Opposition to ferry wharves in supposed recreational fishing haven

The Kurnell wharf © RFA of NSW

Last month we reported how rec fishers are going to lose access to important fishing grounds in Botany Bay because of the planned paths for new ferries that will interfere with recognised fishing and spearfishing grounds at Kurnell and La Perouse.

The Kurnell wharf would extend 230 metres into the bay, and the La Perouse wharf would extend 180 metres from the shore! See the August article here.

NSW DPI Fisheries has now also raised objections. They say they are unable to support the proposal in its current form due to a lack of information about the types of ferries, the frequency of services, whether dredging would occur (which it said could have "a profound and long-lasting effect on seagrass").

The RFA wants the route of the ferries to be reconsidered due to the effect on long-standing public fishing grounds.

Around 120 submissions have been made to a consultant's report on the project. Of these, 90 were from members of the public, and 72 of those were opposed to the plans.

RFA President Stan Konstantaras spoke at a recent Randwick Council meeting against the ferry wharves, based on the fact that what the RFA had presented to the consultants and Transport for NSW was ignored.

There were two motions and both got up, pretty much asking Council not to support the wharves under this current plan. (The Council's initial draft was in support.)

Keep in mind this is only the local Council. Three councils border Botany Bay: Randwick, Sutherland and Bayside. Sutherland already objected, for some stupid reason Bayside supported it, but Randwick had only drafted their response and had not submitted it.

So our representations were a timely win.

Stan was asked by a Councillor if the RFA would stand by Randwick Council and provide support and local insights into the next stages of this debate and he confirmed that we would.

Construction of the $16 million wharves is scheduled to start in early 2022.