?Letters to the NSW Govt., including 3 to the Premier of the time, seeking action or at least consultation, provoked nothing more than acknowledgement of receipt of most of those letters, and assurances that my concerns would be brought to the attention of the relevant Ministers.?
This appears to be the normal approach from the Premier?s Dept, but pray tell me what a concerned person or organization should do when a Govt. Dept will not talk to you?
I represent ECOfishers in the Tweed area, and the unanimous opinion of fishermen and women from the North Coast is that this Govt is not interested in listening to their concerns. ECOfishers motto is ?Conservation through sustainable use - Making people part of the Solution.? So why won?t your Govt work with the people who at least have some idea of what they are talking about, instead of taking on board the view of the misinformed and make bad regulations which only upset the broader community.
The gazettal of the Wooyung Nature Reserve has denied Amateur Fishers holding a Council Vehicle Beach Permit, access to the Intertidal area in front of this reserve, and this has never been acceptable to Fishers of the area. Therefore we ask that the regulations be amended immediately. According to the Draft PoM, this can be done in accordance with 73(b) of the NPW Act.
Any claim that 4WD Vehicles have caused any damage to Tweed Beaches is absolutely false as any inspection of the area will show no damage whatsoever that is not caused by natural means. Waves, swells, current, tides, wind and other impacts of increased climate variability were much greater than is possible from these Fishing Vehicles. If the Dept of Climate and Environment is so concerned about damage by 4WD Vehicles, why then are Professional Fishermen allowed to use as many vehicles as often as they like, on the beaches that are banned for access to amateur fishermen?
The purpose of writing to you directly as Premier is an endeavour to have you instruct the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment to engage in dialogue with ECOfishers in an effort to bring greater understanding between her Dept. and Fishermen in NSW. Some matters do not come under the Minister for Fisheries control and this is one of those matters.
This may seem only a trivial matter as far as the Dept. of Premier and Cabinet is concerned, but when correspondence that is passed on is completely ignored then maybe it is a matter for the Govt. Ombudsman to investigate. What is one to do?
Our correspondence with the Govt. is circulated widely among ECOfishers Members all over NSW. The Premier should be aware that membership grows daily, and all of these people are voters. Have one of your staff check the ECOfishers Website and you will gain an idea of the numbers involved.
Attached is a map of the area of concern and the proposed amendment to the PoM that ECOfishers Tweed requests.
A further reply would be appreciated.
Yours Sincerely,
David Cranwell
Spokesperson
ECOfishers Tweed Branch
Tweed Coast Fishing Clubs Assn.
Pottsville Fishing Club.
