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St. Arnaud, Charlton, Wedderburn & Surrounding Districts
Est. 1864
18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. 3478. - Advertising & Editorial Material - Ph.: (03) 5495 1055; Fax.: (03) 5495 1937. Email: ncn@iinet.net.au Published weekly.
$2.00
WEDNESDAY MAY 10th 2023.
Registered by Australia Post, Publication No. VAC 4217.
Circulating in:- St. Arnaud, Charlton, Donald, Rupanyup, Bealiba, Stawell, Marnoo, Navarre, Dunolly, Wycheproof, Wedderburn, Birchip, Korong Vale, Stuart Mill, Redbank, Avoca & Moonambel.
(Incl. GST)
Powerful lobby group supports campaign to save Teddington BOTH the Teddington Reservoirs are recognized by Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) as the best fishing locations in the Avoca river basin and VRFish. The Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body which represents over 1 million Victorians who go fishing every year is extremely concerned about the current trend of decommissioning water storage reservoirs across Victoria. In a letter to the Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt the Chair of Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body Mr Robert Loats, states that recreational fishers have made it clear that both Upper and Lower Teddington water storage reser voirs are highly valued recreational fishing locations, that must be retained. “The reservoirs are stocked with fish utilizing recreational licence fees and both reservoirs provide great fishing opportunities for local and visiting recreational fishers.
VRFish Chair, Rob Loats has been recognised by Waterwatch Victoria for his long term monitoring of water quality throughout North Central Victoria. Rob was presented with an Outstanding Service Award after more than 27 years of voluntary monitoring of the health of the North Central’s creeks, rivers, channels and wetlands. The Water watch program aims to engage people participating in river and wetland health monitoring activities. “Both reservoirs have
Naked Farmer uncovered NAKED Farmer has been uncovered as Glenden Watts and he comes clean accusing the AEMO of trying to ‘pull the wool over our eyes’. - See Letter to the Editor from Glenden Watts.
PHOTO: Supplied
good camping facilities that are regularly utilized by the public and with little prospect of constructing new water storage reservoirs across Victoria, it is ludicrous to suggest decommissioning any current water storage reservoirs”. Mr Loats further states that maintaining and future proofing our recreational fishers must, as a matter of urgency, identify water management as an integral component of fish survival, as in recent times we have witnessed far too many iconic native fish kills and losses of recreational fishing amenity. “VRFish suggests in the interests of recreational fishers, community socio-economic and wellbeing outcomes and outdoor recreational values, strong consideration is needed from your office to intervene in this issue”. VRFish EO Ben Scullin is proud of the passion that recreational fishers have shown in defending access to their important waterways. “The lack of consultation is disappointing, though not surprising. “VRFish will advocate for the management of Upper Teddington to be placed in the right hands and that funding is available for continued use of this fantastic fishing and camping gem.” The President of the Midland and North Central Angling Association affiliated with the VRFish Sean Crombie who attended the Breakfast@ Te d d i n g t o n e v e n t held in Stuart Mill in April said risk will likely be alleviated for
Above: The spillway this week as a result of the valve containing the water in the Upper reservoir being left open for years by Parks Victoria with no action to fix it. Right: The beautiful Upper Teddington Reservoir when full during a flood. PHOTO: Sally McIntyre) Parks Victoria but that when the top res is full the lower Teddington does not flood homes and properties.” “The flow rate when it is full is reduced downstream.” Parks Victoria has not released any information to date on the risk to downstream properties from a decommissioned Upper Teddington indeed even if they have done those particular risk assessments. Sean continued that as fishermen they want boats, open and diverse fishing and they want trout. “Brown trout are big and fast and if Teddington was stocked it would become a go to place to go if only for the big trout” Sean said.
“People come from all over Victoria and Australia and tell people about their experiences for Fishing competitions. “These activities keep small towns going” he said sadly. “The water that has been wasted, that could be used in times of fire or drought, “The impact on local wildlife by having to look elsewhere or move to the Lower Reservoir for water, “The impact on tourism that the area attracts for camping, fishing, canoeing, bushwalking, hiking, photography and the locals that have a beautiful place to go and relax, these are all huge issues. “It seems strange with the climate
changes going on that they [Parks Victoria] are wanting to remove water storages and not build more, when the future predictions are for a warmer climate. “My family have been going to the area for over 50 years and enjoying the area, fishing, camping and loving the great outdoors.
“It just seems to be a waste. “If it’s only a matter of money, something can be done. “If it’s the risk that they are worried about, fix it, or they should look at decommissioning every water storage in the country, as they all have some risk involved” Sean Crombie said.
Inside today
Mother’s Day Feature - page 6 & 7.