Mr BALDWIN - 1995-08-23
Access to the Daly River by means of a suitable boat ramp has been requested by locals and the recreational fishing industry for some time now. What plans does the government have to establish a suitable boat ramp on the Daly?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, as members would know, the Daly River is one of most popular and productive barramundi fishing areas in the Northern Territory, not only for locals but also for visitors from interstate. Much of that can be attributed to the previous Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries who took a stand and closed down much of the commercial fishing activity in the area. That resulted in a dramatic increase in the stocks, as was evidenced by in the order of 1000 fish being taken from Daly River during the Barra Classic this year.
Pressure has been applied for some time by various fishing groups, including the Amateur Fishermen's Association, for a boat ramp to be provided at the Daly River. In view of that, with assistance from the member for Victoria River and with the close cooperation of the Malak Malak traditional owners, my department has negotiated an agreement with the Northern Land Council to allow a boat ramp to be provided at Browns Creek. The intention is to install, hopefully before April next year, what we call a flexi-mat ramp. It can be removed each wet season, thereby saving considerable costs in ongoing maintenance. The project is estimated to cost about $80 000. I am sure it will be welcomed as being of great benefit to all those who use the Daly River for recreational purposes.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, as members would know, the Daly River is one of most popular and productive barramundi fishing areas in the Northern Territory, not only for locals but also for visitors from interstate. Much of that can be attributed to the previous Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries who took a stand and closed down much of the commercial fishing activity in the area. That resulted in a dramatic increase in the stocks, as was evidenced by in the order of 1000 fish being taken from Daly River during the Barra Classic this year.
Pressure has been applied for some time by various fishing groups, including the Amateur Fishermen's Association, for a boat ramp to be provided at the Daly River. In view of that, with assistance from the member for Victoria River and with the close cooperation of the Malak Malak traditional owners, my department has negotiated an agreement with the Northern Land Council to allow a boat ramp to be provided at Browns Creek. The intention is to install, hopefully before April next year, what we call a flexi-mat ramp. It can be removed each wet season, thereby saving considerable costs in ongoing maintenance. The project is estimated to cost about $80 000. I am sure it will be welcomed as being of great benefit to all those who use the Daly River for recreational purposes.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016