Baffle Creek businesses and industry are under threat thanks to an out of touch Labor Government that is considering stopping fishing, crabbing and bait netting in the area, said Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett.
The Great Sandy Marine Park Zoning Plan Survey has asked should parts of Baffle Creek be included in a marine national park zone to support the long-term health and resilience of this system?
Currently Baffle Creek is designated as Great Sandy area, which means that legal, commercial and recreational fishing activities that occurred prior to the declaration of the Great Sandy Marine park can continue.
“The current zoning has successfully maintained the pristine nature of the waterway and its reputation as one of the best fishing areas in the region,” Mr Bennett said.
“If parts of Baffle Creek are designated as Marine National Park or Green Zone, this would change.
“Recreational and commercial fishing operations including line fishing, crabbing and bait netting would have to stop within the zoning area.
“I’m listening to a fearful community who are very concerned that the Green Zone will stop recreational fishermen from visiting the area and destroy accommodation businesses, industry and the lifestyles of many in the region.
“This is why it’s absolutely vital we get as many people as possible to have their say, to do the survey and to sign the petition.
“The petition is asking the State Government to remove the question from the Great Sandy Marine Park Zoning Review survey.
“This Labor Government is very good at keeping us in the dark but it’s time they came clean. Tell us which parts of the Baffle are under threat of closure.”
Rocky Point Retreat Owner Darren Rasmussen said if green zones were implemented in Baffle Creek it would be detrimental to their business.
“95 percent of our visitors come here to fish, so why would they come if they couldn’t do that?” he said.
“It’s not just us who would be affected, we’d see property values plummet as well so it’s causing a great deal of anxiety in the community.
“As far as taking bookings for next year, we can’t even do that because we don’t know if it’s going to be a green zone and if anyone will be able to fish around us.”
06.02.19