Public support for a new Marine Park, with the sanctuary zones that Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, campaigned against, sits at 75 per cent in Gosford and Terrigal.
A recent ReachTEL poll found that public support for a Marine Park ranged between 83 per cent in Manly, 76 per cent in Coogee, and 75 per cent in Gosford and Terrigal. The poll also found people were more likely to vote for candidates who supported increased marine protections. The overwhelming support for the new marine park with sanctuary zones, as demonstrated in the poll results, was consistent with 21,000 submissions in support of the sanctuary zones.
At least 21,000 submissions to the NSW Government’s Marine Park consultation also supported the plan to protect 2.4 per cent of waters between Newcastle and Wollongong in sanctuary zones. “
We now know the full scale of the Berejiklian Government’s betrayal,” Sydney Marine Park Campaigner, Sharnie Connell, said. “The government back fl ipped on its own proposal before the public had a say,” she said. “If the final design lacks sanctuary zones, it can’t be called a marine park.” Ms Connell said the backflip on marine sanctuaries ignored the science, the community consultation process, and the wishes of coastal locals. “With less than 1 per cent of the region’s coasts and oceans protected, our marine wildlife desperately needs these sanctuaries,” she said.
“NSW has successful marine parks with sanctuaries along other parts of the coast that have brought fi sh populations back to life and attracted tourists.” Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch disagrees. “Having doorknocked hundreds of residents in Forresters Beach and engaged with small business owners and local fishers, it’s clear that our community does not support marine park proposals,” said Crouch.
“The feedback received at Information Booths held at Terrigal, Forresters Beach, Wamberal, Killcare and The Entrance, also demonstrated strong opposition,” he said. “It’s clear that the Central Coast community does not support banning fishing at the Forresters and Bouddi sites,” he said.
“It’s important to preserve our beaches and local waterways for years to come, but any threats can be managed without locking out people from fishing. “I’m delighted that our community’s advocacy has led the Government to announce that lockouts are ‘off the table’, and I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with local fi shers and the Government to reach a balanced outcome.”
Source: Media release, Oct 4 James Tremain, Nature Conservation Council Media statement, Oct 8 Ben Sheath, office of Adam Crouch