A Chronological order of "Letters to the Editor" Chapter 5

This letter, 15/03/2006, was a letter based on several statements and comments I had seen over a period of time.? I was starting to get "writer's b;ock" by now, sometimes it takes a "letter to the editor" from a "Pro park" to get you going again.? But I was getting a little dry by now..

More Marine Park news

Mr Debus a number of letters and radio interviews seem to be appearing now that bring into question, both the haste of the final zoning of the Batemans Marine Park, and the efficiency of the running of this amalgam of 3 separate Government departments that appear to makeup the "Marine Parks Authority".

Ms Muldoon, Executive Officer, of the Marine Parks Authority (from Premiers Department) stated in a letter of 17th August 2005 in relation to Marine Parks,? " .. In the past it has been a minimum of 2 years before draft zoning plan has been developed for a newly declared Marine Park .."? Perhaps you could explain how the draft zoning of marine parks, especially one as large as Batemans Marine Park, now appears to be able to be done in 4 months?

Mr. McDonald, as Minister for Fisheries, stated in a letter as late as 9th November 2005, that? ".. Marine Parks in NSW are not declared as a fish management tool, nor for the purpose of protecting or enhancing specific fisheries..."?

And yet you stated in an ABC radio interview on March 1st. that "If we don't look at new ways to protect fish stocks our grandchildren aren't going to have anything to fish at all, commercial or recreational."? So now you have become the Fisheries Minister, as well as the Environment Minister?? Unfortunately it shows once again that your department, minders or media people know nothing about fish or fish stocks.?

What is happening here is a classic example of non-existent communication between the three Government Departments that make up the "organizing body" for Marine Parks.?

Unfortunately for those of us on the Far South Coast who are forced to live with this mish-mash, we will be the ones who suffer.

Every other Marine Park in NSW has taken about 3 years to finalise, why does the Batemans Marine Park take about 8 months?? "Decide in haste, Repent in Leisure"

Now the above letter had been sent to both the Bay Post and the Narooma News.? Then in the Bay Post of 17th March.? Gellatly, the MPA Director General, and the Director General of Premier's replied to a couple of "letters to the editor" which had said (incorrectly) that the MP was going to "lock out all fishermen".? His letter was very broad brush and made typical motherhood statements and made the "process" sound so "neat and tidy".? Ie.? Declaration, leads to "Community consultation, leads to draft zoning, more consultation, then a final zoning"
I know how Government works and it "certainly ain't so"

So I rang the Bay Post and said could I change my letter to repsond to Gellatly's letter.? No problems - so I modified the above letter.? This letter is almost, as far as I am concerned, the "perfect" letter to the editor.

Reply to Mr Gellatly

Dr. Gellatly, (letter to the editor March 15th) makes the process of the Batemans Marine Park from announcement on 30th November 2005, till the final zones are in place about 12 months later, sound so "orderly and neat".

As Director General of the premier's Department, and NSW's most senior public servant he should come down here and see what obfuscation and confusion we have to contend with here, on a regular basis.

He may be interested to have seen what the Executive officer, Ms Muldoon, of the Marine Parks authority stated only 3 months before this park was announced.? " .. In the past it has been a minimum of 2 years before draft zoning plan has been developed for a newly declared Marine Park .."? Perhaps you could explain how the draft zoning of Marine Parks, especially one as large as Batemans Marine Park, now appears to be able to be done in 4 months?? Especially as you say that there is no zoning plan in place, even "provisional"?

Dr. Gellatly, in an ABC radio interview would "not surmise what job losses there may be on the South Coast as a result of the Batemans Marine Park".? However Mr. Debus seems to think that it will be of "a similar economic benefit as the Jervis Bay park has been", but that would be a bit hard to ascertain as NO economic studies have been undertaken in any Park after it has been declared.? I think we could both discount the Economic report into the Solitary Islands Park, as the data for that was collected in 1997, 1 year before the park was operational at 2% sanctuary zone.

A comprehensive and thorough socio-economic study should be performed, not a "quickie" from the University of New England, but one modelled on the one specifically available off the Federal Government's Department of Environment and Heritage web site.

Mr. Debus again caused some confusion when he stated in an ABC radio interview on March 1st. that "If we don't look at new ways to protect fish stocks our grandchildren aren't going to have anything to fish at all, commercial or recreational."?

Unfortunately we always thought it was Minister McDonald who was Minister for Fisheries.? And he DID STATE on 9th November 2005, that? ".. Marine Parks in NSW are not declared as a fish management tool, nor for the purpose of protecting or enhancing specific fisheries..."?

Dr. Gellatly despite your assertions about "scientific research indicates that Marine Parks ultimately result in an increase in the diversity and abundance of marine life"? I challenge you to provide that proof, not just the research, but the proof.

What is happening here is a classic example of non-existent communication between the three Government Departments that make up the "organizing body" for Marine Parks.?

Unfortunately for those of us on the Far South Coast who are forced to live with this mish-mash, we will be the ones who ultimately suffer.

So that's it for the time being