COMMUNITY feedback is sought on a plan to have areas between Coalcliff and Austinmer, Bulli’s Waniora Point and Bellambi Point declared high-risk for rock fishing, following a resolution of Wollongong City Council.
Wollongong councillors have resolved to seek stakeholder and community feedback on a proposal to ‘opt-in’ to the Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016.
By opting-in, areas across the city would be declared as high-risk and fishers would be required to wear lifejackets on rock shelfs.
The locations under consideration include the popular and hazardous rock shelves between Coalcliff to Austinmer, Bellambi Point, and Waniora Point at Bulli.
Other locations under consideration are Hill 60, Port Kembla, where six rock fishers have lost their lives since 2021, as well as Flagstaff Hill, Wollongong.
See: Item 2: Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016 Council Report
Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said rock fishing is one of Australia’s most high-risk pastimes and the step to seek community and stakeholder feedback a proposal to opt-in to the Act is an important one.
“I know many people have a clear view on whether life jackets should be made mandatory, and I encourage those with opinions to provide their feedback so that we can consider our next steps and how to progress in the interest of rock fishers and their safety,” he said.
Council will also continue its work with other stakeholders, such as rock fishing groups, NSW Police, Surf Life Saving, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Primary Industry on next steps.
Once the community feedback has been collated, a report will go to Council with the engagement summary.
Community engagement will start in the coming weeks and be available through the Join the Conversation pages on Council’s website.
Subscribe to the latest Bulli & Clifton Times news stories
PAYPAL TIP JAR
YOU can support the The Bulli & Clifton Times and/or the Looking Back local history websites with a donation through PayPal. Your generous patronage of my work and research, however small it appears to you, will greatly help me with my continuing costs, and help support independent journalism and local news media. You can leave a small tip here of $2, or several small tips, just increase the amount as you like. Your support helps provide an independent and free source of local news and information.
A$2.00
OR DONATE BY DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD
Don’t have PayPal? Instead, you can make a small donation towards the publishing of The Bulli & Clifton Times and/or the Looking Back websites with your credit or debit card. If you would like to support my work, you can leave a $2 donation here by tapping or clicking on the button below. Your generous patronage of my work and research, however small it appears to you, will greatly help me with my continuing costs.
The Bulli & Clifton Times 
Discussion
No comments yet.