NSW Govt to close Aquaculture Centre

Troutman

Just found the following article. The guys at Grafton have done so much for the Silver Perch Industry it will be a great loss to see it closed down.

The State's (NSW) only freshwater aquaculture research facility, based near Grafton, is to be closed.

It is understood staff at the Trenayr facility were visited by a departmental officer about two weeks ago and told the centre would close within 10-12 months.

Member for Clarence, Steve Cansdell, said he had not been aware of the impending closure until contacted by the Examiner. His colleague, the opposition spokesman for Primary Industries, Duncan Gay, also had not been advised.

Mr Cansdell said Mr Gay would ask Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald in Parliament today to outline the future of the aquaculture centre.

Mr Cansdell said people from the Clarence had fought for the retention of facilities at the Grafton Agricultural Research and Advisory Station (where the aquaculture facility is located) about four years ago and were assured its future was safe.

“We had 600 people turn up at Market Square to fight for it,” he said. “This is the only freshwater facility in NSW and has been at the forefront of developing the silver perch industry.

“If they are closing this down it is just another stupid decision from this government.”

The Trenayr facility was heavily involved in research that ultimately saved the endangered Eastern Freshwater Cod from extinction and also helped establish the silver perch industry, which is now producing between 350 and 500 tonne of fish commercially each year.

Former employee and current commercial silver perch producer Calvin Terry of Terraquatic at Braunstone said the research facility was increasingly being starved for funds.

“Now that the wild-caught industry is in decline, we (producers) could really be on a winner, and they (the State Government) are shutting it down,” he said.

“It is just silly.”

The office of the Minister for Primary Industries was unavailable for comment yesterday.

RupertofOZ

... There's been pressure for years from a major development company (which has/had the ear of the planning minister) to close the station...

And release the land as a major satellite subdivision of Grafton....

All BYAP members should get behind any campaign to oppose the closure... :evil:

RupertofOZ

Just jotted off a quick and "curt" email to the minister for complete stupidity...

Here's his email address... macdonald.office@macdonald.minister.nsw.gov.au

RupertofOZ

Looks like the industry uproar has been fast and furious... http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/story/2 ... -off-hook/

Let's hope so.... wonder what the response to my email will be... :oops:

Sleepe

While the Minister understands your concerns he cannot get involved in individual cases and has passed your comments to "name the Department".

RupertofOZ

.... just about exactly what I'm expecting Sleepe....

creative1

Jobs for the boys then maybe :wink:

I bet a new one will start up, and it will be run by the private sector :roll:

RupertofOZ

Then obviously they'd be looking to make a profit...

It's a research facility... staffed and run by academics... to do research....

The other DPI facilities are hatcheries... or, in the case of Port Stevens, a bureau of public servants more concerned with licensing, regulation etc....

It would make quite a nice commercial fish farm... or aquaponics, perhaps UVI style, facility though.... or an aquaponics research station.... anyone got a spare couple of million.... :wink:

Vega

Rupert, Mr McDonald is in a lot of hot water (full of ammonia) at the moment with the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Is this Karma???. Mr McDonald is currently before the ICAC for allegedly accepting escort/s for favour/s to private company/s to gain Government contracts. Wonder what the former workers at Grafton are thinking now??
Cheers

RupertofOZ

Probably... how come they missed out on the girls... :mrgreen:

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