Shire reps marine park saviours
Batemans Marine Park is under review to deliver a management plan that works for all.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Supposedly, this is achieved by a risk assessment so decision makers, can listen to a range of experienced locals, who then advise on identified risks. Evidence-based plans are created.
The days of making plans based on ideology or feelings are over.
A practical, methodical scientific approach must be used to balance the environment with community needs.
However, dark clouds loom.
Last week the Marine Estate Management Authority released plans for a Hawkesbury Bioregion marine park. Recreational fishing will be banned or restricted in 25 locations. It was greeted with outrage due to the thousands of hours members of the public spent consulting, preparing submissions, meeting, informing stakeholders and working with the authority to develop scientifically-sound outcomes. These efforts were completely ignored. This process cannot be managed by two agencies with conflicting positions (the authority and the Office of Environment and Heritage) and must be transferred to the
Department of Primary Industries and Minister for Fisheries.
We do not want a similar mess with the Batemans park. Politics must be kept out; government employees must not be rushed to a goal for political gain. Our community should
be part of the best model. The pilot program must be examined in detail.
A sub-standard proposal must not be to be rammed through Parliament. We have waited 10 years to improve the process and must not rush, as occurred in 2005, with a resulting backlash.
Allow the appointed manager to do the job; he is well-regarded, experienced and has the confidence of the marine park committee.
He has demonstrated sincerity, integrity and wants a balanced result.
Simply restricting access won’t work and we look forward to exploring more effective tools.
Recent gatherings expressed new faith in the process but do not want it rushed; feedback must to be discussed in detail. We are starting to see a
commitment to the best outcome. There will be compromises, but let’s not go down the Sydney track.
Max Castle
Vice President, Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW
From the heart
This morning I read Emily Barton's recount of her meeting with Allan Tull, and just wanted to give you feedback to pass on that I found the story so well written, and so touching.
I was reading in a bakery and had to take a break, with tears running down my cheeks, to gain composure.
Such a sad and touching story so very close to home, and so well written from the heart.
Nicole Casben
Nelligen
Push for pharmacies
Almost two-in-three Australians believe pharmacists should be able to administer common vaccinations currently only administered by doctors, according to new research.
The nationwide poll found 64 per cent of Australians support pharmacists administering common vaccines, with greater convenience cited as a benefit by 62 per cent of respondents.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) says legislative changes at the state and territory levels would allow for vaccines against whooping cough and meningococcal disease, as well as routine travel vaccinations, to be administered by a pharmacist.