NEWS DESK
Reefs plan to improve bay’s fish stocks ARTIFICIAL reefs could be placed in the bay off the Quarantine Station at Point Nepean and off Rye or Blairgowrie under a strategy to boost fishing stocks. The Point Nepean reef would be ideal for yellowtail kingfish and the Rye or Blairgowrie reef would suit anglers targeting species such as slimy mackerel and yellow tail scad – the perfect live bait for yellow tail kingfish. Nepean MP Chris Brayne joined forces with Futurefish Foundation director David Kramer last week to workshop ideas for the reefs to enhance recreational fishing. Their plans include working alongside marine scientists and bay managers in the lead-up with the pair conceding “there is a lot of planning and approval required before the reefs would be installed”. Mr Brayne said it was the Mornington Peninsula’s “turn” for reefs after Premier Daniel Andrews committed before last year’s state election to installing $2.5 million of new reefs in Port Phillip. “During the past 10 years, successive Victorian Labor governments have installed reefs off Frankston, Seaford, Chelsea, Aspendale, Altona, Portarlington, Geelong and St Kilda,” Mr Brayne said. “Most of these reefs have enhanced recreational fishing for snapper after decades of scallop dredging destroyed the natural habitat in the bay. Now that great snapper fishing has returned it’s time to boost recreational fishing opportunities on the peninsula using artificial reefs.” He and Mr Kramer went boating off Rye last week to assess ideal sites – especially a reef to attract kingfish. “Yellowtail kingfish have made a remarkable return to Port Phillip, particularly in The Rip, however the most popular place to
Sea hunt: Futurefish Foundation director David Kramer and Nepean MP Chris Brayne out on the water. Picture: Supplied
fish for them is right in the middle of the shipping channel,” Mr Kramer said. “A reef off the Quarantine Station at Point Nepean would provide an alternate habitat for kingfish to congregate outside of the shipping channel. “This would be safer for anglers and help
avoid the issue of hundreds of boats drifting in the shipping channel in search of the prized yellowtail kingfish having to move out of the way of passing ships.” Mr Brayne said the reefs could possibly be installed during the winter of 2020 and be fishable in the summer of that year.
“With boat ramps fees set to be scrapped on the peninsula before next season, artificial reefs on the drawing board and all commercial netting in Port Phillip ceasing in 2022, the peninsula fishing opportunities are set to be boom in years to come.” Stephen Taylor
Permit row grounds airfield Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au THE future operation of the Tyabb airfield is up in the air following a stop work order issued by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. The shock directive, sent on Monday 3 June, came after the shire was unable to find permits subsequent to 1965 when the 50-year-old club was given the right to operate. Tyabb Aero Club president Jack Vevers said on Friday the shire’s director of planning [David Bergin] “has obviously made a horrible mistake that has put well over 100 jobs at immediate risk”. “We look forward to the council’s CEO [John Baker] resolving this matter as soon as possible.” Mr Vevers said the aero club was
seeking legal advice and had approached small business, innovation and trade minister Adem Somyurek to help find a resolution to an “administrative issue … that we are directing our attention to resolve”. The mayor Cr David Gill told The News on Friday afternoon that the club “certainly seems to have some influence”, with departmental heads and ministers contacting shire officers to “see what’s going on”. “They’ve never before been that interested in anything we do,” Cr Gill said. It is believed the airfield’s original Shire of Hastings permit still applies. That permit allowed take-offs and landings of aircraft of less than 4500lbs; no flying during the 9.30-10.30am “holy hour”; no upsetting primary producers; and, not building a secondary airstrip or enlarging or extending the [existing]
north-south airstrip “without the approval of the minister”. The missing 1972 permit relating to the airfield’s current operations is at the core of the dispute. It affects the club’s right to use the land as an airport or airfield, conduct a flying school, act as a transport terminal, place of assembly, major sport or recreation facility, and major events facility, such as the air show. The order also affects the use of the east-west runway. This latest salvo from the shire has made the row over flying during “holy hour” look inconsequential (“Aero club baulks at flying hours cut” The News 22/5/19). “We wish to continue working closely and cohesively with our council for the common goal of supporting the local community as a whole, and are focusing our attention on a specific issue that entangles one particular de-
partment involving their abrupt and unnecessary actions,” Mr Vevers said. “The planning department’s response to force a resolution could impact on a significant number of jobs and wellbeing of the community that we are addressing hastily. “We believe strongly in unity in our community and will continue to work cohesively with all stakeholders and not represent any division nor jeopardise the reputation and operations of our local government due to any oversight or improper rulings made by a single representative.” In April, a notice-of-motion moved by Cr Julie Morris and adopted unanimously “intended to recognise the urgent need to provide clarity around the current and future operation of the Tyabb Airfield”. Seconded by Cr Hugh Fraser, the motion saw council appointing a
Queen’s Counsel and junior to conduct a “full legal review, in order to provide clear information … regarding the conditions of all current planning permits currently applying to the Tyabb Airfield”. The legal report is to be delivered to council by 30 June. The motion also provided for officer briefings to council each quarter on the preparation of the Tyabb Airfield master plan and aircraft noise management plan, and before the end of December on all aspects of the Tyabb Airfield precinct plan (particularly the role of the Tyabb Airfield Community Reference Group). Councillors also directed CEO John Baker “provide to council a document consolidating into one document the conditions of all current planning permits that … apply to the Tyabb Airfield”.
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12 June 2019
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