Mr RIOLI - 1995-11-30
The minister should be aware that Territory taxpayers have had to pay for alternative public access to Hardys Lagoon, a popular fishing spot on Marrakai Station. Is the minister aware that the recreational fishing community believes public access has been diminished by this move and that the original access route should be reopened? Has the minister investigated possible breaches of the Pastoral Land Act by the pastoral lessee, who is required under the act to provide public access to waterways? Will the minister consider ordering that the original access route be reopened?
Mrs Padgham-Purich: That happened because gates had been left open and fires started.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I have been aware of this issue for much longer than the member for Arafura has.
Ms Martin: What have you done about it?
Mr REED: The member for Fannie Bay asks what I have done about it. If she will give me a chance and extend a little of that Christmas spirit with which the opposition started Question Time today, she may hear about it.
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It is an issue, as is access to all waterways, given the popularity and great success of recreational fishing in the Top End, based principally on the wonderful management programs that have been put in place by the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries to enable people to be certain that they can catch a fish. It may be remembered that, at the time when those management programs were being put in place, there was great opposition to them from members opposite. Now that we have fish stocks that are worth accessing, people are guaranteed of being able to catch a fish and the fishing potential of the Northern Territory is well known right around Australia, access is a matter of great moment. Indeed, as the member suggests, that is the case in relation to Hardys Lagoon. The Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, in conjunction with the Parks and Wildlife Commission, is pursuing the particular matter to which the member refers.
I refer also to the member for Nelson's interjection. She makes a very pertinent point. Sadly, when access is provided across pastoral leases or other privately-held land for people to go fishing or undertake other pursuits, a minority will neglect to treat that access with the respect with which it should be treated - that is, close gates behind them, take their rubbish home and ensure that they do not light fires or shoot indiscriminately if they are able to access a particular area of land for hunting. Whether or not the member for Arafura likes it - and he is sitting there smiling about it ...
Mr Rioli: Who is smiling? No, I am not.
Mr REED: ... the fact is that a small number of people can make matters very difficult for the majority who do the right thing.
As regards access to this particular area, which is a popular fishing place, government departments are pursuing the matter, and I hope that we will be able to find a satisfactory resolution.
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Mrs Padgham-Purich: That happened because gates had been left open and fires started.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I have been aware of this issue for much longer than the member for Arafura has.
Ms Martin: What have you done about it?
Mr REED: The member for Fannie Bay asks what I have done about it. If she will give me a chance and extend a little of that Christmas spirit with which the opposition started Question Time today, she may hear about it.
Page 1106
It is an issue, as is access to all waterways, given the popularity and great success of recreational fishing in the Top End, based principally on the wonderful management programs that have been put in place by the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries to enable people to be certain that they can catch a fish. It may be remembered that, at the time when those management programs were being put in place, there was great opposition to them from members opposite. Now that we have fish stocks that are worth accessing, people are guaranteed of being able to catch a fish and the fishing potential of the Northern Territory is well known right around Australia, access is a matter of great moment. Indeed, as the member suggests, that is the case in relation to Hardys Lagoon. The Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, in conjunction with the Parks and Wildlife Commission, is pursuing the particular matter to which the member refers.
I refer also to the member for Nelson's interjection. She makes a very pertinent point. Sadly, when access is provided across pastoral leases or other privately-held land for people to go fishing or undertake other pursuits, a minority will neglect to treat that access with the respect with which it should be treated - that is, close gates behind them, take their rubbish home and ensure that they do not light fires or shoot indiscriminately if they are able to access a particular area of land for hunting. Whether or not the member for Arafura likes it - and he is sitting there smiling about it ...
Mr Rioli: Who is smiling? No, I am not.
Mr REED: ... the fact is that a small number of people can make matters very difficult for the majority who do the right thing.
As regards access to this particular area, which is a popular fishing place, government departments are pursuing the matter, and I hope that we will be able to find a satisfactory resolution.
Page 1107
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016