Last Updated: 16/11/12
Cronulla fisheries to be closed and destroyed
The people of NSW can mark in their calendars
December 14th, 2012 as the day they lost not only their ability to sustainably manage their billion-dollar-a-year fisheries but also lost one of the few Australian sites of world scientific renown and genuine heritage value.
The government has responded to the damning Upper House Inquiry report into the Closure of Cronulla Fisheries with a 12 page document that is virtually all political spin. They have claimed to have "partially" supported 10 of the 13 recommendations but have really only agreed to keep the site in public hands and write a more detailed cost-benefit analysis after the site has been closed. That is it. All the rest is political spin.
Add to this the Harley report of recommendations into the future use of the site and the destruction will be complete. While the Harley report recognises that the site has a "wonderful history of excellence in marine scientific research ... established at the beginning of the last century" that Harley has "attempted to touch...with the wings of a butterfly" he has recommended the heritage listing be taken away from the 100-year-old aquarium and have it filled it in!! That's a big butterfly - with a bulldozer on one wing and a cement mixer on the other.
It is a sad indictment of modern Australian politics that a damning bi-partisan report into the closure of such an iconic site can be treated with such open disregard.
We have done all we can to save the Cronulla Fisheries. We have seen a petition submitted with 19,000 signatures, opposition from numerous stakeholders, national and international scientists, and parliament members from both sides of the floor - even a damning report from a bi-partisan Upper House Inquiry. All to no avail.
Thank you everyone for your support. We are sorry we were not able to get a better outcome but there is nothing more we can do. As a test case this decision shows without a shadow of doubt that despite the promises to the contrary this O'Farrell government is not interested in accountability or transparency and people power is well and truly dead.
The Legislative Council Inquiry into the Closure of Cronulla Fisheries final report, the government response, the Harley report, transcripts and submissions are all available at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/cronullafisheries
The government has responded to the damning Upper House Inquiry report into the Closure of Cronulla Fisheries with a 12 page document that is virtually all political spin. They have claimed to have "partially" supported 10 of the 13 recommendations but have really only agreed to keep the site in public hands and write a more detailed cost-benefit analysis after the site has been closed. That is it. All the rest is political spin.
Add to this the Harley report of recommendations into the future use of the site and the destruction will be complete. While the Harley report recognises that the site has a "wonderful history of excellence in marine scientific research ... established at the beginning of the last century" that Harley has "attempted to touch...with the wings of a butterfly" he has recommended the heritage listing be taken away from the 100-year-old aquarium and have it filled it in!! That's a big butterfly - with a bulldozer on one wing and a cement mixer on the other.
It is a sad indictment of modern Australian politics that a damning bi-partisan report into the closure of such an iconic site can be treated with such open disregard.
We have done all we can to save the Cronulla Fisheries. We have seen a petition submitted with 19,000 signatures, opposition from numerous stakeholders, national and international scientists, and parliament members from both sides of the floor - even a damning report from a bi-partisan Upper House Inquiry. All to no avail.
Thank you everyone for your support. We are sorry we were not able to get a better outcome but there is nothing more we can do. As a test case this decision shows without a shadow of doubt that despite the promises to the contrary this O'Farrell government is not interested in accountability or transparency and people power is well and truly dead.
The Legislative Council Inquiry into the Closure of Cronulla Fisheries final report, the government response, the Harley report, transcripts and submissions are all available at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/cronullafisheries
The proposed relocating of Cronulla Fisheries Centre of Excellence (CFRCoE) will:
- Cost taxpayers and the environment.
- Waste recreational fishing licence money.
- Cost 150 local jobs.
- Move fisheries services away from Sydney – Home to more than 60% of NSW recreational fishers.
- Waste millions of $$ on rebuilding specialised research laboratories.
- Lose hundreds of years of fisheries research & management expertise.
- Cost taxpayers and the environment.
- Waste recreational fishing licence money.
- Cost 150 local jobs.
- Move fisheries services away from Sydney – Home to more than 60% of NSW recreational fishers.
- Waste millions of $$ on rebuilding specialised research laboratories.
- Lose hundreds of years of fisheries research & management expertise.
Parliamentary Inquiry
Click for details and the latest on the inquiry
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Check out this fantastic documentary about the Shark Research performed at Cronulla Fisheries which won't be possible if the government closes the centre!
Click to view Shark Harbour (55min)
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Click here to send an email
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Open Letter to Minister for Primary Industries -
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Map showing travel requirements for fishing
stakeholders before and after Relocation
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Protest Rally at Cronulla Mall on Tuesday the 27th of September
