According to the Minister for Primary Industries and Water, David Llewellyn, the concerns of Tasmania’s licensed anglers have been heard and understood in the planning of the Midlands Water Scheme.
“Angling and irrigated agriculture share a long history in Tasmania and both will make a growing contribution to our economy and our unique rural and regional communities,” Mr Llewellyn said.
“I understand that following the Government’s announcement of the preferred option for the Midlands Water Scheme in September last year, significant concern arose among anglers regarding the potential impact of the scheme on Arthurs Lake.
“The Government appreciates this feedback.
“I share and admire the passion of anglers for our beautiful lakes, and can assure them that the only water from Arthurs Lake going to the Midlands Water Scheme will be water which Hydro Tasmania would have otherwise used to generate power.
“There will be no additional withdrawal of water from Arthurs Lake. Instead, we will be making an alternative use of the water.
“This is only possible because farmers will be paying, in full, to replace the energy foregone at Poatina and Trevallyn from other sources.”
Mr Llewellyn said that he wrote to anglers in January of this year, to provide more information about the Government’s plans to support new irrigation in Tasmania.
The letter advised that the Chairman of the Inland Fisheries Advisory Council (IFAC), Mr John Cleary, had accepted Mr Llewellyn’s invitation to chair a special working group to ensure that anglers can have their say about the irrigation projects and input into the operational rules at Arthurs Lake.
The working group includes a representative from Anglers Alliance Tasmania.
[From the press release issued Monday March 30 2008]
Loading ...
You must log in to post a comment.