'No' to marine park

[petnic]

In todays Manly daily!

No' to marine park
Andrew Tillett

30Sep06

ENVIRONMENT Minister Bob Debus has ruled out the creation of a Hawkesbury marine park.


Pittwater independent MP Alex McTaggart asked Mr Debus in State Parliament on Thursday about speculation a park was going to be created on the Hawkesbury Shelf.

But Mr Debus said the ``rumour mongering'' was wrong.

He said the Hawkesbury's aquatic environment was already well-protected by the existing 27 marine reserves.

``I can say quite clearly to the honourable member that the Government has no plans at all to create a marine park in the Hawkesbury bioregion,'' Mr Debus said.

``The reason is quite simple: there are already a great many aquatic and other marine reserves in this area . . . with that degree of marine protection it is obvious that there is already a high degree of conservation of the marine environment.''

The marine parks issue has polarised coastal NSW communities, including the Central Coast and Port Stephens.

Fishing is banned or severely restricted in parts of marine parks, pleasing conservationists but angering commercial fishers and recreational anglers.

cheers
Pete

[Ken]

I don't believe him. Notice he said Hawkesbury NOT Hawkesbury Shelf.

[ACTAngler]

We were told there wouldn't be one at Montague Island about two years ago as well.? This "promise" will be overturned about April 2007 if Iemma gets re-elected.

[Tarki]

  You betcha! Keep his "quote" on record. It is only as good up to and until the State elections in March next year. It will be exactly as ACT Angler has indicated!  Tarki.

[Dennis The Menace]

I remember distinctly being told there would not be a Marine Park in Port Stephens for "another two years" about six months ago. But i guess its easy to forget statements when you are desperate for preferences. Buy the way i been meaning to ask Byron Locals; is there still feral goats on Cape Byron at the lighthouse?? Last time i was up there they were still there. i found this quite contradictory of the national sparks and wildfire service to leave them in such a 'fragile' ecosystem.?

[Tarki]

  D the M.     My advice from the locals up at Byron Bay, (used to be a nice place to live, before....) is that the herd of feral goats has been removed, bar one young nanny, and replaced by another mob of goats who wear khaki and now require you to "pay to park & pay to look."
 They're the National Sparks & Wildfire Service, who are ripping the tourists off big time.   Tarki

[Ken]

I don't believe him. Notice he said Hawkesbury NOT Hawkesbury Shelf.

Ive checked the Hansard papers (http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LA20060928025) and he has said ".....these marine parks are very heavily supported by the great majority of people. .....the Government has no plans at all to create a marine park in the Hawkesbury bioregion....."
Don't take this as a victory as "this Government" ceases to exist on March 22 2007 and a new one starts after the election!!!!!