Bellarine Times
Tuesday 16 March 2010
VOL 3. No 11
GOING GREEN
ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE > PG 12
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QUEENSCLIFF & PT LONSDALE MONTHLY FEATURE > PG 6 & 7
HARBOUR LIFELINE
New deal set to ease the cost of increased fees for Queenscliff Harbour fishermen BY ALISON MARTIN PARKS Victoria has struck a deal with Queenscliff’s commercial fishermen and couta boat owners to offset increasing harbour fees. The rate negotiation was announced last week, just days before Premier John Brumby arrived in Queenscliff to officially open the new state-of-theart harbour. Brumby was accompanied by Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Gavin Jennings, and Member for Bellarine, Lisa Neville, at the harbour launch. While fishermen and boat owners are yet to be notified of the negotiated berth costs, Neville confirmed last Thursday that at the expiration of the fee moratorium next February, the local commercial
Surf Forecast
fishing fleet “would receive additional financial support until June 2015”. Commercial fisherman, Bill Cull, said it was great to see commercial fishing at Queenscliff supported at the new harbour. A Parks Victoria spokesperson said after extensive community consultation, it had negotiated the post-moratorium rate to increase in steps up to the final rate, over a period of four and a half years. The spokesperson said the new arrangement would allow further time for the commercial fisherman to adapt to the new rates. “This support will encourage them to continue to use the harbour and the boat yard, therefore supporting the new jobs in and around the harbour,” the spokesperson said.
“Individual commercial fisherman will be advised of the rate by Parks Victoria and QHPL in the coming weeks.” Neville said the commercial fishing fleet will benefit from the extended phase-in of new fees up to June 2015. “After this, the commercial fishing fleet will continue to be eligible for a 15 per cent discount off the full price per annum,” she said. “Additionally, planning work is currently under way for alternative mooring options for heritage and couta boats. “Importantly, these berth holders will have the option of a mooring near the harbour. The new mooring area will require the use of a tender to access the moored boats which will be provided and managed by QHPL Pty Ltd.”
Neville said the new deal would enable local users to enjoy the significant improvements from the investment of $38million and to further establish their long-term presence in the revitalised harbour. “The commercial fishing fleet is an important element of the ’working harbour’ and an essential part of the tourism and visitor experience associated with the revitalised harbour and Bellarine Peninsula,” she said. “During the community consultation stage of the proposed harbour, principles were established to maintain both a safe working harbour, and the heritage aspects of the harbour, including the continued presence of the couta boats.” All individual berth rates vary depending on length of boat, location in the harbour and other considerations.
WED 1-2ft easing, NNW 26° THU 1-2ft inconsistent, WSW 25° FRI 1-2ft building N 24° SAT 2-3ft building SWS 20°
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