AAT Minutes of the General Meeting Nov 2020

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING

10am Sunday 8 November 2020

Great Lake Community Hall, Miena   

Present

Gary France Chair, Terry Byard Vice Chair, Howard Jones Exec Committee, Malcolm Crosse Exec Committee, John Broomby  Northern Clubs, , Jonathan Wadwell  STLAA Delegate, Mark Rockliff  NWFL, Denis Edwards Exec Officer, John Gooderham National Waterbug Blitz,  Chris Wisniewski IFS

Apologies

Michael Caminada, Wayne Bellette, Brett Smith, Keith Symons

John Gooderham guest speaker from National Waterbug Blitz

John gave an enlightening presentation showing how to access the existing data on Tasmanian rivers with the Waterbug App and also at www.waterbugblitz.org.au (see p.2)

The samples for the Tasmanian map are mostly from the DPIPWE and John suggested that there is an opportunity for groups/clubs to do “citizen science” sampling of regional/local rivers. This would help to more immediately pinpoint water quality issues and regional groups could be formed with presentation nights held to gauge interest in a program for their area. If there was sufficient interest he suggested that groups could be trained by him for accreditation.

     
AAT will disseminate information regarding john Gooderham’s presentation and Waterbug Blitz and seek expressions of interest from clubs and individuals keen to learn more about aquatic bugs in our rivers.

AAT will facilitate training and sampling opportunities with John Gooderham for those interested and provide adequate equipment for the use of groups and clubs.

Inland Fisheries Service Report

Chris Wisniewski talked on current IFS matters including the following --

    > License sales are up compared with this time last year 

    > Stocking list         

    > Arthurs Lake has had good recruitment and is an improving fishery

   >  Carp in Lake Sorell are very close to being eliminated

   >  Plenty River/Salmon Ponds fish kill

   > Junior Angling program

Questions were taken from the floor and all news/information is available on the IFS website.

Minutes of the last GM and matters arising

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 Aug 2020 at the Grange, Campbell Town were tabled

Matters arising

T Byard moved that webcam sponsors not be invoiced for this year due to Covid headwinds

Seconded M Crosse

M Rockliff moved that the minutes be accepted. Seconded: J Wadwell

Financials

The current balances of the four bank accounts were tabled and accepted

Fisheries Habitat Improvement Fund

As requested by Tony Wright of IFS the future directions and current limitations of the fund  were discussed.

The need to be better funded to allow a fund manager to be employed to seek strategic partners, corporate sponsors , donors etc to build the fund was thought to be important. It was felt that because of the original funds disappointing  performance, anglers may be reluctant to contribute reasonable sums until a better track record has been established, and the Tyenna willow removal project will be a very positive start.  

AAT while supporting the fund, do not have sufficient personnel or resources to administer  the fund and would be reluctant to be involved in its administration. Support could include a Fisheries Habitat Improvement page on the AAT website which could include a donation button, publicity at Trout Weekend, Bothwell Bushfest etc.

Plenty River

H Jones reported on AAT’s response to the incident which has included radio interviews, response to individuals and a position paper posted on the AAT website. The outcome of the EPA investigation will determine what further action will be taken.

River Health Campaign and Draft Rural Water Strategy

H Jones tabled AAT’s response to the draft strategy which was developed at the AAT Exec meeting on Sat 7 November, and accepted at the GM, as follows --

AAT supports the proposals in the draft document relating to the improvement of water quality information systems affording greater transparency in the management of our water resources to mitigate falling public confidence

AAT seeks a greater recognition of the value of  water as a public resource

AAT believes the draft paper fails to recognise Surety 2 status of environmental provisions outlined in the Water Management Act 1999

AAT  believes the draft document gives inadequate attention to river health and water quality

·      AAT considers the resourcing and broadening of environmental monitoring essential in a time of changing climate and increasing irrigation demands

·      Such environmental information should be readily accessible to the wider public

As Agrivision 2050 seeks to boost agricultural production sixfold, AAT proposes commensurate investment in compliance and monitoring resources

Deadline for responses to the Draft Rural Water Strategy is Wed16 Dec 2020.  AAT response to be posted on AAT website with a link to the DPIPWE Draft Rural Water Use Strategy.

Howard and Gary to contact EDO for advice on approach. Howard to handle public response.

Sorell/Cresent Water Management Plan

T Byard reported that water management is now under the umbrella of DPIPWE 

“Agri-growth” department.

Next meeting of the review committee is on Fri 20 Nov 20

Mersey River Water Management Plan

J Broomby reported that management of the Mersey is less than desirable at present and tabled the DPIPWE paper “Trial of changes to Water Management in the Mersey River catchment from Nov 2020 to April 2021” which promises much better results.

Next meeting of the review committee is in March

Junior Angling program

As was discussed at the Exec Committee meeting on Sat 7 Nov, re-organising the Junior Angling program will be put on hold until the outcome of the possible review of freshwater angling by the government.

When the outcome is known sources of funding, sponsorship, prizes etc will be sought from

BCF, Ozfish and aquaculture companies etc .

Webcams

M Crosse that Arthurs camera has been located and is now operating, Tooms Lake may be installed and operating by Christmas and Lake Pedder next year. This would make a total of

twelve webcams possibly completing  a very successful project.

Modems are being updated to 4G installed and there may be a weather station installed on the Pedder webcam.

Correspondence

The following correspondence was tabled and discussed :

·       No Turbine Action Group letter with an update on the proposed St Patricks Plains

             windfarm and the audio effect on Penstock Lagoon and looking for support from

              AAT.

·       Details of Epuron’s proposed Guildford windfarm around Talbots Lagoon

·       Hydro’s Central Highlands revised proposed signage.

·       River Leven Coupe LG005A removed from harvesting by Sustainable Timber Tasmania.

General business

·       M Rockliff enquired if a reply to Lake Lea letter has been received from parks

·       Mersey River sewerage leak – club to contact EPA

·       J Broomby reported that the River Leven planting at the willow removal site was doing well. He also suggested it’s time for a meeting with the Minister .