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Our Goal is to Amaze You! THURSDAY APRIL 3, 2014 | ISSUE 101
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Stop “pillaging” our lakes JOLENE OGLE Stop pillaging our lakes: that’s the message from Lake Cooroibah resident Brian Williams to commercial netters who, he says, are devastating the environment.
Mr Williams, whose property backs onto Lake Cooroibah, said he has seen commercial netters “pillaging” the lake daily, using 800 metre long nets to scrape
the shallow lake, leaving the eco-system in disrepair. “Where are the fish? This lake should be teaming with fish, crabs and rays. But there is nothing,” Mr Williams said. “Where are the birds? There are no birds because there is nothing for them to fish. “I have witnessed these commercial netters take everything they can lay their hands on for pet food and bait.” Mr Williams said the community needs to take a stand to
stop the devastation and is asking local residents to join the fight to save Lake Cooroibah. “People power is what it takes,” he said. Mr Williams’ comments came as the State Government announced the terms of reference in the fisheries management review. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister John McVeigh said the review was aimed at simplifying fisheries management, cutting red tape and improving environmental sustainability, and
will cover all aspects of commercial, recreational and traditional fishing. Mr McVeigh said the review will be headed by an independent specialist to ensure transparency, with a Ministerial advisory committee made up of people who represent the diverse fisheries interests in Queensland. Mr McVeigh said the community can provide feedback throughout the review, once the independent specialist has been appointed.
Brian Williams at Lake Cooroibah
RIVERFRONT RUMBLE Pregnant mum slams Makepeace Island noise JIM FAGAN Tewantin mother and local business owner, Natalie Miller, is frustrated and upset that Virgin Blue boss Sir Richard Branson wants to make money at the expense of her family
and her neighbours with his intention of making his Makepeace Island a boutique resort.
Thirty-one year-old Natalie has a three-year-old year old son and is expecting another baby in five months. On behalf of residents at Cambridge Court, which fronts the island in
Noosa River, she and husband, Ben Northling, have written to Noosa Council asking it to “take a strong stance against the numbers of people allowed on the island, loud music and the activity level of the island’s noisy diesel barge.” The appeal to council is timely. Just before de-amalgamation Make-
peace Island (Operations) Pty Ltd received approval from Sunshine Coast Council to convert the 9.3 hectare island into a boutique resort subject to conditions which limited guests to 20 and amplified music not being audible between 10pm and 7am. The company has appealed to the Planning and Environment Court
against what it calls the “unreasonable conditions” and tonight, as the issue is now their responsibility, Noosa councillors will decide if council will defend the appeal. Council planning officers and its planning and organisation committee have already recommended that it do so.
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