REC FISHERS CONSULTED ON CROWN ROAD CLOSURES

[Member]

Andrew Stoner MP
Deputy Premier of NSW
Minister for Trade and Investment
Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 18 October 2012

REC FISHERS CONSULTED ON CROWN ROAD CLOSURES
Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner has assured recreational fishers that their interests are considered under the program to close Crown roads on or adjacent to private land.
“The NSW Government understands the importance of ensuring fishers’ rights are protected and that access to waterways is maintained,” Mr Stoner said.
“Crown Lands met recently with representatives from the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the Angler Access Project and NSW Fisheries to discuss this very issue.
“While the NSW Government is accelerating the closure of Crown roads to clear a large backlog of applications, there is a robust consultation process.
“Our priority is to close unnecessary Crown roads not required for public access.
“Road closure applications are referred for comment to relevant government agencies, adjacent land holders and local councils, as well as advertised in local media.
“Importantly, road closure applications that may potentially affect fishing access are referred to NSW Fisheries for consultation regarding access requirements.
“It is the role of NSW Fisheries to liaise and advise local fishing groups that might be affected by a road closure application.
“Each application is considered on its merits, and affected parties or objectors are given full opportunity to state their case.
“This robust referencing system is working well and will continue under the current program.
“We are lucky to have thousands of beautiful fishing spots across regional NSW.
“Recreational fishing provides a great boost to regional NSW and has the full support of the NSW Government.”
Fishers wanting information about road closure applications can contact Crown Lands on (02) 4925 4104.

[Member]

I would call this an important statement for recreational anglers in that it:
A- recognises the importance of recreational angling,
B- recognises that crown roads are important for access,
C- give a commitment to consultation, and
D- even if there is an element of spin involved, the fact that Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner MP put pen to paper indicates the topic is deserving of a public statement.

“Importantly, road closure applications that may potentially affect fishing access are referred to NSW Fisheries for consultation regarding access requirements.
“It is the role of NSW Fisheries to liaise and advise local fishing groups that might be affected by a road closure application.

Qld's policy makers could learn alot from this..........

Whaddyarecon???

[Member]

I reckon the LNP are beyond learning anything, but I'm more than willing to help the local LNP member work out how to fill in a job application in about 2 1/2 years........

[Member]

I think once the LNP fix the debarcle left to them by the Blight that was put on this state we will be in a lot better position to move forward with improvements to our rules and regulations.  I congratulate the NSW Government on their foresight, and hope that Queensland's voters remember the past 10 years, and not just recent history when they return to the polls.  If the above had been followed at Harpeng Road in Wivenhoe Pocket we would not have had the situation we had when cleaning up dead catfish recently where I had to beg land owners for access to the river because one ratepayer has greedily fenced off public land, and the local Council is too caught up in the beauracratic BS to do what it should do.

[Member]

I think you will be waiting a lot longer than that Binder.

[Member]

Hopefully not, its still a marginal seat, lots of public servants.
I think its a fair bet he is gone.