Archived page, Burrup Peninsula Proposed Conservation Reserve Draft Management Plan

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment on the Burrup Peninsula Draft Management Plan.

Recfishwest is the peak body representing the interests of the 643 000 recreational fishers in Western Australia. We are formally recognised and funded by the Government in that role. Recfishwest places the highest priority on preserving the future of recreational fishing and access to the resources it depends on in Western Australia.

Recfishwest's primary interest with the proposed management plan is how it could potential impact on community access to popular shore based fishing and boat launching locations on the Burrup Peninsula. Furthermore, the potential for the introduction of an access fee on the community for entering the Burrup Peninsula Conservation Reserve is a major concern of Recfishwest. The Burrup Peninsula is a highly popular day trip and camping location for recreational fishers of Dampier and Karratha as well as visiting tourists.

With regard to Section 14 Management for Public Use, Recfishwest believes that no fees should be introduced for the community to access the National Park. Free access to our beaches has always been a Western Australian tradition and it is an election promise of the current Labor Government.

Continued vehicle access to the north of the Burrup Peninsula is highly valued by our constituents for the fishing opportunities it provides to shore based anglers.

Recfishwest finds it important that a suitable site for a purpose-built boat launching facility somewhere on the Burrup Peninsula be recognised. It is important that boat users of the Burrup Peninsula are not forgotten in this management plan. The issue of where a designated boat launching facility is located should be resolved before the management plan is implemented as any future proposals will be difficult if they don't relate back to the directives of the management plan.

Recfishwest believes that before a purpose-built boat launching facility on the Burrup Peninsula is developed boat users should continue to be allowed to launch their boats over the beach at Withnell Bay.

Should you require any further clarification or information please don't hesitate to contact me on 9246 3366.



This page last updated on 10 October 2006.